by E. L. Todd
I stared at my hand even though I couldn’t see the tattoo. I imagined how it would look. “Thank you, Razor.”
“Anytime, man.”
“What happened to your finger?” Janice asked when I got home. She held my hand and examined it.
“I nicked it at work.” I pulled away quickly then headed to the kitchen.
“Doing what?”
“I was moving equipment and I cut myself on a needle.”
“Ouch.” She came behind me and rubbed my shoulders. “I can clean it for you and bandage you up.”
“I’m okay. Don’t worry about it.”
She rubbed her fingers into my sore muscles. “Anything I can do to make you feel better??”
I smirked. “Something comes to mind…”
She chuckled. “Do you ever think of anything else?”
“No.” I wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
She pulled me toward the couch. “I’ll make you feel better then we’ll have dinner.”
I plopped down on the couch and watched her move between my knees. “Sounds good.”
She unbuckled my pants then yanked them down.
I put my hands behind my head and watched her work her magic. Her tongue knew exactly how to please me, and she always pushed me to the back of her throat. She was a pro. I leaned my head back and sighed. I couldn’t wait to marry this girl.
“What happened to your hand?” Scarlet stared at it in concern.
This question was getting annoying. Everyone acted like I just came back from war without a limb. “I cut it at work. I’m fine.”
“That’s a lot of padding…”
“I’m fine,” I said with more anger.
She kept looking at it. “So, what do you want?”
I asked her to come to the shop for a very particular reason. “I need your help.”
“What’s new?”
“Now isn’t the time to be a brat.”
“But I’m always a brat,” she countered.
“Just shut up and listen to me.”
“Now I don’t care about your cut,” she said as she rolled her eyes.
“Good. Because I don’t need a mom.”
She stuck her tongue out at me.
“Real mature…”
“Just spit it out, Ryan.”
“Okay. I need you to bring Janice here tonight at eight.”
“Why? The shop will be closed.”
My sister was so stupid sometimes. “Yes, I know the shop will be closed. I run the damn thing.”
“Why?”
“Really? You can’t figure it out?”
She thought for a moment. “You’re going to propose to her here? At the shop?”
“Yep.”
“That’s not exactly romantic…”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Then tell me.”
“No. Can you do that for me?”
“What excuse do I make?”
“Tell her we’re going out to dinner to cheer up Mike and I’ll be working late so we’re meeting here.”
“Okay.” She leaned against the counter. “Don’t you think this is insensitive to Mike?”
“I thought about that. But I keep pushing this back because shit comes up. Then Cortland got dumped and you got knocked up…I’m tired of waiting. Mike is a cool guy. I know he won’t throw a tantrum and make it about himself. He’s a cool guy. And no offense, but life goes on.”
“You’re right. He’ll be happy for you.”
“So, you’ll do this for me?”
She took a deep breath. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening. You must be nervous.”
“Not at all.” I gave her a firm look.
“Should I tell the others?”
“Tell them to get here at seven. You guys can be in the back then come out after she says yes.”
She clapped her hands together and hopped. “This is so exciting! She’s going to be so happy.”
“I know she will be.”
“But…you’re sure about the shop?”
“Believe me. I know what I’m doing.”
“Okay. You know her better than I do.”
“Damn right I do.”
Everyone got there at seven like I asked.
Cortland clapped me on the shoulder. “Dude, I can’t believe this is actually happening.”
“I know.” I smiled. “She better say yes.”
Monnique was fanning her eyes. “This is so exciting. I’m so happy for her. It was so hard to keep it a secret.”
“I’m glad you did.”
Sean gave me a hug. “I’m happy for you, man.”
“Thanks. Now our wives will be sister-in-laws.”
Sean rolled his eyes. “I can smell the drama.”
I laughed. “I smelled it a long time ago.”
Mike clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re sure you’re ready for this? I can tell Janice is a real woman—if you know what I mean.” He winked at me.
“With me, she gets a sailor that’s been on leave for six months. I can handle her.”
“Well, let me know if you need more pointers.” He chuckled.
