by Nikki Ash
“Is that why you moved here?”
“Kind of,” he says. “I grew up in New York. My dad is Irish-American and was on vacation in Ireland when he met my mom. They fell in love and she moved to New York to be with him. They run his family business here. That’s why I don’t really have the accent. Growing up, we would visit often, but New York is our home. While I was on vacation in Ireland, I was hanging out with everyone, my friends and cousins, and Shea and I ended up hooking up. She’s been around for years, but I never really noticed her before.” He shrugs. “We did the long distance thing for a couple years, and then one day she showed up. I was living and working in Boston at the time. I had gone to college there and ended up staying, even though it drove my mom nuts for me to be so far. It was at the same time my dad had a minor stroke and needed my help running his business.”
“Oh no.” I frame the sides of his bristly-haired face in my hands. “I’m so sorry. Is he okay now?”
“He is,” he says with a smile. “But at the time, he needed to take a break, so I moved down here so I could help out. I still tattooed part-time, but I mostly focused on running the family business. I have a degree in business management, so that came in handy, I guess.”
“That’s really selfless of you,” I tell him. “My brothers moved here for me too. I still feel bad about it because I didn’t end up liking the job, so the move was kind of pointless.”
“Hardly,” Lachlan says. “Have you not seen their shop? It’s one of the top tattoo shops on the east coast.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Maybe moving here happened for a reason. Jase did get back in touch with Celeste because of the move, and Jax wouldn’t have ever met Willow had we not moved here. And both couples are hopelessly in love…
“So, you moved back and what happened?”
“Shea moved with me to New York, but she wasn’t really happy here.”
“Was she happy in Boston?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “She missed Ireland but wanted to be with me and knew my life was here. Once our relationship went from long distance to every day, I realized she wasn’t who I wanted to spend my life with. We had different wants… different dreams. Eventually we broke up and she moved back to Ireland.”
“Are you still working for your dad?”
“No, Dad is back to work now. That’s why I took the job at your brothers’ shop. I met Jax at an inkers convention and we hit it off. By the end of the weekend he had offered me a job.”
“You must be really good,” I say, remembering how Kinsley let him draw on her.
“Well, Kinsley did let me ink her,” he says, voicing my thoughts. “Plus, my best friend and cousin, Declan, lives here, and so do my parents, so I decided to stay. Declan and I share the place you dropped me off at, but he’s in Ireland right now. One of his sisters just had a baby, so he’s visiting, but should be back in a few weeks.”
“I’ve seen Ireland on Sons of Anarchy. It’s really pretty.”
Lachlan laughs. “I doubt the show does it any justice, but yes, it is beautiful. I think I got off track.” He scratches the side of his beard, which reminds me of the first time I saw him and thought about that same beard between my legs. My neck and cheeks heat up, and Lachlan smirks. Thankfully, he doesn’t ask what I’m thinking about.
“Your turn,” he says.
“I pick the picture card,” I say with a giggle that tells me the alcohol has worked its way through my body. Lachlan chuckles, pouring me a shot and handing it to me. Once I throw it back, I say, “Okay, your turn.”
“I pick red,” he says mischievously. Without waiting for him to prompt me, I sit up and press my lips to the tattoo of the Irish flag on his chest. It’s one of my favorites of his I’ve seen so far. It’s 4D and looks like the flag is in his skin with his flesh being ripped open. When I let my lips linger, Lachlan groans. Blaming it on the alcohol flowing through me, I move my lips to his other pectoral muscle and kiss the tattoo there. This one is of a four-leaf clover with the leaves in the shape of hearts.
“Quinn,” Lachlan rasps. “I’m trying to be good here, but you putting your mouth on me isn’t making it easy.”
“I can’t help it,” I murmur, trailing my lips up his chest, to his collarbone, and ending at his neck. “You taste so good.”
