CHAPTER 22
ROMAN
When Carter first joked about wanting to tattoo my junk, I really thought he was kidding. Then waking up with him drawing on my dick I realized how serious he was. If I'm honest with myself I kinda like the idea of it. It’s way more fun to mess with him though. Looking over the two sketches he hands me, I pretend to scrutinize them. Placing my hand on my chin, I look over all the little details he has added so that his name is both obvious and disguised. It’s unique and beautiful. The other sketch is of the outline of a bite mark that swirls into the letters RO.
I can see him moving from foot to foot as I make him wait without commenting. The longer the silence drags on the more nervous he gets and eventually I can’t stop the smile that bursts across my face. “Let's do this, where do you want me?” His eyes light up and he's smiling so wide I can practically see every tooth in his mouth. Oh no, I know it’s coming but it’s too late to stop it. Carter jumps back and starts doing that ridiculous floss dance, making me shake my head and lay back on the table. Maybe if I just get my dick out it will stop him dancing.
“Fuck, yes.” His loud whoop is bound to draw attention so I think twice about dropping my jeans right now.
“Focus, Tatts, I am not letting a hyper puppy near my dick with a needle,” I warn him playfully. It’s effective though because he stops jumping around and nods, starting his routine to set up for the tattoo. Watching him get into the zone is an absolute contrast to how he is in every other aspect of his life. He is focused and professional as he turns to me gloved up and ready.
“Okay, so I’m going to step outside and let you get undressed from the waist down. Here is the numbing cream, apply liberally and leave it to dry. I will be back… Wait, what the fuck am I talking about. Whip that bad boy out and let me watch you put the cream on.” He winks and I laugh, glad he came to his senses and didn’t just walk out and leave me with my dick hanging out for twenty minutes.
Not taking my eyes off him I pop the button on my jeans and lower the zipper. The way he licks across his bottom lip then pulls it into his mouth has my cock jerking in my boxers as I push my jeans down to my ankles, figuring I don't need to take them all the way off for this. But then Carter steps forward, pulls off his gloves and kneels to undo the laces on my boots. He takes them off, together with my jeans, throwing them into the corner of the room under his desk. His hands reach up to the band of my boxers and I just lay back letting him do the work.
“I hope this isn't the kind of hands-on treatment that all your clients get,” I tease him with an arched eyebrow. I do not expect the look of absolute horror that crosses his face as he throws my boxers to the side and wraps his hand around the base of my now very hard cock.
“How dare you even suggest such a heinous crime. I got me prime steak at home, why would I ever lay my hands on minced liver?” he asks with absolute sincerity. I would probably swoon at him but his hand starts stroking my cock, so all I can do is moan and tug his body down on top of mine to smash my lips to his.
“God, I love you.” His answering grin is the last thing I feel on my lips before he pulls back and begins to wash his hands, applying new gloves then sitting down on his wheeled stool. He points toward my crotch and I look down only realizing now that he rubbed the numbing cream over my shaft. Sneaky bastard.
Holy fucking mother of God this hurts.
I have always thought I enjoyed the bite of pain from getting a tattoo. I mean I had at least sixty percent of my ink done in fucking prison with a handmade machine. I can assure you that shit hurts like a bitch. This however, feels like my dick is being carved with a blade dipped in acid, even with the numbing cream.
“Babe, I love you, but I am likely to kick you in the balls if this isn't finished in the next five minutes,” I growl through gritted teeth. He doesn't speak, bent over my crotch concentrating, acting like he can’t hear me but I see his shoulders bouncing. The fucker is laughing at me. Well joke’s on him. My dick is going to be out of commission for at least two to three weeks and if I can’t get any, then he can’t get any either.
“Relax, Muscles, I’m done. You did amazing and it looks incredible.” He beams and pushes himself across the room, throwing his gloves into the trash and grabbing a mirror so I can see the finished tattoo.
“Carter, that's incredible,” I exclaim as I sit up to get a closer look at his name now branded on my cock permanently. This spur of the moment decision is kind of symbolic if you think about it. Our relationship has been this absolute whirlwind. It probably seems crazy cuckoo to anybody on the outside looking in. But when you have spent a decade and a half behind bars with absolutely no say in your life, it makes sense to not waste any more time. Carter makes me happy, so why would I pump the brakes. Why wouldn’t I get his name tattooed on me, when I already know he’s it for me and he's made it more than clear he plans to marry me.
