I’VE SPENT THE LAST THREE days apologizing to Madison every chance that I get. Apparently, Jax hasn’t contacted her since that night and she has no idea if she is ever welcome back at his parties. Well hell . . . I never wanted that. All I wanted was to pee and now my best friend hates me.
I hold up a slice of strawberry cheesecake: her favorite. “Someone looks like they could use some dessert.” I wave it in front of her face as she glowers at me. It’s a Tuesday night and we are both sitting around like two twenty-two-year-old losers with no work tomorrow morning. “Mmm . . . extra strawberry sauce just how you like it. A cute guy even handled it before me. He may have even stuck his sexy finger in it a bit. You know you want to eat it.”
After a couple of minutes, she finally yanks it out of my hand and practically shoves the whole thing into her mouth before flipping me the bird with both hands. “I ate ou,” she mutters with her mouth full.
I lean in closer and place my hand to my ear. “What was that, babe? I can’t hear you. Did you say . . . yummy, thanks for the cheesecake; you’re the best fucking friend in the world?”
She shakes her head but cracks a smile, showing off her cheesecake filled teeth.
I wait for her to finish chewing before I apologize. Again. “For the twentieth time, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin your night and get you kicked out. I mean it. I was about two seconds away from peeing my pants.” I hand her a bottle of water to wash down her dessert. “And if it makes you feel any better, I almost peed my pants when I saw his friend, hanging upside down in the dark like some supersized half human bat or some shit.”
Madison spits out a mouthful of water as she erupts in laughter. “Holy crap! You poor thing. If you had peed, I would have stopped being your friend. Just saying. I would’ve had no choice.”
I punch her arm playfully. “Shut up. You’re horrible.”
We both allow for a couple more minutes of just enjoying a good laugh, before she changes the mood and gets all serious. “So tell me.” She sits up straight, preparing herself for a story. I knew she would ask sooner or later. “What did this friend look like? Is he some weirdo, like The Hills Have Eyes looking dude or what? Did he have bubbles and puss coming out of his neck and shit? Is that why he stayed downstairs, probably jerking off in the dark basement? Spill.”
My heart speeds up at just the mention of Royal. The truth is, I haven’t gotten that dark look in his eyes out of my head since that first night, and I can’t deny the fact that the way he almost made my knees buckle still has me shaken to my core. There’s so much I want to ask; to know, but it’s such a weird situation that I wouldn’t even know where to start. He’s my boyfriend’s brother for crying out loud. A part of me wants to go to the bar to get that tattoo and the other part is telling me maybe I should just stay away and pretend we never met.
I clear my throat and stand up from the couch. My mouth suddenly feels dry and I can’t help my raging heartbeat. She’s going to think that I’m either crazy or lying my ass off, but here goes . . .”He’s undeniably gorgeous, Madi. No joke. You think Jax is the sexiest man to walk this earth? Well Royal blows him right out of the water. And yeah, that’s his damn name: Royal. Tell me that isn’t sexy. He seriously stunned me speechless and I couldn’t take my eyes away. Not even for a second. I still feel like a complete fool for the way I stared at him with my mouth gaping open; not to mention that I got stuck with him the other night.”
She jumps up from the couch and stands in front of me, trying to call me out on bullshit. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back your ass up a bit. You were with him the other night. I thought you were with Colton’s brother?”
I nod my head and swallow. Here it goes again . . .”I was. Royal is Colton’s brother. Strange, I know.” I take a deep breath. “I was going to tell you but didn’t want you flipping out over Jax. He was there, but I hardly got to talk to him.”
She fixes her ponytail and throws it over her shoulder, clearing her throat. She looks as if she wants to call me out again and jump down my throat, but instead, settles on hearing more. “How is anyone more gorgeous than Jax? I mean look at him. He’s barely human! He can have any girl he wants with just a flash of his smile, and don’t think that I’m not mad that you kept all that from me for three damn days. We’ll talk about that later though.”
Thank fucking goodness . . .
“I have looked at Jax and you’re right; he’s gorgeous. Too gorgeous,” I admit. I reach into the fridge for a water and pull the cap off. “But Royal isn’t just sexy. He’s dark, tempting, and breathtaking. Imagine this: blonde hair, shaved at the sides, but long in the middle, falling to one side, and a thick, long stubble covering smooth, full lips.”
I close my eyes and picture his defined jaw; so perfect and masculine. “His body was like every woman’s wet dream: tall, muscular, sweaty, and covered in ink. Don’t even get me started on those pale gray eyes. I can’t get them out of my head. He’s beautiful, Madi. No lie. Stunning even. Colton doesn’t even hold a candle to his brother. I don’t get how they can be so . . . different.”
