Inked Souls (The Shaw Effect Duet)

by Lucia Grace

  I still have work to do on myself, at being stronger, but I know with Rhett at my side I can do just that.

  The hairs on the back of my neck rise all of a sudden as awareness runs through me. The feeling like I’m being watched weighing heavier as the seconds tick by.

  I place my tray at a recently vacant table and look around me, trying to see if I can locate anyone that appears to be watching or staring at me. But I come up empty. Everyone is either caught up in conversation or watching the band sing and play their hearts out.

  But I can’t shake the feeling.

  And it isn’t the one I’m used to, with men ogling and tracking my every move, appraising my looks and my body. Or the feel of Rhett’s eyes on me while I’m working.

  This is different. It feels malicious and mean—hateful.

  A slight shiver runs through me at the thought.

  “You okay, angel?” Rhett’s concerned voice crashes through my paranoia. Because that’s all it is, all it has to be, because there’s no one there. Not that I can see anyway.

  Scanning my surroundings once more, I come up empty yet again. Giving up, I look up to see Rhett’s deep brown eyes match his tone—concerned.

  “Kennedy?”

  I run my hands along my upper arms exposed from my Blues and Brews tank top, as if it’s a cool sixty degrees and not the near ninety it really is.

  “Yeah.” I finally reply. “All good.” I try to smile, the action weak.

  I can tell he doesn’t believe me. It’s confirmed when he asks, “Something happen?”

  “No. Why?”

  His large hands reach for me then, grasping onto my waist to pull me in. Wrapping his bulky arms around me, his long fingers span my entire back, the tips brushing the top of my butt.

  He’s holding me tight, keeping my close.

  Safe. Secure. Protected.

  “Saw you standing here talking to Say, then all of a sudden you were looking around as if you were searching for someone. You looked worried.”

  Trying to lighten the mood, I deflect. “You spying on me?”

  He doesn’t bite, just looks down on me, waiting. Big hands flexing into my back.

  Sighing, I finally give in. “I just got this weird feeling, that’s all. Like someone was watching me.” My voice low and quiet.

  “Probably one of these motherfuckers that can’t keep their eyes to themselves,” he growls. “Been watching them watch you all day. Pricks,” he spits out. His eyes scanning the crowd behind me, glaring and glowering. A hard look covering his features.

  Then looking back at me, he leans down and places his warm lips on mine. Slow and sweet, just what I needed to shake this feeling that still won’t go away completely.

  Sliding his tongue along the seam of my lips, he seeks entry and I greedily oblige. Seeking all the comfort he breathes into me.

  After a couple of minutes of getting lost in his kisses, I pull back. Breathless.

  Heavy-lidded deep browns stare into my eyes when he drops his forehead to mine. “That should set straight anyone thinking they had a chance with you,” he huffs out. Not nearly as breathless as me.

  I chuckle softly at his possessiveness, that slight worry still niggling at me.

  But as soon as he dips down to slide his lips along my throat and the side of my neck, that worry melts away. “Rhett,” I breathe out. Now worried we’re making a scene.

  “Can’t keep off you, angel. My hands. My lips. My tongue.” He licks at my pulse that’s beating just for him, proving his point. “Don’t give a fuck where we are either. You’re mine, baby. I’m making that shit known, public, fucking shouting it from the rooftops.”

  I sigh and melt right into his chest. My heart following suit.

  I should be scared at how easily he can put me at ease, at how strongly he makes my heart beat. But I can’t be, because nothing has ever felt so right. No matter how much that does scare me.

  “You okay now?” Rhett slowly lets me go, fingertips dragging along my sides, and I miss his warmth immediately. Then just as quickly I realize that feeling’s gone; it no longer feels as though I’m being watched.

  “Yeah,” I reply with a small smile. Relieved. Rhett must have been right.

  Then his lips are back on mine for an all-to-brief peck. “Looks like Gus needs some muscle switching out that keg.” He nods behind me, and I turn to see Gus struggling to move what I’m assuming is the full one.

