by KC Kean
“We weren’t paralyzed, Trudy,” I murmur, confused. “We weren’t far from the Academy before we were awake again.”
“I know,” she sniffs, her face blotchy and red. “I gave them vitamin shots instead. I knew I wasn’t strong enough to go against them, but you are.”
Holy shit.
I nod, letting her words wash over me. “Okay, you guys can leave,” I say, believing her words. “I don’t trust you, but I believe you.”
She nods, wrapping her arms around herself as Conor steps back. Not needing to be told twice, she heads for the door, Aiden slowly passing me to follow.
“Trudy, can I ask what Rico did?” Parker asks from behind me, making her stop. Turning to look at him, her usually blue eyes are almost black.
“You seem like a sweet guy, Parker Steele. Rico has tainted enough of us already, I won’t add to your pain, this is my burden to carry.” With that, she turns and leaves.
Fuck. It must have caused irreversible damage to her soul.
CHAPTER THIRTY
(Luna)
We’ve been back at Featherstone Academy for two weeks. Two fucking weeks, and Totem still hasn’t shown his face. My irritation is growing as the situation continues to drag out. I can feel the tension building, and that’s likely what he wants. Let us fall into a false sense of security, so that he can catch us by surprise.
We’ve moved one of Roman’s sofas into my room so we can fit Red and Mia in comfortably and watch a movie. I can’t seem to focus on the screen though, I need to do something, anything to keep my hands busy.
I can’t imagine how Mia must feel, she hasn’t left Ace block since we’ve arrived. Only coming to our room to hang out or staying with Bryce and Rafe in Parker’s old room. She’s working hard to avoid her father at all costs, even though Kai says he is desperate to see her, their father is at least respecting Mia’s wishes for now.
Mia and Red are whispering on the sofa beside me, likely coming up with girly shit they can force me to do. Since meeting each other, that’s all they have done. If they force me into one more mani/pedi sleepover with chick flicks, I’ll scream.
Roman and Kai are relaxing on the other sofa, while Parker and Oscar are down at the gym. Deciding I need to get out of here, to try and shake the agitation from my bones, I jump to my feet. “I’m going to go out and clean Dot,” I announce, the girls ignoring me and the guys looking at me with a frown.
“You did that last weekend,” Roman states, but I roll my eyes.
“And? She gets dusty down in the garage. Besides, I can’t just sit here, it’s driving me fucking crazy. I’ve already been to the gym this morning, and you’ve put a ban on going down twice,” I moan, and he raises his eyebrows at me.
“Princess, I’ll go down if you want me to go down.” His eyes rake over me, and I get the innuendo. Acehole.
Rolling my eyes, I pretend I didn’t hear him. “Yeah, yeah, I know. Overworking my body won’t help,” I say in a monotone voice, already knowing what he’s about to say.
“Do you want me to come down with you, Sakura?” Kai asks, and I shake my head.
“No, you’re okay, but thank you for asking, handsome.” Stepping in front of him, I lean over to kiss his head, but he tilts his head back to kiss me too. Our soft, sweet kiss turns heated the moment his hand touches my waist, but gagging noises from Mia and Red ruin the moment.
Kai glares at them as I step back, only to be pulled into Roman’s lap instead. “Kiss me too, Princess,” he whispers against my lips, and I can’t say no to him. His hands on my ass pull me closer to him, legs on either side of his hips, grinding me against the growing length in his pants. Since I’m only wearing a long band tee as a dress, I feel every inch of him.
“Eww, get a room,” Mia cries out, giggling along with Red.
“We have got a room, you just happen to be sitting in it,” Roman groans, but I smile down at him as I try to stand. “Since we can’t train, fight or fuck,” his glare aimed at Mia and Red. “How about you tattoo me, Princess?” He asks, and I freeze.
Smiling up at me, he brushes a loose strand of hair from my face as I look him in the eyes. “For real?” His simple nod in response is all I need. Standing, he lets me go, taking my hand. I don’t hang around, pulling him into our bedroom and slamming the door shut behind us.
