My eyes scan the room, and within seconds, I realize why we are here. Photographs of body art are strewn across the walls, and a single black couch is in the middle of the room with several black chairs beside it. A wooden table lined with spray bottles, gloves, tapes, and instruments I don’t recognize sits in the corner.
This is a tattoo studio. They talk quietly for a minute before Ryder slides his shirt over his head and lies on the couch. He reaches for a chair, pulling it closer.
“Sit,” he instructs, patting the chair beside him.
I slide in, my eyes bugging out as I’m fixed on him. “You’re getting a tattoo?” I ask.
“Not just any tattoo.” He smiles. “See this space here?” He taps a small area on his chest, slightly to his left. “I’m keeping you as close to my heart as possible, Pip.”
I shiver, and a single tear slides down my face. My heart feels like it is bursting with love for him. He’s having my name, or should I say my nickname, tattooed on his torso. Reaching up, he squeezes the back of my neck, bringing my lips down to meet his.
I sink back into the chair as I watch Jimmy tattoo the word “Pip” on the small space on Ryder’s body. Two small birds intertwine the word — one representing me, and the other is Ryder. “All done,” Jimmy sings, wiping something from a jar onto the area before covering it with plastic and sealing it with gauze tape. “Keep it clean, man. Take the plastic off tomorrow. You know the drill.” He laughs with a wave of his hand.
I gasp as Ryder stands up from the table. It’s stunningly beautiful and fits perfectly with the rest of his tattoos. The small space has been filled as if my name was always meant to be there.
“It’s fucking perfect.” Ryder checks out the new ink in the full-length mirror. “Thanks, man.” He turns, taking Jimmy’s hand in his and pulling him in for a brief man hug.
“Never did I think we’d see the day when you called a chick your own, never mind having her tattooed on your body, man. I still can’t wrap my mind around it.” He laughs a little, shaking his head lightly from side to side. “She must be real fucking special, man.” His eyes dart to me then back to Ryder. “Ryder Blackheart, well and truly pussy whipped.” He laughs loudly, and Ryder’s features harden.
“Fuck off, man.” Ryder laughs along, pushing something into Jimmy’s hand. “Mind if I use your bathroom?” Ryder asks Jimmy.
“Nah, man. Help yourself.”
“Back in a minute,” he says with a wink. “Don’t go anywhere,” he warns before walking through the door.
“So,” Jimmy says with a pause, “this is the real fucking deal between you two?”
“It is.” I smile coyly. I stare at the guy, an idea buzzing through my head. “Would you do one for me? I mean I don’t have any money or anything, so if you say no, I understand.”
He lifts his eyebrows as I tell him exactly what it is I have in mind. “Jump on, should only take a few minutes,” he says, excitement dancing in his eyes. I sit up, my right wrist resting on my leg. I hadn’t ever thought about getting a tattoo; hell, I’m not even sure I’m the tattoo kinda girl. But this just feels right. His declaration to mine. Jimmy cleans the area, pulling on a clean set of gloves. He draws a rough outline, and I nod, smiling to indicate I was happy with it. Holding the tattoo gun in one hand, he presses it against my skin. The buzz of the gun fills the room, and the scratching against my skin as he works the gun over the small area. Over and over. I can’t deny it stings a little, but it isn’t uncomfortably painful.
“What the…?” Ryder’s words trail off, and his mouth goes slack as he’s frozen to the spot. “Step the fuck away; I’m warning you,” Ryder growls, racing over to stand beside me. Jimmy moves the tattoo gun away, lounging back in his seat.
“Stop,” I say loudly, pressing my hand against his toned stomach, pushing him back. “Let me do this, Ryder.” He glares at me before letting out a huge breath, stepping away, and leaning against the wall.
“Chill the fuck out, dude. I think you’ll like what I’m doing.” He smirks at him, picking the tattoo gun up and continuing the design. Within a few minutes, it’s finished, and Jimmy cleans it up. I point over at a grumpy Ryder, and Jimmy nods with a grin. I slide off the couch, walking over to him, and push my wrist under his nose.