  Turning back to Rhett, I lift to my tip toes and kiss his lightly bearded cheek. A bit of shock lights up his dark eyes at the contact, because I’ve yet to initiate a first touch, let alone a kiss.

  “You go on and help him before he hurts himself.” Giving one bicep a light squeeze.

  He smirks before asking, “You’re sure you’re good, angel?”

  “Perfect now,” I say through a smile. Amazed at how comfortable and content and happy he makes me feel.

  Only two weeks and he’s already breaking me out of my shell, slowly but surely making me feel more like me than I think I ever have.

  Grinning all smug, he slaps my behind as he walks by me.

  “Just what I like to hear, baby.”

  WE’RE ALL EXHAUSTED AS WE make it up the stairs and into the apartment I share with Saylor. It’s nearing midnight, the cleanup taking hours even with all the help.

  Saylor unlocks the front door while I follow in behind her with Rhett’s hand planted firmly at my lower back. He insisted on walking us up, wanting to see us in safely, and after the bizarre feeling I had today I’m beyond grateful that he did.

  I’ve never had that before, someone to genuinely care for me. And knowing Rhett does warms my heart unlike anything else ever has. Even something so small as to walk us up to our apartment, it doesn’t matter. He cares, and he isn’t afraid to show it.

  “Either of you want a drink?” Saylor asks as she opens the refrigerator door, her red hair illuminated by the bright light.

  “No, thank you,” I reply.

  “Nah, I’m good,” Rhett responds next. “Gonna head out, just wanted another couple minutes with my girl.” He smirks that devilish smirk down at me, the one that has one side of his full lips tipping up higher than the other.

  My heart sighs in my chest.

  “Gimme those lips, angel.”

  And before I can utter a word or make a move, Rhett’s sliding a tattooed hand into my hair, pulling me close, and devouring my lips. Stealing my heart. Invading my soul.

  Lighting me up from the inside out.

  I’ve never felt anything like the way Rhett kisses me. Wholly and completely. Like he’d rather be doing nothing else but this. Like he can’t get enough, like I’m all he needs.

  I could spend forever kissing him, I know I could.

  I hope I can.

  He growls, I moan, then all too soon Rhett’s lifting his lips from mine, taking my breath and my heart with him.

  “Lock up behind me, angel. And keep that phone on you. Wanna hear your voice before I fall asleep tonight.”

  Unable to speak, still breathless from that kiss, I just nod.

  He smirks, knowing his effect on me. “Good.” Dropping another peck to my lips, he only lingers a second before pulling back. Looking over my head, he addresses his sister. “Night, Say,” he says with a chin lift.

  “Later, big brother.”

  Closing the door behind him, I lean my forehead to the wood to regroup after that kiss. And to hide the giant grin and heated blush covering my face.

  “Lawd,” I hear Saylor exclaim behind me. Turning from the door, I see her planted on the couch, red hair piled high in a messy bun on her head, while she fans herself. “I don’t know about you, but I damn sure need more than this bottle of water after that one.”

  “God, Saylor…” I say on an exasperated chuckle, shaking my head. “Boundaries.”

  “What? It isn’t like I’m asking for details or anything, because yuck, he’s my brother. I’m just sayin’, the fire between yo
u two is scorching hot, and I need this water after being witness!”

  Taking a sip of said bottle, she then rolls it along her forehead with a “whew.”

  “And not to be gross since he is my big bro and all, but if that’s what it’s like for y’all just kissing, I can’t imagine what it must be like in the bedroom. Get it, girl!”

  I can feel the heat on my cheeks burning even brighter and for a whole new reason now. Biting my bottom lip, I walk over to the fridge to grab that drink I declined just moments ago. Trying to hide from Saylor and her prying eyes. Because one look at my face and I know she’ll know.

  “Wait a minute.” Saylor’s eyes bug out of her head, catching on despite my best efforts at hiding my bright red face. “You mean to tell me you two haven’t…”

  I’m still blushing fiercely; I know I am. This conversation unexpected and a bit awkward to be having with my boyfriend’s sister.

