Chapter 17
Vida felt Colton’s eyes searching her face as they got out of the car. His arm went around her shoulders while they walked up the stairs side by side. When she turned back towards the car, Henry waved as he drove silently out of the parking lot.
After closing the door behind them, Colton went to the kitchen.
“Sit down. I’m going to fix you a drink.” Vida kept on the coat as she sat on the couch and buried her face in her hands.
“Here” Colton handed her a glass with whiskey and ice. Vida made a face at the strong taste. “Drink it; it’ll help you sleep.” Vida sipped her drink as Colton sat down next to her.
“That was the worst thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.” Vida shuddered. “He was telling me how and where they put those women, and I just wanted to vomit, but I had to pretend I wanted him.”
“Vida, maybe now they can shut down the bastards and put them away,” he said grimly.
“God, Colton, I hope so. I keep thinking of Sawyer; how scared she must be, who has her, if he…”
“Don’t think about it tonight, Vida. It’s bad enough without you thinking about it constantly.”
Vida stared at her hands, realizing that she still had on her red gloves. Staring blankly, all she could see was Sawyers face staring back at her.
“She’s so shy, Colton. Her mom was really overprotective because of Sawyer’s father getting killed so young. She was terrified something would happen to Sawyer. After the fire, she was even worse. She never let Sawyer have fun, or go places with her friends. When her mom died, Sawyer started going out more, but she was so shy. She just didn’t fit in. Gradually, she stopped trying to go out very much. That was why I was so happy that she was excited about going out with this new guy she’d met. We tell each other everything. She hadn’t had sex before. If they raped her…” Vida began crying.
“Vida, please stop, baby.”
Colton pulled her onto his lap until she was facing him. “Let’s get all this out of your mind for a few hours at least.”
Unbuttoning the coat, he pulled it off. Vida sat facing him with her knees on the couch next to his hips. It was the same position that she had been in an hour ago with Briggs except now the feeling inside of her wasn’t disgust; it was a low hum of pleasure that was growing inside of her belly.
“Colton, I need to go to bed. I’m tired.”
“If you go to sleep now, you’ll be tossing and turning all night. Let’s neck awhile then you’ll sleep like a baby.”
“I don’t like it when you call me, baby.” Vida stood up on her knees over him, preparing to go shower.
Colton’s hands went to her hips, clenching them in a tight grip.
“Why? When I touch you, I feel how fucking soft your skin is and it reminds me how I plan to take such good care of you.” The suggestive look on his face left little doubt in her mind exactly how he planned to take care of her.
“Red is definitely your color, but I prefer that black scrap of material you had on the first time I saw you on stage. I could see your little pink nipples and that tiny piece of material over your pussy and all I could think about was how hard and fast I could fuck you before I came.”
Vida started to tremble as his hand reached up and began unbuttoning her corset top. She reached out to grab his wrists, but she didn’t exert any strength to stop him from exposing her breasts. Colton leaned forward and took her nipple into his mouth, biting down gently until she leaned closer, giving in to his silent demand. His teeth released her and his tongue gently began to lave the hardened tip.
She had clung to her virginity as a way to protect herself from getting hurt, yet Colton had her body and mind in turmoil. The problem was, she had fallen in love with a man that protected his wife enough to go to prison for her, who was loyal despite the ultimate betrayal. Colton would never be a Prince Charming, but he could be her knight in shining armor, if she took the leap.
Vida’s head fell back and her body arched towards his. Colton’s hands fell to her stocking covered thighs, sliding upwards until they reached the naked flesh of her upper thighs, gliding to her mound covered by the tiny red panties.
His fingers slid underneath, expertly finding the tiny bundle of hidden nerves. He stroked the delicate flesh until she thought she would scream. Still unsatisfied from the last time he had played with her, it didn’t take long before Vida was squirming on his lap.
One long finger entered her tight sheath and she couldn’t help the slight wince of pain. Colton’s thumb rubbed harder against her clit, easing the finger out before moving it steadily back inside of her, creating a rhythmic stroking that had her leaning forward to kiss him, pushing her tongue into his mouth. Colton chuckled at her attempt of aggressiveness, letting her have her way with his mouth while he added another finger to the one steadily pumping inside of her.
