“Don’t you believe that, Trid?”

  I do a double take at the sudden use of the nickname. The only other person who’s ever called me that is my father. The only man I’ve ever been able to count on.

  “Believe what? That everything works out for a reason?” I drink in his open gaze, wondering what the hell is actually happening between us. “I’m starting to, Bone. I’m really starting to.”

  7

  Bone

  Astrid’s kind of quiet when I drive her back to the hotel to get her car. Even though we’re in the same car it’s like she’s a million miles away. Maybe she’s just lost in thought. I laid a lot on her at breakfast, and even more on her last night. I accidentally laugh out loud at my own stupid joke.

  Astrid’s amber eyes flick in my direction. “What’s so funny?”

  I open my mouth to explain it to her, but I realize that might not be a great idea. Instead, I shake my head. “It’s nothing.” My eyes drift back to the road.

  As soon as we pull into the parking lot, Astrid points out her car. I pull alongside and put my car in park, then turn to her. “When will I see you again?”

  Astrid’s laugh has little humor in it. She shakes her head, keeping her eyes down on her bare thighs. “I don’t know, Bone. Maybe this was a one night thing?”

  “What?” For a moment, I’m speechless. “Why would you say that? I thought we had an amazing fucking night together.”

  “We did. I mean it, Bone,” she says. “But the truth is that I’m not the type of gal that guys…you know, date.” She uses air quotes.

  My eyes narrow in on her. “I’m not asking to date you.”

  The early afternoon light shines through the passenger side window illuminating her irises like two bright rings of fire. Her shoulders slump as she searches my face. “Exactly. So why go through all of this if all you want is a fuck buddy?” I open my mouth to object, but she keeps on going. “You know for a second I thought maybe you were different. That when you insisted on breakfast when you knew I was ghosting you, maybe you were different or something. But of course, I was wrong.”

  “Astrid— “

  Her delicate fingers reach for the door handle. “Bad boys are all the same, even if they have good hearts. And you,” Her other finger digs into the side of my shoulder. “You, sir, are no exception.” She slams the car door behind her.

  “Christ!” I throw my hands in the air, and rush out of the car after her. I nearly laugh as her heels click against the pavement. Each short, static stride accentuates her long, thick legs sticking out from my boxer shorts. But this is serious. I can’t let her just walk out of my life forever.

  She fumbles her key into the lock. I shimmy past her and lean all three hundred pounds of me onto the driver’s side door. Astrid rolls her eyes, nostrils flared. “Could you please move?”

  “No.”

  “No? I said move and if you don’t I’m going to scream my head off.”

  “I dare anyone to come at me.”

  Astrid throws her arms out sideways, giving up. “Fuck, Bone. Why won’t you just let me go? I already told you I’m not interested in being your side piece.”

  “Astrid, you’re my main piece.” Astrid’s mouth presses into a firm line, head cocked. “Yeah, that came out wrong.” I take a long breath and take her hands in mine. “Astrid, you’re it. You’re the one. I knew it from the moment I saw you at the coffee shop.”

  Her weight shifts away from me, hands still clasped in mine. “What do you mean, I’m the one?”

  A lump lodges itself in my throat. “I’m not good with words and I say the wrong thing a lot.”

  “I’ve noticed—“

  “But I have to get this out. I’m crazy about you, okay?” I sound like an idiot, I know but I have to say it out loud. “You’re mine. Can’t you see that?” Her eyes dance across my face, still unsure of what’s happening. Hell, I’m right there with her.

  “When I said I wasn’t asking to date you, it’s because I’m not. I’m asking for more. For a commitment, because a connection like ours.” My cheeks puff out, words escaping me. “I don’t know, we’re like special together. It’s the closest thing to love I’ve ever felt.”

  “Bone—“

  “I know it’s a little soon for that, but when you know you know, and Trid,” I wrap my arms around her soft waist and pull her tighter to me. She raises her chin to meet my eyes. “I know. You’re mine. No one else’s. Just the thought of you with someone else makes me want to rage.”

  Astrid brings her finger to my lips, shushing me. “Let’s not think about that. No broken bones, please.” My heart races, and she cups my face. “Bone, it’s a joke. And a very bad one at that. You’re nothing like I thought you were.” The breeze blows her hair back from her shoulder. She raises up on her toes and presses a gentle kiss against my lips. “You’re so much better.”

  “And you…” The realization dawns on me. “You were going to ghost me this morning?” Astrid’s guilty look gives me my answer.

  “You don’t understand, I’m used to being left by guys like you. I wanted to beat you to the punch.”

  “Astrid, baby.” I trail my finger down the side of her silky smooth face. “I’m never going to leave you. How could you even think that?”

