Page 58 of His True Mate

“Sounds great. Not too big though, okay?”

He nodded and the smile he shot me sent a shiver down my spine.

I sat down on one of the logs and watched him work. I couldn’t stop staring at the markings on his shoulder. I didn’t have any tattoos myself, but I didn’t mind them. His were thick lines running down his left arm. They reminded me of flames, or maybe that was just because he was super hot and at the moment building an actual fire.

“Tell me about your tattoo,” I told him.

He chuckled. “Well, all six of us decided to get a tattoo when we graduated high school. We had each worked up some plans. I wanted something tribal like, maybe flames. It sort of reminds me of nights like this out on the range, primitive, or at least that’s what I thought when I drew it up. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was excited for it. I volunteered to go first. The artist that did it tried to tell me it wasn’t a good idea, but I refused to listen. It hurt like a sonofabitch and I cried like a baby by the time he was done.”

I covered my mouth trying to hold back a laugh.

“No,” I said trying to sound shocked.

“Yup. It was bad. There was actually supposed to be this tribal like wolf in the middle of these thick flame-like streaks, but that would have taken another few sessions to complete and I just couldn’t go through with it, so this is what I did manage.”

“Regrets?”

“Nah. It’s pretty badass looking and once it healed, I liked it.”

“Are you ever going back to get the wolf added?”

“Not a chance in hell.”

I giggled.

“So, what did the other guys get?”

He stopped what he was doing and looked over at me with a scowl.

“Those little bitches punked out after seeing me freak out over it.”

I laughed harder.

“All of them?”

“All of them.”

“That’s hysterical.”

He groaned as he started up the fire before coming to join me.

“I’m sorry I don’t have a blanket or anything. I really hadn’t planned on this tonight.”

“Really? You seemed pretty determined back there.”

He sighed. “Determined to get you away from those assholes.”

“They’re harmless.”

His jaw locked and I reached over and soothed it.

“Don’t let it bother you.”

“Easier said than done. I’m serious. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m not this overbearing person always growling at everyone.”

“No? Then who are you, Clay?”

I really wanted to know. Though I loved his possessive growly side. Something told me this wasn’t the time to admit that though.