Lachlan tilts his head to the side to give me access, and I kiss along his pulse point and up to his ear, sucking on the bottom of his earlobe. Then I trail more kisses over his scratchy beard and to his cheek. “I pick blue,” I murmur, my mouth only a hairbreadth from his. His lips brush against mine teasingly, and when mine part on a sigh, his tongue delves into my mouth. I suck on it, craving the taste of Lachlan. As our kiss deepens, I find myself turning in his lap so I’m straddling him. My arms wrap around his neck, and my fingers thread through his soft, messy hair. We kiss for several minutes, and not once does Lachlan attempt to touch me in any way. His hands stay situated behind my back, holding me to him. I don’t doubt for a second he’s doing this so I’m in control. So I feel comfortable. And ironically, the idea of him allowing me to go at my own pace has me wanting him that much more.
Just as I break our kiss and trail my lips down his bearded jaw and back over to his neck, a cell phone rings out loudly. Remembering Kinsley was supposed to call me before going to bed, I reach over to the end table and grab it, fully aware I’m still on Lachlan’s lap.
“One second,” I tell him, then answer the phone. “Hey Kins, how’s it going?”
“I’m having so much fun, Mommy! We played the Wii and I’m a really good fake dancer! And then Uncle Jase made a big fire and cooked us all s’mores. They were so yummy! I asked Auntie Celeste if I can bring one home for you, but she said they would be bad tomorrow.” As I laugh at my daughter’s enthusiasm, I glance at Lachlan and see he’s also listening with a big smile splayed across his face.
“I’m so glad you’re having fun, sweetie. I’ll be there in the morning to get you so you can go to soccer.”
“Okay! And can you please ask Lachlan if he’s going to come? He said he’ll try.” When she mentions Lachlan’s name, his grin widens, and he winks at me. When I roll my eyes dramatically, his hands go to my sides, and he tickles me.
“Ahh!” I squeal before I can stop myself. Kinsley asks if I’m okay. “Yes, I…stepped on something by mistake. I love you, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, love you too. See you tomorrow. Don’t forget to call Lachlan, okay?”
“Okay, Kins. Night.”
“Night.”
We hang up, and I drop my phone onto the table and then smack Lachlan in the chest. “Not cool! You can’t tickle me when I’m on the phone.”
“How was I supposed to know you would be that ticklish?” He laughs, then attempts to tickle me again. This time I see it coming and try to climb off his lap to get away, but Lachlan is stronger and holds me to him, not allowing me to get up. “I think your daughter likes me almost as much as her mom does,” he says with a wink.
Gripping the back of my hair, he pulls my face into his for a quick kiss. “So?” he asks.
“So, what?”
“Aren’t you going to ask me to go to her game tomorrow?”
“That’s not what she asked me to do,” I point out. “She asked me to ask if you’re going.”
“Okay, so ask.” His hands move from my hair down to my waist, gripping the curves of my hips, and distracting me.
“Q,” he prompts.
“Are you going to Kinsley’s game?”
“That depends.”
“On?”
“If her mom wants me there.” His hands move down to my ass, and he gives my butt cheeks a squeeze that has me jumping in shock and laughing at the same time.
Wrapping my arms back around his neck, I lay my head down on his shoulder. His beard tickles my face as I kiss the side of his neck. “It feels like everything is happening so fast,” I murmur, closing my eyes and relaxing farther into his lap
. The amount of alcohol I’ve drank is definitely catching up to me. I feel warm and tingly all over.
“Maybe so,” he says, running his fingers through my hair and pushing it to the side so it’s out of my face. “But maybe when it’s right, it doesn’t matter how fast things move.”
I nod into his shoulder in agreement, but not entirely sure if I really do agree. Things moved fast with Rick, but it definitely wasn’t right. I think for a moment, trying to decide if I should voice my thoughts or just let it go. I’m so comfortable in Lachlan’s arms, I don’t want to say anything that will ruin the moment. His fingers move from my hair to my back, trailing lines up and down, forcing my body to become even more relaxed by his touch.
“When I was with Rick, it all happened so fast, but it wasn’t right,” I admit softly. “How will I know if it’s right this time?”
