Kaylee steps out of the humanities building with stars in her eyes. She stretches her arms over her head as she lets out a soft yawn.

Her lips spread into a smile as her eyes catch mine. Her movements get faster. The exhaustion fades from her expression.

I move toward her. Meet her at the halfway point of the sidewalk.

She jumps into my arms and squeezes me tightly. "I thought you had to work."

"I finished early." I soak up the feeling of her body against mine. She's so warm and soft. And she's mine.

All mine.

Fuck, it's still hard to believe.

I set her down on the concrete, but I keep my arms around her.

Her green eyes fill with affection as she looks up at me. "I missed you."

"I missed you." I bring one hand to the back of her head, undo her ponytail, and run my fingers through her hair. "How was it?"

She smiles. "Easy peasy."

"Easy?"

"Relatively speaking."

She's been locked in her studying cave for the last two weeks. It's been torture. But it's worth it for the look on her face.

I cup the back of her head. "Straight As?"

"I think so. But we'll see." She slides her arm around my waist and rests her head on my chest. "Tell me we're going straight to your place."

"My place? What would we do there?" I play dumb.

"Brendon Kane, this is not the time to be a tease."

"There go my plans for the afternoon."

Kay laughs so hard she shakes. "Okay. You can tease. But not until we're at your place."

"I'm not following."

"You are too." She slides her hand under my t-shirt and presses her palm against my stomach.

"I have a surprise for you."

"Yeah?" Her voice lifts. "Something, ahem..."

I chuckle. "No. After."

"After." She looks up at me. "I like after."

"Me too."

* * *

Kaylee giggles as she steps into the house. She surveys the living room like she hasn't seen it in weeks. I guess she hasn't. I'm not sure she's done anything but work, sleep, and study for the last two weeks.

"It's so much cleaner without Em here." She runs her fingers over the spotless dining table. "Almost freakishly clean."

"And your room?"

"Good point." She takes my hand and follows me to the stairs. "I miss this place."

"I miss you here." Nearly every night, I fall asleep wishing she was in my bed. But I made her mom a promise, that Kaylee would live with Emma until she graduated from college.

Today was Kaylee's last final. The last day of freshman year. That leaves three years to go.

Fuck, three years until I have her around twenty-four seven.

If I'm lucky, she'll graduate early.

No, I'm lucky either way.

I whisper in her ear. "Go to my room, strip, and sit on the bed."

She stops short. "Strip to what?"

"I want you naked on my bed."

Her tongue slides over her lips.

"I want you coming on my face until you can't take it anymore."

Her pupils dilate. She nods and takes a shaky step forward.

I watch her climb the stairs and move down the hallway. She's practically bouncing. She wants me that badly.

Fuck knows I want her... I'm not sure I have words for how much I want her.

It's been two weeks since I've watched Kay come.

That's two weeks too long.

I wait until I can't stand it anymore, then I make my way to my bedroom.

She's sitting on the black sheets. Naked. Her legs spread. Her palms on her thighs. Her gaze on the mirror opposite her.

My balls tighten.

Fuck.

I need to be inside her now.

But this first.

My voice drops to that demanding tone. "You want to watch as you come on my face, angel?"

She nods.

I don't have any fucking patience today.

I move right to the bed. Plant next to her, pull her into my lap, and bring my lips to hers.

She kisses back hard and hungry.

I let my hands roam her body. It feels like it's been months since I've touched her.

She groans against my mouth as I toy with her breasts. As I drag my hand down her stomach.

Slowly, I lower her onto her back. I pull her to the edge of the bed, spread her legs, and kneel between then.

Her back arches as I dig my fingers into her thighs.

Fuck, I love the sight of her.

I push her knees apart as I drag my lips up her inner thigh. I go higher and higher, until she's squirming against my hands.

Then I move to her other leg and do it again.

Her groan is half agony, half ecstasy.

I do it again.

Again.

I do it until she's shaking. Until she's groaning my name like it's a curse. Like I'm evil.

I am.

But she fucking loves it.

Once I've tortured her thoroughly, I bring my mouth to her cunt.

Relief drips from her sigh.

That feels so fucking good.

And she tastes so fucking good.

I take my time licking her up and down. I do it slowly, mercilessly slowly.

I wind her up again.

I bring her right to the edge.

She squirms against my hands. She bucks her hips. She tugs at my hair.

"Please," she breathes.

But I don't relent.

I do it again.

"Please." Her hand knots in my hair. Her groans run together. Please, sigh, please, sigh, please.

I plant a kiss on her inner thigh. "You watching, angel?"

"No. I..."

"Watch."

She presses herself onto her elbows. Her pupils dilate as her gaze goes to the mirror.

She looks down at me, begging me with her eyes. "I need you."

Fuck, that's music to my ears. Kaylee on the edge is the best thing I've ever seen, heard, smelled, tasted.

I plant another kiss on her inner thigh.

She groans a you're evil groan.

Still, I do it again.

I do it until all those curses are running together.

Until I'm sure this is as much as she can take.

Then I bring my mouth to her clit.

I flick my tongue against her.

A soft tease.

Then another.

