The Unexpected First (The Unexpected Series Book 2)

Chapter Eleven

My eyes open and I realize I fell asleep with Pickle on Connor’s couch. I attempt to roll over when I realize Pickle is curled up behind me, her arms wrapped around my body, holding me close to her. I find it comical that whenever we end up crashing at each other”s houses she always ends up cuddled into one of us. I peel her arms off of my stomach and sit up, stretching my limbs and waking my muscles.

I grab my phone from the table next to me to see the time. It’s only eight in the morning so we still have a few hours before we need to be at the shop with Grey. As though he can sense that I have my phone in hand, a text notification lights up my screen.

Grey

Good morning, Kitten.

Ryan

It is a good morning, I got a good cuddle last night. (wink emoji)

I barely release the giggle that my taunting him is causing me when another text comes through almost immediately.

Grey

Who did you cuddle with, Ryan?

I can’t help but taunt him with my response.

Ryan

Why? Jealous?

I chuckle to myself and roll my eyes knowing damn well this man doesn’t get jealous. The number of times Raven screwed around on him, he didn’t bat an eye. I look back down at my phone when my ringtone sounds.

He’s calling me? What?

I swipe the answer button and bring the phone to my ear.

“Ryan,” Grey growls through the phone before I can say hello. “Who the fuck were you with last night?”

Usually the possessive thing is a major turn off but I’ve always loved it with Grey since we were younger. Heat pools in my core.

“Why?” I giggle taunting him.

“Ryan.” The growl has me weak in the knees this time.

“Are you worried you have some competition, Daddy?” I sass, giving him a moment to stew before I continue pushing my luck.

“I fell asleep on the couch with Pickle. She’s a snuggler,” I explain as I hear Hadley’s loud moan coming from the back of the house.

“Where the fuck are you, Ryan?” His thundering voice rings through the phone so loudly Pickle startles awake.

“What’s happening?” Pickle whispers as she sits up beside me. I smile at her and point towards the back of the house and she giggles.

“Ryan, don’t make me ask you again. I will take you over my knee and turn your ass red,” Grey warns.

I squirm on the couch next to Pickle who is looking at me with a raised brow. “We’re at Hadley’s. She and Connor must be having a good morning,” I giggle into the phone, pausing before taunting him again, “But, you’re welcome to spank me whenever you want, Daddy.”

“Damn, Ryan,” Pickle whispers next to me as she acts like she’s fanning herself from my conversation with Grey.

“Fuck, Ry,” Grey groans through the phone. “I might just take you up on that, soon.”

I smirk at Pickle, not responding to Grey for a long moment when he breaks the silence. “Do you want me to come get you two so you don’t have to listen to Hadley?”

“We’ve heard it plenty of times since they’ve been together. Honestly, it’s kind of hot. Gives me material for later.” My laugh is met with another sinful growl.

“I’ll see you soon.” Grey disconnects the call.

A few hours later, we’re walking into Alchemy Ink. Grey is leaning against the wall talking to Nat. A bell chimes when I push open the door, Hadley and Pickle right behind me. Grey turns to look over as we enter. His eyes meet mine with a devilish glint. He says something to Nat who chuckles and walks away.

“You ready, Hellion?” Grey greets us by only acknowledging Hadley.

“Hell yes! Let’s do this!” She squeals as she follows behind him.

“Grey,” I call after him. “Do you mind if I take pictures while you work?”

He pauses, motioning for the girls to go into the room where he’s working. He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me in close, pressing his lips to my ear. “Only if I get pictures after I redden your ass for this morning, Kitten.”

I melt into him, shivering at the suggestion. “Yes, Daddy.” The response passes my lips before I realize what I’ve said. He lightly smacks my ass with the other hand before releasing me to join the others.

I walk in to find Hadley in tears holding up a sketch Grey has drawn for her.

“Buttface!” She sobs as she runs past me and wraps her arms around his waist. “It”s perfect!”

She releases him to show me the beautifully detailed Dara knot. It’s similar to what I”ve seen on Connor”s bicep, but more feminine, with beautiful baby dandelions weaving through. Their fluffy petals flowing into the wind. They quickly became one of Hadley”s favorite flowers since she came through the events with Andy stronger than she was before. Where most of us see a weed, she sees a flower meaning strength and resilience.

Once he’s set up, Grey gets to work on Hadley’s tattoos, and I begin snapping away, documenting his process and progress. By the time Hadley’s done she’s got tears in her eyes.

“This was so cathartic,” she announces as she stands up, stretching.

It’s been a little over three hours. We all walk out to the lobby and grab a snack while Grey cleans up and gets ready for Pickle’s ink, which she asked that Hadley and I sit out for. Considering Pickle wants whatever she’s getting on her pelvic bone I don’t really mind not being there for that. We may have had a thing a few years ago, but seeing her exposed like that would be awkward.

After an hour, Pickle walks towards us in the lobby with a pained smile on her face.

“Are you ok?” I ask as she reaches us.

Hadley and I stand from where we’d been chatting on the couch, pulling her into us.

“Oh, I’m fine.” Her smile brightens a little. “Just realized something. I’ll tell you guys soon.”

Hadley and I exchange looks of concern. Knowing not to push Pickle right now, we drop it and she and Hadley start wandering around the lobby looking at the art Nat has covering the walls.

“Alright, Ry, you’re up,” Grey calls several minutes later.

I walk back to the room and lean against the doorframe until he acknowledges my presence.

”So, Kitten, are you ready?” Greyson asks, turning his back toward me as he fills the ink caps with the colors we discussed previously.

Our prior conversation about what I want flashes through my mind.

”I want to honor Mom,” I pause. ”I”d like a cardinal feather, and off-center to that, I”d like an infinity symbol that breaks and makes a heart with her last heartbeat recorded from the EKG machine before she died.”

”Shit, that”s deep but beautiful. I”d be honored.”

“Absolutely.” I smile as I peel my shirt over my head, exposing my torso. The blue lace bra I’m wearing-his favorite color- just barely contains my breasts.

“What are you thinking for placement?” He asks as he turns back towards me. “Fucking hell, Ry.”

“My ribs.” I grin at him as I lay down on the table.

“You’re going to be the fucking death of me,” he growls.

I smirk, taking pride in knowing I have an effect on him.

It takes him another three hours to finish my piece. By the time he finishes, my skin is on fire. Surprisingly though, not from the tattoo, but his touch. I can still feel the blaze of his fingers against my flesh as I stand, hopping off the opposite side of the table from where he’s seated.

”What made you decide to do this now?” he asks as he wipes down his workstation.

Our eyes lock across the table. I take a moment to steel my nerves before answering.

”You weren”t the first I wanted you to be, so this was the next best thing.” Even with our recent flirtation my boldness still takes me by surprise.

”Ry.” His response is a whisper; he stands, and I worry he”s going to walk out. He’s been so hot and cold, but earlier, I didn’t imagine that smack on my ass, did I? He leaps over the table like a fucking gazelle and his mouth crashes against mine, all in the same breath.