Vida felt her hips bucking against his fingers until he was steadily fucking their long length inside her.
“Baby, you’re little pussy is going to have some trouble taking my cock at first, but I have to get myself under control first. If I fuck you now, I might hurt you.” Vida couldn’t make sense of his words. The fire burning her up from inside was demanding she move faster and faster, trying to get release.
Colton lifted her off his lap, standing her on her feet. She wobbled a little, still wearing her plastic, high-heeled stripper shoes.
Colton looked down, staring at her feet and tracing her body with his gaze as he rose. Seeing her wobble, he lifted her up into his arms and carried her into his bedroom.
Vida heard the door snap closed, remembering how many times she’d heard that sound the last month when he had brought other women in to share his bed. She tried to jerk out of his arms, but Colton held her firm.
Laying her gently on the end of the bed, he pulled her panties off, causing her to fall backwards. He went to his knees beside the bed, spreading her thighs until she was opened and his mouth landed on her pussy with his tongue thrusting deep within her. His piercing sliding across the tender flesh of her opening had Vida’s hips lurching off the bed, driving his tongue deeper within her.
Restraint and reason had gone in a heartbeat. Vida couldn’t believe the passion rising from her, or the needy cries escaping her mouth.
“Oh please, Colton. Harder, suck me harder,” Vida pleaded, writhing under his merciless teasing. Each time he felt her about to come he pulled away, not giving her the least touch to bring her over into ecstasy.
Colton rose to his feet then, pulling off his black t-shirt and shoes before sitting on the side of the bed and removing his jeans. His hard cock rose from his lap, startling Vida with its large size.
Colton buried his hand in Vida’s dark hair. “Come here.” He scooted back to lean against the headboard and Vida followed him, directed by the hand in her hair, beginning to feel apprehensive. She was sure she had passed the no-going-back stage, yet she was beginning to doubt she wanted to go any further.
“We’ll stop whenever you want,” Colton assured her. Vida relaxed somehow, believing that he would stop whenever she wanted him to, she was, however, unsure if she really wanted to stop; that was a question her mind skirted. She felt a sense of power at the realization that she had big, bad Colton waiting for her to decide just how far she would let him go.
Vida started to kick her shoes off.
“Leave them on. I want to watch you suck my dick with those shoes on.” His hand in her hair directed her mouth to hover directly over his cock.
Vida couldn’t believe how badly she wanted to taste him. She had never been tempted before, but the idea of him in her mouth had her pussy clenching in need.
Her mouth opened and Colton surged between her parted lips. His legs opened wider as he pulled her head closer to his pelvis.
Vida almost choked on his length, and he immediately used her hair to pull her off him so that she could breath.
Vida heard his panting breath. Feminine satisfaction giving her confidence when his body broke out in a sheen of sweat. Their mouths met in a kiss that showed her heightened lust. She used her tongue to search his mouth before teasing the sensuous curve of his bottom lip, gently licking his piercing. Colton stiffened, his body hardening, as he held his strength in check. The power Vida felt over him was driving her own passion higher.
He gradually tugged her back down onto his hard cock. This time Vida wasn’t as apprehensive, getting used to the demanding hand at the back of her head. Her own hand reached out to squeeze his cock halfway down so that she wouldn’t take too much of him. Setting up a rhythm that had his hips pumping steadily, Vida loved the feeling of having him under her control.
“I’m never going to forget how you looked the first time you took my cock, Vida. You’re so fucking unbelievably sexy with that outfit on; those shoes and your little mouth sucking on my cock like you can’t get enough. One night I’m going to video you sucking my dick then let you watch it while I fuck you.”
Vida shook her head. Colton laughed. “You think I can’t keep something like that safe from other’s eyes? Baby, I would never let anyone see you like this, wanting me with your pink nipples and wet pussy. But it will make you so hot you’ll beg me to fuck you.”