Another.

"Brendon... Please."

One more tease.

Then I lick her exactly how she needs me.

"Fuck," she breathes.

She fights my hands.

She bucks against me.

I keep her pinned to the bed as I lick her. A little harder. A little faster.

There.

Her groan echoes around the room.

Her thighs press against my hands.

Her breath gets ragged. Needy.

A few more flicks of my tongue and she's there.

Her elbows slip. She falls back on the bed. Tugs at the sheets.

Groans my name as she comes.

I lick her through her orgasm.

But that's not enough. I need her coming again.

I give her a few seconds to catch her breath, then I plant my head between her legs, and I suck on her clit.

"Fuck." Her hands go straight to my hair.

She tugs like she can't stand how good she feels.

I keep her pinned to the bed as I suck on her.

She shudders. She shakes. She tugs at my hair.

Then she's there. She gets sweeter. Wetter.

I savor every fucking drop of her.

Then I pull back. Stand.

Kaylee watches with rapt attention as I strip out of my jeans and t-shirt.

Her eyes go wide as I push my boxers to my knees.

She nods please.

I climb into the bed. Onto her.

She wraps her arms around my chest.

I nudge her legs apart.

With one swift motion, I slide inside her.

Fuck.

She's so fucking soft.

So wet.

So mine.

She rocks her hips to meet me.

We fall into a rhythm, moving together, breathing together, hearts beating together.

I bring my lips to hers.

I kiss her as I fuck her.

And we stay locked like that, limbs tangled, tongues dancing, bodies moving together.

Until she pulls back to groan against my neck. To claw at my back. To groan my name again and again as she comes.

Fuck, the way she pulses around me—

I'll never get enough of that.

It pushes me over the edge.

It always does.

With my next thrust, I come.

Pleasure spills through my body. From my cock to my pelvis, my thighs, my torso, my arms, my legs.

All the way to my fingers and toes.

I thrust through my orgasm. I spill every drop inside her.

Then I collapse next to her and pull her into my arms.

We stay pressed together until we catch our breath.

She looks up at me with an ocean of affection in her eyes. "Was that my surprise?"

I shake my head. "We're due there in an hour."

She nods.

I slide my hand between her legs. "I have forty-five minutes to make you come again."

"If I want to shower?"

"Thirty."

Her lips curl into a smile. "That might kill me." She presses her lips to mine. "But I'm willing to risk it."

* * *

Inked Hearts is empty.

Well, that's not exactly right.

Walker is standing behind the front desk.

Kaylee's eyes dart from him to me.

Walker smiles as he shakes his head. "You really keeping her in the dark, Kane?"

"It's not a surprise if you tell someone," I say.

Kaylee's lips press together. Her brow knits then softens. "If he and you..." She looks up at me. "This is an ambush."

"Told you," Walker laughs.

"I prefer surprise." I motion to Walker. Bring it.

Kaylee stares back into my eyes. "A surprise with witnesses?"

I nod. "I thought about it. I can do the ink if you want. But I'd rather be the person holding your hand."

"Oh." Her eyes go wide. "You mean, you already have an idea—"

"Yeah. But only if you want it." I take the temporary tattoo from Walker and show it to Kaylee. "Right here." I drag my finger over her ribs. It presses her dress into her skin.

"Bra strap tattoo?" Her laugh is more nervous than anything.

I nod. "That way it's our secret."

Her lips press together. "I, um—"

"We can do it wherever you want. Or not. This is for you, Kay. It's your body. I'm not going to tell you how to adorn it," I say.

"I can kick his ass if you want," Walker says.

She shakes her head. "No. That... that's perfect."

"You know it's gonna hurt like a bitch," Walker says.

She nods. "You know I've seen you guys do a thousand tattoos. I think I have the pain chart memorized."

He winces. "Doesn't get much worse than ribs."

"It doesn't," I agree.

She looks up at me. "I know. But... I... I think that's perfect. Let's see it."

I nod and lead her into the suite in back. Away from the window.

She slides her dress to her waist, unhooks her bra, and holds it in place.

I'm careful about applying the temporary tattoo at the perfect spot.

She's already shaking. But it's good shaking. Excitement.

"There." I peel the paper from her skin.

Her eyes go wide as she turns to the mirror. "It's perfect."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I am."

It is perfect.

Serva me, Servabo te.

Save me and I'll save you.

She hugs her chest. "Oh God. It's going to hurt a lot." She bites her lip. "What if I can't handle it?"

"You can," I say.

"What if I chicken out with just an s on my skin?"

"You won't." I stare back into her eyes. "You've survived a lot worse than a ten-minute rib tattoo."

She nods.

"Everyone is scared to get their first piece."

"You were?"

I nod. "Of course."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but I couldn't admit it. All that macho pride shit."

She laughs. "I can admit it. I'm... it's really going to hurt?"

Again, I nod.

"But I... I can handle it. I think." She motions to her bra pressed against her chest. "Can we do something about this?"

"Here." I take in the rest of the shop. Walker is still at the counter. He's making a point of not looking at us.

It's surprisingly sweet. But then he's been different lately. Ever since he switched from bringing home a different girl every night to a regular fuck buddy.

