Chapter 23
Beck
Nine months later
“Welcome to our eighth Bonser event!” Joey said to the Life in Ink crew before the doors opened on the first morning.
It was, once again, the third weekend in January. Beck could feel the phantom cramping in his hands before he’d even started, a reminder that it was going to be a long day, and he wasn’t as young as he once was. His left hand had healed beautifully with only minor residual aching on occasion. Their space had five reclinable chairs and trolleys that had been filled with their tools, and a table stood in front where Ethan and Ani would speak with the potential clients.
“How many do you think we’ll get done this year? Will we beat last year’s?” Dallas asked. The same question he asked every year.
“It’s got to be more,” Finn said. “We have Kole now.”
Beck glanced over at his boyfriend, seeing the flush heat his cheeks when they all looked at him. He’d been training for the past nine months to tattoo, and he was damn good, though he refused to tattoo anything big at the event. He said he wasn’t ready. The plan was for him to do the smaller tattoos, but Beck was sure he could slip in a bigger one now and then. Kole was also going to do some designing, so it would truly make a difference to their number count.
As Joey’s spiel ran on, Beck reflected on how so much could change within a year. That time last year, he had no inclination of a relationship with anyone, let alone Ethan’s best friend. But at that point, he could barely remember what his life had been like before Kole had entered it. And he much preferred it that way.
“Let’s do this!” Dallas shouted, throwing his muscular arms in the air and sending out an almost visible wave of energy.
By the end of the day, they were all flagging, even with a surprise visit from Donovan and his family. Two adorable kids that Wally had been nannying before they got together. Beck’s hands weren’t thanking him, cramping with every movement; Finn’s finger had a brace on it—he thought he’d sprained it; Dallas had resorted to sitting down, which he rarely did; and Joey appeared barely awake. They were getting old.
As for Kole, he was a bloody machine. With not being used to inking so much, Kole’s hands had given up on him far earlier than the rest of them, but he had continued to draw design after design. There was no way they hadn’t smashed the record from the previous year, even on the first day of that year.
“Ani, what did we do?” Beck asked.
“I don’t even have the energy to tease you,” she said from her perch at the table, head resting against one hand and eyes closed. “Sixty.”
Beck’s jaw dropped. “You’re fucking kidding me, right?”
“Nope. I don’t even think I’m going to be able to move tomorrow, and I’ve been just talking to people all day.” She groaned as she stretched her legs out.
“Holy shit,” Dallas said, and even he seemed less than enthused by the number. “Boss? I think we’re going to have to trade our bodies in for younger versions.”
Joey snorted. “You’re the fittest of us all, so imagine how we feel.”
“I really don’t want to,” Dallas complained. “I’m even considering not going out tonight.”
Finn huffed a laugh. “The only thing I’m doing tonight is sleeping.”
“True that,” Joey agreed. “Come on. Let’s get the stations cleaned. Our tomorrow selves will be grateful for it.”
They all groaned and moaned but did as they were told, and when one of them faltered, the others helped to finish. Silence reigned as they stumbled back to the hotel, each going their separate ways with barely a wave to the others, and when the door closed behind him and Kole, he stripped off his coat and fell headfirst onto the bed.
“Do you want something to eat?” Kole asked, his voice as tired as everyone else’s was.
“Nooo,” Beck moaned. “Get into bed, Kole. We can eat at whatever time we wake up.”
“Yes, boss.”
Beck wrapped himself around Kole, both fully clothed, and fell asleep while inhaling the scent of his lover.
****
At close of business the following day, once they were all packed up and ready to leave, Beck pulled Kole to one side.
“Don’t tell anyone, but you and I have another night in the hotel.” He winked. “I thought we could celebrate a year of chaos and a year of us.”
Kole beamed. “We didn’t exactly start our relationship a year ago.”
“Close enough. I remember inking clients last year and my eyes kept straying to you. You were far too beautiful for your own good.”
