Three Little Words: A Tattooed Bad Boy Romance (No Regrets Ink Book 3)

by Adele Niles

  But I shook my head. “No, I should get home. To talk to Bryan about what’s up next.”

  “Okay.” Benny nodded. “Well, I’ll see you around. Text me later?”

  “Yeah. Sounds good.”

  I opened the door to the office. Benny went out first, and I followed.

  I walked him to the door, but as he reached to open it, I took his hand.

  “Benny, I…”

  “Yeah?” He looked at me, smiling.

  I took a deep breath. “Benny, do you remember the day I left?”

  “Of course.” He frowned. “Why?”

  I swallowed. “It’s just, you were the best thing to ever happen to me. And good things never happen to me.”

  Benny didn’t reply. He just looked at me and squeezed my hand.

  “You told me you loved me.”

  He blinked, then nodded slowly. “Yeah, I remember that.”

  “Yeah.” I took a deep breath. “I left because I was sure it would change. I thought it would go bad. You know? I was so sure you’d change your mind and leave. So, I left first.”

  He frowned, tilting his head. “Bryn, what…”

  “I wanted to say it back.” I swallowed. “I loved you, Benny. I…I never stopped. And I just poured everything into this. Into work, and my shop.”

  Benny pulled his hand out of mine. “Are you serious?”

  I looked up. “What? Of course, I—”

  “You left because you thought I would hurt you first? Bryn, that’s a piss-poor excuse.”

  I tensed, back straight, and looked up at him. “Benny—”

  He shook his head. “I gotta think about this. I’ll talk to you later.”

  He left the shop.

  I swallowed, lingering by the door.

  I could feel Marissa looking at me, but I didn’t look back.

  I cleared my throat. “Um, I…”

  “I got it.” Marissa smiled. “Go home. Take care of Bryan. I can run the shop one more day.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Marissa.”

  “No worries. See you later, Bryn.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Benny

  I didn’t talk to Bryn later that day.

  Or the next.

  I didn’t know if I wanted to talk to her at all.

  A part of me wanted nothing more than to talk to her. I wanted to hold her again, have her back in my house.

  A part of me was so shocked, so angry, that I was seriously considering never talking to her again.

  I stayed away from the new shop, even if it was annoying Ryker and Logan. I was supposed to have final say, but couldn’t make myself go and approve anything.

  I was too worried about seeing Bryn.

  I hadn’t regretted renting a space so close to Skin Buzz until now.

  It took me a week to get my head on straight. Straighter, anyway.

  I needed to talk to Bryn.

  However it ended, we both needed the closure. We needed to be able to move on, either together or separately.

  I sighed heavily, putting the last of my stuff away for the day.

  “Hey, Zoe,” I called.

  “Yeah, boss.” She looked up from the display case she’d just rearranged.

  “I’m heading over to East. I probably won’t be back today.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll tell anyone who calls for you to check back tomorrow.”

  “Good.” I nodded, turning to Bradley. “Call if you need me.”

  “Sure thing, man.” Bradley smiled. “See you tomorrow?”

  “Yup. See you then.”

  Ryker and Logan were both watching me.

  I waved to them. “I’m gonna go check out the shop. I’ll text if I have anything to tell you.”

  “Sure.” Ryker nodded once. “Okay. Let us know how you like it.”

  “You got it.”

  I drove across the river to Malone, sighing as I parked in the lot of Skin Buzz. I’d go over to my new shop soon, but this was more important.

  My gut felt tight with worry. We needed some kind of decision between us, and I wasn’t entirely sure how either of us felt about this. How we felt about us.

  I walked into Skin Buzz. The girl I’d seen last week—Marissa—was there, along with a few other beautiful women.

  Bryn had a really attractive staff working for her.

  Marissa smiled at me as I came in. “Hey, Benny. Looking for Bryn?”

  “Yeah, is she in her office?” I smiled. “I just wanna talk for a sec.”

  “She’s not here right now. She’s actually been out for a while.”

  I blinked. “Is she okay?”

  “Yeah, just, y’know. Her brother and all that. Getting him back on his feet.”

  I nodded slowly. “Okay. Yeah. I get it.” I nodded. “Well, if you see her, will you let her know I dropped by?”

  Marissa nodded. “Sure thing. I’ll tell her. Take care.”

  I couldn’t help but notice the once-over she gave me.

  It was nice, but she wasn’t the woman I wanted.

  Sighing, I left. I got back in my car for a minute and just sat.

  I really wanted to talk to Bryn.

  What if she was avoiding me now?

  I reached for my phone, but stopped.

  I’d text her after I checked out the new location.

  I drove over, parking around the back. Again, I just sat for a moment.

  “Later.” I said it out loud, shaking my head. “Talk to her later. Do your job first, Benny.”

  I got out of the car and walked around to the front of the building.

  She was standing there, leaning against the front door.

  “Bryn?”

  “Benny.”

  She straightened up, reaching up to touch her hair. It was a self-conscious gesture, not something I was used to seeing from her.

  She looked gorgeous.

  “I just came from Skin Buzz—”

  “I know,” she said. “Marissa called me.”

  “How did you get here so fast?”