He insists I'm imagining things, but I'm not.

He's into that girl.

He wants a lot more than her body.

He'll figure it out eventually.

Until then, I'll taunt him about it.

"You two ready yet or what?" he calls out.

"Almost." I shoot him a give me a minute. "Avert your eyes."

He laughs. "You know I do rib tattoos all the time."

"Not on Kay, you don't." I turn back to Kaylee. Her soft green eyes are filled with an equal mix of nerves and excitement. "Here." I fasten a backless tube top out of gauze and tape it to her skin.

She laughs. "Fashionable."

I run my fingers through her hair. "You ready?"

"You're going to hold my hand the entire time?"

"Of course."

"Then I am."

I turn back to Walker. "You're needed."

"Story of my life." He laughs, goes to the sink, washes his hands, moves into the suite and motions to the bench. "Lay on your stomach for me."

"Okay." Kaylee moves onto the bench slowly. She folds her arms and rests her head on them.

I sit next to her and offer my hand.

She takes it.

My body gets light. Floaty.

Fuck. I'm as nervous as she is. More even.

Walker preps her skin then applies the stencil. It's really fucking cozy with both of us next to Kay, but there's no way in hell I'm moving.

He slides on his gloves and picks up his gun. His voice drops to a sincere tone. "You ready, Kaylee?"

Her voice is soft. "I think so."

"You'll get used to it fast. Trust me." He turns on the gun. "This is what it sounds like. I know you've heard it a million times, but it's different when it's right by your ear."

"Okay." Her lips press together.

He looks at Kay. Raises a brow. You ready?

She nods.

Presses her eyelids together.

"Breathe, angel." I rub the space between her thumb and forefinger with my thumb.

She sucks a deep breath through her teeth and exhales slowly.

Walker looks to me. Offers that same you ready? look.

Fuck, I must look as nervous as I feel.

I nod to him then turn back to Kay. "You've got this."

Still, she keeps her eyes closed.

She takes another deep breath. Another slow exhale.

"This is what it feels like." Walker brings the needle to her skin.

She mutters a curse. Squeezes my hand.

"You okay to start?" he asks.

"Stop asking. You're making me lose my nerve." She takes a shaky breath. "Just do it."

He chuckles. "On three."

She nods.

"One, two, three—"

She squeezes my hand as the needle hits her skin. Her eyes stay closed. Her lips stay pressed together.

"Breathe." I rub her hand with my thumb.

She nods as she sucks in a deep breath. Lets out a heavy exhale.

Her grip on my hand tightens.

Fuck, I'm too nervous to do my job properly. I'm supposed to keep her mind occupied. "Emma said she redecorated your place."

"Yeah." Kaylee's exhale is heavy with relief. She must need the distraction. "Mostly her room. She put up a bunch of new pictures of hot guys. She says you have to visualize what you want so the universe can bring it to you."

"You believe that?" I ask.

She grunts as Walker moves onto the second word. "Um. Well, sorta. I mean, if you don't know what you want, how are you going to get it? Besides, it's not just hot guys. She has all sorts of stuff about fashion. And she has those business text books everywhere. I think I talked her into summer school."

"Yeah?" I ask.

"I'm pretty sure she already signed up. I've been really distracted studying for finals." She squeezes my hand.

"Did she change the main room?" I ask.

"You haven't seen it? It's all ocean themed. Teal, turquoise, sand, coral, paintings of mermaids," she says. "That will be my next one. The mermaid. Do you still have the art?"

"Of course." My chest fills with pride. She's only halfway through this tattoo and she's already desperate for another.

She grunts as Walker moves onto the third word. It's right over her rib bones. That's tender skin. It hurts like a bitch.

"These paintings any good?" I ask.

"Some of them. Some are... not up to Brendon standards." She laughs. "Emma was bragging about how you'll hate them."

"You like living with her?"

"Yeah. She's my best friend. Don't get me wrong." She pauses. Grits her teeth. "I want to live with you one day. I kinda hate you and my mom for your little not until I graduate agreement. But I... I understand why she's insisting. And why you agreed."

"Good," I say.

"It's just... I love you and I want you around all the time."

"I'll always be around all the time."

"You promise?"

"Yeah."

The buzzing stops.

Kaylee's shoulders relax. "That's it?"

"That's it." Walker sets the gun down. "But sit tight for a second."

She looks up at me with a smile. There's no nervousness in her expression.

It's pure joy.

She squirms through Walker's aftercare routine.

When he's done, he stands. "I'll let Brendon lecture you."

She pushes herself up and throws her arms around him. "Thank you!"

He pats her back. "Sure thing."

I stand. Swallow my growl. I don't like anyone touching her. But he did this as a favor. You can't tattoo someone without touching them.

He steps backward. "I'll leave you two alone." He nods goodbye.

I nod back.

Kaylee turns toward the mirror. Her eyes go wide as she takes in her reflection. The tattoo is bold black letters across her ribs.

I wrap my arms around her. "You like it?"

"I love it." She leans into my touch. "This is perfect. All of it."

It really is.

* * *

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