I reach out and pull him closer to me, burying my face in the crook of his neck before digging my teeth hard into the top of his shoulder in the perfect place.
“Wrap me up then go get Gavin, I want to see my name on you,” I whisper, smacking a kiss to his lips then leaning back to get my dick cleaned and wrapped in cling film. It’s not going to be the most comfortable afternoon but it will all be worth it when I get to see my name and my mark on him.
We walk together back to the break room and I get hit with instant guilt. I completely forgot about James. I just left him to the wolves. I breathe a deep sigh of relief when I spot him sitting at Ryan's station with his shirt off as Ryan tattoos his chest.
CARTER
I run right into the back of Roman when he stops dead in the middle of the shop. My man is built like a brick shithouse so I practically bounce off him and stumble back. Peering around him I look for what made him pause and I see Jamesy laughing with Ryan as he gets tattooed.
“Damn, Jamesy boy. You are sitting like a pro. Even better than the big guy here. He was bitching the whole time.” I wink playfully and reach out to fist bump James, not wanting to get too close and risk contaminating the area. Jamesy’s eyes start to move up and down Roman’s body looking for a bandage, I assume. When his eyes stop at his crotch his eyes widen and I puff out my chest in pride. “Yup, I branded him,” I say, confirming his suspicions.
Gavin’s large hand lands heavy on my shoulder and turns my body away from everybody. “Let's get that tattoo started before the teeth impressions fade. Don’t think I forgot the last time I inked you, man. You damn near ripped the leather off my chair.” He chuckles, planting a sweet kiss to his boyfriend Pete's forehead before guiding me to his workstation. He's right, I’m a big baby.
I sit still as Gavin traces the indents from Roman’s bite marks, then follows the sketch I drew to add his name. I can feel him freehanding details around it. I don’t need to question what he's doing, I trust Gavin fully. He’s done almost all of my work so I just sit straight, grip the leather below me and prepare to breathe through the pain.
“You really love him, don’t you?” he asks me quietly, not taking his eyes off his work.
“He’s it for me,” I tell him honestly and he just nods in that quiet way he does.
“I’m happy for you, man.” Gavin doesn’t say many words but I know he means that with all his heart. I have to refrain from calling him Care Bear like Pete does when Gavin is sweet to him. I am not stupid. I'm under this man's needle and I do not want a ball sack on my shoulder.
We both tried to convince James to come back to the house with us for some dinner and gaming but he just wasn’t having it. So we reluctantly dropped him off at his place, making sure that he knows he can call us at any time if he is having issues with what we found out this morning. I think the trip to Savage Ink took both of their minds off it, but there is no way that it isn’t going to come crashing down on them.
I pass Roman an ice pack to help with the swelling as we get comfortable on the couch. He has a pillow over his lap so he can still snuggle up with Hulk and not risk the pain of a paw to the dick right now. “Do you wanna talk about it?” I ask carefully, placing my hand on his thigh letting Hulk snuffle and lick all over his face. Puppy therapy is real for sure.
“I thought I would feel elated. They have all the evidence they need to have my conviction overturned. My name could be cleared and I can move on with my life. But I can’t stop thinking about all those other kids and how James could be facing prison time. I don’t like that my freedom comes at such a high cost, you know?” My sweet, big-hearted boyfriend feels like he can’t even celebrate his good news because it affects other people negatively. This man is one of a kind. I need to send Mama Joyce some flowers because she really did raise her sons right.
“I get that, but you are allowed to be happy for yourself, excited even. Both emotions can be true at the same time. You can be sad for others and happy for yourself. We will all make sure that if the worst happens to James we’ll be there for him. The guys had a great time with him today and I think he exchanged numbers with Pete. You know what he's like. He will adopt James, then introduce him to Jordy and the guy will probably welcome prison after a night out with those two.” Humor has always been my go-to, Roman tries to rally and offer me a small chuckle but I can see the sadness in his eyes.
“What do you say to pizza and a movie, then an early night? Tomorrow is a new day. We can go beat down James' door first thing and take him to breakfast.” I can see the gratitude in his eyes. He really has no idea the hold he has over me. There isn’t a single thing I wouldn’t do for him. Except for leaving him, I won’t do that. I'll be a barnacle on his ass getting my Meatloaf on for the rest of our lives.