Lachlan’s fingers still momentarily and then start up again. “I wish I could say you will just know,” he says, placing a kiss to my temple. “But the truth is, you never know. I was with someone for three years before I finally admitted to myself she wasn’t the one for me. There are no guarantees, Quinn, but I’ve only hung out with you a few times and I can feel the difference. The way my heart beats when you look at me and touch me. The way I missed you all week while I was waiting to hear from you. I could go days without hearing from Shea, and I wouldn’t feel half of what I felt while checking my phone every twenty minutes, all week long, hoping to see a text from you.”
Releasing a content sigh at his words, my eyes flutter closed. “I’m scared,” I confess. “I think I’m falling for you.”
“You don’t have to be scared. I’ll be right here waiting to catch you.”
“I really like you holding me,” I admit through a yawn, snuggling my body closer to his.
“I really like holding you,” he says back. My eyes try to fight sleep, but the moment he nuzzles his face against mine, I’m a goner.
* * *
When I open my eyes, it takes me a second to recall the details of last night. Folding the laundry, which led to playing Candyland with Lachlan and me drinking for the first time in years. The last thing I remember was sitting in his lap on the couch, so when I look around and see I’m lying in my bed, I’m a bit confused. Twisting my head to the side, I notice Lachlan is here and in bed with me. While I’m on one side of the bed under my blankets, he’s on the other side with only a thin sheet covering his bottom half. He’s asleep and shirtless, and I use the moment to admire how beautiful he is. He could’ve taken advantage of my inebriated state last night—and I would’ve let him—but he didn’t.
As I watch his chest rise and fall, I think about everything we talked about last night. I learned a lot about him, and I’m surprised by how much I shared. Even during all the years I spent with Rick, I never felt this comfortable with him. We never just…talked. I really like talking to Lachlan…and kissing him. I really liked kissing him. The way he used his tongue…I can just imagine what that tongue is capable of.
“What are you thinking about that has your flesh heating up like you’re standing close to a fire?” Lachlan rasps, his voice scratchy from sleep. He turns over to his side, and his lips curl into a sleepy smile.
“N-nothing,” I stammer, taken aback by how much Lachlan’s presence affects me. His voice. His smile. Separately, they have the ability to take my breath away. But together…holy hell, together, I feel like I’ve just jumped off a plane and am soaring through the sky without a parachute. “I’m going to make coffee. Do you want any?”
Lachlan, grabs the curve of my hip before I can get away, and pulls me into him until our bodies are flush against each other. “What were you thinking about, Quinn?” he asks again.
I consider lying to him but go for the truth. “I was thinking about how much I enjoyed last night.”
“Oh yeah?” He grants me the most adorable yet sexy grin. “What about it?” He kisses the tip of my nose.
“Playing Candyland.”
“What else?” He kisses my cheek.
“Kissing you,” I whisper, and he glances back to me. “I was thinking about how skilled you are with your tongue,” I admit, shocking myself. What the hell is this man doing to me? “And how I wonder what else your tongue is capable of.” I can feel my skin heating up like a freshly lit stove, but Lachlan doesn’t comment on it. Instead, he flips me onto my back and climbs up my body, placing kisses along my jaw and down my collarbone.
Without him having to ask, I pull my shirt over my head to give him better access. Who is this woman? As he kisses the swells of my breasts, I hold my breath, waiting for him to move downward to my stomach. With one kiss to the center of my belly button, he keeps heading down until he’s lying on his stomach between my legs. He stills for a second and looks up at me, silently asking for permission to remove my pants. Alarm bells go off in my head that this is too soon, but then I remember what he said: when it’s right, it doesn’t matter how fast things move.
Plus, I really do want to know what his tongue is capable of.
With a single nod, I lift my butt off the bed, and he pulls my sweatpants off my legs, leaving only the boy shorts I’m wearing. Embarrassed to have him down there, I lay my head back and cover my eyes with my arm, but I should’ve known Lachlan wouldn’t let that fly.
“Eyes open,” he demands softly. “I want you to watch me make you come.” I can’t help how nervous yet excited I am. I’ve only had one guy attempt to go down on me before, but nothing really came of it. We were young and he wasn’t very experienced.
