“Well, you admitted as much to that asshole down there, and you’re dressed for a run.”
“Wait, you heard our entire conversation?” I ask incredulously. I wrack my brain,
trying to remember everything that was said.
“I did.” He nods and sighs and runs his fingers down my cheek. “I almost killed him.”
The elevator arrives at my floor, and I lead him to my door.
“You seemed very calm.”
“I almost killed him.” At the sound of his voice, Levine comes running from the bedroom,
jumps onto the arm of the couch and cries for attention.
“He missed you too.”
He strokes Levine’s back and watches me, his eyes steady and warm, but his mouth is
set disapprovingly.
“I don’t want you running this late.”
“I only went a mile,” I counter.
He sighs and pulls me into his arms. He doesn’t just kiss me. He takes ownership of
me.
And damn if I don’t love it.
“Please don’t do it again,” he whispers. “If anything happened to you, it would kill
me.”
Well, when he puts it like that…
“Okay,” I agree.
“Thank you for sending the baby gifts today.”
I smile widely and bounce on the balls of my feet. “They got there?”
“Yeah, they’re pretty great. Maddox will love that guitar.”
“He should have a guitar like his daddy.” I nod. “How is the baby?”
“Small.” He laughs and shrugs.
“And Lori?”
“She’s great.” His eyes are happy as he lifts me into his arms and carries me to the
bedroom.
“Do you want something to drink?” I push my fingers into his soft brown hair.
“Later,” he murmurs and kisses my temple.
“What do you want now?” I ask with a grin.
“I haven’t been inside you in too many hours to count, sunshine.” He sets me on my
feet and strips me naked, his lips kissing my skin as he uncovers it. By the time
he pulls my socks off my feet, I’m panting and on fire.
He pulls his shirt over his head, shucks his pants and guides me onto the bed, onto
my back.
“Spread your legs, sweetheart.”
“Gee, this is awfully fast. I usually ask a guy to buy me dinner before he can just
insist I spread my legs.” I giggle and he pinches my thigh, then bites it and kisses
the hurt away.
He systematically kisses his way up my body; his hands are moving over me, gently
caressing my breasts, my nipples.
He nuzzles my belly button and sighs. “Sexy.”
He leaves open-mouthed, wet kisses on my skin and climbs up to rest his pelvis against
my own. His lips wreck havoc on my neck, making me squirm beneath him, my hips circling
and inviting him inside me.
“I missed you,” he whispers.
“Me too, but it was only one day.”
“Missed you anyway.” He kisses his way over to the other side and sucks my earlobe,
grazes my jawline with his teeth and settles in to kiss me stupid.
His hand brushes down my ribs and between us to cup my center.
“You’re so wet, baby.”
A finger slips inside me, his thumb brushes my nub, and I gasp. “Want you.”
“Mmm…” He agrees. “Do you know how amazing you are?”
I can’t even think at the moment. “If this is a pop-quiz, I’ll take the zero ‘cause
I don’t remember my name right now.”
He chuckles and bites my lower lip, brushes my hair from my face, and continues to
drive me crazy with his fingers. I gasp when he adds another finger, my toes curl
and I push my pelvis against him.
“You amaze me,” he whispers. “Come.” He bites my chin, pushes my clit with his thumb,
and I see stars, clenching his fingers tightly, moaning and shaking under him.
And he’s not even inside me yet.
He pulls his fingers out of me and sucks them clean, his eyes laughing down at me.
“You’re delicious, sunshine.”
I just grin as he grips both my hands in his, linking our fingers, and pulls them
over my head as he rears back and sinks inside me, quick and hard.
“Ah, shit,” I mutter and strain against his hands, but he holds me strong, his gray
eyes pinning me in his gaze, and pumping into me, over and over, harder and harder.
His breath is coming hard and fast, and finally he clenches his eyes shut and lets
go, shuddering as he spills himself inside me.
“Love you,” he whispers and kisses me softly.
“Love you back.”
He kisses me once again and then lifts off me, pulls out and staggers off the bed
to walk into the bathroom to clean up.
I watch him leave, happily admiring his tight ass, when his shoulder catches my eye.
“What the hell is that?” I demand and pull myself off the bed. He reappears in the
doorway, wiping his hands on a towel.
“A tattoo,” he replies.
I roll my eyes. “Clearly. When did you get it? You didn’t have it when you left last
night.”
“I got it this morning. Kat got me in early.”
“Kat?” I frown and then my eyes go wide. “
That
Kat?”
“I know people.” He turns to walk back into the bathroom and I follow him, inspecting
the new ink in the mirror.
It’s spectacular in the light. It’s a yellow and orange sun, outlined in black. The
rays look like they’re moving in a riot of color. Surrounding it, and between the
rays, is a vibrant blue, like a blue sky.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathe. “I hope I didn’t hurt it when I hugged you.”
“I’m fine.” He smiles. “She did a great job.”
I can’t look away from it.
“The blue is your eyes,” he murmurs and turns to me, cupping my face in his hands.
“You put permanent ink on you that reminds you of
me
?”
He frowns for a moment and then sighs. “Yes.”
“Is it okay if that freaks me out a little?”
“Yes.” He laughs and nods.
“Good, ‘cause it freaks me out a little.” I look at it in the mirror again and warmth
spreads through me, knowing that he wants something of me on him, but at the same
time, it’s a big commitment.
“Tell me why you’re freaked out.” He’s watching me closely.
“It’s permanent,” I whisper and he just nods, waiting for me to continue. “Shit, Leo,
it’s more permanent than a ring.”
His eyes narrow. “Trust me, when I get a ring on your finger, it’ll be there permanently.”
When he gets a ring on my finger?!
