Page 126 of Rivals

“Will you give me a tattoo?” she asks quickly. The shock stalls my heart for a moment, and a smile grows on my face.

I dip my head to try and see her eyes. “Really?” She nods quickly.

“I was thinking about it the other day. I want something from you on me. Is that weird? We don’t have to if you think that’s weird,” she says quickly.

I chuckle and palm the back of her neck, dragging her lips to mine. She leans into the kiss and wraps her arms around my neck, drawing herself closer. My tongue slips past her lips, and she gives in while my tongue writes love on her heart.

She pulls away, our chest taking in deep breaths. “Yes, Revna. It would be my honor to give you a tattoo.” She grins.

“Can we do it now?” she asks. I chuckle and tap her hip.

“Sure, let’s go.” She excitedly hops off my lap and changes quickly.

Chapter 75

Lachlan

“Hey,Lachlan.Youdon’thave any more appointments today. What’s up?” Elias says.

“Hey, Eli. My girlfriend decided she wanted her first tattoo,” I say, throwing my thumb over my shoulder. Revna peaks out from behind me.

“Girlfriend?” he says in surprise. I reach around and pull Revna to my front.

“Hi,” she says sheepishly.

“Hey, I’m Elias. Nice to meet you,” he says and holds his hand out. Revna takes it.

“I’ll be back at my station,” I say, gently pushing Revna forward.

“Alright, man, no problem,” he says as Revna walks down the hall.

“First door on the right, babe,” I shout. She nods, and I watch her go in.

“Girlfriend?” Elias says, grinning. I nod and rub the back of my head.

“Yeah, she’s a lot more than that, but yeah,” I say. That’s the first time I’ve admitted that to myself, the thought of marriage with her. I want her forever, that goes without saying. We’re not ready for lifetime commitment yet, but she’s it for me. There is no doubt in my mind.

“Wow, man. Well, I’m happy for you. You seem like you’re doing alright,” he says, looking at me carefully.

I twist the ring on my finger. “I’m doing a little more than surviving because of her. So yeah, I think I’m alright.” He nods thoughtfully.

“Good, man, I’m glad. I’ll see you later,” he says and waves me off. I wave to a couple of artists in their stations with music blaring in the background, and stop at my space, closing the door behind me. Revna is sitting in my chair, staring at her feet as she kicks them back and forth.

“Hey, love,” I murmur and spread her knees to step between them. She smiles softly back. “Did you decide what you want?” She shakes her head.

“I can’t decide, so I want you to decide for me. Whatever you want to do is good for me.”

My tongue runs across the top of my teeth. “You’re sure?” She nods again.

“Alright, give me a minute, and let me sketch a couple of things out. Then I’ll check it with you.”

“No, I want you just to do it,” she says. My fingers tap nervously on her knees as I look down at her. Her eyes are clear, and she seems serious about it.

“You do know tattoos are permanent, right? What if you hate it?”

She shakes her head like that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever said. “I’m not going to hate it, Lachlan,” she says.

“How do you know?”