“It’s not much,” I whisper, “but the meaning is huge.” He takes my hand, pulling it closer, and his eyes flicker between the heart on my wrist and my face.
“A single black heart.” Realization dawns on Ryder’s face. The small heart on my right wrist is completely black, a constant reminder of whom my heart belongs to.
I reach up onto my tiptoes, craning my neck to kiss him on the lips. His eyes flutter shut. “Fuck,” he moans. “This means everything to me.” His arm snakes around my waist. “I love it.” He rubs his nose against mine then along my jawline. His warm mouth brushes against my ear as pure need flows through me. “I love you, Pip,” he whispers, his voice barely making any sound. But there was no mistaking his declaration, one I will remember for the rest of my life.
Jimmy clears his throat. “You guys need to get a room or something.” He chuckles. “But first, let me wrap you up,” he says with a nod.
After I’m all cleaned up, we say our goodbyes before making our way out and heading home. It feels strange to call Stella’s house home, but that’s exactly what it is. The whole way back, I set up my new phone, adding in Cady’s number. I quickly text her to let her know this is my new number and send her a picture of my tattoo. The twenty-five replies she sent — a mixture of OMG and WTF — make me laugh. I arrange to meet her tomorrow at school, knowing I need to get some normality back in my life, that I need to keep on top of my schoolwork.
This has been the worst but also one of the best weekends of my life. This was the weekend when I discovered the meaning of true love.
I stretch out, reaching to the bedside table to locate my phone. As I stretch for it, I groan out, the pain from last night with Ryder almost too much to take. I’m beyond sore; his idea of “making sure everyone knows your mine” has been taken to the extreme. I grab my phone, hitting the snooze option, and Ryder’s arm pulls me back to him. I rest my bare back against his hard chest; his hand slides down my side, tracing over my thighs and closer to the inside of my legs. I reach down, catching his hand in mine before he gets too close to where it stings.
“No way, mister.” I bring his hand up, tucking it under my chin as I bring his arm back around me.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice full of concern.
“I’m sore, Ryder,” I whisper, a little embarrassed talking about it.
“I’m sorry, Pip.” He pulls me closer to him, his obvious erection digging into my back. “My dick just can’t get enough of that sweet pussy of yours.” He places small, gentle kisses on my neck.
A small groan escapes me, and the sweetness of his kisses on my neck causes my sex to clench. Despite being sore, my body wants him. So damn much.
“Mom has an appointment with her doctor today. I think she’s really struggling.” He sighs. “I know she’s downplaying it, but she pretty much sleeps downstairs all the time now. I think she finds climbing the stairs too much.” The way his breathing becomes jagged lets me know he’s worried about her.
I turn over onto my back, my eyes looking up at his. “I noticed it too. I think it’s best she gets checked out.” I shoot him a sad smile. “She’s so very lucky to have you.”
“Having you here helps.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s not smoking nearly as much as she was before you moved in. She’s stubborn. The more I told her not to, the more she would. She just won’t accept that this has something to do with her condition.”
“Well, I’m glad me being here helps. Your mom is a real good lady.”
“She’s the best. She’s been so strong for so long that it’s hard to watch her struggle now. Kinda cruel, in a way.”
I stroke my thumb back and forth over his hand. He leans h
is head down, nuzzling my neck before thrusting his hardness into me again. “Go. Get ready for school before I lose all self-control,” he grunts, trying to change the subject and slapping my ass hard. I let out a yelp as I jump from the bed. Pulling the sheets with me, I remove them completely from Ryder. He smirks sexily, lying on his back and exposing his morning wood. I gulp down, turning and fanning my face. As I look back over at him, I try not to stare, but it’s practically impossible. I let my tongue dart out, wetting my lips before biting the side of my lip.
“Pip.” He smirks. “Come back to bed. I can tell by the look on your face you want to. And honestly, I’d give anything to have those fucking lips around my cock.”
“No.” I laugh, dropping the sheets before reaching for the bathrobe on the back of the door and wrapping it around me. “I need to get ready for school. And you’re taking me, don’t forget.” I bend down, picking up the sheets and throwing them at him. He groans, and I race out of the door to the bathroom.