As I lean my back against the door, excitement builds inside of me. I watch as he walks into the closest. He steps back into the room moments later with my black case, filled with my equipment. Roman places the case at the side of the bed and stares expectantly at me.
“Do you have any idea of what you want?” I ask, my fingers itching to paint his skin again. I loved marking him with my bloodline emblem, but this feels even more personal since he’s the one asking.
“I do.” He moves over to my bedside table, and the second he picks the object up, my heart starts to pound in my chest. Turning to face me, he holds it in the air, a soft smile playing on his lips. “I want you to tattoo a peacock on the inside of my right forearm.”
I nod slowly, unable to form words at his request, I feel too raw. Sitting down beside the suitcase, I methodically start preparing everything I need. I send Roman to grab a few bottles of water and a chair from the kitchen. Bringing the nightstand closer, I take a moment to calm myself. The peacock brooch lays beside me on the bed, and my fingers run along the little green and blue gemstones.
Roman silently enters the room again, getting comfortable on the bed as I shift into the chair, drawing out a quick sketch. I show him my template, and his face lights up. Holding his forearm just right, I transfer the sketch onto his skin. I shake my hands out, calming the excitement that still runs through my veins.
“Ready?”
“Always, for you, Princess.”
I roll my eyes at him. “That’s some cheesy shit I’d expect from Oscar, but from Roman the brooding Acehole? Never,” I say with a smile, and he grins back at me.
“What can I say? You bring out my cheesy side.”
Shaking my head, I line the small ink cups up on the nightstand and pick up the gun. Looking him in the eyes one more time, I get to work. Getting lost in the flow of the art and the buzz of the machine, I mark his perfect skin.
While the gun glides across his skin, I can’t stop the question that comes to mind. “Why a full back skull tattoo?”
I feel his eyes cast over my face, but I don’t lift my gaze from his arm. “It’s my bloodline. The Riveras are known as the grim reapers of Featherstone. I just always wanted a back tattoo and decided to combine the two,” he murmurs, and his words surprise me.
Lifting the gun from his skin, I meet his eyes, noting the hint of concern in his eyes as he tries to read my reaction. I let the small smile naturally take over my lips as I get back to his tattoo.
“So I’ve had a kiss with death and lived to tell the tale, huh?”
There is a slight pause, but I feel his body relax. “This is one of the reasons I love you so much, Princess. Always accepting me, no matter what.”
“I love you too, baby.” My eyes flicker to his again as the words fall from my lips before we fall back into a comfortable silence.
I don’t know how much time passes, but he holds perfectly still the entire time, as I go through detail after detail to replicate the brooch as best as I can. Finally, leaning back, I look at my work. The head of the peacock sits just under his elbow, with its elegant green and blue feathers stretching out across his forearm, down to his wrist.
“Princess, it’s fucking beautiful,” he whispers in awe, and I smile up at him. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” I sigh, looking into his eyes. “For not giving up on me when I wanted to push you away. For putting me first every single time. You were supposed to be a quick fuck in the ring, then like an amateur, I went and fell in love.” The smile on his face full of admiration. “Then came all the secrets, and fucked up shit, and you’re still here. Where I want...no, where I need you to be.”
Using his free hand, he cups my chin, tilting my head back to bring my lips to his. It’s the sweetest, softest kiss, he’s ever given me. My skin flushing at his touch.
“I love you, Luna,” he mutters against my lips, making my heart soar. “Now clean me up, so I can show off this masterpiece to the others.”
“I love you, too,” I answer automatically, before cleaning him up. The air around us is filled with giddiness. No angst, or fear, or anxiety, just love and happiness. I want more of this feeling, with all of my Aceholes.
As I start to get rid of the used materials, he plants a kiss on my lips and heads for the door. Perfect timing has Oscar swinging it open before he gets there.
“Hey, shit for brains. Where’s my baby… Holy shit, did Luna do that?” He shouts, his eyes fixed on Roman’s new tattoo, who’s grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“Hell yeah, she did,” he says with a wink at me, before walking around Oscar to show the others.
Oscar’s gaze finally meets mine, as he remains standing in the same spot, shock on his face. “I want one too, baby girl,” he pouts, walking towards me.
