Chapter 45
FORTY-FIVE
ryder
My heart is pounding with anticipation, my dick half hard as I lead Noia over to my station and gesture to the chair.
“Have a seat.”
She hesitates only a moment before sliding onto the black leather.
The sight of her sitting in my chair, about to wear my art on her skin forever, sends a jolt of possessiveness through me that’s so intense it makes my cock stiffen even more.
She’s not the only one who’s going to have to breathe through this.
“Nervous?” I ask as I adjust the chair.
“A little, but…” She gives me a shaky smile. “I trust you.”
Those three words are a direct hit, and I swallow against a need so visceral I have to clear my throat. “You need to tuck your shirt out of the way so I can place the stencil. Or you can just take it off.”
She snorts as she tucks the hem of her T-shirt up under her bra, exposing the smooth skin of her ribcage. The sight of her half-exposed while she sits in my chair makes my mouth go dry.
Focus, Blackwood.
Goosebumps rise on her skin when I clean the area with alcohol.
“Cold,” she murmurs, sucking in a breath.
“Sorry.” Rubbing my hands together, I get them warm before putting the stencil in place. “Hold still.”
She inhales, body tense as I press the paper to her skin. When I peel it away, the outline is perfectly positioned along the curve of her ribs.
“Go check it out in the mirror.” I pat her thigh. “Make sure it’s exactly where you want it.”
Noia slides off the chair and walks to the full-length mirror, eyes going wide as she takes in the purple lines.
“It’s perfect,” she whispers, tracing the outline with her fingertip.
“You sure? Once I start, there’s no going back.”
She turns, eyes bright as they lock with mine. “I’m sure.”
“Good. Now. Back in the chair, kitten.”
As she settles, I adjust my machine. When I turn the machine on to test it, a visible shiver runs through her body.
“This is going to hurt,” I warn, pulling on my gloves. “Especially on the ribs. Deep breaths, okay? Try to stay as still as possible and let me know at any time if you need a break.”
Eyes fixed on mine, she nods.
When I place my hand on her skin, the warmth bleeds through the glove and into my palm, forcing me to take a deep breath to steady myself. If I don’t get my shit together, Jax is going to start calling me ‘Moaner Ryder,’ and I’ll never live it down.
Fuck’s sake.
“Ready?”
“Ready.”
When the needle touches her skin, her breath catches and she flinches.
I pause. “You good?”
“Yeah, sorry,” she sighs, licking her full lips.
Fuck.
“Keep going.”