Vida didn’t doubt him; the way he was talking to her was having the same effect with merely his words placing the images in her mind. Vida felt him bucking harder against her mouth, his body stiffening and then he jerked away from her. Colton got up from the bed, leaving Vida gasping at his departure, wondering where he had gone. The water in the bathroom running answered her question. Vida lay still when Colton came back, pulling her from the bed before he pushed her down on the side of the bed, taking off one high heel then the other. Picking her up, he tossed her onto the middle of the bed, lying down beside her before he reached over and turned out the light.
“Colton, I don’t understand.” Vida lay confused, her body still in need.
“Vida, I’m trying to show you that I can be the man you need me to be, but if you keep flashing that pussy up at me, I won’t give a damn that you haven’t made up your mind yet about us and I will fuck you until you have to crawl off that mattress in the morning.
“Get some sleep. Tomorrow is my turn to open the shop. I’m not going to take your virginity when you’re still upset about Briggs and Sawyer. We have plenty of time.” He pulled her towards him until she lay against his chest with her head on his shoulder.
Vida forced herself to lay still, but her body didn’t listen. She was restless with the need he had woken then left unsatisfied not once but twice now. Vida was beginning to resent not only him, but also her virginity. Sure, if she was more experienced, she would be feeling him inside of her right now. Pushing those thoughts from her mind, his firm hand stroking her back finally eased enough tension that she was able to fall asleep.
***
Vida recognized the woman coming in the shop from the strip club. She worked in the VIP room, and was very popular with the men there, which was how she had managed to work herself up from performing on the stage to just having to perform for the richer patrons who liked to hang out at the club in the autonomy the VIP room provided.
“Hi, Krystal,” Vida greeted her unhappily, betting herself a fictitious million dollars just why she was there.
“Hey, Vida.” The woman came forward to lean against the counter. “I want a new tattoo.”
“All right. Where do you want the tattoo?” Vida questioned.
Krystal gave her a smile and a wink. “On the upper check of my butt.”
Vida stared down at the appointment book, knowing who was up for the next walk-in, knowing she would be unable to slide it past either Colton or Tessa without each aware of what she was doing. She was stuck.
“Have a seat. Colton will be with you in about twenty minutes.”
“Thanks, Vida.”
Vida watched out of the corner of her eye as Krystal reapplied her lipstick and then crossed her legs, which were exposed to perfection by her little blue jean skirt. Vida felt dowdy in her blue jeans and t-shirt. She hadn’t had time to do laundry and had grabbed one out of Colton’s drawers. It hung from her body.
Vida unconsciously began chewing on the pencil she used to schedule appointments instead of paying attention to the attractive woman waiting for Colton to appear.
Colton walked into the room, talking to his client about the aftercare of his new tattoo. Then, after the customer left, he walked behind the counter, looking at his next appointment. He gave her a mischievous grin when he looked across the room and Krystal rose to her feet.
“Krystal?”
“Yes.” The woman breathed, attempting seduction in her response. Vida’s teeth clenched.
“What tattoo are you wanting?” Vida had to kick herself when she saw Colton’s amusement; the asshole knew she was jealous.
“I want a rose on the upper part of my butt.” She turned around, giving him an eyeful of her pert ass, her hand pointing to exactly where she wanted the tattoo placed. “Can you do that?”
“I sure can. Let’s go to my room.” Colton gave Vida a wicked grin before escorting Krystal from the room, passing Tessa and her client as they left.
Vida sat tensely, lost in thought, not even paying attention when Tessa came to stand next to her after her client departed. Vida could tell from her expression she wanted to say something sarcastic, yet she managed to restrain herself, merely giving Vida a caustic order.
“Call me when my client arrives.”
“All right.”
Vida tried to occupy herself, filling out several job applications in states Sawyer and she had dreamed of visiting after Vida graduated. Out of curiosity, Vida searched the help wanted nearby Colton’s shop. She was surprised that there were two positions for computer programmers that would be opening in the next month.
Impulsively, Vida filled out the applications online, pressing the submit button just as Colton and Krystal walked into the lobby. She was giving him a flirtatious smile as she asked if he would come over tonight and rub the lotion on her because she didn’t know how she could possible reach it.
The pencil in her hand snapped and she closed her computer. Not waiting to hear his response, Vida rose to her feet.