  “Well I’ll be,” she drawls quietly. Shocked. “Not even…anything?” Her tone utter disbelief.

  “Saylor!” I exclaim, uncomfortable because I’ve never had anyone to talk to about these things. And because this is Rhett’s sister. She may be my best friend, but she’s his flesh and blood. “We’ve…done a little. But no, not…that.”

  “What? I don’t need details, like I said before; but come on, it’s him! I’d have expected he’d have made his move by now. I mean, don’t get me wrong; I know he’s a good man. But it’s been a couple weeks now since y’all became an item. Add on the two weeks before that when he was pining over you. That’s a whole month of zilch, zip, nada for him.”

  My heart starts racing with worry. She’s right; it has been a month since I moved to Sunvale. Could he really have not slept with anyone this whole time considering his reputation?

  “Hey.” Saylor’s soft words slow my hurried thoughts. “I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that Rhett hasn’t even looked, let alone touched, a female since he saw you waiting tables at the bar on your first day. So don’t let that pretty little head of yours start conjuring up ideas and images and thoughts that aren’t true. He is a good man, Kennedy. Under all those tattoos and that macho bullshit is a heart of gold, and there isn’t a devious bone in his body.”

  She’s right; I know she is. He’s shown me time and again what kind of man he is, hasn’t he? Good and true. Forward, but always truthful and real with me. Telling me like it is and never afraid to show me what he wants. And what he wants is…me.

  Plopping down on the couch next to Saylor, I worry my hands in my lap. “I know you’re right, but it’s hard to tell my heart that because in all my life I’ve never had anyone. I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Or to find out this isn’t real. As much as I want to believe in everything, my heart just won’t let me let go of the past.”

  “Well you have people now, Kennedy. Not just Rhett either. You have me and Gus. Nash, too. All of us. But my brother, yeah, he’s definitely in your corner.” She nudges me with her shoulder and chuckles. “But I’m serious when I tell you he’s crazy about you, would do anything for you. And clearly that even means waiting on sleeping with you until you’re ready.”

  I shrug. “It isn’t that I don’t want to…be with him like that. It’s just that my whole life, since I was old enough to share my body with someone else, that’s all I’ve ever been good for. That’s all I’ve ever been wanted for. And my foolish heart fell for trick after trick through the years. Thinking it was more than it was. Thinking the time had come when I finally found someone to care. Thinking that if I gave it up, shared myself in that way, that they really would stay. But they never did, Say. They never did, and I let so many of them have me,” I admit, ashamed.

  “Oh, honey…” She wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me in for a side hug.

  “So as much as my heart and body call out to him—want him—I’m doing the only thing I can do to hold on to the last bits of my heart before letting him have it all. I’m doing all I can to make sure this time it’s different, that it lasts. And that’s by waiting.”

  We’re both quiet for a few minutes, thinking over everything I just shared.

  “I hope you don’t think any less of me,” I break quietly. From our talks before, Saylor knew enough to know the men weren’t lacking in my life. But I never came right out and said it, and now I’m worrying that I did and she’ll think differently of me.

  “Kennedy James, you stop that right now.” Saylor turns to say to me, voice stern with fire in her eyes. “I could never think anything bad about you. Not ever. You’re sweet and kind with a heart of gold. Beautiful inside and out. It isn’t your fault that the men in your life used your vulnerability against you. That’s all on their small dicks for brains, you hear me? So get those thoughts out of your head and hug me, girl.”

  Giggling softly through tears in my eyes, I lean in and hug her just as tightly as she’s hugging me. “Thank you, Saylor. You’re the greatest friend I’ve ever had.”

  “Damn straight I am. Ain’t nobody better.” She pulls back and winks. Always full of sass.

  Bounding off the couch, she heads back for the refrigerator. “Now after that talk, I say it’s time for some ice cream. What do ya say, chick? I’m feeling some Cherry Garcia.”

  Wiping under my eyes, I nod my head. “Who could ever say no to ice cream?”

  “Pfft. Nobody I want to know, that’s for sure.”

