Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31778 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31778 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Holy shit.
Her long dark blond hair was in a loose braid, hanging down her back with flyaway strands framing her heart-shaped face. Her blue eyes were so light, they almost looked like ice. Surrounded by lashes that matched the color of her hair. Her creamy skin was pale, emphasizing the natural pink bloom on her high cheekbones.
A sensual quality to her plump lips made me want to bite them before ravishing them. As my gaze continued down, my body came roaring to life with a vengeance. I couldn't remember the last time I’d been interested in a woman, and all of a sudden, I was practically sweating from the hunger and need coursing through me.
Damn, she was sexy as fuck. She looked soft all over, making me ache to feel her sweet, curvy body pressed against my hard one.
She had big, luscious tits, deliciously thick thighs, and wide, round hips that were perfect for holding while I slammed into her from behind. And for having babies. Whoa! Where the fuck had that thought come from?
The shock wore off quickly, and I knew deep down in my soul that this woman was meant to be mine.
When my gaze returned to her face, I zeroed in on her soft expression. There was a sadness lurking in there that made me want to protect her and fix whatever was causing her pain.
“That’s why I chose a pocket watch. I do something to remember them every August for their anniversary, but I want to have them with me all the time,” she told Onyx softly.
My brow furrowed at her words. Was she here for a tattoo?
The bell on the door jangled, but all of my focus was on my woman.
“Hey, Ink,” my next client greeted.
I lifted my chin in his direction but kept my gaze on her.
“I want it on my upper thigh.”
I was moving before I even realized it. “Onyx is gonna do your tattoo this time, Neil,” I called out.
Both Onyx and the woman turned their heads to look at me when I approached.
“I’ll be doing your ink, baby,” I grunted.
Onyx’s expression was confused until his gaze bounced back and forth between me and my girl. “Uh, Annika, this is Ink. Guess there’s been a change. Seems I’ve been double booked. Ink’s the best there is. He’ll take care of you.”
Annika—fucking beautiful name—double blinked, her ice-blue eyes wide as she stared at me. I wanted to smile at the heat sparking in them, especially since I could tell she was taken aback by it.
She didn't know me yet, so I suppressed the laugh and smiled instead.
“C’mon, dolcezza,” I murmured, putting my hand at the small of her back and guiding her toward my booth. When we reached it, I gestured for her to sit in the chair and popped down onto my stool and rolled next to her.
“Tell me about the tattoo,” I requested, staring boldly into her clear, blue orbs.
Her voice was soft as she explained about her parents and what she’d chosen to have inked on her skin in remembrance. It was clear that she missed them and had loved and been loved in return. Her idea was beautiful, and I couldn't wait to start sketching her design.
When she finished, I gave her a soft smile and held out my left arm, showing her the underside and pointed to a spot near the crease of my elbow. There was a dripping paint palette and brush. If you looked close enough, the bristles formed an outline of a father holding the hand on his young son as they walked away. “Had that done for my dad when I was fifteen.”
Annika stared at the art for a moment, then raised her eyes up to meet mine. They sparkled with unshed tears, and she placed her hand on my wrist, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry, Ink.”
“Me too, dolcezza,” I replied. Then I cocked my head to the side and heat filled my gaze, bringing a pretty blush to her cheeks. “Matteo. Call me Matteo, baby.”
“Okay,” she whispered, a pretty smile lighting up her beautiful face. When she released my wrist, it felt like a bolt of electricity arced between us, sizzling over my skin and shooting straight to my dick.
My pants were suddenly way too fucking tight, so I inhaled deeply and swiveled my stool just slightly to hide my reaction. I reached for a pad and pencil, ready to get started, but her phone rang.
“Oops. Sorry,” she apologized, pink rushing to her cheeks. The corners of her lips dropped into a confused frown when she checked the caller ID. “It’s my school. I’m so sorry, but I just want to make sure everything is okay.”
“Whatever you need, dolcezza,” I told her with a nonchalant wave. “Gonna get shit ready.”
She smiled and hit the accept button before raising the phone to her ear. “Hello? Yes, I’m Annika Lee.”