“You want what? A tattoo?”
“Yeah. All of the others have received personalized tattoos from you. Except me.” Dramatically dropping to his knees in front of me in only his grey shorts. I heat at his touch, as he trails his fingers up the back of my thighs. He slowly lifts his face, his big blue eyes looking up at me, my fingers running through his hair.
“What did you have in mind?”
“Whatever you’re offering to draw, I don’t care,” he responds instantly.
Pretending to think, I grin down at him. “How about ‘Property of Luna’, right here on your forehead?” I ask, stroking my finger across the spot.
“If that’s what you want, baby girl, I’m in.”
I frown down at my crazy Acehole. “I’m joking, but I think I have the perfect idea. If you’re up for a surprise?”
*****
(Oscar)
The excitement in her eyes is hard to say no to. I wouldn’t ever say no to her, even if she was mad. She can do whatever she pleases, as long as her mark is on me, that’s all I want. The bloodline doesn’t really count, it’s an expectation, a formality of a Featherstone marriage, to wear the emblem. I want something on my skin that she chose to put there, from her heart.
“Tell me where to sit, and I’m all yours, baby girl.”
She taps a spot on the bed, taking a seat in the chair facing it, and I sit across from her like an obedient little dog. Smiling at me, she gathers a few of her things scattered around. “Give me a few minutes to get everything fresh for you, and we’ll be good to go.”
I watch her ass sway as she leaves the room, leaving me to wonder what surprise she has in mind. She’s quick to come back in, heading straight to her kit, and going through the process of setting everything up again.
“Last chance to back out before you give me free reign to brand you,” she murmurs, making me smile.
“I’m all set, surprise me, Luna.” I love trusting her. Knowing she would never do anything to hurt me fills me with so much happiness, it’s indescribable.
“Close your eyes,” she whispers, and I’m happy to oblige. “Don’t open them until I say so, and no peeking, okay?” I nod silently, trying not to move with the anticipation building inside of me.
I hear the hum of the needles moving, but she doesn’t touch me for what feels like ages. What is she even doing? When I’m just about to see what’s going on, she shouts, “Oscar Steele-O’Shay, don’t you even think about it!”
I instantly clamp my eyes shut, but I can’t hold in the grin at the sound of our combined surnames. The sound of the gun stops for a few minutes, but I refuse to open my eyes, not wanting to get in trouble again. When it starts up again, she takes my hand.
“Get ready for the little prick,” she murmurs, and I chuckle.
“You’ll never have to worry about a little prick again, baby girl.”
I can see her eyes roll in my mind, as the needle pierces the skin on top of my finger. I don’t know where I expected her to tattoo me, but my hand definitely catches me by surprise. Within minutes she’s done, and I’m left a little confused with how quick she’s finished.
“You can open your eyes now,” she whispers, emotion recognizable in the lilt of her voice.
Slowly opening my eyes, I look to her first, seeing uncertainty in her eyes.
“Baby girl, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just, it seemed like a good idea at the time, and now I’m worried you won’t like it.” I frown at her, and she nods down to my hand, still in hers.
There across my fingers are small roman numerals ‘XXII’. What do they mean? That’s when she flips our hands over, showing me hers. Just above her wedding ring, the family heirloom from her grandmother, she has ‘VIII’ freshly inked into her skin.
“It’s the date we first met,” she breathes out, barely a whisper. “August twenty-second,” she continues pointing to her finger first, then mine. “After I pushed Wren in the water fountain, you picked up my I.D. box. I remember thinking you were hot as hell, and then you opened that damn mouth of yours.” She smiles up at me, the memory playing between us, as I continue to gape at her.
Glancing down at her hand again, I look at the black ink, as it slowly dawns on me where the location of the tattoo is. Flipping our hands over, so mine rests on top, the numeric symbols boldly holding my attention. Moving our wrists again, I look up at her, and she’s already looking right at me.
“You tattooed it on your ring finger,” is all I can finally say, and she nods. “And on my ring finger.”