“Leo.” I begin and pull out of his arms. “I thought we were on the same page. I’m
not interested in having a ring on my finger.”
“What are you talking about?” he scowls.
“You said that marriage doesn’t interest you. It doesn’t me either.” I shake my head
and cross my arms over my chest. “We can be committed to each other without rings
on our fingers.”
“Samantha, I was a different man then.” He props his hands on his hips, just over
his low-hanging jeans and boxers. “Meeting you, falling for you, has changed that.
You’re mine.”
“Yes, so you keep reminding me. Often.”
“Because apparently you need the reminder. You’ve marked me, and this tat is me showing
the world that I’m yours, permanently.”
I continue to scowl at him, but holy shit, he’s mine.
Permanently
.
“Leo, I am committed to you, but marriage…”
“Jesus Christ,” He interrupts. “It’s not like I’m down on one knee with a ring.”
“Okay.” I frown.
He closes the gap between us and pushes his hands into my hair, holding me still.
“I’m yours, sunshine. Get used to it. The rest will work itself out.”
“You are so mine,” I agree and feel my insides loosen.
“God, you’re fucking stubborn. Most women would be thrilled that their man inked himself
for her.”
“At least you didn’t have my name tatted on your neck.” I shiver as he laughs.
“Not really my thing.” He shakes his head and sighs. “What am I going to do with you?”
Just keep loving me.
I don’t say it aloud. Instead I stand on my toes and press my lips to his.
“Your new tattoo is pretty,” I whisper.
Chapter Twenty-Five
One Month Later
“You don’t have to walk me to the door. I remember where Jules and Nate live.” I smirk
at Leo as he walks me down the hallway of Jules and Nate’s building to their door.
“I don’t mind. So, you are all going to meet us guys at the venue at six thirty, right?”
“Yes.” I nod and roll my eyes. This is the third time he’s reminded me since we left
my place, and I only live four blocks away. “Why are you so worried about us being
there on time?”
“Because women have a tendency to be late as it is, six of you getting ready together
and getting somewhere on time? Impossible. The show starts at seven.”
“Oh ye of little faith.” I laugh and ring the doorbell. “We’ll be there in time. We
have like three hours to get ready.”
“Hey! You’re here!” Jules opens the door, dressed only in short red cut-off sweats
and a tight black tank. “We’re doing hair now. I already have an idea for you.”
“Thanks for the lift.” I turn to follow Jules, but Leo snags my hand and pulls me
back to him, kissing me deeply and possessively, before pulling back with a smug grin.
“You’re gonna be great tonight, baby,” I whisper to him. He smirks, but I know he’s
a little nervous.
“Wear something sexy for me.” He smacks my ass as I walk away.
“Yoga pants it is!” I call over my shoulder and wave as he laughs and closes the door
behind him.
“Hey guys!” I call out, set my over night bag on Jules’ bed, along with everyone else’s
it seems, and saunter into the bathroom. “It looks like a beauty supply store has
exploded in here.”
“You’re here!” Natalie kisses my cheek happily. Stacy and Brynna are hunched over
the sink, studiously applying makeup.
“This is a rock concert, you know. You’ll sweat a lot of that makeup off.”
“No I won’t.” Stacy laughs. “I don’t sweat. I glisten.”
Meg laughs. “Just wear waterproof everything, you’ll be fine.”
She looks awesome. Her hair is a riot of red and blonde curls, and she’s added purple
streaks around her face.
Jules and Natalie have both gone for the long, sleek straight look with their hair.
“Sit,” Jules instructs me.
“I can do my own hair.” I scowl. “I’ve been doing it for a long time.”
“Don’t be a pussy. I’ll do something really awesome.”
“Gee, great. Just don’t rat it like the hair bands from the 80’s.”
Jules grins and pushes me into a chair, reaches for her flat iron and gets to work.
“Sam, how do you like your new job?” Stacy asks and smiles over at me.
“I love it.” I grin as I think of my new job at
Wine Northwest
, a popular magazine that showcases wines and wineries in the Northwest.
“Do you get to sample the goods?” Jules asks as she rubs some sort of gel shit in
my hair.
“Actually, yes. It’s awesome.”
“Good for you.” Nat finishes her lipstick and primps her hair. She doesn’t even look
pregnant yet. “We’re proud of you.”
“Thanks, it’s just a relief to be employed again.”
“Is Leo nervous about tonight?” Brynna asks, catching my eye in the mirror.
“He says he’s not, but I think he might be a little. This is their first show in almost
six months.”
“Plus, it’s home turf, so it means more,” Meg agrees. “He’s probably acting all badass,
but his stomach is going crazy.”
“Poor guy.” Stacy laughs. “God, I hope he goes shirtless tonight.”
“Can you arrange that, Sam?” Nat asks with a giggle. “God, those stars.” She fans
her face with her hand and giggles.
“I’ll put in the request,” I respond dryly. Of course he’ll go shirtless. This is
Leo Nash.
I can’t wait.
“Brynna, you look hot,” Jules comments and continues to tug on my head.
“Thanks.” Brynna winks.
Jules is right; Brynna looks great. Her curvy body looks fantastic in her skinny jeans
and shiny black, low cut top.
“Sex agrees with her.” Stacy smirks and I feel my eyes go wide.
“No way!”
Brynna blushes and lowers her gaze for just a moment and then turns around to face
the room with a happy smile.
“You’re getting your orgasms!” Natalie exclaims happily.
“Boy am I.” Brynna nods. “I can safely say the Montgomery men give some amazing orgasms.”
Both Stacy and Meg nod in agreement and I laugh, relieved that Jules has let go of
my hair so I don’t get burned.