“Sweet talker.” Kole kissed him. “It’ll be nice not to have to drive back tonight. You know I’m not a fan of riding the bike in the dark. We can be anonymous in a random hotel for a night.”
“Yeah. You and me, room service and a bed. What more could we want?” He placed his finger over Kole’s mouth. “And don’t say sleep.”
“I still can’t believe we nearly missed the start of the event.”
Beck shook his head. “I should’ve set my alarm. If it hadn’t been for Ani…”
A heavy hand landed on his shoulder, making him jump. Something that, a year ago, would’ve made him freak out. But after working with his counsellor for so long, he was learning new techniques.
“I’m staying another night here. I’m going out tonight and making up for what I missed last night,” Dallas said with a grin.
Beck and Kole looked at each other and shared a smile. He knew it was too good to be true to be completely alone, but never mind. Dallas would be out and about most of the night, and if he found someone, it was unlikely he would bring him back to the hotel. He liked to be as anonymous as possible. Though how he believed that would work, Beck had no idea. They were all famous in certain circles, and more of the public knew them than any of them realised. Beck maybe more so than the others due to his newfound newspaper-worthy past and the fact one of his clients was a prince.
“Don’t have too much fun,” Kole said.
“There is no such thing.” Dallas grinned. He twirled with surprising grace, considering his six foot six inches of pure muscle, and headed back over to the crew.
“Hey, Dallas!” Beck called and waited for him to turn. “Wishing you all the luck in your endeavours. Not that you need them.”
Dallas lifted his thumbs in the air and continued on his way.
“I wish he would find someone,” Kole said. “He’s so lonely.”
“How do you know?”
Kole glanced at him. “Can you not see it in his eyes?”
Beck glanced back at Dallas’s retreat and realised it was something he’d never acknowledged. He’d figured out that Dallas liked his privacy when it came to his private life and had believed he was looking for something, but it had never occurred to him to look past Dallas’s jokes and size.
“Hey, it’s all right. He’ll find someone. It just needs to be the right someone at the right time,” Kole said, bringing his attention back to him.
“Have I ever told you that I love you?” Beck teased.
Kole scrunched his nose. “Now that you mention it…no, I don’t think so.”
Beck grinned as he took the kiss he so wanted. He couldn’t wait to have Kole in bed and let him do whatever he wanted with him. It was so freeing.
They finally made it back to the hotel, brushing off anything concrete about when they would arrive home, and slipped into the room, locking the door behind them. Beck dropped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.
“I still cannot believe we inked over one hundred clients this weekend. That is mad,” he said, stretching his arms behind his head.
“Definitely smashed last year.” Kole laughed, stripping off his coat and kicking off his shoes. He strode to the bed and pulled Beck’s shoes off, throwing them behind him. Crawling on hands and knees, he stalked up Beck’s body, eyes feasting on him until he was level with him. “I’m glad to have an entire night to do whatever I want with you, and you’ll take it all, won’t you?”
Beck’s mouth dried up. “Yes, boss.”
“As much as I like my position, get up and strip for me. I want your naked body against mine in ten seconds.”
He scrambled to his feet, his fingers fumbling with everything he touched, but eventually, he was naked, though he was sure it was longer than ten seconds. He jumped back into position on the bed, sliding his body beneath Kole, who hadn’t moved an inch while Beck had been working.
“Good. Now touch me.”
Beck happily ran his hands over Kole’s body, his fingertips finding every ridge in his even-more-defined-body-than-ever. His boyfriend had found a love of the gym and spent time there several times a week. His body was showing the results of his commitment, and Beck loved it.
When he reached Kole’s cock, he paused and met his gaze. Kole’s mouth quirked at the corners, but he nodded. Beck wrapped his hand around the shaft, scraping his teeth along his bottom lip as the heat sank into his palm. He was hot and stiff, and Beck wanted him inside him straight away, but he wouldn’t get his wish yet. He knew Kole well enough to know that.
