And they were. Such a range of styles and designs.
She scooted closer. This one. She pointed to a design with multiple wolves. Could go from your lower back up to your shoulder. Id need to see where your other tattoos are to figure out how to integrate if theyre close to your back. She turned the page. This one would fit nicely square in the center.
Stunning. Concentric circles of design that built to create the image of a wolf head.
Its more Celtic. The first is more Nordic.
There were others, but his attention kept returning to those first two. Which do you like best?
Youre a big man. Imposing. Intense. One shoulder lifted. I like to see the skin where the tat would go. What your musculature is like. A bold tattoo needs to sit just right.
Are you trying to get me naked?
She smirked. Im sure itll be worth the wait.
He pulled the T-shirt off and she hummed. That hum was a caress.
She stood. I need you up so I can get a better look.
He obeyed, staying very close. She didnt move away. Instead she looked up into his face. Goddamn.
As compliments went, it was a pretty good one.
She circled him, near enough to brush the heat of her body against his skin. Her palms smoothed over his shoulders, across his back, down his spine. She traced the tattoo on his right shoulder.
Decent work. I can touch it up here. Her fingertips brushed a spot of sensitive skin.
Does it need that?
Only if you want it to look nice.
He turned his head and she was so very close. A quick movement and his hand cupped the back of her neck as he took that mouth of hers in a kiss. Hard and fast.
Her taste rushed through his system like wildfire as she opened to him. Her tongue slid along his as he claimed, took, demanded.
She kissed like she meant it. Matching him move for move. Hed kissed women before. But this woman knew what she was about. Took her time, tasting him. A nip of his bottom lip sent a shiver through him. He hauled her close, the sweetness of her curves against him. He was hard. So fucking hard.
All from a kiss.
When he got this woman naked they were going to set shit on fire.
He eased back, taking her bottom lip between his teeth a moment. That was as good as I imagined.
Her smile was the furthest thing from coy possible.
Dinner should be finished soon.
Where are the other two tattoos? She didnt step back and he didnt let go, but he had to move to show her.
Reluctantly he pulled away and unbuttoned his fly enough to show her the star below his belly button.
My. She licked her lips.
Is that a good my?
Her gaze locked with his. You know it is.
He guessed he did. He worked hard on his body. It gave him somewhere to channel all his sexual energy after the divorce. When hed discovered he liked things his ex never would have allowed. And then he got concerned it wasnt normal or healthy.
But he was far too old to worry about it any longer. All this time hed dated on and off. Fucked when he could, around Carries schedule because she was his priority. Hed had tastes here and there, never wanting to go too far. Never fully trusting any of those women to give him what he needed, or to let go of all that dark desire he harbored. He had felt that it wasnt worth it to really go full out with someone unless he was going to be with her full time. What he wanted, what he liked, wasnt a game.
And it had been fine.
But with this woman it was different. She was not fragile or shy. She was not coy. She wore her sexuality openly. She was the kind of woman a man could be an equal with.
He liked that a great deal.
Is the other tattoo on your cock?
He barked a laugh. Fuck no. I like my cock too much to let anyone jab it with a needle.
It was her turn to laugh. Good. Cock tattoos are not hot. You, on the other hand are very, very hot.
The other tattoo is on my thigh. A small one. Im thinking of getting it covered.
Your ex-wifes initials? Wedding anniversary?
Am I that transparent?
No. But you dont seem the type to get tweety bird on a weekend bender or whatever. So if you wanted to remove it or cover it, I figure its something you dont want to be reminded of anymore.
I nearly said it was Yosemite Sam. But then I didnt think I could keep a straight face. Its our wedding date. She got one too, though I imagine shes covered it. At first I left it there to remind me of my mistake. Now its just numbers inked into my skin.
He put his shirt back on and she made a little disappointed sound that brought a smile again.
Whats the star for?
I liked it.
I like stars. She pulled her shirt up and he saw the smattering of stars across her belly and up her side.
