by Rebel Hart
I nodded. “Good. Rupert’s coffee is shit.”
Dani giggled as Rupert tossed me a glare, and the entire scene made me smile. Like a goofy little schoolgirl. Dani, standing at the stove throwing down a breakfast that made my stomach growl in hunger. My brother, sitting next to me, looking as spry as ever. My best friend, hanging out with us. A house full of people who cared about one another.
In another life, maybe, I would’ve actually thought I deserved something like this.
“So! How you feeling, champ?”
Rupert’s voice made me wince. “I’m good. Though you can bring your voice down a bit.”
Dani giggled. “He’s not yelling, Max.”
I pointed. “You, too. In fact, everyone whisper. That’ll do just fine.”
John leaned against my ear. “Like this?”
I pulled away from him. “You spit on me, you fucker.”
Dani turned the bacon. “Settle down, you two. The food’s almost ready.”
Rupert shook his head. “I swear, you two are like kids.”
Dani snickered. “Three, you mean.”
And the look she gave ‘Rupe’ made me chuckle until my stomach protested the movement.
I watched as Dani filled the kitchen table with food. With drinks. With ice water and coffee and orange juice. Since when the hell did we have orange juice? Rupert passed out silverware and John got up to get the syrup. The butter. The salt and pepper. We all sat down to a wonderful meal, but even though I needed the food and the water, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Off Dani.
Off this incredible young woman that had come into my life.
“So, John? What do you think? As the resident breakfast maker, of course,” Dani said.
I watched John take a bite of bacon and eggs before practically inhaling a pancake in one breath. All he could do was hold up a thumb and nod his head before he got back to devouring his plate. That was the most praise I’d ever seen him give anyone on their cooking. Because John was incredibly picky about how his food was cooked.
Could this girl get any better?
“Max?”
“Hmm?”
Dani pointed to my water. “Drink. Please. You need to hydrate.”
I reached for my glass. “As you wish, gorgeous.”
I winked at her and watched her blush as Rupert chuckled.
“To what do we owe this feast?” John finally asked.
Dani shrugged. “I don’t know. No reason, really. I got up around seven and decided Max might be hungry once he woke up. I was certainly hungry. And if I was cooking for us, it seemed rude not to cook for everyone else. Though, Rupert, you should have someone check out that snoring issue. You were pulling the curtains in from the other side of the house.”
My eyes widened as John practically choked on his food. He barely got it down before he started laughing, and I couldn't help but join in. Dani shrugged and went back to eating her food while Rupert’s jaw swung against the table.
“Did you guys hear what she just said to me!?” he exclaimed.
Dani nodded. “They did. But it’s true. You should have a doctor look at that. Not good for a man your age.”
John roared with laughter and I had tears springing to my eyes.
“I told you!” I managed to say.
John pointed at him. “We fucking told you that you snore like a damn chorus of chainsaws.”
Dani cocked her head. “I thought it sounded more like a wood chipper. You know, he’s got those little breaks in it. Like this.”
She tried to mimic the sound of his snoring and I couldn't take it. I wiped the tears away from my eyes as Rupert sat there, angrily stuffing his face with food. That’s how good Dani’s food was. No one wanted to stop eating it. They just wanted to experience whatever emotions they felt while eating it.
“You guys are asshats.”
Dani playfully gasped. “Why, I never in a million years thought I’d hear some old crotchety bastard say such awful things.”
“Oh my God!” John bellowed.
I bent over and let my forehead rest against the table. The laughter was killing me. I needed water, but I couldn't drink it. I needed food, but I couldn't eat it. I felt Dani slip her foot beside mine beneath the table and it shot chills up and down my leg. And after we were all finally done laughing, even Rupert was chuckling along with us.
“You’ve got spunk. I see why Max likes you,” he said.
I eyed him carefully. “Down, boy.”
Rupert held up his hands. “What? Just stating the obvious.”
Dani smiled. “I like you guys anyway. You’re nice company. And I like cooking for people, so I’m glad you’re enjoying the food.”
“It’s great,” John said with his mouth full.
Before he went back in for a second plate.
I couldn't believe how seamlessly Dani fit in with the two most important people in my life. We did more laughing at the breakfast table than anything else, and it felt fantastic. It was absolutely what I needed, and I felt refreshed after it was all said and done. We cleared out any hope of having leftovers. I drank more water than I could possibly stand. And I even managed to top it all off with a wonderful cup of John’s coffee.
“So, Bambi.”
“Yes, Rupe?”
Rupert snickered. “Nice nickname. Anyway, what made you stop by last night?”
John put his silverware down. “Yeah, I’d like to know that, too. Just a surprise for Max, or something?”
She shrugged. “Well, there was something I wanted to talk to Max about. But I figured it could wait until he was a little more sober.”
Rupert snorted. “Good plan.”
I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t that bad.”
Dani’s face fell flat. “You were heaving over the edge of your bed when you first woke up.”
Rupert nodded. “And you were trying to strip me down last night.”
John cackled. “He was what!?”
I pursed my lips. “No I wasn’t, asshole.”