  “I’ve been here. I called No Regrets. They said you were headed here.”

  Shit.

  I smiled faintly, though. “Well, I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me, too.” Bryn took a step closer. “I just wanted to apologize—”

  “Don’t.”

  She looked shocked.

  I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around her.

  This felt so right.

  “Bryn.”

  She leaned heavily against my chest, wrapping her arms around my waist.

  “It really messed me up when you left,” I said. “But I thought about it, and I get it. And it’s okay.”

  She tilted her head up, looking at me. “Are you sure?”

  I leaned down and kissed her.

  She rose on her toes to meet me, shifting one arm to wrap around my neck.

  I eased back just enough to talk. “I love you, Bryn.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really.”

  She tightened her hold on me, kissing me again.

  I wanted her. Now.

  “Hey,” I mumbled, pulling back again. “Want to come in with me? Check out the shop?”

  “I’d love to.”

  I kept one arm around her, holding her to my side as I unlocked the door.

  We went in together.

  The new shop was gorgeous. The walls were light gray, with black and red stripes that reminded me of sports cars. Six booths lined the shop; equipment was starting to come in, but the booths were still largely empty, or being used to store supplies that had arrived before their intended cabinets. All of the metal I could see, including the light fixtures, had a chrome finish. It was going to look gorgeous when it was done.

  And the couches for waiting customers had arrived. They looked beautiful. Black leather, sleek and modern-looking.

  I dropped down on one of them, arms stretched out across the back. “This is nice.”

  Bryn
nodded. “I like it. I can tell you gave Ryker and Logan some creative freedom. This looks way more like them than you.”

  “Yeah, but they’ve made good choices. I would’ve overruled if I hated something. Bradley, too.”

  She laughed, looking around. “Are the windows tinted?”

  “Huh?” I turned my head, looking at them. “Yeah. Pretty dark, too. In case anybody’s half-dressed for a tattoo.”

  I heard a sound.

  When I looked back, Bryn already had her shirt off.

  My cock stirred at the sight.

  “Well,” I said. “Hey there.”

  “Hey, yourself.” She moved closer, settling in my lap.

  I wrapped one arm around her waist. “I could get used to this.”

  “You’d better get used to it. If you say you love me, you’re gonna have to fuck me like you used to.”

  I could handle that.

  I smiled at her. “Well. All right. I think that can be arranged.”

  “Good.”

  She put her hands on my cheeks, leaning down to kiss me.

  I wanted her so bad. I lowered my hands to lift her skirt, running my fingertips over her skin.

  She wasn’t wearing panties.

  “Oh,” I said, brushing my fingers against her soft skin.

  “Thought you’d like that.” She laughed softly, grabbing my hand and guiding it where she wanted it.

  I stroked my fingers over her clit, watching her cheeks flush, her head tip back.

  “Good?” I asked.

  “Fuck, Benny, it’s amazing.”

  “Good.”

  I shifted, kissing her neck. My fingers continued to stroke her, getting her good and wet.

  She reached between us, fumbling with the zipper of my jeans.

  I groaned as my pants loosened, my cock already standing at attention. Her hand slid inside my boxers, stroking me slowly.

  How had I ever let her go without a fight?

  She kissed me again, nipping lightly at my lower lip. “Condom?”

  “Wallet,” I said. “Back pocket.”

  “Left or right cheek?”

  “Right.”

  She laughed and reached back. I lifted up slightly so she could grab my wallet. The condom was inside, and she pulled it out and tore the wrapper open with her teeth.

  Slowly, she rolled it on, making a show out of teasing me.

  I responded by pushing my fingers inside her and spreading them apart.

  Her hand stilled.

  “Good?” I asked.

  “Yup.” She nodded. “So good.”

  She rose up on her knees, pushing my hand down.

  I watched as she put her hands on the back of the couch and sank down on me.

  This never got old.

  “Fuck, Bryn,” I mumbled.

  “I’m trying.”

  I laughed and slapped her on the ass.

  She squealed, shivering.

  Then, she started to bounce.

  I put my head on her shoulder, arms around her waist as she moved. She put her arms around me, too, moaning in my ear.

  “Fuck,” I mumbled. “Don’t stop.”

  She didn’t. She kept moving, bouncing a little faster, each movement making her moan softly.

  It felt so good to have her again.

  She dropped down on me, panting, and ground her hips against mine.

  I grabbed her ass with one hand and squeezed.

  “Benny, fuck.” Her body went rigid, and she threw her head back in pleasure.

  I loved watching her come. Every single time. It never got old.

  She gasped, her hips still moving in quick, frantic movements. She was only focused on me now, her eyes hazy from her orgasm.

  It was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen in my life.

  I groaned, holding her hips and thrusting up to meet her.

  My eyes closed.

  She always made it so fucking good, and never long enough. I came with a groan. Pleasure ran through me and I leaned my head back against the back of the couch, panting as I started to come down.

  Bryn stayed in my lap. She leaned her head on my chest, closing her eyes.

  “You good?” I ran my hand down her back.

  She nodded. “Amazing. Always.”

  “Good.” I nodded, rubbing back up her spine.

  She moaned quietly.