I like yours better.
Good to know.
The kitchen timer began to ding and with a sigh he turned. Dinners ready.
3
Youre a pretty good cook. Truth be told, shed sort of expected him to have a cook who also cleaned and took care of him.
Carrie and I learned a lot together. Shes better than I am. Mainly because my mother insisted Carrie be taught to run a household. He snorted.
You disagree?
My mothers perspective is that its a womans duty. Mine is, she should know because shes a person who will be an adult on her own.
He was a surprise. Not that she wasnt around men who would raise their daughters to be independent women, but he clearly came from an established, moneyed family. She knew through Erin that the family matriarch was all about position in the community and all that jazz. But her sons, the two eldest anyway, were pretty open.
She nodded. Shes going to college so shell need to know how to cook.
Only so much Cup o Noodles she can eat.
It made her smile to imagine him eating from a little foam cup. Was that your college mainstay?
I had a roommate whose dad owned a restaurant. The guy was pretty amazing in the kitchen. I have to admit I ate pretty well in college. Law school involved a lot of takeout and peanut butter sandwiches though. He watched her with greedy eyes. Can you cook?
She shrugged. I do all right. I have my few go-to meals. Spaghetti, tacos, soup. Nothing overly complicated. Erin, now she can cook.
But she cant do tattoos.
He was a flatterer, Jonah Warner. And he knew just exactly what to say to get to her. It wasnt calculated in any way. Which only made it more powerful.
She cant. But the rock star, two husbands, great kid, lots of money part gets her through.
He laughed. How long have you known her?
Erin? Fourteen, nearly fifteen years now.
Where did you grow up? I keep getting a little bit of Southern from you.
She tried to remain relaxed. It wasnt as if she never spoke about her personal life. Within limits. Arkansas.
Really? Where?
Shed told people about Happy Bend, but this man . . . well, he got under her skin. Telling him this thing gave him power of a sort. She wasnt altogether sure if she wanted that.
Small town in the middle of nowhere. Anyway, now that Ive seen your back I think either of the first two designs would work really well. The others all would with some editing. But the tattoo on your shoulder would impact how Id wrap a few of them.
Youre mysterious.
She snorted. Not so much.
If not, then tell me the name of the town.
She raised a brow. You really dont like to be thwarted, do you? The thing is, even though youre ridiculously handsome and you kiss like youd be really good in bed, Im not going to be goaded like Im in grade school. Not that shed ever been much of a normal grade-schooler anyway.
And to think you said I was a handful.
Well, we all have our crosses to bear.
So tell me something. Anything.
He was so ridiculously charming she couldnt resist.
My favorite color is purple.
Mine is green.
I bet it looks awesome on you.
What makes you say that?
Your eyes and hair, the sort of tawny skin tone . . . it would work with a deep green.
What color are your panties?
She grinned as she took a sip of her beer. Who says Im wearing any?
He choked.
Black. Wearing underpants with trousers or jeans is sort of mandatory in my personal rule book.
There you go, cutting into my fantasy.
Are we pretending I wont make your fantasy reality?
He got serious as he looked her over so closely she had to fight back a blush.
Her shrug aimed at nonchalance but most likely failed. I dont play games when it comes to sex.
Usually she said it calmly, but just then he made her feel defensive. Well, no, defensive wasnt the right word. Like she needed to declare it with her chin jutted out. Or something.
You dont? Well, there goes that fantasy.
She laughed, relaxing.
Well, there are games and there are games. I like what I like. Im an adult. I think its a waste of time to pretend we arent sexually attracted to each other when we are.
His gaze went hooded.
All right. I can get on board with that. I want you.
Heat and cold washed over her. Which was silly. She wasnt a virgin by any stretch of the imagination. But this sort of desire left her breathless. Giddy. She wasnt used to this. A slow heat sure. Shed felt that with Brody Brown for a very long time. He was an attractive man who cared about her, and that had been comforting as well as exciting. But this man . . . well. He wasnt the long, slow dance that men like Brody Brown were. This man was intense. He stole her breath.