We’re both just standing there in silence for a moment, taking it in, before Madison’s phone goes off, scaring us both. She gives me a quick look before walking over to the kitchen, toward her phone. “I need to see this guy to believe it. It makes no sense that a man that sexy would be hiding out. Too bad I’ll probably never get invited back. Jax was freaking out that night.”
She picks up her phone and her snarl turns to a smirk as she starts typing really fast and hard. “I take that back. Jax just invited us to some bar called, Savage & Ink. He said they’re doing tattoos all night and we should hang out. I’m so damn happy that I just went from wanting to slap you, to wanting to kiss you.” She points her phone at me. “So don’t disappoint me again. I’ll forgive you . . . for now.” She smiles.
My heart jumps to my throat in a moment of excitement, but then I remember that Royal wanted to tattoo me. I’m not sure I’m ready for this.
“I don’t know. It was a long day at the salon and I’m kind of tired.” I take another drink of my water and start heading to my room, not interested anymore. I’m still not even talking to Colton. It would be weird to hang out with his brother. “You can go. Just lock the door on the way out please.”
Madison grabs my arm, stopping me from walking. “Ah no. I don’t think so. You’re off till Thursday. You’re coming out. Plus, you owe me.”
“Why?” I smirk. “So you have more time to play with Jax? And I don’t owe you. I had to pee, for the last time. Get over it.”
She lifts an eyebrow and fixes her hair. “Maybe, maybe not. Doesn’t matter. You want to come and I can see it in your eyes. You can’t lie to me, Ava. Don’t forget that. Now go and get dressed. I’m good to go.” She points at my old jeans and baggy shirt in disgust. “You . . . not so much.”
Twenty minutes later, I find myself in the back of a cab, hating myself for caving in. A different cab, thank goodness; although, I have to say this one smells a little like pee and vomit. Still, I would take a vomit, pee cab over the creepy old guy any day. We could have taken my Jeep, but if it involves alcohol of any kind, we always opt for a cab to be on the safe side.
Madison is dressed up to perfection as usual, in a sexy little outfit, and after a lot of convincing I am squeezed into one of her little black dresses. Sadly, I now plan on buying one of my own. I love it way more than I hoped. I’m one of them now.
I can tell by looking at Madison that she’s nervous, and I’m surprised. That rarely ever happens when it comes to guys. She keeps fidgeting with her little heart necklace and peering out the window, as we get closer to the bar. She must really have a crush on Jax.
“Stop fidgeting with your necklace. It’s making me nervous,” I complain. “You look good. There’s no need to try to impress Jax. He’ll be wanting into your skirt by the end of the night. Trust me.”
“I’m not trying to impress anyone,” Madison says, trying to sound convincing. “I’m just worried that you’ll get our asses kicked out again, so please do me a favor and try not to piss anyone off this time.”
“I’ll do my best,” I mutter as we come to a stop. This time I toss the driver some cash and we both crawl out the one door that actually opens.
The first thing I notice when we get out of the cab is Blaine, standing at the side of the building with a girl on her knees in front of him. His head is leaned back, his eyes closed as he grips the back of her hair and roughly fucks her face.
“Holy shitballs!” Madison screams out, drawing unwanted attention to us. “That’s hot.”
Blaine opens his eyes and winks at us with a smirk, before thrusting his hips into the girl’s face one more time and then pushing her away and pulling up his jeans.
Madison grabs my arm, yanking me to her. “He’s sinfully gorgeous and getting head in the damn parking lot, Ava. Call me dirty, but I like this place already.”
I shake my head in disbelief as Blaine approaches us all normal like, as if we didn’t just witness him getting head at the side of the building.
“Damn, ladies. Didn’t know you were coming back, beautiful.” He throws a tatted arm around Madison’s shoulder. “Who’s this fine as shit goddess?”
I take a deep breath and roll my eyes, not sure what the hell we’ve gotten ourselves into tonight. “Madison . . . my roommate and best friend.”
We all look over, as the blonde that was just on her knees walks past us, wiping her mouth off as if she’s proud of getting to taste Blaine’s man meat.
Madison smiles and looks Blaine up and down, taking in every single inch of hard muscle; his dick included. “Your fly is down, sweets. Not that I’m complaining. Damn, you’re packing.” She pulls her eyes back up to his face. “Not that you don’t already know that.”