Rupert held his hands up. “Bible. Fucking hand on the Bible, dude. You were trying to strip me down because, and I quote! ‘You wanted to make sure things still worked for Dani.’”
Everyone fell apart in laughter as I slumped back into my seat. Fucking hell, I’d never live this shit down. But their laughter didn’t deter me from the point I’d caught.
Which was the fact that Dani wanted to talk.
“What’s on your mind, gorgeous?”
She was still trying to recover from her laughter.
“I mean, when you’re done laughing at my expense.”
She held her hand up. “Sorry! I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Hoooo, holy hell. I haven’t laughed that much in ages.”
John sat back. “You and the rest of the table.”
We all fell silent for a moment before Dani cleared her throat.
“I was actually wanting to talk with you about your plans for today. Got anything special going on?”
I shrugged. “Other than drowning myself in water, no. Why?”
She grinned. “I wanted to see if you could take me to get that tattoo.”
Rupert and John stared at Dani as my heart stopped in my chest. The tattoo. The tattoo. Was she serious? I felt my insides warming. I felt my heart coming back to life as fireworks went off inside my brain.
“Are you serious?” I asked.
And when she smiled brightly, I knew the answer before she said it.
“Dead serious, handsome.”
27
Dani
I looked down at the stencil on my outer thigh and I sighed. I wrung my hands together as I sat in the one chair all of the other Red Thorns had gotten their tattoos done in. It was intricate. Even though I was told not to touch it, I wanted to run my fingers across it. The small emblem. The rose, with its thorns. The cute little sunset background. Mine was much smaller than Max’s, but they were identical in all of their ways.
And that
made me feel special.
“It’s not that bad. I promise, gorgeous.”
I looked over at Max as he took my sweating hand.
“Sorry,” I said softly.
He grinned. “No need. Rupert’s hands sweat, too, when he’s nervous.”
I snickered. “Should I ask as to how you know that?”
“Let’s just say Rupert isn’t as tough with some things as he is with others.”
“Please tell me he hates balloons. Or clowns. Or cotton balls.”
“Actually, he’s not a fan of needles.”
I blinked. “I bet his tattoos were rough, then.”
He snickered. “I can attest personally to that, yeah.”
My jaw dropped open. “Oh, he’s so going to kill you when he finds out I know that.”
“And how’s he going to find out?”
Max leaned in close and I felt his breath against my lips. I eased myself back into the chair, gazing into his eyes as he smiled at me. I loved it when he smiled. His eyes wrinkled at the edges and his entire face lit up. My heart skipped a beat when he softly pressed his lips against the tip of my nose. Our fingers threaded together. I squeezed his hand tight. And as I drew in a deep breath, I felt a chill work its way up my spine.
“There’s something I want to tell you, gorgeous. You know, before you make this commitment.”
I blinked. “Is something wrong?”
He shook his head. “No, no. Nothing’s wrong. I mean, unless what I have to say is bad news.”
“What is it?”
He licked his lips. “Dani, I--”
His eyes caved first. The softness of their gaze warmed my heart. Then his mouth caved. His smile grew wider, and I felt my neck flushing with anticipation. He pulled his chair closer to me, his nose nuzzling softly against my own. And when my eyes fell closed, I felt what he was trying to tell me.
“What is it?” I whispered.
I felt my heart hammering against my chest as I prepared myself for the admission.
“Open your eyes.”
They flew open. “Sorry.”
He chuckled. “No need to be. I just want to look at you when I say it.”
“Yes?”
His smile faded into a grin. “I love you, Dani.”
My mouth went dry. “You--you do?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I do. I’ve known it for a long time, actually. Ever since the first time I kissed you. But the other night, when you attacked that guy with the wine bottle? I knew without a shadow of a doubt that you were the only woman on the face of this earth for me.”
I let out a shuddering breath. “Oh, Max. I love you, too. I love you so, so much.”
His hand slipped against my cheek as he turned my lips into his. And when I felt his tongue fall against my own, my heart soared with delight. I cocked my body toward him as I felt his hand sliding down my side. I moaned down the back of his throat, wanting nothing more than to experience the whole of him. My nipples puckered. My thighs clenched together. I wanted to straddle his lap and show him exactly how much I adored him.
But the footsteps coming down the hallway ripped us away from one another.
“All right, I’ve got the specific colors suggested,” the artist said as he came in. “Ready for the outline? We can see how you’re feeling after I get done with it.”
I wiped at my lip softly. “Um, yeah. That sounds--that sounds great. Max?”
He nodded. “We’ll see how it goes after the outline.”
The tattoo artist sat down. “Perfect. Now, the important part is to hold still. If you want to do a test feel on the back of your hand or your arm, we can do that. Otherwise, it might be best if Max here holds your leg down. Not hard. But just so we make sure you don’t jump when I touch your skin for the first time.”
I nodded. “Max, are you okay with that?”
He turned my leg softly before pressing his hands against it, pinning it to the tattoo chair.
“Ready when you are,” he said.
I was scared at first. But when the tattoo needle came down against my skin, I realized why the artist wanted to do that. The initial contact was a jolt to my system. Electricity buzzed throughout my muscles. I felt my thigh contract and Max started massaging me with his hands. The artist took his time, slowly tracing over the outline in a barely-there black line. I watched with wide eyes. I was curious, more than anything. And after the outline was done, he picked the needle up.