Being so out of sorts and off balance wasnt something she did well.
Then again, she had no intention of leaving, so to pretend otherwise was ridiculous.
And I want the Celtic design one. Circles. I like that.
She would have chosen that one in his place as well. He was a warrior type. Big and braw. Smart. Good lord, she could see the intelligence and cunning in his gaze. Like a wolf, she supposed.
Nice choice.
I feel vindicated that you agree.
Itll look good on you.
Why do I get the feeling youd never allow otherwise?
I like my work. I like my reputation. If I cut corners or got sloppy, Id have neither.
That . . . and I think youre a control freak. Have you ever given any thought to releasing that control?
His voice had gone low and silky and it sent a shiver through her.
Are you going to try to convert me now?
He laughed, but there was more than simple amusement there. This was foreplay.
I suppose Id like to show you my idea of heaven.
Good lord.
Do I have to read your pamphlet now? I like candy on Halloween. I like to dance. I particularly enjoy premarital sex.
He stood, stacking her empty plate on his before carrying them to the sink. In my religion, you can have all the candy, dancing and sex with me that you can stand.
Hm. Well, perhaps conversion is something worth considering.
First things first. Tattoos.
He got such a smug expression she was torn between amusement and annoyance. Men. Its probably going to take at least two sessions, maybe three. Your design has a lot of shading. Just the outlining alone will take several hours. I can do it here if you like. Or you can come to my place or the shop.
The shop is near Green Lake, isnt it?
Yes. Near the zoo. The regular hours are eleven to ten. But I can work around that if you need.
Oh, I do need. But not that. Where is your place?
Capitol Hill. Really only about ten minutes from his place.
And you could do it here you said?
Youll need a comfortable chair or a table to lie on. It needs to be the right height so I can work and not be stooped over. Ill have all the sterilized equipment with me, no matter where I do it.
I dont have a tattoo table. But, and youre going to think Im such a rich asshole, I do have a massage table. In my defense, I had to get surgery on my knee several years ago and the physical therapy involved massages. Because my schedule is crazy, they came out here. Its in a closet, but would that work?
She laughed. You are a rich asshole. But it should, depending on how high it is. I can work back and forth between a chair and the table. It should keep you more comfortable too.
He glowered and then stomped over, pulling her into his arms to kiss her hard and fast.
I have to warn you that if insulting you gets me kissed, this is a negative-association thing. Ill have to keep it up to get more.
His dark look faded, replaced by a smile. Im not an asshole.
Hmm. I have a theory about this. Would you like to hear it?
Come with me. He tugged and she followed. You can tell me on the way.
Where are you taking me?
Anywhere youll let me. Tell me your theory.
My theory is about rich people in general. So youre multi-generational rich. Old money, established family.
You seem to know a lot about me.
Yes, when I set my plan to get pregnant and trap you into marriage so I could live it up, I had a dossier created about you. It was either that or, say, live in Seattle where youre in the paper. Oh, or be friends with people who know your brother and his girlfriend.
He paused, looking her up and down. Ouch.
Indeed. Anyway, back to my theory. Second or third-gen wealth produces trust-fund assholes who think work is red carpet for so-called charity events in between long bouts of shopping and partying. Rehab is involved sometimes. Marrying older men from other rich families who are supposed to calm Ms. Trust Fund and have her start breeding for the cause. But then there are those families who believe in noblesse oblige. Those successive generations make their kids have jobs. Raise them with a sense of responsibility and gratitude for their situation. Those kids, like you and Levi, work their asses off. But theres no getting around the simple fact that having money changes your life. Youre accustomed to things like shorter lines at the airport, better service, nicer hotel rooms, your clothes are made better, you eat better. All that stuff. So youre not an asshole like some whod yell at the cleaning lady or the valet. You were raised better than that. But you have a sense of entitlement. Not like the trust-fund kids, but its there. You were raised with it. You cant get around it. You dont like being told no. You dont like being refused things. You wouldnt have this house and your expensive wristwatch if you werent an asshole in some sense. You work for it and you have to overcome what some in your community do to be taken seriously.