“Do you…”
I crush my lips to hers, trying to convey how she makes me feel. It takes her a moment, but her lips respond just as forcefully to mine. Pulling her towards me, flipping her on to her back, my hands find their way under her long t-shirt dress. My brain malfunctions when I feel her bare pussy beneath me. She hisses as my fingers stroke over her clit.
Leaning back slightly, I pull my lips from hers so I can pull her dress over her head.
“I’m taking this as a sign that you like it,” she murmurs, and I grin down at her.
“Luna, I fucking love it,” I say, quickly standing to drop my shorts to the floor, my cock hard, and aimed straight at her already. As I crawl back onto the bed, she beckons me closer, her legs wrapping around my waist. Her mouth calls for mine, and as I drop down to brush my lips against hers, my cock teases at her entrance, she flips us over.
My surprise is overpowered by the way her pussy slips down my length, slowly taking every inch of me. “Holy fuck, Luna,” I pant. “Foreplay, we need foreplay,” I chant, as she stretches my arms above my head.
“Have you felt how wet I am from simply inking my guys? I don’t need foreplay,” she whispers in my ear as she grinds against me.
“Fuck, baby girl. I do, otherwise I’m going to explode.” The fire in her eyes burns brighter as she leans up, my cock sinking even deeper inside of her.
“Good,” she moans, rocking against me. “Show me how I affect you too.”
Her hands go to my chest, using me as leverage as she slowly lifts up, slamming straight back down. The cords in my neck tighten as I groan deeply, fighting against the pleasure taking over me, gripping her hips like my life depends on it.
“Luna, I swear to god. You need to stop for a damn minute, before I cum in less than sixty fucking seconds,” I grind out, but she just moans louder. Rocking back and grinding against my cock again and again.
“But Oscar, I’ve got all this pent-up need inside of me.” Her moves become erratic as my cock swells inside of her. Fuck. She’s driving me crazy. I refuse to come before she does. Bringing my hand to our joined bodies, I stroke my thumb against her pussy, her body jolting at the touch.
Catching sight of her small Pac-man tattoo, my body moves on its own accord. Sitting up, our position shifts slightly, as
my lips find her ink.
Pinching her throbbing clit, I look up as she shatters around me, wave after wave of her orgasm rolling through her. The way her core tightens around me leaves me no choice but to join her, my cock slamming up into her as we fall off the cliff together.
Luna’s body goes limp above me, her breasts pushing up against my chest, and I love the feel of my girl against me. Slowly holding her up, I slide up to lean my back against the headboard, turning her to lie against me, her back to my front.
Coated in sweat, her hair sticking to her face, she looks back at me with the most beautiful smile on her face that I’ve ever seen.
“I swear to god, if you tell anyone you milked me that quickly, you’ll be in deep trouble,” I fake growl, and she grins up at me, as she laces our fingers together.
I look down at our joined hands, our tattoos side by side, and my heart feels like it could explode.
“I love you, Oscar.”
“I love you too, Luna.”
We lay quietly together for a moment, enjoying the serene bubble we’re in, when she grumbles. “I need to move, I'm starting to make a mess.”
“Nah, don’t worry about it, baby girl, we’re laying in Roman’s spot anyway.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
(Luna)
My back hits the mat as Roman pins me down. His chest glistens with sweat, and his shoulders rise and fall with heavy movement while he tries to catch his breath. He grins down at me, mischief in his eyes as he pins my hands and gets comfortable sitting on my thighs. I’m too exhausted to try and get out of his hold. We’ve easily been down here training in the Ace block gym for over an hour, matching each other blow for blow.
“I love watching your chest heave as you lay beneath me,” he murmurs, heat in his eyes as he looks me over.
“I love that you’re always willing to go toe-to-toe with me, and not treat me like a delicate flower when it comes to the mat,” I respond honestly. No matter what, he always pushes me, treating me like the equal opponent I am.
“You’re the owner of my delicate flower,” he says with a grin and a wink. “But you, my wife, are a warrior, and I love you because of it.” Leaning down, Roman places a gentle kiss to my lips, my back arching off the mat needing to be closer to him, as he suddenly bites down on my bottom lip. I can’t stop the moan that leaves my lips, but my joy is short lived when he jumps off me and stalks across the training ring to grab his water.