I rush to get ready, hoping to get to school in time to meet Cady before our first class.
Grabbing a quick bite to eat, we rush out of the door, conscious of the time. Lighting the screen on my phone, I check the time.
“I’ll get you there. Don’t stress,” he says with a smile.
“I know. I just want to make this week the start of getting back to normal. I can’t afford to mess this up. I need to be on top of my grades,” I explain. I have pushed back the memories, the hurt and disappointment I feel over the whole Jax situation, but more than anything, the betrayal I feel from my own father. So much has happened, so much I haven’t yet fully digested. My eyes flicker to Ryder, and one thing I know, with absolute certainty, is that, if it wasn’t for this selfless man, I would likely be dead, or even worse, prostituted out and left to rot. I shudder as the erratic thoughts swim in my head. I close my eyes tightly, pushing the bad thoughts to the back of my mind as the memories of the time I’ve spent with Ryder blur them out. I rub my index finger over my soft lips; memories of his lips against mine causes a smile to tug at the corner of my mouth.
“Fuck, that’s such a damn turn-on,” he mumbles, a low groan escapes him.
My eyes fly open, and I turn to meet his. They’re glazed with desire; his hand runs through his hair, and I take a deep breath to steady my wildly beating heart. My phone buzzes against my hand, and I snap my eyes away from him, checking the screen. Cady has sent a text.
Where are you? You’re still coming, right?
I speed type a response.
On my way. Be there in a few mins.
I lock the screen, holding the phone against my chest. “You know, you really didn’t have to spend so much money on me.”
“I wanted to,” he replies. “After all, the big win made it possible.” I sit for a second staring out the window, wondering what he means. Then it dawns on me.
“Jesus, the fight,” I exclaim. “You won the fight the night Jax took me.”
“I did,” he says, his smile wide and beaming with a sense of pride. “I got Marco to bet everything I had on me winning. I had no fucking choice.”
“Everything?”
“Yeah. I have Mom’s last medical bills to pay. Her insurance doesn’t cover her.” His voice quietens to a mumble.
“Have you ever thought of fighting competitively. You know, like you see on those MMA programs.”
“I wouldn’t know where to start.” He blows out a huge breath. “The dream would be to run my own gym, to have a place where young’uns can come, let off some steam. Keep them off the streets and get them to channel their energies into something that keeps them outta trouble. Yeah” — he nods his head — “like a youth program or some shit.”
Listening to him talk passionately about his ideas, about his dream, fills me with hope. Hope that a future with Ryder isn’t just going to be all guns and bloodshed.
“That sounds amazing. You can totally do it.”
“Not without capital.”
“But your winnings…”
“It’s not enough,” he blurts out. “Mom’s medical bills. It’s thousands, Pip. Not to mention the costs to keep the house running.”
We pull onto the school grounds, and Ryder skids the car to a stop. I let out a screech, and Cady and Lina jump back from the sidewalk.
“Jeez.” I laugh. “Subtle, Ryder. Real subtle.”
“I’m not exactly the subtle kind of guy,” he says with a wink. I reach for the handle, only to have my body pulled back, landing roughly against Ryder’s.
“Where the fuck are you going without saying goodbye?” His eyes narrow on me playfully. I reach up and grab a handful of his hair to pull his lips to mine. I kiss him deeply, his arms wrapping around me tightly.
“I’ll be waiting.” He grins. “You need me, you call.”
I roll my eyes but secretly love his protective nature. “You’ll make a great father someday,” I say, kissing him one last time on the lips.
“Get the fuck outta here.” He laughs, slapping my ass as I turn to make my way out the car. I lean in, blowing him a kiss before closing the door, clutching my hand against my beating heart, willing it to steady.
“Hey,” Cady and Lina say, almost in unison. The sound of the engine roars as Ryder pulls away, his wheels skidding as he does.
“Shit, I’ve been so worried about you. That’s some fucked-up shit you’ve been through, girl. I can’t believe you’re holding it together so well.” Lina throws her arms around me.