“I’m going to go across the street and get a cup of coffee. I’ll be back in five minutes,” Vida snapped.
“Wait a minute, Vida.” Catching her hand when she would have stormed by them, he pulled her to his side.
“Sorry, Krystal. Vida and I are busy tonight. I’m sure you’ll manage just fine.”
Krystal didn’t try to hide her disappointment, looking Vida over in her oversized clothes. “Call me if anything changes, Colton.” Leaving a furious Vida and an amused Colton, the woman left before Vida could smack her silly.
“Well, if that isn’t too sweet,” Tessa said mockingly. “You both look so cute together.”
“Tessa, don’t start.” Vida heard the warning in Colton’s voice. As usual, Tessa ignored it, walking forward with a look in her eyes that had chills of warning running down Vida’s back.
“My client just called, cancelling his appointment, so I’m done for the day,” Tessa told Colton.
“That’s fine. See you Monday.” Colton tried to shut her down, but Vida could tell the woman was out for blood.
“Thanks, it works out for me since I’m going out with Roni tonight. You remember her, don’t you, Colton?” Vida felt Colton stiffen next to her.
“You and Vida should join us. The four of us can sit around and talk about how good you are at fucking, and you can sit back and glory in how much pussy that dick you’re so proud of gets.”
“Shut up, Tessa. Leave now.” Colton made another attempt to head off the confrontation.
A cruel smile twisted her lips. “She knows you, too, Vida.”
Vida racked her memory for a face for the unfamiliar name, coming up with a blank.
“When I mentioned your name, she said she knew your mother. Asked how you were doing. Seems like your mom and her were friends, even shared the stage together a few times, from what she tells me. They liked to party together too. Colton, don’t you remember?
“Roni said that Goldie talked about Vida all the time. You even used to call Goldie to party with you when Roni had to work and she didn’t. She told me about the good times you used to have together. You really should talk to her, Vida. It would be a real eye opener. Of course, you may not mind that the man you’re fucking also fucked your mother, but it freaks me out.”
“Get out, Tessa, and don’t come back. You’re finished here, forever. If you even try to come in the door, I’ll call the cops and have you arrested. It would give you a taste of what I had for three years.”
“Colton… you don’t mean it.” Tessa’s face was suddenly as white as Vida’s.
“Get the fuck out or I will throw you out.” Colton’s face was a mask of fury that was barely held in check. Tessa realized too late that she had finally cut the final thread with Colton. He was done with her.
Vida, through her own pain and horror, could plainly see that Colton never wanted Tessa near him again. When Tessa finally ran out the door, it left both Vida and Colton staring after her.
Vida tore her hand from Colton’s grip, backing away from him. Going to the counter, she packed her computer into her backpack.
“Vida.” Colton’s soft voice drew her eyes to him. “Let me explain.”
“Just answer one question for me.”
Colton ran his fingers through his long hair and then crossed his arms across his chest. Vida could tell he was bracing himself for her question. “Go ahead.”
“Is what she said the truth?”
“Yes and no.” Anger flew through Vida’s mind. Storming into her was the hurt that he had never told her. He had listened to her talk about her mother and never mentioned he was one of the men who had briefly used her. To think that he had touched her, that she had even wanted to have sex with him last night, humiliated and sickened her.
“You sick bastard!” Vida screamed at him. Jerking up her backpack, she ran for the front door, only to find it blocked with Colton standing in her path.
“Vida, listen to me. I’ll tell you everything you want to know. Calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down you... you… perv.” Angered beyond reasoning, she swung her backpack with the computer in it, hitting him before he managed to jerk it from her hands.
She turned to run for the door, but his arm around her waist prevented her from going out the door. He lifted her off the floor as she struggled, her feet kicking back towards him, trying to gain her release. Colton reached out, locking the door and turning the open sign off before walking with her struggling body back to his room.
Shutting the door behind them, he let her go and then leaned back against the door, blocking any chance of escape she had.
Shaking her hair off her face and getting her breathing under control, Vida threw him a dirty look. “Let me out, Colton.”
“Where do you plan on going?”
“I’m going to stay at King’s place until Sawyer gets back next week. Then, I’m gone.”