Youre pretty smart.
She frowned. For a gal who grew up in Happy Bend, Arkansas?
Now see, there you are.
Here I am?
He continued to draw her upstairs. Yes. Happy Bend. Sounds like a lovely small town. Also, working hard and coming from money doesnt make me an asshole.
Its not Mayberry. Its a shithole filled with assholes, alcoholics and losers. She clamped her lips shut against the words. Anyway, I explained to you the difference between the asshole who throws cell phones at the help and the asshole who works hard but has a sense of entitlement to the best things in life. For instance, do you know how often I get asked by people if I do house calls?
No, but I get the feeling youre going to smack me with the point and Im going to have to admit youre right.
You should always assume that. But in this case, people ask for me to come to their homes very rarely. Sometimes if someone is recovering from a health issue that makes it hard for them to get out. But mainly, its mover-and-shaker types. Who are simply used to being catered to. Now, like I said, theres a difference between types of assholes. If there wasnt, I wouldnt be allowing you to get me into your bedroom.
How do you know thats where Im taking you?
Because you want to fuck me.
And I get what I want, Raven.
In this case you will, yes.
He pushed open double doors and she had a very difficult time not being impressed, so she let it happen. Art dominated the walls downstairs as well, but up here, it was a different sort of art. Sensual.
The impressive thing, other than the art and the giant four-postered bed, was the view. The view out three walls of windows with wraparound decking just beyond. The view that took in the lake.
Gorgeous.
He looked her up and down. Im thinking the exact same thing.
Im no view of the lake. This is stunning. Imagine waking up to this every day. She might never get out of bed if this was what she saw each day. Shed just sit and sketch her time away.
This is what sold me on the house.
She ran fingertips up the smooth, carved curves of the poster she stood nearest to. And hoped fervently he never fucked his ex on this bed. Not normally anything shed have cared about. But . . . she didnt want to be associated with memories of another woman.
I found this bed four years ago. In San Diego of all places, so it had to be shipped.
Well, that answered her question. No ex in this bed. Not a wife anyway.
Its a kings bed.
One corner of his mouth lifted. Is that so?
She nodded.
The way he looked at her gave her butterflies. Is this what Erin meant when she talked about how Todd made her feel at times? Interesting.
Id like to fuck you. Well, Id like to do lots of things with you, including fucking. You down with that?
She nodded. Im so down with that.
The glass is treated. No one can see in. So you should get naked for me.
She slowly unbuttoned her blouse to reveal the lacy camisole she was very glad shed worn.
He hummed low, watching, his gaze on her a weight.
She stepped from her shoes, placing them beneath a nearby chair. The sticks came from her hair easily enough, sending it down her back and loose around her shoulders. The camisole slid from her skin, leaving her in a bra. A black-and-purple bra.
Next, the zipper at the side of her trousers slid down, enabling her to step from them.
Your panties match your bra. I like that.
She didnt know why, but the fact that he liked it made her . . . proud.
The bra and underpants took only moments and she stood before him, far more than her skin bared.
He stared, long and hard, not trusting his words. She was so beautiful.
Long dark hair with threads of deep blue shot through it. Large, high breasts, silver bars through each nipple. Her skin was pale, creamy, and covered with ink here and there. Her legs were long, her toenails a deep red. She was bold, the way she looked back at him. And yet there was a fragility to Raven that grabbed him and didnt let go. He was torn between a clawing desire and a need to cosset and spoil.
The stars shed indicated earlier started at her left hip and scattered up her belly, across to her other hip and up her rib cage. Up each of her inner arms she had thorns and roses that wrapped around her biceps and shoulders.
I see three tattoos. Where are the others?
She turned, pulling her hair aside. Across her back spilled ivy and purple flowers.