  TOSSING THE LOAF OF GARLIC bread into the oven, I check the time to see Kennedy’ll be here any minute.

  The damn woman stubborn as hell when she wants to be. I tried to insist on picking her up for our date. Though casual and just at my condo, I still wanted to be a gentleman. But she refused and insisted herself that she drive. I’d bet anything it’s because she wants a way to escape if necessary. As much as she’s opening up to me, becoming more comfortable with the idea of us and what we mean, there’s still a touch of hesitancy and worry there hovering just below the surface.

  So I let her have it, but if I have any say she’ll be staying the whole night straight through morning. I want more than anything to hold her all night and wake up to that gorgeous face again. Maybe spend some more time kissing that sweet mouth of hers.

  Christ, can that girl kiss. All plump lips and wet tongue taking me over the edge every goddamn time I get my mouth on her. My dick stirs just thinking about the last time. The day of Blues and Brews. First during the event and then saying goodnight after I walked her and Saylor up to their apartment.

  Both times she damn near brought me to my knees.

  A soft knock at the front door breaks me from my thoughts, and I have to remind myself to calm the hell down so I don’t sprint to open it.

  Collecting myself, I open the door and come face-to-face with the girl who’s changed my entire existence. The only one who would ever have the ability to do so. The one I know was put on this earth just for me.

  From day one that feeling has been simmering at the surface, ready to explode, and it only intensifies as each day passes. Because this girl—my angel—is mine in every way imaginable.

  She’s standing there with a small smile on her full lips, a light stain of pink on her cheeks, and I can’t help but imagine that same look while she’s under me.

  She’s killing me. Slowly. With her pert ass encased in tight jeans and the slight tease of cleavage peeking out of the v-neck of her loose black tank.

  But I’d gladly die this slow death for her. She’s worth it and more.

  If she needed me to wait a lifetime, I would. That’s how far gone I am.

  “Do I look okay?” Her softly spoken words bring me back to focus on her standing in my doorway.

  “Yeah, angel.” My voice is gruff. Clearing my throat, I ask, “Why?”

  “Because you’re staring.” She fidgets as she stands there.

  I smirk. “Simple. Can never keep my eyes off of you.”

  And there’s that blush that drives me wild.

  Step
ping out of the way, I open the door a bit wider. “Come in, baby.”

  As soon as she’s through the door, I shut it behind us and turn to her. Reaching out, I palm her ass and drag her into me. Her breasts hitting low on my chest. Soaking up all her curves right up against me.

  She gasps softly, and I eat it up when I drop my mouth to hers. Needing to take and taste immediately.

  Her light moans have me wanting to say fuck dinner and dive right into dessert. But as much as I want to take this further—upstairs and naked in my bed—I know Kennedy isn’t ready yet, and I promised her we would wait until she was. And I meant it.

  With another swipe of my tongue and ending on a soft peck, I slowly pull away even though I could die kissing this woman and it still wouldn’t be enough.

  Her small hands are clutching at my shoulders now after traveling down from my hair that she was grasping on to for dear life. She’s breathing heavily, her lips puffier from the assault of mine, and her cheeks are flushed a pretty pink.

  Goddamn.

  “Wow,” she finally breathes out. Green eyes opening wide to look right at me.

  I smirk, damn proud of myself. “Glad to be of service, angel.”

  She giggles quietly under her breath with a shake of her head and steps out of my hold. “It smells delicious in here,” she says as she sets her purse down on the coffee table.

  No overnight bag in sight. Goddamn it.

  “One of my many talents,” I reply with a wink as I step around her to head over to the stove, stirring the pot of sauce.

  “You can cook?” she asks, surprised.

  “It’s nothing fancy, just homemade meatballs with spaghetti.”

  “It’s perfect,” she says quietly. I turn from the stove to see her smiling softly at me from a stool at the island between us. “That was always my favorite growing up.”

  “Mine, too.” Thinking back on all the times we ate it as a family, I smile to myself. “Ma used to make it every Sunday for dinner for as far back as I can remember.”