I was glad Mike was being a good sport about this. I couldn’t tell he was depressed. For just a day, he put it aside for me. And I appreciated that. “Thanks for being here.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Neither would I.” Andrew hugged me. “I’m glad to see you settling down.”
“Who said anything about settling down?” I asked. “Janice and I are gonna be kinky until we’re old and gray.”
He laughed. “That sounds like a good marriage.”
“You have no idea.”
“Janice is a hot piece of ass,” Hazel said. “You’ll never get tired of her.”
I winked at her. “Definitely not.”
Cortland turned to me. “So, you picked out a ring?”
“Sorta.”
He raised an eyebrow.
I decided to change the subject. “I need help with the candles and the lights. Monnique, set up the candles, and Cortland, hang the wires from the ceiling.”
“We’re on it, boss.” Mike got to work and started the decorations. Sean joined him and held the ladder steady. Monnique and Hazel worked on the candles and lit each one.
I set up the table with the needles and made sure everything was sterilized.
“What the hell are you doing?” Cortland asked. “You’re expecting customers?”
“Get back to work and mind your own business.”
“Weirdo,” he said as he walked off.
When it was almost eight, everything was in place. The candles were lit and gave a gentle glow. The white lights add luminescence. The humble shop looked like a palace.
“Now hide in the back, you guys,” I said.
They all hugged me.
“Good luck,” Cortland said. “I’m here for you if she says no.”
I glared at him. “Thanks.”
He laughed then headed into the back.
Mike came up to me next. “And when she does say no, tell her I’m available.” He wiggled his eyebrows then followed Cortland.
“I hate all of you,” I yelled.
“We hate you too,” Sean yelled.
They closed the door then fell silent.
Now I felt nervous. The blood was pounding in my ears and my heart skipped a beat a few times. My breathing was loud and audible. It suddenly became very quiet. The dull lights relaxed me slightly, but knowing Janice would walk in that door at any moment made me panic. I knew what I was going to say, but I still had to say it. When I heard voices, I knew my time was up.
“I thought Ryan wouldn’t be working late anymore because he hired employees,” Janice said.
“Well, Ryan is stupid,” Scarlet said. “What can I say?”
I rolled my eyes even though my sister couldn’t see me.
Janice opened the door and stepped inside wearing heels and a black dress. Her hair an
d make up were done and she looked like a million bucks. She stilled when she saw the lights and the candles. I stood directly in front of her, the bandage now off my left hand.
After a second of studying her surroundings, she understood what was happening. “Oh my god…”
Scarlet walked to the back without speaking and disappeared. I didn’t look at her and neither did Janice.
I could tell she was flustered. Her breathing increased, and I swear I saw her heart thud against her chest. Her eyes coated with moisture but no tears fell. She stepped forward, her heels echoing against the tile.
She looked perfect. Graceful and elegant, she moved. But her prominent breasts and slender neck made me think of things not so classy. She was perfect for me, my other half. “Ryan…”
“Hey, baby.” I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, nothing fancy. I knew she loved me for me, not for what I wore or what I did for a living. That stuff didn’t matter to her. All she cared about was my heart and what I did with it.
Her hands came together at her waist, and she fidgeted in place.
“The moment we met, I made an idiot out of myself and sounded like I had cerebral palsy disease, but I only acted that way because I’d never seen a girl that immediately captured my heart and made my cock harder than a rock.”
A small smile crept on her lips.
“Most of the time, I just think about fucking girls. But with you, I thought about a lot more. I wondered why you were so scared. I wanted to talk to you, open up to you. I actually wanted to spend time with you. The moment you came into my life, I knew my former life was over. I was a monogamous man because I found my future wife. I knew it then. I know it now.”
More moisture built behind her eyes.
“You aren’t stationary. You push me to be better every day, and more importantly, you challenge me and don’t put up with my bullshit. You’re a strong woman with an even stronger attitude. And as a result, you make me a better man. I learn and grow.
“When things got rough, you never turned your back on me. Even when I deserved to be slapped, you steadied your hand. You love me through the thick and thin and sleep with me every night. And even when you’re pissed at me, you still fuck my brains out like a nasty girl.”
Another smile inched across her face.