Getting frustrated, I pull Madison away from Blaine and grab her hand in mine. “Thanks for the show, Blaine, but we’re going to the parlor. Jax asked us to come.”
A sexy smile crosses Blaine’s face as he reaches for the door to let us in. “Follow me, Ladies.”
I nudge Madison in the side as she shamelessly checks out Blaine’s ass as we follow close behind him.
“Madi,” I snap, quietly. “Close your damn legs. You’re almost worse than them.”
She elbows me back, but then grabs my arm for protection as some big burly looking dude in a leather jacket growls at her and then licks his lips.
“And they’re pretty bad,” I add.
As soon as we step into the hall, all I hear are the sounds of a tattoo gun buzzing. It echoes throughout the small hallway, making me nervous now.
I stop and look through the open door at Royal and my heart literally skips a beat at the sight of him. He’s leaned over, concentrating on some middle-aged man’s back piece that he’s working on. Jax is chilling next to him, watching, them both looking just as sexy as the other night.
Madison stops next to me, raising a brow as she sets sights on Royal as well. “Well spank my ass and call me Sally,” Madison says with a moan. “Sexy, sinful, tattoo heaven . . . I’m never leaving. Just saying.”
Royal glances up with a snarl, but then turns his gun off and sets it down when his eyes land on me, watching me watch him. “We’re done for tonight,” he says to his client. “Jax will call you a cab.”
Looking as if he’s not bothered one bit by Royal dismissing him, he stands up, grabs for a stained up white shirt, and walks past us, almost falling into the wall.
Jax stands up and reaches for a bottle of Vodka, pouring five shots. “Did Blaine here give you guys a tour of the building on the way in? Zip up your shit, dude.”
“Fuck off,” Blaine says playfully, snatching up one of the shots while zipping his fly.
I turn my eyes back in Royal’s direction, but keep my head still so he doesn’t notice me watching him.
He looks conflicted as he starts cleaning his table and chair off. “Didn’t think you’d be back,” he says stiffly. “You change your mind on that tattoo?”
I grab a shot glass when Jax hands one to Madison first and then myself. “Your friend asked us to come and my friend here, forced me to agree.” I throw my shot back, emptying the glass, hoping for some kind of liquid courage. “So here I am.”
With stiff muscles, Royal stands up straight and grabs the last shot glass, slamming it back, before shoving the empty glass at Jax. “Come here,” he demands.
I stand here for a second, not moving, until Madison shoves me forward and calls me a pussy. I look back at her and glower, before stopping in front of Royal.
Grabbing my hand he pulls me to him, and grabs my hips, digging his hands in. “I have the perfect spot for your first tattoo.” Reaching for the bottom of my dress, he lifts the front so only he can see, and runs his thumb over my hipbone. “Perfect.”
Yanking my dress down, I back away and watch him as he starts preparing his tattoo equipment. “I never said I was going to let you tattoo me.”
His jaw clenches as he looks back at me. “You scared that Colton is going to be pissed or some shit?”
I shake my head. “At this point, I could care less about what he thinks. As far as I’m concerned, we’re on a break.”
“Okay . . .” He sits down and runs a hand through his messy hair, his eyes studying mine. “You don’t want one then?”
“I do,” I say quickly, realizing that I do, but I’m just being a pussy, exactly what Madison called me.
“Come on, Ava,” Madison says from behind me. “We’re already here and from what I can see, Royal is very capable of giving great tattoos. I’ll let Blaine over there tat me up next.”
Royal raises a brow in question, when I turn back to him. “What do you say, babe? Take that damn dress off for me?”
I swallow and look around the room. Having three other sets of eyes on me is making me nervous, extremely nervous.
“Out,” Royal suddenly barks out. “Keep the girl close by and make sure Porter stays away from her. He’s on some shit tonight.”
“Madison can stay,” I say firmly, not wanting to send her away. “I don’t care if she watches.”
Madison looks between Jax and Blaine and bites her bottom lip. It’s clear what she wants to do, and that’s most likely both of them. “I’ll be good with the boys. Plus, I want to check out the party animals in the next room.”
I take a deep breath and watch Madison as she follows Jax and Blaine out the door, shutting it behind her with a wink.
I suddenly feel nervous, realizing that I’m alone with Royal. He’s so damn intense that I have no idea what to expect from him.
“Lay down.”
Swallowing, I sit down on the black, leather chair that is already laid back into a bed. I jump from the coldness on my skin, but then close my eyes and get comfortable, waiting on Royal’s next move.
