by Maren Lee
“That’s just a beginner’s gag,” he informed her.
“When did you become a ball gag expert?”
“I did some research.” She heard his smile in his voice. “Just wait till you have a big fucking ball in that mouth.”
“Holy shit. I may regret saying we could do that anytime.”
“Oh, hell yeah, you will. But it’ll hurt so good, babe.”
“Jesus.” She laughed as she slapped his forearm.
“Let’s get some sleep. We’ve got a long day of traveling back to reality tomorrow. I love you.” He kissed the back of her head.
“I love you more.” She squeezed his arms that were tightly wrapped around her. “That’s cool about Greg and Erica, huh?”
“Yep, very cool. Night, honey.”
“It’s nice how he involved your kids in the proposal, huh?”
“Yeah. He’s a stand-up guy. Kids love him.”
“Does that bother you?”
“That the kids love Greg? No. The way I see it, the more positive male figures in their lives, the more Hannah realizes that you should never settle for less than a man who treats you like his queen and the more Nick realizes that you should always treat your woman like your queen. So I’m glad that Hannah and Nick see how Greg treats their mom. He’s a good guy.”
God damn it. Why is he so wonderful?
“You’re so fucking amazing, Ryan Blakesly,” she said through tears.
He kissed her lips softly. “You done?”
“Excuse me?”
“You gonna be quiet so we can finally get some sleep?”
“What happened to that ‘queen’ shit? Out the door that fast?”
Ryan snickered and then spoke in a British accent. “Please get some rest, Your Majesty. We have an early morning.”
Katie laughed. “Yeah, yeah. Pip pip, cheerio.”
“That mean you’re gonna be quiet?”
“Just for that, I’m gonna talk all night long.”
“Stubborn.” He kissed her. It started out soft. It ended deep and wet. He kissed her until she had no words left.
“Night, baby.”
She mumbled her reply and snuggled into his body. She didn’t want to leave this moment. It had been the best trip. They’d had the best time. She loved him. She loved spending time with his kids. Hell, she didn’t even mind Greg and Erica. She wanted to stay here forever and not face the wrath that was coming when they outed their relationship.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.
Chapter 21
When they returned home to Imminence after their week in Cabo, Ryan was seriously jet-lagged. It wasn’t the time change that got to him, though, because Cabo was in the same time zone as Montana. The problem was the full day of flying and driving necessary to get there and back. Getting in and out of this state was not fucking easy.
Ryan felt bad for Katie. The poor woman had to go right back to work the very next day. He had nothing until the staff meeting on Thursday. After that, he’d be returning to work. Light duty. Desk shit. Fucking light duty. Dammit.
On the flight back, they made a game plan. They decided to tell Jake and Lane about their relationship on Thursday night, together. Katie set it up. She had to go over to their house to pick up her truck that her parents had dropped off while she had been gone, so it was good timing to invite them to meet up for casual drinks at the Cadillac. She didn’t tell them Ryan was coming. If she’d told them that, too many questions would be asked between now and then. They both figured a public place would be safer. If Jake freaked out, there would be witnesses. Ryan hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
Jake’s just gonna have to get over his damn self.
Ryan wandered around the apartment, bored, looking for something to do to make him feel useful. But no luck. He’d been itching to get some ink done. Maybe his tattoo artist had some free time on a Monday? Ryan called up Dalton at Steel Horse Tattoo. He had four hours available. Perfect. Just enough time before Katie came home from work.
He knew exactly what he wanted.
➰
Katie brought in the giant container of Bag Balm Ryan had requested with no explanation, along with a few groceries she’d picked up in Billings. She didn’t want a repeat of the store incident with Wesson.
“Hey babe, I really hope you don’t plan on using this Bag Balm on me!” she shouted, as she set the bags on the kitchen table. What the fuck is it for?
Ryan walked into the kitchen, bare-chested and barefoot, wearing only a pair of gray gym shorts. He was still rocking the six pack, And the sexy ‘V’ leading to his ever present bulge made her mouth water.
So hot.
Something was off though. She looked him over, tipping her head to the side. He had a bandage on his right shoulder like he should. But his right forearm from wrist to elbow was wrapped in plastic wrap.
What?
“Ryan, what the hell happened?” Katie walked over to him reaching for his arm.
He pulled his arm back to keep her from grabbing it.
“Baby, don’t freak out. I’m okay. It’s not an injury.”
A look of confusion crossed over her face. “What is it?”
“It’s something I got to remind me of you. Every second of the day.” He smiled.
Oh no.
“Holy shit. You did not tattoo my name on your arm that big! Did you? Isn’t that supposed to be like a bad omen or something?”