“You go back to King, you have to start stripping again.”
“That’s better than staying with a pervert like you,” Vida yelled at him.
“Don’t call me that, it’s not nice and it’s not true. You know it’s not. I could have fucked you anytime in the last week instead of letting you tease me until my balls are blue.”
“How about you go fuck yourself?” Vida yelled.
“How about I fuck you instead?” he countered, becoming angry.
Vida looked around the room for something else to hit him with, however he was on her before she could find anything. He picked her up and tossed her onto the large couch against the wall, pinning her underneath his heavy weight. Vida tried to scratch at him with her nails and found both of her hands held in one of his above her head.
Vida continued to grapple against him until she wore herself out, lying limply underneath him. She turned her face to the side so she at least wouldn’t have to look at him.
“Finished?” Colton’s grim face stared down at her.
Vida didn’t acknowledge him.
“Good. Now you’re going to listen to me.” Colton relaxed against her. His jean covered cock finding the notch of her thighs.
“I met your mother when I joined the Predators; she was seeing one of the brothers. When they broke up, she had made several friends, one of them was Roni. She was twenty, Vida, younger than you are now. I was sixteen, but I became involved with Roni on and off for the next couple of years. I never touched your mother. My mouth or hands were never in the vicinity of her body. I did mess around with Roni and several of the other women at the clubhouse, but not Goldie. We were never attracted to each other; we became friends and did party together a lot. It was some pretty hardcore partying, Vida, but I never had her, not once.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you knew my mother?” Vida whispered. The anger was gone, but the hurt remained.
“Because I liked your mom and I truthfully didn’t want you asking me questions about her that I knew would hurt you if I gave you the truth.”
“She was a slut, wasn’t she?”
“No, honey, but she was constantly looking for a man. She didn’t like being alone, Vida. She wanted a man to share her life with.”
“She had me.” Vida bit her lip to keep it from trembling.
“Baby, she loved you, never doubt that, but it just wasn’t enough for her. She wasn’t like you. You’re strong, Vida. Strong enough to stand on that stage and bare your body and soul to save your friend. You put your disgust aside to assist in finding women who need help simply because you couldn’t turn your back and walk away. There’s no one else like you, Vida. Even your own mother, who was the sweetest woman I’ve ever met, can’t compare to you.”
He released her hands. Vida lowered them, circling his shoulders and then looking up into his eyes. She could tell he was telling the truth.
“I’m sorry I hit you with my computer and called you a perv,” Vida apologized.
Colton grinned down at her. “Is that all you’re sorry for?”
“Did I call you something else?” Vida tried to think of all the names she had called him out loud. He couldn’t expect her to apologize for the ones that she had in her head when she hadn’t voiced them.
“No, I’m talking about something else.”
“What?” Vida asked suspiciously.
“My blue balls.”
“Oh.” A smile teased her lips. “Why should I have to apologize for that? You didn’t tell me you were sorry for leaving me in the same shape,” Vida informed him unwisely.
“You have blue balls?”
“No. You know what I mean.” Blushing Vida buried her face in his shoulder.
“Oh, did I leave my baby hanging? Is that what you meant?”
Vida was glad he couldn’t see her face, but she nodded her head against him.
“Well, I can’t break my promise about taking good care of you, can I?”
“No,” Vida mumbled, unable to believe she was urging him on.
Colton rose up to sit on his knees between her thighs, pulling his shirt up and off. Vida stared at his chest covered in various tattoos. Her mouth went dry when she saw a couple disappear beneath the band of his jeans. His hand tugged her shirt off before unsnapping the flimsy pink bra she had on underneath.
“There are my pretty girls.” He leaned down, grazing each breast with a light kiss against their tip. Getting off the couch, he pulled his shoes and jeans off before pulling off Vida’s.
She started to protest when he pulled off her underwear, but she didn’t, knowing he would stop when she asked.
For the first time, Vida enjoyed showing her naked body, thrilled that Colton enjoyed seeing it displayed before him. His hardening cock showed how much he wanted her. When he would have lain back down on the couch with her, Vida rose to her knees. Before he could guess what her next move was, she surrounded the head of his cock with her mouth, sucking his length into her throat. This time, when Vida would have welcomed the roughness of the night before, he remained gentle, letting her have only the tip.
