by T. K. Toppin
“Well, I didn’t know that. Besides, Simon doesn’t wear one, or Trudi. I just didn’t want to ask stupid questions and sound like an outdated idiot.” Josie scowled. “But that’s beside the point now.”
“It is?” He wasn’t relieved in the least.
“Mmm.” She grinned. “As I was saying, this Buddhist thing…there’s this endless or eternal knot thing I quite liked the sound of. It’s all about things overlapping with no beginning and ending. Like endless wisdom and compassion, harmony and simplicity and balance, continuity and cycles. How everything is interlaced and connected and linked with our fates all bound together with our karmic destiny and—”
“I get it. Your point?”
Josie slid him a quick, sheepish glance. “My point is…what I mean to say is, that… The endless knot design looks really cool, and the meaning behind it, the symbolism and all. Well, I thought we could have matching tattoos instead of rings, of the endless knot, on our fingers. You know, considering how rings get in the way of combat, as we seem to do quite a bit of that.” She blinked innocently across at him, her features bland.
John spared her a similar look, deliberately silent for fifteen seconds. He scoffed and turned to face the window again. “Why didn’t you just say so in the first place?” He reined in a crooked smile intent on erupting over his face. “Instead, you went on and on with some philosophical ranting.”
“Idiot!” She swiped the back of her hand across his arm. “I take it that’s a yes?”
He sobered. “It is. I think it’s an excellent idea. Rather permanent, don’t you think?” he added with a raised brow. “I’m not sure I want to be stuck with you for all eternity.”
“Big fucking idiot!” She laughed now as she swiped her hand at him again. “You’re stuck with me forever, whether you like it or not.”
He caught her hand and dragged her closer. “I suppose you’ll have to do. You have proven to be quite brave, and your loyalty is without question. And you’ve finally started dressing respectably enough. So, yes. Tattoos it is.” He grinned wide. “But that cursing of yours, now…you’ve got to—”
“Fuck off you big—”
His mouth covered hers swiftly and stamped the words right out of her mouth. She didn’t resist, and her giggles became a long sigh. When they parted, they rested their brows together.
With a lazy smile, Josie nuzzled his cheek, clearly at ease, content, and at peace. “You’re still a big soppy girl, you know that? If you start to titter and squeal like one, I’ll open that escape hatch and jump out.”
“That’ll make me scream like a girl.”
Josie snorted out a laugh, light-hearted and happy. She eased back and stared at him with a purse of her lips that became a slow, wicked smile.
“So, you still want to know about that mile-high club?”
John sighed with patience, then chuckled with mischief. “Josie, we’re in outer space. I’m not sure a mere mile qualifies. But, I’ve something better.” He skillfully pulled her onto his lap. “Forget mile-high clubs. I can show you a whole new universe.”
END
The story continues in The Eternal Knot,
book three and the final chapter in The Lancaster Trilogy
About the Author
T.K. Toppin is a published author of Speculative Fiction and Science Fiction novels and short stories. The Lancaster Trilogy comprised her debut novels and was previously published by Champagne Books Group/BURST Books. She was also represented by Ring of Fire Publishing to release the To Catch A Marlin novel and short stories.
T.K. was born, raised, and lives in Barbados and is currently enjoying the exciting world of indie publishing. When she’s not writing, she can be found procrastinating or watching Netflix, and juggling the addictive realm of Instagram.
For more on T.K., visit her Blogsite
Instagram: @written.by.tktoppin
Twitter: @TKToppin
Facebook: Written By T.K. Toppin
Amazon: T.K. Toppin
T.K. would love to hear from her readers: [email protected]
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
About the Author