“I never meant to worry you.” I sigh, parting from her. “It was the worst twenty-four hours of my life, but all I can say is thank God for Ryder.”
“He’s like the modern-day knight in shining armor,” she says with a laugh, clutching her hands to her chest while fluttering her eyes.
“I’m so sorry I haven’t been in touch. I know Cady has kept you in the loop, but I have a new phone now.” I take it out of my pocket, waving it in front of Lina.
“Whoa,” she says dramatically.
“Yes, so… I need to add your number.” Before I can say anymore, she snatches it from my hand. Tapping away, she quickly pushes it back against my chest, holding it there.
“Done.” She smiles. “No more excuses for not contacting Lina.” I take it from her, pushing it back into my pocket. I nod, hooking my arm through hers as we make our way into the school.
It’s good to get back to school and try to be a normal eighteen-year-old. I’ve missed it. I’ve missed the normality and being with these girls. Ryder has texted me constantly, and I’ve been like an addict, secretly checking my phone when the teachers aren’t looking.
I wait in the parking lot with Cady and Lina, the pair refusing to leave until Ryder arrives. Lina already admitted that she has a little man crush on him. I laughed it off because really, who wouldn’t. He’s like some bodybuilder model type; you know the ones who cover all the men’s magazines, the ones covered in tattoos. Yeah, it’s cool that a girl like me, a redhead teased most of her childhood, could actually fall in love with her very own cover model. The minute the black Chevrolet rounds the corner, I watch him drive toward us, and the whole moment feels like it’s happening in slow motion. My heart stills in my chest, the lump refusing to move in my throat. I hear familiar voices, but my eyes are glued to him. To Ryder.
He pushes the door open and strides over to me. “Are you okay?” he asks, his eyebrows furrowed, his eyes burning into me.
“I am now,” I whisper as his strong arms pull me into his powerful hold.
“Yeah, bye, Kailee,” Lina retorts, and the pair giggles and snorts. I turn and glare at them playfully. They lock arms before kissing me lightly on the cheek and making their way down the sidewalk.
“See the way he looks at her? Ahh, I’d give anything for a guy to look at me that way,” I hear Lina’s not so quiet voice say as she walks away. I let my eyes drop down, shaking my head lightly.
“I think you have an admirer.” I laugh.
; “Oh really, Pip? A little competition,” he says teasingly, his lips curling up at the corner as he fights back a smirk.
I shake my head, making my way around to the passenger side and sliding into the car.
“It doesn’t bother you that your friend is crushing on me?” His face lights up, his smile wide, and I can see he’s getting a kick out of this.
“No. Why? Should it?”
“Because if my friend was crushing on you, I’d have to give him a friendly fucking reminder that you’re mine,” he growls.
“She knows you’re mine,” I say. Leaning into him, I pull up my sleeve and point at the small heart on the inside of my wrist. His eyes flutter shut with a small nod of his head. I reach up, resting my hand on his cheek before pressing my lips against his. “I missed you today,” I murmur. “How was the appointment with your mom?”
He pulls his eyes shut, and a look of pain dances across his face. It worries me, and instantly, my heart thuds in my chest as the panic rises within.
“What is it?” I all but whisper.
“They did tests. They’re worried.”
“Worried?” I press further.
“Cancer.” He forces out the word, his face contorting, and I see how difficult this is for him.
“I’m sorry.” I kiss him again.
“It is what it is. Fucking cancer.” He shakes his head, dragging his hands down his face; the dew of impending tears lingers in his eyes.
It’s hard to know what to say. I’ve been there, I heard what they said, but it didn’t help. Nothing does. The painful memories of losing my own mom push their way through.
“I know it won’t help, but I’ve been in your position, Ryder. I’ve felt that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when you worry about the one woman who means more to you than anyone else in the world. I’ve been there. And if it is cancer, it won’t be easy. But I will be there with you and your mom every step of the way.”
He leans in, our foreheads resting against one another’s. “Thank you,” he mutters. “She’s resting now.”
The edge of forever: A Blackhearts twins novel (Book two) Page 11