Kole’s eyelids fluttered, but they never closed completely. “That’s it. You know how I like it. But you also know when to stop.”
At that, Beck stopped because the words were a warning. Not that Kole was about to come, but that he didn’t want to go too fast. Unfortunately, Beck didn’t think he was going to last long, even with them only having just started. And Kole understood that, too, by his expression when he looked down at Beck’s groin.
“Hmm, someone’s raring to go.” Kole hummed and tutted, staring at Beck as he held his cock in his hand. “Okay. Just this once.”
Beck frowned. Just this once, what? “Um, boss?” Kole raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean, please?”
Kole smirked…and took Beck’s cock into the back of his throat and sucked him so hard and fast, Beck’s orgasm was wrenched from him in seconds. His head spun, all the blood rushing to his dick while Kole’s mouth cleaned him.
“Holy fuck,” Beck breathed.
“Yum,” Kole said. “But don’t expect that every time.”
“Uh-huh.”
All of Beck’s brain power had gone. He had no hope of revival, but he wanted to reciprocate.
“Sleep, Beck. We have all night.”
“Nope. I need this.” He blinked several times, trying to wake himself, and between eye rubs, he managed to surprise Kole and flip him. “My turn. This’ll be quick.”
“Good.”
He leaned down, engulfing Kole’s cock in his mouth and groaning at the salty, bitter taste. A taste he was addicted to. Using every skill he knew, he sucked, licked, nibbled, swallowed, stroked and sucked some more until Kole trembled beneath him. He wanted it so badly. Needed it. He doubled his efforts, and Kole’s fingers tightened against his shoulders.
“Fuck, yes. Jeez, Beck. I’m gonna come.”
Beck kept going, and with a groan, Kole released into his throat. He drank down every drip and cleaned him with his tongue before lifting his head. Kole had a sheen of sweat on his face.
“Fuck, that was good.”
“We’re not finished.”
Kole raised his eyebrows. “Who said?”
“You did.”
Kole rolled his eyes and shook his head, slamming his head back against the bed. “I’ve created a monster.”
Beck grinned. “A monster for your cock.”
“Oh, god. That was bad. If you keep going, I’ll find something to occupy your mouth.”
“Is that a promise?” Beck waggled his eyebrows.
Kole shook his head again. “Maybe I should get the tattoo inked on you now. That’ll shut you up.”
Beck lifted to his elbows. “Really? Doesn’t your hand hurt?”
“A little, but I should be good. If you still want it, that is?”
“Of course, I do!”
Beck scrambled off the bed and grabbed his bags. It had been far too long since Kole had drawn the design that pulled emotions from them both. He’d been pushing it back and pushing it back because Kole hadn’t felt like he had the skills to make it look good, and Beck didn’t want to keep asking for it. So, he’d left it until Kole brought it up again. He wasn’t saying no.
“Here.”
They set up the kit, and Beck laid on the bed on his back. He’d insisted he wanted it on his front so he could see it every day. Kole went through the motions of preparing Beck’s skin, his hands visibly shaking, but Beck wasn’t worried. Kole would steady his hands before he started because he’d seen it before.
“Ready?”
“Always,” Beck replied.
The buzz of the machine, the silence in the room, the careful but heavy breathing of his tattooist all made for an experience Beck wanted to remember forever. The bite of the needle didn’t phase him. In fact, it made him emotional because it was Kole doing it. Instead of watching the design evolve, he watched his boyfriend. The slight furrow of his brow. The pursed lips. He was the best thing that had ever happened to Beck.
It took a while, but when it was done, Kole exhaled. “I think that’s it.”
Beck stood, stretching before heading for the bathroom mirror. He could’ve looked down and seen it, but he wanted to see the full effect. While he stood in front of the mirror studying the design, his emotions filled him again. It was a design that encompassed what Kole had always loved drawing, alongside a few quirks that seemed to resonate with Beck. Swirls that turned into letters, that turned into a heart. It was epic, and he couldn’t wait to show everyone.