His finger went to her pussy, separating the cleft until his fingers swirled in the moistness that seeing him naked had provided.
“Your little pussy is nice and wet, Vida. You like having me in your mouth, don’t you?”
Vida nodded against him. It was the truth; something about taking him in her mouth, knowing he was at her mercy, made her want him. It was a strange and frightening thing to want that part of him. The thought of him wanting another woman like Krystal, Tammy or Tessa drove her on to prove to herself that she was all he would need to satisfy those desires she saw swirling in the depths of his eyes.
Vida was an innocent, however she had learnt one thing the last few weeks at King’s; you control a man’s cock, you control him.
“I don’t even want to know what you’re thinking right now. I have a feeling it’s better if I never do,” Colton said wryly.
“I was just thinking that I love the taste of you.” Colton’s eyes narrowed, not believing her for a second.
“You know what feels even better?”
“No, what?” Vida asked, trying to drive him crazy by swirling her tongue over the crest of his cock.
Colton pulled away from her to sit down on the couch, pulling her onto his lap, her knees on each side of his hips. His cock rubbed against her wet heat and Vida pressed down harder against him. The increased pressure almost sent her over the edge.
“You want me, baby?”
Vida wanted him so bad she ached. All the doubts she had disappeared and she knew exactly what she wanted. “I want you, Colton.”
Colton lifted her by her hips until the tip of his cock brushed against her entrance. Her hands gripped his shoulders, balancing on her knees as he slowly brought her down on him. She felt him pushing to get inside of her and it made her want to slam herself down on his cock, but his tight grip on her hips kept her from moving.
“Coltonnn… please… fuck… me…” Vida tried to wiggle down further on him, but he gritted his teeth.
“I’m trying not to hurt you.”
“It couldn’t feel worse than this,” Vida protested.
Ignoring her, he slid another small inch inside of her.
Vida wanted more. She leaned forward, taking his nipple in her mouth, biting down.
“Dammit, Vida.” Colton’s hips surged upward, tearing through her hymen in one hard thrust. Vida fell against his chest. “Did I hurt you?
“No,” Vida lied.
“Don’t lie to me, baby. I wanted to make this a beautiful experience for you. I meant to have you for the first time on a bed, not a couch,” he said regretfully.
“You are making it beautiful, Colton,” Vida whispered into his neck.
Colton’s fingers went to the juncture of her thighs. Finding her clit, he stroked her until Vida gradually began moving on his cock, wincing slightly when he slid even deeper.
Colton’s hands went behind his head. “Pretend you’re giving me a lap dance.”
“What?”
“Think of your favorite song then pretend you’re giving me a lap dance.”
Vida thought of her favorite song then gradually began moving on top of him. Teasing him with faint brushes of her breasts against his chest. She slowly moved her hips back and forth against him, instead of up and down. The friction against her brought her passion back with a vengeance.
“Oh.” Vida stared at him with desire plain in her eyes.
Colton grinned back at her. “Feels good, doesn’t it?”
“It’s incredible.” Vida let the music in her mind lead her body into taking over.
She quit thinking, grinding down on Colton, driving his cock deep within her. She began moving faster as she increased the speed, feeling herself coming closer and closer. Every time she came down she ground herself against him, giving herself the stimulation she needed.
Colton leaned forward suddenly, his hips thrusting upwards as she came down hard on him. She clenched him, squeezing him tight as she came in a climax that had her rocking against him until he held her still, thrusting high inside of her. A series of jerks within her had her going over the edge into ecstasy again.
“Fuck,” Vida said, her head falling forward. Exhausted, she lay against him.
Colton’s body was shaking. Vida raised her head to find that he was silently laughing down at her.
“Are you laughing at me?” she asked in disbelief.
“Kind of.”
“Why?” The last thing a woman wanted to hear was the man she just had sex with laughing.
“Baby, you’re every man’s fantasy. Not only do you fuck like you can’t get enough of my dick, but you talk dirty. A man couldn’t ask for more.”
“A woman could,” Vida responded.
