Six Months Later
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Alexis
“You sure you want to do this?” she asked.
Kane pulled his shirt off and leaned over the back of the chair. “I’m sure.”
“I mean, do you trust me?”
He sat up again, gripping her chin to give her a kiss. “You’re the only one I trust to do this. Now, give me a tattoo, woman.”
She laughed and pulled on her gloves. She was going to give Kane the best tattoo he’d ever had, one to remember his dad by. She understood those tattoos, understood what they meant. Hers was the first she’d gotten, and it was the best choice she’d ever made.
He kept quiet the entire time, making her nervous. Every few minutes, Alexis would peer around to see his face.
“Everything okay?” she’d ask.
He’d only grin. “Get back to work.”
It didn’t take long, just initials like the one she’d gotten to remember her dad by, but it was solid. Clean. And she was proud of it.
She handed Kane a mirror and had him stand in front of the other, larger one at her station so he could see.
He was silent for long enough, her stomach clenched.
“You don’t like it,” she said.
He set the mirror aside and turned around to grab her waist. “I love it.”
“You sure? Because I could add some more—”
“No, it’s perfect. You’re perfect. You belong here with me.”
Her cheeks burned because she wasn’t the only one in the room. Drew and Levi both had clients but it was clear by their smiles that they’d heard Kane’s words.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the small room in the back, the first place they’d had sex. The place where Kane still occasionally did his tattoos. “I have something to show you.”
She grinned, used to Kane’s surprises. He was still hard to read sometimes, but he’d always make things clear to her. Usually in a way that she hadn’t expected.
“Should I close my eyes?” she asked.
He grunted. “No.”
When she laughed, he swiveled and dug in a nearby drawer. He pulled out one of his business cards and passed it over.
The logo for Ink, Inc. was on the top, like usual, but under the names of the owners, it didn’t just say Kane Stone. It also said her name. Alexis Carter.
She exhaled. “Kane. I don’t…”
“I want you to be a part of this with me. Run the store with me. Like I said, you belong here.”
Her mouth opened, but she couldn’t find the words. “But, this is your place. You did it all yourself.”
“It’s our place. You understand it and why I needed to do it. Be part of this with me, Alexis.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes. Of course.”
He kissed her ear, then murmured, “That card is just a sample, though. Might have to change one more thing.”
“What?” She glanced down at the card. “It looks fine to me.”
“I think they might have spelled your name wrong.”
“It’s not wrong. It’s—”
And then she saw it. The velvet box he held in his hand.
“Alexis,” he said, voice low. Her knees nearly gave out. “Marry me.”
She swallowed her shock, and placed her hands over her chest, drowning in love for Kane. “Yes.”
He put the ring on her finger, and it was perfect. She held it out, letting it sparkle in the light.
“Good choice,” she told him.
“It reminded me of you.” He touched the card in her hands. “So we need to change your name.”
She grinned. “After we get married.”
“Tell me that’ll be soon.”
She laughed and put her arms around him again. “I can’t wait that long to marry you, Kane. I love you and I want to be with you forever.”
He squeezed her tight. “Me too.” He winked. “And next time, I get to ink you.”
“Deal.”