“Thank you,” he said to Kole when he slid his arms around his chest and kissed his shoulder.
“You’re always welcome. Sorry it took me so long to gather the courage.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s there now.”
Beck trailed his fingertips around the edges. It would remind him of their love every day.
****
“Officer Bryant, what can I do for you?” Beck said when he opened the door to their home a week later.
It hadn’t taken them long to decide that they wanted to rebuild Beck’s home, so after a long time of dealing with builders, architects and every other person who could possibly be involved in a house, they had an almost replica of the original house with a few small alterations to make it better. He couldn’t have done it without Kole – probably wouldn’t have done it without him. Now, they shared a wonderful home and couldn’t be happier.
The officer was wrapped up warm with rosy cheeks, probably from being in his car with the heater on. That observation didn’t detract from the surprise of his visit.
“Mr Cavanagh. Sorry to show up unannounced, but I thought an in-person visit would be the best option, considering the news.”
Beck’s blood ran cold. He’d only ever experienced that feeling once before, and that was when he’d been in Drake’s clutches. What had happened to warrant the officer turning up?
“Come on in,” he said, instead of what he wanted to. “Would you like a drink?”
“No, I’m good, thank you.”
Kole entered the room. “Who is…? Officer Bryant. This is a surprise.”
“I have news.”
Kole stepped to Beck’s side, threading his arm around his waist and tethering him to the ground.
“What news?”
“I’m here to let you know that Drake Price is dead,” Officer Bryant said.
Beck stared at him, his breathing increasing. “What? How?”
“His inmates didn’t take too kindly to his proclivities. He was stabbed in the yard and didn’t make it through the surgery.”
Beck turned away, disentangling himself from Kole, and paced across the room. “Why does that asshole always get away so easily?” He sighed. “He should’ve suffered so much more.”
“As much as I… should explain this with a straight face and no emotion, I won’t.” Bryant smirked. “Between you and me, the fucker got what he deserved. A stabbing was the least of what officially happened.”
Beck stared at him, and there was a glint in the officer’s eyes that made him realise something bad—excluding dying—had happened to Drake, and it settled his agitation. “I’m glad. He deserved everything he got.”
“I heartily agree. Unofficially.” Bryant nodded, becoming the serious officer again, and headed to the door. “If you need anything further, you have my number. But, and I mean this in the best possible way, I hope we won’t need to cross paths again. Oh, and Haynes and Conrad send their regards.”
“Same goes for you. Thank you,” Kole said.
Beck was frozen to the spot. Drake was dead. Gone. No longer in this world. “Officer Bryant!” Bryant turned back. “Do the others know?”
“I’m telling them next.” He nodded and left, Kole closing the door behind him.
Kole settled beside him. “I don’t know what to think if I’m honest,” Beck said.
“You don’t need to think anything. Just let it settle in its own time. The main thing is that he won’t be bothering anyone ever again.”
“Yeah.” Beck shook his head. “That’s going to take time to sink in.”
“Do you want to see or speak to Karen?”
Beck considered the question. “Not at the moment, I don’t think. I think I can wait until our next appointment, but if it starts bothering me, I’ll change it.”
“Okay, so what would you like for dinner?” Kole asked, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“Surprise me.”
And that was only one reason he loved the man. Kole smiled and pivoted, heading for the kitchen.
“Kole?”
He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Yeah?”
Staring into his boyfriend’s eyes, he asked, “Will you marry me?”
A smile crept across Kole’s face. “Of course.” He blew him a kiss and disappeared into the kitchen.
Beck stared at the empty doorway and grinned. Pulling out his phone, he opened the group chat.
BECK: I’m getting married!
Now he would let Kole know what the space on the back of his neck was for: Kole’s name.
****
Thank you so much for reading! I hope this book has taken you away from real life and given you a world you can escape to. That’s all I hope for my books, is that it will provide you with somewhere you want to disappear into. Read on for a teaser of Dallas , book 3, coming 2026.