Chapter 46
FORTY-SIX
noia
The pain is sharp, and it stings something fierce, but there’s also something strangely addictive about it. I keep my attention on Ryder’s face as he works.
Deep in concentration, his dark brows pull together, eyes narrowed and focused. “You’re doing great,” he murmurs.
Eyes full of heat, he glances up at me, voice low and soothing as he wipes away the excess ink with a damp paper towel.
I give him a slow smile and bat my eyes.
He returns my smile with a wink and gets back to work.
I can’t take my eyes off his hands. Those strong, capable hands that have brought me an insane amount of pleasure are creating something beautiful and permanent on my skin.
There’s an intimacy I hadn’t expected, something almost more vulnerable than sex as he marks me, changing me forever with his art.
When the needle moves over a specific spot on my ribs, I suck in a sharp breath, the pain making my eyes water.
“Just breathe. You can do this.” Ryder splays a hand firmly across my side to steady me, brushing his thumb back and forth. His gentle touch helps to ground me, easing the sting. “Almost done with this section.”
Gentle but firm, the side of his hand randomly brushes along the underside of my breast as he works. Each contact sends sparks through my veins, making it even harder to stay still.
The buzzing stops, and he leans back to examine his work. “How you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” I say, surprised when my voice comes out in a needy sigh. “It hurts, but... not as bad as I thought it would.”
His lips curve into a knowing smile. “Some people find it... stimulating.”
My cheeks heat. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“No?” His thumb strokes lightly across my ribs, just below the fresh ink. “Your nipples say otherwise.”
I glance down at my hardened nipples, which are clearly visible through the fabric of my T-shirt. Looking up, I narrow my eyes. “It’s cold in here.”
“Sure it is,” he chuckles. Lowering his voice to a sensual growl, his eyes darken as they rake over my breasts. “Ready for more?”
His double entendre goes straight to my clit and I have to swallow against the lust blooming between my legs. “More than.”
The needle starts up again, and I watch his face as he works. It’s more than magical being able to see him so at ease, doing what I know he loves.
“The words are going to hurt more,” he warns as he shifts his position. “It runs right along the bone.”
I nod, bracing myself as the needle moves to the sensitive area directly over my ribs. The pain makes me wince and grip the top of the chair.
“Easy,” Ryder murmurs, his thumb stroking my side again. “Breathe, baby.”
I focus on his touch, the way his hand splays possessively across my side, steadying me as he works.
“This is going to sound strange coming from me, but…” I close my eyes for a moment and the machine stops. When I look up, Ryder is watching me. “…I kinda get why ‘Moaner Lisa’ got off on this. Especially with the way you’re touching me right now.”
A low growl comes from deep inside his chest. “Not strange at all, kitten. I’ve been rock hard this entire time.”
I suck in a sharp breath, my body responding instantly to the heat in his voice. “Rye...”
He shakes his head, jaw flexing as he forces himself to focus on the tattoo. “Don’t say my name like that while you’re in my chair, or I’m going to do something that’ll give everyone here a show—and I don’t share.”
The needle starts again, and I bite my lip. The combination of pain and the feel of his possessive touch are intoxicating, making my head spin.
So I change the subject.
Kind of.
“By the way,” I say, trying to distract myself. “There’s something about the cottage I haven’t told you yet.”
Keeping his eyes on his work, he asks, “Oh, yeah? Like what?”
I bite my lip, my own Cheshire grin splitting my face, excited to see his reaction. “It has a few secret hide-y-holes.”
The machine stops and his eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously?”
“I thought it might be fun to play a game when we get home.” I lower my voice. “Hide and seek.”
His pupils dilate, and his jaw tightens. “Fuck, Noia. I told you. Don’t say shit like that while I’m trying to concentrate.”
“Sorry.” But I’m not sorry at all. “Just figured I’d give you something to look forward to.”
He takes a deep breath and shakes his head, but the corner of his mouth is twitching. “Pretty sure you’re going to be the death of me one day, you know that?”
I let out a long sigh. “Yeah, and I couldn’t imagine a better way to go,” I tease.
The needle buzzes back to life and he refocuses, but there’s new tension in his shoulders. “Tell me more about these hidden hide-y-holes.”
“Nope. Can’t play hide and seek if you know where all the hiding places are.”
“Fine.” He glances up, giving me a quick glare. “But you’re going to have to play my game while I finish this.”
