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Ford continues with my tattoo, so I challenge Ivy, “Why don’t you get one, lover?”
She rolls her eyes. “I am not getting matching tattoos with you.”
“Come on. When have you ever backed down from a challenge?” I antagonize her, and she bites her bottom lip, shaking her head. I know she can’t resist it. I enjoy the subtle burn of the new tattoo of ivy all over my chest, gratified at the way she can’t keep her gaze from roaming my bare chest and stomach.
“Fine,” she chirps, then asks Ford, “Do you have time for me?”
“You two are fucking crazy,” he grumbles. “Where do you want it?”
She looks over her body thoughtfully, then lowers her pants slightly to expose her hip, and I’m out of my seat in a shot, blocking Ford’s view.
“Hey! You’re lucky you didn’t fuck up that line, asshole,” Ford curses at the same time she says, “Maybe on my hip?”
“No,” I immediately tell her removing her hand and pulling her pants back into place so he can’t see any more skin. “Nothing below the waist or near the tits.” I glare at my brother. “I don’t want you looking at my woman.”
Ivy laughs, then shoves me back toward the chair. “You have a screw loose, you know that?”
“It’s why you love me.” I wink as I sit back down. I can tell when her body locks up, and she shifts uncomfortably. Ah, the big L word. Whatever. I don’t care. I’ll wait. I’ve waited this long already.
Ford rolls his eyes as he continues tattooing my chest. “He loves you, just so you’re aware.”
“Hey!” I shout, slapping him because it clearly makes my woman uncomfortable.
“I know,” Ivy quietly says, and I whip my gaze over to her, surprised.
“You do?”
“I do. You say it to me every night when you think I’m sleeping,” she says matter-of-factly.Shit. I’ve been saying that for almost a month now. I thought she had no fucking idea, but I couldn’t keep it to myself.
“Okay, that’s good and all, but, woman, you gotta tell me you love me too. We’re a thing after all,” I tell her. This woman really knows how to bust my balls.
Ford groans at my words, and I swear he pushes the needle even deeper into my skin as if irritated by our passionate love.Jealous much?I think while I smirk at him. And I’m certain he knows. We’ve always understood one another in ways we can’t entirely explain.
“Just tell him and put us all out of our misery,” Ford grouses, focusing on the tattoo. “We’re broken, we need words. It’s why he always uses his,” he explains, and it feels nice being acknowledged by him. Everyone gives me so much shit for having such a big mouth, but at least they know where they stand with me. He, Eli, and Dutton are all ice cubes who like to play “Guess what mood I’m in.” Even if they are in a good mood, they look like they’ve just bitten into a sour lemon.
“I’m falling for you. Does that count?” Ivy says, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear, and I swear my fucking heart stops. I don’t know what could make her any more perfect.
“Damn right, it does. I knew you couldn’t resist my good looks and charm. I’m a catch.” I wink at her.
“Damn, now his ego is going to be bigger than his fucking house,” Ford says, wiping at the tattoo and checking his handiwork.
“Too late,” I grumble as he pulls away, finally finished.
“I’m checking up on Billie. I have no interest in watching you two fuck or listening to your fucked-up words. You have ten minutes before I start on your tattoo, Ivy, so think about what you want. And don’t break my shit,” Ford says.
“So, seems like I have your family’s approval?” she asks when he leaves, and I inwardly die as I realize she’s not going to attend to Hawke Junior’s needs. I guess so easily telling her that I love her might be shocking for her if she’s not on the same page. Even though I know she is. But I’m happy to wait.
“Why wouldn’t you?” I ask as I pull her to me.
“We haven’t told my parents yet,” she says quietly, and I know how close she is to her family and how much they mean to her. The obstacle is her father. That asshole has been cock blocking me from his daughter for years. And we both know that by now, they’re most likely aware of our relationship. Getting Will Walker’s approval is going to be difficult, but I’ve made it my life’s mission to have him call me son. It’s going to fucking happen.
“Then we’ll organize a meal with them after tomorrow,” I state, sensing the tension bundled in her.
She slides her fingernails over my chest, careful when she gets to the new tattoo, and I see her lips twitch with the start of a smile before she lifts her head and admits, “I like it.”
“Good. I like you.”
“My mother likes you.”