“It’s not your name.” He laughed as he pulled back the saran-wrap and tilted his forearm to show her what he’d had done.
There on his forearm was a gorgeous blonde pinup wearing a skimpy, vintage nurse’s uniform complete with red high heels, a white garter belt, and stockings. Her breasts were spilling out of a red bustier that was peeking out from under the white uniform. Her plump ass was on display, her left hand rested on her hip, while her right hand held up a syringe. All while looking seductively over her shoulder.
She was beautiful.
She was familiar.
Holy shit.
It was her. In the face. The tiny mole (her “beauty mark” as she called it) on her right breast. The way her hips were shaped. The inked image had a little more tits and ass than she did in real life, but it worked better for the pinup style. It was amazing.
“Ryan. Oh my god. She’s beautiful.”
“You mean you’re beautiful. This is you.”
“I can’t believe it. The resemblance is crazy. Was this done by the same artist who’s done the rest of your work?”
“No. This one was Dalton, at Steel Horse. He’s the best.”
“I love it, Ryan. Oh my god. Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing tightly.
“I love you. I wanted to be able to see you all day, every day.”
Holy shit, this is so permanent. But it didn’t scare Katie to think that. With Ryan, she wanted it to be permanent.
“Setting a photo of me as your lock screen on your phone probably would have worked too. But this is a much more sentimental display of your love.”
“Shit. I didn’t even think of that.” He laughed. “Woulda been cheaper too. I guess this is what happens when I get bored and have nothing but time and you on my mind.”
“Well, you won’t be bored for long. Light duty coming up.”
“Yep. Pushing papers. I fucking hate it.”
“Just try and keep that thing covered up until we tell Jake and Lane on Thursday night.”
“I’m going in Thursday morning to the department meeting, just to keep up to speed. But I’ve got enough ink on me, nobody should notice.”
“Ryan. They’re gonna notice that. It’s on your forearm. And it’s turning me on just looking at it -- and it’s me!”
“You don’t say?”
“Seriously.”
He leaned in and kissed her quickly. “Just to ease your mind, I’ll slap a bandage over it or wear long s
leeves or something until we have a chance to talk to Jake.”
Phew.
She leaned in and kissed him again. This time it was not quick. His tongue stroked against hers and she ran her fingernails across his abs and reached down into his shorts to grab his already hard cock. Ryan inhaled sharply at the contact. She pulled back and looked at him as she stroked his cock. “I’ve known for a while that you have a thing for naughty nurses. You need your bandages changed, baby?” She winked.
“Bedroom. Now.” Ryan ordered.
Yesssssss.
Katie giggled and pulled her top off as she walked to to bedroom. “Let’s get you some TLC, Officer Blakesly.”
Ryan growled as he walked behind her.
She’d be his slutty pinup nurse any time.
Chapter 22
The department meeting took longer than usual. Pressure was being put on law enforcement agencies throughout the entire state to get a handle on the increasing drug problem. There was hope that coordinating efforts and increasing the visibility of their enforcement successes might reduce the circulation of product, which would help to drastically reduce the drug-related overdoses and discourage the distributors.
This was a good concept in theory, but reality was the dealers in Montana were no longer small time. They were fucking international drug smugglers. Big time cartels. Legit operations. In deep. Prison wasn’t even stopping them. They were still somehow running the product in and out of Montana State Prison, despite the new warden.
This was bigger than any agency within the state could handle on their own.
Now that Ivan Nosarev had been issued a felony warrant following his escape and Wesson’s informant had likely turned, Bounty County needed help.
Brenden informed the morning crew that federal agents were due to arrive in town in order to assist them with the takedown of Nosarev and any of his affiliates. It was about damn time.
Smitty and Wesson were put on the task force to assist the incoming federal agents. Ryan wanted to be assigned in Smitty's place, but being on light duty kept him from being anywhere but in the office.
Dammit.
Ryan found himself zoning out at the conference table when Smitty brought him out of his fog.
“What the hell happened? First day on duty and you’ve already got a papercut?” Smitty asked while gesturing to the bandage on Ryan’s right arm, which covered the new ink he had gotten. It didn’t need to be wrapped anymore, but he didn’t want to show anyone yet, so he figured he could play it off.
“Nothing, man. Just a cut.”
Smitty’s inquiry got the attention of Jake, who was sitting to the right of him.
“Shit, did you you get some new ink? Are those high heels?” Jake pointed at the red stilettos barely peeking out of the bandage near his wrist.
Shit. His bandage wasn’t quite big enough to cover the red heels and little bit of white stocking. Ryan felt his heart move to his throat. He wasn’t ready to tell Jake without Katie being there to keep him at bay.