What are the flowers?
Forget-me-nots.
Her voice, threaded with tension, tugged at him, drawing him closer.
Eula? He traced over the word that had been woven into a knot of ivy.
My great-grandmother.
Each time she told him something personal it felt like a victory. Ah. This work is stunning.
On her back at each hip sat a triangle with swirls.
What are the triangles?
Triquetra on each side. Same basic concept, but the right is based on the disc I used to put in my 45 singles back when I had a record player. The other, well, its got personal meaning.
Enlighten me.
The nature of three. Mind, body, spirit. Maiden, mother, crone. The three levels of earth. That design is Celtic. Like I said earlier, Brody did all my work. Hes an artist, isnt he?
Jonah didnt want any other mans name on her lips. Even though he knew Brody Brown was a man who appeared to adore his wife and two daughters. Jonah knew too that Brody and Raven had once been involved.
Youre quite the canvas.
He noted the soft upturn of her lips. A pleased, touched smile. He wanted to see it again.
Can I undress you?
The two of them paused. Each seemingly surprised by the request.
Yes.
She pulled his shirt off again, leaning in to press an openmouthed kiss against his chest.
Your body is beautiful. She murmured it, nearly to herself.
He didnt stop himself from sliding his palms over her shoulders and down her back, drawing her closer as she pulled his pants open and then down, kneeling as she did.
He stepped from his pants and shorts and then she looked up his body, shocking him into utter stillness as he took in the sight of this woman on her knees before him.
It was more than kneeling to get at his cock. It was . . . more. So much more.
I like the way you look there. On your knees before me.
Do you?
He nodded, sliding his fingers through her hair.
I do. Very much. So much that I think you should suck my cock. Yes, yes, I think thats definitely what you should do.
She leaned in, brushing her cheek against the line of his cock until he nearly hissed. How such a small thing could feel so amazing he didnt know, but it did.
She licked up the line from his sac to the crown, around and around, before sucking him into the heat of her mouth. Hot and wet, she took him deep, so deep he grunted at how amazing it felt.
Over and over, the rhythm of her down and up, down and up, the heat cooling as she retreated, only to shock him again as she swallowed his cock. Her nails scored up the backs of his thighs, her hands flattening on his ass to pull him closer.
From his vantage point he could take in the color on her back as her hair moved. It was so good he had an inner quarrel with himself. He told himself he could stop her in just a bit because he wanted more of her mouth. Then he told himself he had great recovery time and if he came in her mouthand that idea appealed quite a lotthat he could concentrate on making her come and then by the time he was ready again, he could fuck her.
So he could have both.
Yes, that was it.
What he really wanted was to grab that gorgeous hair, wrap it around his fists for purchase so he could fuck her face. Not dignified. But he wanted it with so much greed it clawed at him.
She pulled back and looked up at him. The sight of those eyes and the expression on her face shocked him to his toes.
Is there a problem? One brow rose.
He laughed, giving in enough to caress her face and head. Only the wealth of options you present.
Liar.
I dont know you well enough yet.
Hm. You know me well enough to put your cock in my mouth.
Put that way . . .
He licked his lips.
I said I didnt play games when it came to sex and I meant it. I think you should do the same.
He didnt want to scare her off. God knew he wanted at this woman for a while to come. But she was right.
Get back to work.
His tone changed, and then his expression did. It sent a shiver through her and there was nothing more she wanted than to do exactly as hed asked. No. Commanded.
So she did.
She knew hed been holding back. Could feel the fine muscle tension in his arms as hed touched her.
And then he shoved his fingers through her hair and tugged hard enough to bring a gasp, which quickly turned into a moan. That did things to her; shivers ran riot over her skin as her control slipped.
He tugged. Using her hair. Bringing her mouth on him closer, sending his cock farther back into her mouth.
She hated it when men touched her head during a blow job. But this was . . . different. Like a whole different planet.
He groaned and thrust as he pulled her forward, using her hair.
