Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
When he lumbers out of the ambulance, he turns to me. “Who’s going to go with her?”
“I’ll go,” Ellie says. “It’s your birthday.”
“Forget it,” I tell her. “You need to get home to Noah. I don’t have anywhere I need to be.”
I climb into the ambulance, taking a seat at Celine’s feet, watching the paramedic check her blood pressure and attach an IV. When I turn, I find Dalton, Blake, and Kain looking on worriedly. I can almost feel their concern and frustration rolling from them in waves.
If our relationship was in the open, there’s no way they’d be standing back this way. They must be itching to provide me with support because that’s who they are. They’ve been raised to be good men, reliable men, strong men. All the qualities that are on my list of traits for a future partner.
As the doors are closing, I raise my hand in a small wave.
It’s not the way I thought I’d be spending my birthday, but as long as Celine recovers, that’ll be the best birthday gift I could receive.
In the hospital, when the doctors confirm that Celine is going to be fine, I remember Kain’s gift. When I open the plush little box, I find a silver chain and a dainty angel’s wing pendant. It’s so pretty, and I almost tear up at the image of him searching for such a sweet gift for me.
Later, when Celine is safely home and the birds are starting to sing their dawn chorus, I finally make it home. Remembering Dalton’s instructions, I find a wrapped box exactly where he described it would be. Mom’s still sleeping, so I creep to the kitchen to open it.
Inside is a small chocolate cupcake covered in pink hearts. The card reads, Forgive my first attempt at baking. Happy Birthday sweet girl.”
I hold the card against my heart, swallowing down the wave of emotions tonight has taken me on. I gently remove the cake from the box, pull down the wrapper, and take a huge bite. It’s melt-in-the-mouth-perfect, filled with chocolatey goodness. Dalton’s so damned talented, it makes me want to cry.
When I flop into bed, I struggle to sleep for a long time, now more conflicted than I have ever been.
18
BLAKE
When I finish up my current client and head to the register so that they can pay for the eagle tattoo I just spent two hours inking into their skin, I glance at my watch.
Gabriella should be here any minute.
I’m as nervous as I am excited.
This morning, Kain made me promise that I’d do my best work. “No pissing around,” he said. “No jokes. Take it seriously.”
Of course I intend to take it seriously. Inking something permanent onto Gabriella’s perfect virgin skin is a huge responsibility, one I am not approaching lightly.
I haven’t seen her since the night of her birthday last week. We’ve all been waiting for a message on our group WhatsApp, but nothing came through. Her absence has left us all on edge, uncertain for the reason, and facing the possible disappointment that she might be backing out of the deal. Dalton suggested that the gifts were a step too far into boyfriend territory, and I was close to agreeing when she called to arrange for me to do the tattoo. Kain has been walking around like a bear with a sore head. Dalton’s shoulders have been more rounded than usual. And I’ve been more restless than ever. Last night, Dad jokingly threatened to toss me out the window if I didn’t stop my leg from jittering. I didn’t even realize it was moving.
But she did call me to arrange this tattoo and I’m hoping it’s a good sign. At least it’s a sign our deal hasn’t run its course.
When the bell over the door rings, I glance up to find Gabriella, framed by the doorway, her golden hair tumbling over her shoulders, radiant in cut-off shorts and a pink tank.
Someone behind me makes a low whistle and I whip around to shoot Ryan a savage look. The guy is permanently horny and can get too flirty with the customers. Over my dead body he is going to flirt with my girl. Except, I can’t tell him Gabriella’s off-limits because I promised to keep our deal a secret.
She’s not my girl. She’s just a girl who uses me for sex.
The reality of that statement is a lot less satisfying than it sounds. Not that the sex isn’t perfect because it absolutely is. I just want more of the package than Gabriella seems willing to give.
“Hey, Blake,” she says brightly.
“Hey.” My whole body screams at me to kiss her, hold her, touch her, anything! Instead, I drop my clenched fists behind the protection of the register and smile like I’m not at war with my very soul. “Ready to get your first tattoo?”