“What game is that?”
He smirks. “The quiet game.”
“Almost done.” Ryder’s voice is strained. “Just a few more lines.”
Sweat beads on my forehead as the needle traces the final curves of the script. When it finally stops, the sudden silence is deafening.
“There,” he says, leaning back as he pulls off his gloves. “Done.”
Body humming with adrenaline, I let out a shaky breath.
“Want to see?” He holds out his hand and I take it, letting him help me out of the chair.
Legs unsteady, I walk over to the mirror and suck in a breath.
It’s even more beautiful than I imagined. Vibrant and colorful, the cat’s mischievous grin seems to come alive on my skin, the elegant script flowing perfectly across my ribs.
“It’s gorgeous.” My voice is full of awe as my eyes lock with his in the mirror. “Absolutely perfect.”
Something intense flashes in his eyes as he takes in my reaction. “I’m glad.”
The possessive edge in his voice makes my knees weak.
Before I can respond, he turns me around. His hands come up to frame my face, thumb stroking my bottom lip. “Seeing my art on your skin... Knowing it’s there forever...” He shakes his head, the look on his face almost pained. “You have no idea what that does to me.”
“Me too.”
He groans, pressing his forehead against mine, sliding his hands down to my waist, carefully avoiding the fresh ink. “But tonight...” He blows out a breath. “I’m going to show you exactly what it does.”
A shiver runs through me at the promise in his voice. “Looking forward to it.”
“You better be.” He presses a soft kiss to my lips before stepping back. “Now. Let’s get you bandaged up.”
I hang out for a couple of hours, talking to Claire and Lizzy while Ryder takes care of his next appointment.
He follows me home on his motorcycle.
When we pull into the driveway, my skin is buzzing, and my mind is racing about how our game is going to play out tonight.
Ryder parks his motorcycle beside my car and dismounts. The way he moves with predatory grace makes my heart stutter.
I fumble with my keys at the front door, hyperaware of him standing behind me.
When I finally get the door open, Ryder pushes in from behind, closes the door and throws the deadbolt. “We need to establish some ground rules for this game of yours.”
“Okay.” Needing some distance between us, I quickly move across the room and turn to face him.
Fuck, my heart is racing. “Just like any other time, I hide and you seek. You have ten minutes. If you find me in the allotted time, you get to make me do whatever you want. And if you don’t, then I get to make you do whatever I want—sexually speaking of course. ”
Ryder’s eyes darken as he stalks toward me, his lips curving into a dangerous smile. “All right, kitten. I’m game. Let’s play.”
The intensity in his gaze sends heat rushing straight to my core. I take a step back. I already know where my hiding spot is going to be.
“I’ll count to sixty.” His voice is all heat and gravel. “Then… the game begins.”
I nod. “One rule though—no going outside. Everything’s fair game inside the house.”
“Deal.” Closing his eyes, he turns his back to me, shoves his hands in his pockets and starts to count. “One... two... three...”
Kicking off my shoes, I dart through the living room toward the stairs, careful to move as quietly as possible. My mind races as I consider the options. The cottage has several perfect hiding spots—places even Ryder, with all his tactical training, might not think to check.
“...twenty-five... twenty-six...”
When I reach the second floor, I pause, listening to him count.
The first hidden space that pops into my head is the one behind the bookcase in the guest room.
Nope, too predictable.
I head for the master bedroom instead.
“...forty-three... forty-four...”
I’m halfway across the room when I see my laptop sitting on the nightstand and suddenly get a crazy idea.
What if...?
Without thinking twice, I rush over, fingers trembling as I pull up a new document. If Ryder really did come from my imagination, maybe I still have some control over him. Maybe I can influence the game, make it even more exciting.
“fifty... fifty-one...”
I start typing frantically.
Ryder’s senses sharpen like a predator on the prowl, stealthy and dangerous. The thrill of the chase awakens something primal inside him—the need to hunt, to capture, to claim.
My heart pounds as I hit SAVE. I close the laptop, unsure if it will even work, but the possibility makes my pulse race.
“fifty-nine... sixty! Ready or not, here I come!”
His voice sounds different—lower and more menacing.
A delicious shiver runs down my spine as I dash into the walk-in closet and push my clothes aside to reveal a small panel hidden in the wall.
Sliding it open, I crawl through the narrow passage and slide the panel closed.
Then, I set the timer on my phone and wait.