“I couldn’t give you more right now if someone put a gun to my head,” Colton joked, pulling her forward until he softly kissed her lips. “Thank you.”
Vida knew what he was thanking her for. “You’re welcome.”
“Feel like getting a tattoo?”
Vida thought at first he was joking, but she actually did. “Yes, I never want to forget tonight.”
“I think I know exactly the tattoo. Get dressed.” Colton helped her off his lap.
Vida tried not to look worried when she remembered they hadn’t worn a condom. “I always wore a condom with the other women, Vida. I swear I wouldn’t put your health at risk,” he said when Vida couldn’t hide her worry.
“I believe you. Luckily, I’m on the pill because I cramp so bad when I’m on my period.” Colton didn’t look happy at her news. “I thought you would be relieved there wouldn’t be a chance of me getting pregnant.” Colton shrugged, pulling on his jeans.
“I wouldn’t have been upset. I like kids.”
“I do, too.” Vida carried her clothes into the bathroom across the hall from Colton’s room. Cleaning herself, she then dressed before coming back into his room. She found him sitting on his stool, ready to start.
Vida sat down in the chair. “Give me your hand,” Colton demanded, holding out his own.
Vida placed her hand in his. He turned it over, wiping down the back of her wrist before he began outlining the tattoo. This time, Vida had a clear view of how he worked.
“Don’t you get tired of giving tattoos?” Vida asked curiously.
“No, it relaxes me. I enjoy doing it. Trying to come up with designs for people that I’ve just met is challenging.”
“What’s the worst tattoo you’ve ever given?”
Colton worked steadily. “Max. He kept bugging me to give him a big tattoo on his back. Wanted it to cover his whole back. I kept putting him off, but one night he finally wore me down and I tatted him.”
“What did you do?”
“Well, we both were drunk. I thought I had done quite a bit of work, but we both must have passed out. We woke up the next day and he came to my room to show me what I had tatted on him.”
“What was it?”
“A tramp stamp.”
“You didn’t.” Vida giggled.
“I did.” The man went fucking crazy on me. I barely managed to escape with my life. He wouldn’t even let me touch him to do the cover up. He got another artist to do it for him.”
“He seemed so easy going. I can’t imagine him that angry.”
“Baby, they call him Max. That’s his nickname,” Colton explained.
“It isn’t much of one. The nickname Max is kind of boring.”
“Think about it. Max, as in, “Mad Max”.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. He gave me a black eye that lasted a good month, not to mention he destroyed my room.”
“Wow.”
“Don’t piss him off,” Colton warned.
“I won’t.”
Colton worked steadily for an hour before he finished, wiping down her wrist with a clean cloth. He scooted his stool back to watch her reaction.
“What do you think?”
Vida looked down at the back of her wrist. Tears clogged her throat. Blue forget-me-nots. There were vines twined down, buried in the flowers. You could see three names; Sawyer, Callie and Colton.
He had given her his name twice now. Vida knew he was telling her how much she meant to him.
“I couldn’t think of one single thing more perfect than this night, Colton. Every time I look at this, I’ll remember everyone I love.”
Callie’s name and the flowers together had a trace of a memory stirring.
“What’s wrong?” Colton took her wrist, wrapping it carefully.
“I don’t know.” Vida frowned. “Last night, Briggs told me Sawyer had been taken because of our connection to King. Colton, other than my mother working for him, there is no connection. I don’t understand.”
She could tell it wasn’t the first time he had heard the same comment. “When I starting asking around, I found out the same thing, Vida. King had a protection order out on both you and Sawyer. After his sister, only someone determined to provoke King would have touched either of you.”
“I don’t understand.” Vida watched Colton clean his room.
“There has to be something we’re missing. Let’s go. It’s late, and you need some food and sleep.”
She nodded, automatically following him as they left.
On the ride home, Vida did nothing other than try to think about King, searching her mind and coming up blank.
Colton fixed their dinner while Vida showered.
She worried that something she had forgotten might hurt Sawyer’s safety. Vida washed her hair, wanting desperately for this whole mess to be over, but a deep, dark fear was growing inside of her, warning her it was just beginning.