Tall, Dark & Lonely (Pyte/Sentinel #1)(82)

“I know. That should cover everyone.”

“That is more than enough to cover you and the kids and Grandma.”

“And you. Go buy some clothes.” She opened her mouth to argue. “Please just go buy what you want. I still owe you a birthday gift. So go buy some clothes.”

“You didn’t give her a gift? What happened to the ri-“

Ephraim’s hand clamped tightly across his mouth. “Let’s go before I decide to take Joshua instead of you.”

“Thank you.” She pulled him down for a kiss. “But you need to stop or you’re going to make me spoiled.”

“I like spoiling you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll see you later, baby.”

She nibbled on her lip. “Are you really getting tattoos?”

“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Oh, I think we’ll leave that as a surprise.”

*******

“You said you were only getting two tattoos,” Chris said from his stool.

“I lied.”

“Apparently.”

“I decided on the third one when we stepped in here if you must know.”

“I must.”

“You know I’ve been doing this for ten years” Ed, the man who was filling in the tattoo on his chest, said. “And I can honestly tell you that I’ve never had a client that stood for his tattoo, never mind two at the same time.”

Jeff, the man who was filling in the one on his right shoulder, said “I would have to agree with that. I like these designs, man. Celtic?”

“Yes, and I’ll pay you an extra hundred dollars each never to replicate them for anyone.”

“Wanna keep the designs original? I gotcha man. Don’t worry about it. We don’t use anything here we don’t have permission for. Plus these damn tats of yours are so f**king intricate I would never be able replicate them anyway.”

“I appreciate it, gentlemen,” Ephraim said.

“I thought for sure you’d flinch or cry or something. You’re really disappointing me, Dad.” Chris was half teasing, but it was obvious that he really liked saying it.

Ed looked up at Ephraim with a curious look. “I would have guessed he was your brother.”

“Nope, he’s my son.”

“I’m adopted,” Chris said proudly.

“Well, your Dad’s a bad ass. I’ve had bikers who cry and squirm under my needle. Not your old man. Not one move.”

“It hurts like hell, but I don’t want to mess it up.” He lied. He barely felt the burn of the needle. He'd learned long ago how to block out pain.

“Smart man. One f**k up and this would be totally messed up.”

He frowned. “That’s what I thought.”

“So, Dad, where are you going to put the third one?” Chris asked.

“On my bicep.”

“Really? If you think you can handle it John should be back from his break in a few minutes. He can do that. Jeff, what do you think?”

“Hey, as long as everyone stays in their own space and he doesn’t move we should be good.”

“Sounds good,” Ephraim said. It really didn’t hurt that much. The skin healed as they worked. Plus, he’d had worse from Nichols.

“You know I think you should skip the tribal tattoo on your arm and instead put fangs, bloody fangs, big ones.” Chris grinned hugely.

Ephraim narrowed his eyes on him. Chris’ hands shot up in a gesture of surrender. “Just kidding.”

“You want an ‘M’ in the middle of the tribal band on your arm, right?”

“Yes.”

“She might not like that,” Chris commented.

“It’s not for her. It’s for me.”

“Okay, whatever you say.” He chugged his soda down. “Hey, can I get a tattoo.”
“Not without your father’s permission and even with that I won’t do it until you’re at least seventeen,” Ed said.

“I can wait. Dad, can I?”

“We’ll see how the grades and behavior are. If they’re good then I’ll take you.”

“Sweet.”

******

He groaned. What the hell was he thinking getting a tattoo with her initial on it? The woman hyperventilated just hearing the word “love” and here he was sporting a tattoo with an ‘M’ in the middle. She was going to flip out. He’d be lucky if she didn’t kick him out of her bed for good.

A light snore caught his attention as he closed the hallway door. She was asleep thank god. At least he had a short stay of execution. The good news was he could catch up on his sleep and be well rested for the day of yelling he was going to have endure tomorrow. That was something.

After making sure she was really asleep and not waiting to ambush him he stripped out of his clothes and climbed into the bed. He curled up against her and pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder before drifting off.

With his teeth clenched and eyes still shut from sleep he threw his head back and moaned. This was either the best wet dream of his life or Madison was riding him, hard.

Her hands ran over his stomach and then chest as she moved on him. She was moaning and panting loudly. “Oh, Ephraim! Mmm, baby, you feel so good!” Her body clenched and spasmed around his. She moved harder and faster on him until she was screaming.