Tall, Dark & Lonely (Pyte/Sentinel #1)(83)

Ephraim grabbed her, pulling her down onto him and in one move had her on her back. He started thrusting into her hard, setting off another orgasm and then another until he finally joined her. When his body relaxed he lowered himself on her.

“Good morning, Madison,” he murmured against her skin. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

“Mmmm, good morning, I was wondering how long it would take you to wake up and realize I was taking advantage of you.”

He chuckled softly. “I thought I was having the best dream ever,” another kiss, “turns out I was having the best morning.”

Her hand gently caressed the left side of his chest. “Did I mention I like your tattoo?”

“Yeah?”

“Mmmhmm, it’s very sexy.”

He pushed himself up so he could hover over her. “Sexy, huh?”

“Mmm, very.” She traced the black circular tattoo with her finger. “It’s like a maze, is this Celtic?”

“No, but I guess I can tell you. It’s an ancient Hebrew symbol with a slight variation.” Holding himself up, he pointed to the symbol in the middle of the maze.

“Hey, I didn’t even notice that until you pointed it out. That’s really cool….wow…it’s the same symbol Chris has.”

“Yes, it’s the Sentinel symbol. The design prevents anyone from seeing it unless it’s pointed out to them or they know to look for it.”

“So it will identify you? Can’t someone else get the same tattoo and trick them?”

He shook his head. “No, take a better look at the maze on each side what do you see?”

“Words, but I can’t read them.”

“They’re from an ancient language long ago forgotten. The Sentinel’s don’t even know what they mean anymore, but it’s their motto and would identify me. No one other than a Sentinel knows these words.”

“What if they told someone?”

“They wouldn’t.”

“But you told me and I wouldn’t have noticed unless you told me. Aren’t you breaking a rule?”

His eyes shifted and then took on a guarded look. “No, I told them I would show you. You haven’t told anyone my secret. They appreciate that.”

“And if I told anyone those words?” She looked at his chest.

“They would take you.”

“Take me?”

“Yes, but I wouldn’t let them. Besides, there’s nothing to worry about. You won’t tell.”

“No, I won’t, but it’s still unnerving.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I won’t tell you anything else then. I don’t want to stress you out. You don’t know the words anyway so you’re fine.”

“Okay.”

“Just forget these are symbols and don’t point anything out to anyone and you’ll be okay.”

“So, just let them think my man has really sexy tattoos?”

He groaned, “I like it when you call me your man.”

She giggled and wiggled beneath him. “I can tell.”

“Good then I won’t have to stop and explain how much I like it.” He began moving inside her again.

“Oh no you don’t! I want to see the other tattoo.” Her eyes went to his left bicep. “I didn’t get a very good look at that one. Is it a tribal band?”

He pulled out of her slowly and sat on the bed next to her. “Yes, that one is a tribal one. No symbols, but the one on my back is the one that identifies me as a Pyte.” He turned, trying to distract her from his arm. It worked.

Her fingers ran over the tattoo on his back. “I don’t understand why you need this tattoo. Won’t they figure it out?”

“I’m wearing this one as a symbol of pride. I didn’t have to get this one. The council was showing me some of the books to show me that four other Pytes had joined their ranks years ago and wanted me to see the good they were able to do. I saw that symbol in the book and they told me what it meant. I asked for a copy so I could have that put on my back. It has no hidden symbols and it isn’t a secret.”

She pressed a kiss to it. “Oh, sorry. Did that hurt? I forgot these things are supposed to hurt for a while.”

“No, they don’t hurt. I was healed before I left the tattoo parlor. The ink will never fade, thankfully. The damage done to my skin is already repaired.”

“This one's sexy, too,” she said in a low voice.

“Yeah?” He turned his head back for a kiss. She took his lips in a long sensual kiss before abruptly breaking it.

“Wait I want to see the third one and see if it’s just as sexy as the first two,” she teased.

“No, Madison wait let me-“

Too late, she already moved around him. Her fingers traced over the tattoo and he knew from the way that her fingers shook and her breath caught that she was touching the ‘M’.

“Madison, listen before you get mad I was just-“

“Is this an ‘M’?”

“Yes,” he said carefully.

“Is it..,” she swallowed. “Is it for my name?”

“Yes.” He prepared himself for screaming.

Her fingers continued to trace his skin until her hand was gliding over his arm, squeezing and caressing his muscles. “You know I’m really surprised.”