She struggled to get her breathing right, fought back panic. But she could do this, damn it. She wanted to do it. Wanted to make him feel good. Got off on the way he handled her, taking what he wanted.
And in a minute or two, she found her rhythm, got her breathing regulated and relaxed.
She hummed and he snarled. The satisfaction of affecting him like that seemed to shoot straight to her nipples, which throbbed in time with her thundering heart.
Goddamn, yes. Like that. Christ, youre so fucking hot.
She held on, breathing, licking and sucking until his taste filled her, the hot wet of him titillated as she took everything he had to give.
And when she pulled back and kissed him, he picked her up, raining kisses all over her face as he moved her to his bed and lay her there with so much care she had to open her eyes to look at him.
He was smiling. Wow.
It made her laugh as he joined her, the heat of his body against hers.
Thanks.
Now its my turn to get a taste.
He kissed her. Kissed her so long and slow and deep she thought shed burst from her skin. She was pretty sure she hadnt kissed like this in fifteen years at least. There was sex now, and so the kiss got short shrift on the way to fucking, which was a certainty. Back in the days of the long make-out, sex was an oh-my-god-I-hope-she-lets-me thing.
But this man knew hed fuck her. And he kissed her long and slow because he wanted to. It was disarming and the panic returned. She was a kiss-a-few-times, fuck-hard-and-fast-and-go-home sort of woman. It suited her. But this was soul-deep fucking. Jonah Warner got under her skin, saw into her heart, and there were things inside she didnt want anyone knowing.
But he wasnt one to be rushed.
She took his hand and put it on her breast. He twisted the bar until she gasped into his mouth. And then he slid that hand all along her arm, clasping her fingers with his. And kept kissing.
He nipped her bottom lip. So hard it sent ripples of pain through her body. And then he returned to lave the sting with such gentleness it cut through her.
He kissed her, licked her tongue, her lips, he nipped and laved, sucked and seduced her mouth until shed have given him just about anything.
And he was only getting started.
Later, shed realize this was probably the moment shed gotten in over her head with this man. But she couldnt think straight. Not with his hands on her. Not with the way he made her feel singing through her veins. She was drunk with him.
He finally pulled back, his face still very close to hers. His lips swollen from those long, drugging kisses. You taste so good.
She swallowed hard. She worked to reclaim her inner sex vixen, but he rendered her a lazy mess, like a kitten in a freaking patch of sunshine.
He kissed along her jawline. Back to the spot just below her ear. She hadnt realized what an erogenous zone it was until he put his mouth there, hot, and sent sensation straight to her clit. She was so wet right then, just from kisses, for gods sake. She should have been embarrassed. But really, she only wanted him to keep on doing whatever it was he wanted. So he could continue to make her feel.
Nibbling across her collarbone, he took his time. Tasting her. Teasing her senses. The edge of his teeth surprising her when he nipped or abraded her skin with them.
Youre a master at this, she managed to murmur, sounding like a drunk.
Its all you. He kissed along her rib cage, down her side. Up her belly until at long last he got to her tits.
Hallelujah.
He chuckled as he nibbled along the swell beneath her nipple.
I love how this looks. Then he flicked his tongue over her nipple until it hardened, tugging on the bar, stealing her breath. Shed always found the bars to enhance nipple play. But this waslike the rest of Jonahsomething else entirely.
He licked and then tugged on the bar with his teeth, wracking her system with pleasure so sharp she had to clench her teeth.
Mmmm. You like that.
Uh, yes. Im voting yes on everything youve brought to the table so far.
Good to know.
He moved to her other nipple and did the same magic there. Nipples were great and all, but she wasnt usually one of those women who could come just from nipple stimulation. But Jonahs mouth might prove that wrong.
The scratch of his scruff only made the experience hotter as he abraded her skin. He kissed down her belly, over to the hollow at each hip. She floated in a haze of pleasure. She might have begged him to get on with it, but it probably never actually got out of her mouth.