With my eyes still closed, I can see the shadow from him standing above me, before I feel his rough hands brush my upper thighs as he grips my dress and lifts it, stopping just under my breasts.
“Any certain design? I can do it all.”
“A feather,” I say softly. “Blue with purple highlights; feminine and pretty. Can you do that?”
He lifts an eyebrow while pulling on a pair of black gloves. “I can definitely do feminine and pretty. Like I said, I do it all.”
I suck in a breath and grip the seat, when I feel his hands brush against my skin as he prepares to mark me for life.
Grabbing my hand, he places it on his thick thigh. My heart speeds up from the feel of his muscular leg beneath my palm. “If it hurts, dig into my leg and take it out on me. It will help you feel better.”
I hear the buzzing of the gun and instantly grip his thigh, feeling anxious. When I open an eye to peek up at him, he’s smirking.
“Ready?”
I nod my head. “Mmm hmm . . .”
I feel my fingers dig deep into the denim of his thigh as the needle hits my sensitive flesh. My stomach instantly sinks and I flinch, more unprepared than I thought.
I do my best to keep my eyes closed through most of it, but then open my eyes closer to the end, when my skin starts to feel numb. It’s a bit of a relief.
Royal’s face is stern, set in a line of concentration. I notice that he even bites his bottom lip once in a while when he really gets into a good spot. I find myself watching him, my legs slightly opening, as I get lost in my own little world. He’s delicious to watch. There is absolutely no denying that.
Royal’s hand gripping my thigh wakes me from the moment, snapping my eyes up to his.
He pushes my legs together. “Keep those things closed, unless you want me between them,” he growls.
I squeeze my legs together, slightly moaning as the thought of him between my legs causes my body to clench and jerk.
“Is it almost done?” I ask, hoping to come back to reality . . . the one where he’ll never be between my legs.
“Almost . . .”
Getting lost in the way that his jaw muscles tighten as he adds the finishing touches, my legs relax and slightly open again.
Tossing his tattoo gun aside, Royal stands up and growls, gripping my hips and pulling me down to the end of the chair, until his jean-covered erection is pressed against my pussy. A shock of pleasure runs through my core as he presses against it.
His right hand digs into my hip as the left one tightens around my neck. His eyes meet mine for a brief moment, before his right hand slides down my thigh and he releases my neck, stepping back.
“Keep flashing that smooth little pussy at me . . . Fuck, Avalon.” His jaw ticks as he looks between my thighs one last time. “Those little underwear don’t cover much.”
“Sorry,” I say in aggravation. “I got comfortable a couple times and wasn’t thinking. I didn’t expect you to get a fucking hard-on over it and freak out.”
Letting out a long breath, Royal sits back down, grabs my hand, and places it back on his thigh. Except this time, I can almost feel the shape of his hard dick above my fingers. I suck in a breath at the near contact.
“This last part might hurt; especially now that we’ve taken an unwanted break. Hold still.”
I jump when the needle touches my skin. He was right. It’s sensitive as shit now and I just want it to be done.
With one hand, Royal lowers my panties a little more to get to the bottom part of the feather.
I grip his thigh and groan out from the pain. That’s when I feel his dick now hard against my hand. He’s got an all-out boner right now and seems as if he could care less about hiding it.
“Sorry,” I say as I pull my hand away. I blush at the thought that I’ve just touched his dick, when I didn’t mean to. “Didn’t know that was going to happen.”
Royal raises a brow and glances over to meet my eyes. “My cock has a mind of its own, Darlin’. It’s a real fucking beast when it wants to be.” He sets the gun down and checks out his work. “I hope that’s pretty and feminine enough for ya. Looks real fucking good on you.”
Reaching behind him, he grabs for a handheld mirror, handing it to me, before reaching for some kind of tattoo goop to rub over the finished tattoo.
I hold the mirror in front of my hip and look into it. My breath catches in my throat and I can’t help but to smile. “It’s so damn pretty. Wow . . .” I look up at him and then back down at my very first tattoo. It’s only been minutes since I’ve had it and I already want more. I’ve heard this was going to happen. “How much?”
“Nothing,” he says, while cleaning his equipment up and getting something to cover my new art up with.
Right after he covers up my feather and pulls my dress down, the sound of glass breaking from somewhere in the bar causes him to punch the wall and yell. “Fucking Blaine!”
He cracks his knuckles and then takes off out the door as if he’s about to hand someone their ass.
“What the . . .”
Grabbing my purse, I take off after him to see what is going on and hope to God that Madison is all right.
Being around Royal and his friends, never falls short of crazy and chaotic . . .