“All right. How are you feeling?”
I drew in a deep breath. “Surprisingly okay. What comes next?”
Max took my hand. “The shading. The coloring. This part is a little more intense, so squeeze my hand if you need to.”
The tattoo artist started gathering colors. “You think you can hold still for the initial contact?”
I nodded. “Now that I know what it feels like? Yes.”
Max kissed my temple. “Good girl.”
His words made me melt as the tattoo artist continued his work of art.
There were moments where the pain was a bit much. Where I felt my face flushing and my heart beating harder than it should. I needed two breaks with the shading as it grew closer to my hip bone. But it still wasn’t that bad. The anticipation of the new experience was worse than the experience itself. And when the tattoo artist wiped at my finished design, tears sprang to my eyes.
“So what do you think?” Max asked.
My eyes fluttered up to his as the tattoo artist slid something along my irritated skin.
“I think everything I thought I knew about myself was a lie. This is me, Max. I’m yours.”
And the smile that lit up his face was one I knew I’d never forget.
28
Max
I tightened my grip around her waist as I slowly came to. The sun just barely streamed through the windows as my eyes cracked open. The smell of her hair filled my nostrils. The feel of her body permeated my muscles. Dani was in bed with me. Her ass against my pelvis. Her leg threaded between my own. I’d never felt so alive and fulfilled in all my life.
So this is what love feels like.
I pressed a tired kiss against her bare shoulder, cherishing every second I had with her. Dani skipped classes just for me yesterday. And, according to her, she wasn’t going today, either. I knew I needed to make her go to classes. I worried that she was giving up too much of her life that she enjoyed just to be with me. I didn't want to be the negative force in her life that led her away from a life that might have been better for her. But, hearing her tell me I was the only thing she wanted while looking up at me with those doe eyes of hers?
It was too much to resist.
My hand slid down her leg until I hit the gauze wrap around her thigh. I traced my fingertips along the smooth surface, knowing exactly the pattern her tattoo took. Her shoulder rose and fell with her even breaths. She slept so soundly next to me, and that swelled my chest with pride. Sleep was the most vulnerable state anyone could be in around anyone else. And Dani trusted me with her body while she was asleep.
I took that trust to heart.
“I’ll protect you from anything,” I whispered.
I still don’t know how it happened. How the fuck she chose me out of the numerous other men out there that I knew were much better for her. But I sure as hell wasn’t squandering it. I felt her shift against me and I moved, watching as she rolled over onto her back. Her soft breasts bounced against my body and her hair splayed out over my pillows.
I sighed. “You’re perfect, Dani.”
How lucky I am that you’ve chosen me.
I couldn't contain myself. I had to kiss her. I knew it might wake her up, but I couldn't wait a second longer. I pressed my lips softly against hers, feeling her stir beneath me. A soft giggle rose from her lips as her arms threaded around my neck. Her mouth opened up for me. Her sleepy tongue fell against my own. Fucking hell, even her morning kisses tasted like heaven.
Usually, morning kisses tasted like s
hit.
“Mmmm, hi, handsome.”
I chuckled. “Morning, gorgeous.”
She yawned. “Oh, sorry. Sorry. The breath, oh.”
I smiled. “Your breath is fine.”
“Mmm, no. Not even kind of. Ugh. I need some water. Can I brush my teeth first?”
I quickly slid on top of her body. “You're going nowhere.”
Her sleepy eyes fell open as she grinned up at me. Her fingertips ran along my shoulders. Rumbled down my arms. Tracing my muscles, like she always enjoyed doing. I’d build them ten times bigger for her, if that’s what she wanted. I’d tattoo the whole of my body, if that’s what would make her happy. And as my lips fell to the crook of her neck, her body arched against me.
Her moans fueling me onward.
“Oh, Max.”
I kissed down the valley of her breasts.
“Shit, Max.”
I nibbled at her hip bones as my hand covered the whole of her gauze-wrapped tattoo.
“Max, I need--”
“Mmm, I know exactly what you need.”
Her legs parted further. “I just--please? Can I--can I, please?”
My eyes whipped up to hers. “Always, if you ask that nicely.”
I buried myself between her legs. I filled my bedroom with her sounds. I found my breakfast between her thighs as I lapped her up and swallowed her down. I couldn't contain my growls. Every time her pussy pulsed for me, I bucked my cock against the sheets of my bed. She overwhelmed me. Every part of her. The sounds. The scents. The way her body moved.
All of it worked together to build this incredible woman I had fallen in love with.
“Max, please! I’m so close. I’m so close. I love you. I love you. I love you. Max!”
“Holy fuck, I love you, too.”
I let her use my face however she pleased. And as her juices dripped down my chin, I felt her explode against me. I wrapped my arms around her thighs. I held her close to me, taking great care not to hurt her tattoo. I sucked her clit between my lips and flicked my tongue across it, holding her in place as she bucked like a bronco. I wanted my fill of her. And I certainly wasn’t done yet.
