The buzz of Connor’s tattoo gun filled my ears like a swarm of bees. The feel of the needles plunging into my skin only served to increase that sensation. It had been so long since I’d gotten the tattoo I’d forgotten how much it hurt going over the shoulder blade.

“You’re gonna feel like a new man, Spence.” The buzzing ceased as Connor wiped a wet towel over my skin and dipped the tattoo gun into a small reservoir of ink. “I can’t believe you’ve had this eyesore on your body for so long. If I’d known, I’d have tied you down and fixed it. That shit should be illegal.”

I couldn’t disagree with him, on any level. “Better late than never, which is a saying I’m coming to appreciate more with each passing day.”

“Well, in this case, you’re probably right. The tattoo was so poorly done, that this will be one of the easiest cover-ups I’ve ever had to do. It’ll look perfect, I promise.” He patted my shoulder, then switched the gun back on and returned to the tattoo. Though Connor was huge, like a cage fighter, and covered in tattoos, his nature was gentle. As much as it hurt going over the bone, I was willing to bet it would’ve been much more painful with another artist’s hand. As I recalled, the first time had been extremely painful, but at the time, that had seemed only right. As if the pain could burn away the gayness that tattoo was meant to condemn.

How life had changed. That first tattoo, given by a stranger in a dark, dirty tattoo parlor. A tattoo representing a man I told myself I was but feared I’d never be. And now, a man who was becoming a friend ushered me into his spa-like business and offered his talent to transform a symbol of lies to something beautiful, real, and represented so much that I had to be thankful for.

The chime of the front door cut over the buzz of the tattoo gun. I bet it was Donovan. I glanced over, but couldn’t see past the half wall that designated Connor’s workspace.

Connor lifted the gun once more as he twisted around and gave a wave. “Donovan, over here!”

Donovan looked nervous as he stepped into the space.

“Hey, you made it.”

Donovan nodded a greeting at Connor and bent down to give me a quick kiss. “I sure did.”

Connor chuckled. “You look a little sick, Doc.”

I studied Donovan for a second. He did look worried. “Huh, I didn’t know you were afraid of needles.”

“I didn’t say I had a thing about needles.”

I couldn’t keep from laughing, and Connor joined in.

“You’re both bastards.”

That only made us laugh harder.

Donovan tried to glower, but a smile started to form.

“Why are you nervous, babe? I’m the one getting work done, not you.” I twisted to see him better, making sure Connor was getting ready to start working again first. “Unless you have a thing about someone else’s blood.”

“No, I’m not queasy about blood, though I can’t imagine why anyone would want to see it on purpose.” He studied me for a moment. “So we’re not getting matching tattoos?”

I was pretty certain there was only relief in his tone, but maybe there was some disappointment too. “No matching tattoos. Not exactly our style, is it?”

“Well….” Donovan shrugged. “I’d get one if that’s what you wanted.” Relief. That was definitely the sound of relief.

I couldn’t believe he’d thought I’d asked him to meet me at Lavender Ink to get a set of matching tattoos that we’d never discussed. “Is that a little easier to say now that you know that’s not why you’re here?”

He laughed softly, a blush rising to his cheeks. “Maybe a bit.”

“You really are adorable. I didn’t even think about that option. Sorry to have worried you.” Suddenly, I was nervous. Maybe rightly so. Maybe I should’ve talked to him about this before I was already under the gun. Might as well find out. “So, ah… you wanna check it out?”

“Can I?”

“That’s the reason I asked you to come down here. Although, judging from your reaction to the thought of us getting a tattoo together, maybe I should’ve cleared this by you first instead of using it as a surprise.” Shit. My heart sank. How had I thought this was a good idea? “If it’s something you’re not comfortable with, I’m sure we can change it again.”

Connor made a noise, and though he didn’t use any words, his opinion on that idea was obvious.

Donovan didn’t reply, just moved to the other side of the dentist chair—tattoo lounge, whatever it was—that I straddled. He still didn’t say anything, but I could feel him lean closer.

“Hold on, there’s too much blood and ink.” Connor squirted what I assumed was water over the tattoo and then wiped it away.

Donovan sucked in a gasp. “Oh my God.”

Connor had finished the black outline about half an hour before and had moved on to the color portions, but I wasn’t sure how far he’d gotten. Though I was certain it was obvious what it was. The blurry and atrocious lion was transformed to a clear Grizabella. Beside her, where there had been only blank skin before, sat a wolf, its head lifted into a howl. When I’d last checked the outline in the mirror, I’d been shocked how great it looked. I’d tried to prepare myself for the cat part to be a bit of a mess, given that it was a cover-up, but it hadn’t been. It was beautiful, and Connor had said it would only get better as we went along. “You’ve been quiet back there quite a long time, Donovan. You’re making me nervous.”

Donovan stepped back around, and knelt in front of me so I could look at him on the same level. “Cats and Into the Woods? Really?”

Connor swiveled in his chair and stood. “I’m going to step out for a second, grab a smoke. Give you boys some time.”

I sat up straighter, my heart sinking. “I’m sorry if that freaks you out. It just seemed the perfect thing to do. Take a symbol of my past, of all the repression and being someone I wasn’t, and turn it into my new life, my life with you, where I can finally be who I actually am, and love who I love. And it’s about how we got together, obviously.” I reached out and took his hand. “And I love you. I always have, I always will.”

Donovan swallowed, but didn’t speak.

Shit. “I really wasn’t trying to freak you out, Donovan. I’m sorry.”

He shook his head frantically. “No. No.” He swallowed again. “I’m not freaked-out. I’m just….” He searched for words, but my hope dared to dart back up. “I don’t know. I just can’t believe this is finally real. That you’re actually mine, and you’re not planning on walking away.”

How could he even think I’d ever walk away? I’d wanted him for so long, and he was even better in reality than I’d imagined in my fantasies. “So, you’re okay with it? I didn’t just fuck something up?”

His shoulders slumped “God, no. I’m blown away by you, that’s all. Blown away by life finally being this good.”

Relief washed over me. And a fresh wave of all I felt for the beautiful man in front of me. “I’m glad. And I feel the same. Thank you for loving me for so long, for saving your heart for me all these years.”

“I’m yours for as long as you want me.” His eyes glistened.

“Then that will be forever.” I turned to humor, feeling like it was all too much at the moment. I probably shouldn’t get this tattoo and then make it sound like I was proposing. “Which, considering Connor is a much better tattoo artist than the original one, will be exactly how long this tattoo lasts.”

“I am more than okay with that.” He kissed me.

Maybe I should do it. Right then and there. I had no doubt that I’d be spending the rest of my life with Donovan. Why wait?

Connor cleared his throat from behind us. “I hate to interrupt you two, but I’m assuming that reaction means the tattoo is still a go. I have another client in two hours, and from the looks of things, you’re about to turn my shop into your own little porn studio. I love you both, and you’re each extremely handsome men, but that is not something I want to see. You’re way too much a part of the gang now.” He cocked his head. “Although, considering you’ve been ushered into the Bryant and Kelly families, you each need to get the Lavender Shores tattoo we all have. You know, as show of devotion.”

Donovan whipped around to stare at Connor, his skin going pale.

“Oh my God.” Connor laughed. “I was kidding, Doc, though I wish you could see your face. Priceless.”