“And I’ll love you forever because of that.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear then pressed her hands together.
“You’re the perfect person for me. I could search the world until the end of my days and never find someone better or more fitting. If there is such a thing as soul mates, you’re mine. And you give the best head in the world.”
She actually chuckled at that one.
“So, I want this to last forever. I have something I want to ask you.”
She took a deep breath and covered her face.
I moved to one knee and pulled the box out of my pocket. I made sure my left hand was exposed, and the ink around my left finger was noticeable. Even though the box was empty, I opened the lid. “Will you marry me?”
She gasped then fell to her knees in front of me, her tears about to broach the surface. She looked at the empty box then noticed my hand. Her fingers touched the inked skin, her eyes mesmerized. “You got a tattoo…”
“It’s the only thing I deem worthy enough to mark my skin.”
Then the tears fell. “And I want a matching one.”
I knew that’s exactly what she would say. I knew my baby better than anyone else. She didn’t care about jewelry or expensive things. All she cared about was me and the love we had for each other, which was timeless and unconditionally true. “You still have to say yes.”
“I don’t need to say anything. You know my answer.”
I felt my own tears burn my eyes but I kept them back. I cupped her face and gave my fiancé our first kiss as a betrothed couple. I tasted the salt on her tongue, but loved the taste. Those tears were from joy, not sadness. “Thank you for being mine.”
“Forever and Always.”
She and I held each other for a long time, the candles burning around us. Nothing was said, but the quiet companionship was perfect. It was a moment I’d remember for the rest of my life. She was the one.
“How about that tattoo?” I pulled away and blinked my tears away.
She smiled. “Let’s do it.”
I guided her to her feet then pulled her to the chair. She didn’t seem nervous or scared by the needles or what I was about to do to her. She trusted me and wanted the matching marking.
I gave her a reassuring smile then began my work. We didn’t speak while I inked her skin. She pressed her head to mine and watched me work on her left hand. When I was done, I dabbed it then reached for a bandage.
“Leave it off.”
“You should cover it.”
“I’ll cover it later.” She stared at the marking affectionately. It was still slightly red but the ink looked great.
I kissed her again then rested my hand on the back of her neck.
“Can we come out now?” Scarlet voice was heavy with sobs.
I rolled my eyes. “Fine.”
The girls were all crying, and even Cortland was a little choked up.
“That was beautiful,” Scarlet said. “I can’t believe you did that.” She eyed my tattoo.
“Yes, I can be romantic,” I said.
The girls huddled around Janice and looked at her new ink.
“It’s perfect,” Monnique said.
“It really is,” Scarlet agreed.
Janice smiled while she turned her hand over, examining the marking.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Sean asked.
“Whenever Janice wants it to be,” I said while I stared at her affectionately.
Scarlet kept crying then hugged me tightly. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” I said as I patted her back.
“You want me to be your best man?” she asked.
“God, no.”
Everyone laughed.
Scarlet glared at me. “Well, I’m your best friend.”
“Actually, I’m his best friend,” Cortland interjected.
“Me too,” Mike added.
“What about me?” Sean asked. “I’ve known him longer than all of you.”
“Not me,” Scarlet said.
I rolled my eyes. “Calm down, everyone.”
Janice left the chair then moved into my arms. The emotion was still in her eyes, bright and heavy. Her arms latched onto me like she’d never let go.
“Let’s go out and celebrate,” Mike said. “The rounds are on me.”
I gripped Janice’s lower back and told her exactly what I wanted to do.
“Let’s hit the bars,” Scarlet said. “We’re going to party all night.”
I pulled Janice toward the door. “You guys have fun.”
“What?” Monnique asked. “Where are you going?”
“Where do you think?” Mike said with a wink.
“You guys have fun.” I walked out with Janice then headed back to our apartment. I didn’t care about anyone else, including my family. I just wanted to be with Janice, to combine our bodies in light of our unbreakable commitment. Her presence was forever ingrained on my skin, and hers was etched with mine. All I wanted to do was be inside her repeatedly, telling her I loved her without words.
The Next Installment of the Forever and Always Series
Here and Now
Available Now
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