He wouldn’t know it was Katie though, would he? Ughhhhhh. Ryan had a very bad feeling about this.
“Let’s see it.” Jake and Smitty pressed.
“It’s nothing guys, really.” Ryan tried to stall.
“Fuck off, I see those heels. Let’s see that lady under there. Or did your tattoo artist fuck up and draw a big cock dangling between those legs?” Jake and Smitty started laughing, practically giggling like girls.
Fucking children.
“Fuck no. There’s no dick on it.” Ryan began to pull the bandage off. “Jesus, you guys are like fuckin’ twelve-year-olds.” He pulled it back further. The moment of truth. Hopefully Jake wouldn’t see the resemblance. Ryan inwardly cringed.
He tilted his forearm to give the guys a good look. They both nodded in approval.
“If only nurses looked like that in reality. I’d let ‘em stick me with that needle all day long.” Smitty sat back in his chair.
“Shit, she’s gorgeous, almost life-like. That Dalton’s work?” Jake asked.
“Yep.”
“That’s a damn fine female. But I prefer redheads.” Jake winked.
Thank god.
He picked the bandage up to place it back on his arm when Wesson walked up behind them.
“What ya lookin’ at?” Wesson asked.
Why, God? Why?
“Ryan’s new ink.” Smitty pointed.
“From Dalton? Let me see!” Wesson leaned closer.
His eyes went wide looking at the pinup nurse.
“You finally told him? Thank god!” Wesson sounded relieved as he clapped Ryan on the back.
Ryan shook his head at Wesson, gritting his teeth. He was about to die. Fuck. Well, at least you told Katie that you love her before you met your demise.
“Told who what?” Jake asked looking between the both of them then back down at Ryan’s arm.
“Nobody… nothing…” Wesson started moving back slowly.
Smitty was looking back and forth between all three of them, a look of total confusion on his face.
Ryan went to cover his arm back up with the bandage, but Jake grabbed his hand and stopped him. His eyes remained on the tattoo. Ryan could see the moment the resemblance clicked.
Unfortunately, it was a little like that moment in the movie Kill Bill when Uma Thurman’s character wakes up in the hospital and all of the memories flash through her brain, setting the stage for all of the bloody, bloody vengeance. He could hear the music start as rage began to fill Jake’s eyes.
Ah, fuck. Wesson was right.
Ryan tried to pull his arm away, but he wasn’t fast enough. Jake grabbed onto his wrist holding it in place.
“Let go, Jake,” Ryan spoke through gritted teeth.
“Is that my sister?” He squeezed Ryan’s wrist tightly.
“That’s my girlfriend,” Ryan bit off. Not a lie at all. Just not the full truth. He needed to stand his ground.
Jake let go of his wrist, stood up, kicked the chair out from behind him and shoved the table out of the way.
“Boss!” Wesson shouted, grabbing Brenden’s attention.
“You fucking knew?!” Jake yelled at Wesson and then looked down at Ryan. “Get up, you motherfucker.” Jake puffed his chest out at him like he was going to go King Kong on his ass.
Ryan stood up and pushed his chair out of the way, challenging Jake. If Jake wanted to fight, he’d fight him, bum shoulder or not. Shit, this is gonna hurt.
“What the hell is going on over here?” Brenden shouted.
“This god damned pervert tattooed my sister as a slutty nurse on his arm! She was fuckin’ nice enough to take good care of you in the hospital because I asked her to give you the VIP treatment and this is how you repay her kindness?!” Jake hauled his arm back, getting ready to swing. Justin stepped in and put Jake in a full nelson.
Thank god.
“Calm it down, man. Do not swing on him. It’s not worth your job.” Justin fought to maintain control over Jake.
“Jake, come on!” Ryan implored. “I would never do that to Katie.”
“Oh my god!” It seemed another realization hit Jake straight across the face. “VIP treatment? Did you fuck my sister?!” he shouted.
“It’s not like that!” Ryan shouted back.
“You’re not answering the question! Did you fuck my sister?”
Fuck you, Jake.
“Yep,” Ryan said, matter of fact.
“You’re old enough to be her father, you piece of shit!”
Ouch.
“Fuck you, Jake. Not that it matters to you, but I’m in love with Katie! I’m gonna marry her. You think I’d get a tattoo of her if I was just fucking her?” he replied.
“It’s been, what? A month since you were in the hospital? How could you possibly be in love with my sister?!”
“It’s been going on for much longer than that, Jake.”
“Oh my god! Is that why she wanted to meet with me and Lane tonight?” He was still shouting.
“Yes. We were planning on telling you tonight, until dickweed here” —he glared at Wesson— “ruined the surprise.”