Lachlan loops his fingers around the sides of my panties and tugs them down, leaving me completely exposed. With the blinds shut, it’s not too bright in here, but there’s definitely enough light shining through that I’m able to watch him without issue, which means he can see all of me: every stretch-mark, every flaw, every imperfection. The thought has me wanting to put my clothes back on and run away.
As if Lachlan can sense the vulnerability in my thoughts, he says, “You look absolutely fucking stunning, lying in this bed with your legs spread open and ready for me.” His words have such a calming effect on me. My shoulders slump, my body relaxes. “Good girl,” he murmurs just before he spreads me open and begins to lick up my center. Not able to see what he’s doing, I prop myself up on my elbow for a better look, just in time to see Lachlan’s tongue dart out and lick my clit, eliciting a moan from me as my pelvis pops up in shock at how mind blowing it feels.
He eyes me curiously, so I answer his silent question. “This is…kind of my first time,” I admit, sheepishly. My answer must be one he likes because he grins like a Cheshire cat before dipping his face back down and licking up my slit again. I continue to watch as Lachlan licks and sucks and nibbles my clit, working me up into a frenzy. I’ve made myself come many times over the years, but my vibrator sure as hell isn’t capable of these functions.
When I feel my orgasm reaching the precipice, I throw my head back against the pillow, close my eyes, and allow myself to just feel what Lachlan is doing to me. And with one more flick to my clit, I’m coming so hard my toes curl into my sheets and my pelvis lifts from the bed.
“Oh. My. God,” I scream as Lachlan continues to suck and lap up my juices that are flowing down my center, until I’ve completely come down from my high.
When I open my eyes, he’s lying next to me on his side with the goofiest grin on his face. I try to recall a single time Rick smiled like that at me after sex, but I can’t, and it’s in this moment, I finally accept Lachlan is not Rick. He’s not going to put me down or call me names. He’s not going to blame me if I don’t orgasm fast enough, or tell me I’m broken. For some crazy reason, Lachlan wants me. And while I have no clue where this will go or how long we’ll last, I’m done fighting it.
And with that conclusion, I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “Thank you.” Lachlan throws his head back with a laugh, and I groan inside. I just thanked him for eating me out.
Fabulous.
“You’re welcome,” he says through his laughter. “I don’t think I’ve ever been thanked for going down on anyone before.” He gives my cheek a kiss before he stands. “I don’t have any clothes here, so I’m going to run home to shower and change, and then I’ll meet you at the soccer game.” Grabbing his shirt from the nightstand, he pulls it on over his head, and I mentally pout.
“What’s wrong?” he asks. Shit! I must’ve been actually pouting.
“I was just wishing you could stay shirtless forever,” I say, shocking myself at how honest and open I’ve become. Lachlan is bringing the old Quinn out in me, and I must admit, I’ve really missed her.
“I will if you do,” Lachlan says with a grin, nodding toward me. How did I forget I’m still naked? Grabbing the blanket, I wrap it around my shoulders and get out of bed.
“I’ll see you at nine,” I say before I head into the bathroom.
Once I’m showered and dressed, I head downstairs to grab some coffee before I head out. Willow and Jax are both sitting at the table, in their Forbidden Ink shirts, drinking coffee and talking.
“Morning,” I say, passing by them, going straight to the kitchen.
“Morning,” Willow chirps, but Jax doesn’t say anything. After I’ve made myself a cup of much needed coffee, I walk back out to the dining room to find them whispering in hushed tones.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” Willow says, at the same time Jax says, “I saw Lachlan leave…this morning.”
“Oh, yeah, he spent the night.” I sit at the table with them and take a sip of my coffee.
“Well fucking aware,” Jax murmurs.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, confused.
“Nothing.” He shrugs, taking a sip of his coffee.
“No, tell me,” I push, not liking my brother’s attitude. This is the first guy I’ve allowed in my bed in years, and we didn’t even have sex!