  “I didn’t expect that,” I said.

  “I figured. But I wanted to do it. I thought we should christen your new shop properly.”

  I laughed and leaned close, kissing her. “Well. Thank you.”

  “Sure.” She smiled and lifted her head to kiss me in return.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Bryn

  My life was finally starting to quiet down again.

  Bryan was gone. He’d gotten on his bike and left before the sun rose. We’d hugged each other tight before he went, holding on for a long time.

  “Promise me you’ll text a lot.” I looked up at him, tears in my eyes.

  “I promise.” He patted the top of my head. “Don’t worry. I won’t leave you hanging.”

  “And stay clear of motorcycle gangs, okay?”

  “I won’t get mixed up in another one. I promise.”

  “Okay.”

  I nodded and stepped back. “Go on. Get out of here. I’ll leave your bedroom the way it is for when you come back.”

  “Good.” He climbed on his bike, starting it up.

  I held my hand up and waved.

  He waved back, then bumped the kickstand up and peeled out on to the road.

  Just thinking about it brought tears to my eyes, but it was for the best. It really was.

  The sun was up now, and I was drawing before I went into work. It was my first day back; Marissa had offered to open, and I appreciated it.

  I needed a chance to get back into the swing of living my own life.

  And it was starting like this—a cup of coffee, a plate of peanut butter toast, and my art supplies laid out on the coffee table.

  I wasn’t working on a full piece yet—just sketches, ideas. Little things to symbolize eternity without being an infinity sign. Those were a little overdone, in my opinion, and not something I wanted on my body.

  But I did want something that incorporated a B, maybe.

  Or even Benny’s name.

  Beside me, my phone chimed. I hoped it was Benny, buy was pleasantly surprised to find it was somebody else.

  Bryan. He wrote, Stopping for a few in west Ohio. Not sure I want to stop here.

  I smiled. Then don’t. Ride until it feels like you’re in the right place.

  Maybe. I’ll let you know where I stop for the night.

  Good. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

  I smiled again and put my phone down.

  He was safe. He was out of here, away from all of the bullshit.

  And it was all thanks to Benny.

  He was a good guy. One of the best.

  I couldn’t think of many people who would’ve done what he did for me. Bryan had cost him a lot of money and put him in debt to a guy that scared the shit out of me.

  And he’d done it because of me.

  Because he loved me. And he didn’t want me to lose my brother.

  Bryan was free now.

  And so was I.

  And that gave me an idea.

  I smiled as I put my pencil to the paper, warm from thinking about Benny.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Benny

  We hadn’t all gone out after work in a while. Ryker and Logan spent most of their evenings at the East location, getting it ready to open.

  It was coming up soon.

  But I had to make some changes.

  We were all out at The Republic, enjoying a few beers together. Kenzie and Lora had come up from Bakeology to join us; Sydney had dropped in, too, still dressed nicely from her job in the law office.

  I’d thought about inviting Bryn, but figured she’d want a ni
ght to herself, since Bryan had left this morning. I’d get with her tomorrow, if she wanted. Maybe invite her to spend the night at my place.

  But tonight, I sat beside Logan, sipping a beer while I watched the other guys. Bradley and Lora had their arms around each other; Ryker listened with genuine interest as Sydney talked to him about something. Garrett and Kenzie were chatting, their interactions friendly.

  Garrett wasn’t the one Bradley and I had to watch out for.

  But soon, Bradley would have to watch out for Kenzie on his own.

  I needed to make a change.

  I turned to Logan, nudging him with my elbow. “Hey. Can we talk?”

  “Yeah, man. What’s up?” Logan smiled. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, it’s all good. I just, uh…well…”

  Logan’s smile faded a little. “What?”

  “Listen, I think I want to keep you at the main shop.”

  Logan blinked. “Wait, what? I thought I was co-owner now. At East.”

  “You’re still gonna be a co-owner. But at the main location. I’m gonna run the Malone shop with Ryker.”

  For a moment, Logan just looked at me.

  Slowly, a smile spread across his face. “Is that right?”

  “Yeah.” I nodded. “You know. Skin Buzz is right down the road. I gotta keep an eye on the competition.”

  “The competition,” he said, still grinning. “Of course.”

  I knew Bryn and I weren’t exactly subtle, but still.

  “Hey, keep insinuating shit and I’ll drop you back down,” I said. “I don’t gotta make you co-owner.”

  Logan laughed. “No, no. I’m not insinuating anything. I gotcha.”

  I smiled and took a sip of my beer.

  “Really, I’m good with it.” Logan looked at me. “I don’t mind staying.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  His gaze drifted to Kenzie. “I like it here. I like the main shop. The location. The people I get to see every day or so.”

  I sighed and shook my head. “Dude, back off.”

  “What?”

  “She’s off limits. You know that.”

  Bradley would never let his sister get with one of us. It was one of the rules of the shop. Do your work, keep your station clean, pitch in with the rest of the shop, and don’t even think about dating Kenzie.

  Logan sighed heavily. “Maybe you and Bradley should let her make her own choices.”

  “Look, if you wanna have that talk with Bradley, be my guest. I’m not getting in on it.”