  “Old habits die hard.”

  “Well, you’re starting over today.” I press my nose against hers, and close my eyes. My heart races. Telling someone how I feel doesn’t come easy to me, but dammit it’s worth it. “You’re starting over with me, baby.”

  Her warm breath tickles my face. I tilt my head to the side, barely grazing her lips when she unexpectedly pulls away. “Wait! I have a serious question first. ” Astrid presses her hand into my chest, my grip around her waist tightens. “What’s your real name?”

  I can’t remember the last time anyone’s asked me that. “Don’t laugh.”

  “Never.”

  “Lawrence.”

  Astrid’s eyes open wide, but only for a moment. She clears her throat, recovering quickly, and runs her hands along my pecs. “Your name is Larry?”

  “No one calls me that.” Heat rises to my cheeks. It’s been a long time since anyone’s said my real name. But coming from Astrid’s lips, it almost sounds natural.

  “Well, Larry.” Astrid shoots me that shit-eating, sly fox smile of hers. The one that lights up any room she’s in. “If you ask me nicely, I might go on another date with you.”

  “You mean a first date. Last night doesn’t count.” I part her lips with my tongue, and give her a long, sweet kiss.

  “You’d better not be gentle with me. I like your bad boy ways.”

  I lift her up, stiffening against my sweats. Astrid presses herself into my length. “Not a chance, baby.”

  “Lawd have mercy.” Astrid feigns a southern accent. She jumps up on me, wrapping her (mostly) smooth legs around my waist. A weight lifts from my shoulders. If I would’ve kept my mouth shut, she may have gotten away.

  Even though I’m far from eloquent, the truth of my feelings got me the girl in the end. And now that I have her you bet your sweet ass I’m never letting her go.

  Epilogue: Bone

  Five Years Later

  After five years of working together every day, King’s calling it quits. He’s leaving Redemption Ink in the city to start his own second shop in the country putting Titus in charge. With all of King’s stuff packed and moved out, the shop closed for the day, the four of us remain. I reach into the mini-fridge and pull out four beers.

  Phoenix pulls out his keychain and pops the tops off for all of us with his bottle opener. Standing here with my brothers, it’s hard to believe that a short lifetime ago we were all inmates together. That we all discovered our talent for tattooing, and that we all created second chances for ourselves by opening this shop.

  Not to mention, we’ve all tied the knot and have found our dream women. People think tattoo artists are tough, and to some extent we are, but the truth is that we’re just normal men with big hearts. All of which are hurting a little right now knowing that life as we’ve known it is changing before our eyes.

  “To Redemption Ink,” Phoenix raises his glass. “May the second branch be almost as successful as this one.”

  “Dick.” King narrows his eyes.

  “Kidding, brother.” Phoenix clinks his bottle against King’s. We all follow suit.

  “To Redemption Ink’s continued success.” Titus throws his beer in the air followed by a long, cool drink.

  “We started this place from virtually nothing.” Titus eyes the room.

  “My money helped.” King teases, punching him square in the arm. Titus punches him back, both of their teeth bared from laughter. “Seriously, this place wouldn’t be what it is without all of us combined. I…” King lowers his head, pulls his lips into a thin line. “Oh fuck it. I love you guys.”

  “We love you too, King.” The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. I meet each of the guys eyes separately, taking them in. Titus, Phoenix, and King, the best friends a guy could ask for.

  A quick silence passes over us after a long swig.

  The front door flies open and in come the women, laughing, in a conversation we’re not a part of. Ronnie wraps her arm around King’s waist. Everly grabs Phoenix’s hand and plants a kiss on it. Taryn cups Titus’ face and presses her lips to his. And my woman, the sexiest one of all, Astrid, with her now dark blue hair cropped in a sleek bob rushes over to me and gives my ass a pop.

  I wrangle her wrists and pull her close to me, hands pressed against my chest, then plant a wet one on her. I part her lips with my tongue, devouring her mouth. After five years, our passion just keeps growing.

  “Jesus, you guys!” Taryn yelps.

  Astrid turns to face her with cool, amber eyes. “My hormones are finally righting themselves. Sue me.”

  We had some trouble getting pregnant after we married. It took a lot of money, faith, and medical intervention but last year she gave birth to a baby boy, Callan Lawrence. Astrid insisted on using my name. She said that Callan Bone didn’t have quite the same ring to it. Damn that woman keeps me smiling.

  “Speaking of which.” Astrid leans in close enough that only I can hear her. “I have a little surprise.” Her fingers trail up and down the sides of my arms, sending shivers all over my body. “My mom and dad are watching Callan until tomorrow.”

  “You’re letting them keep the baby overnight?” My eyes widen. “Alone?”

  “Well, I figure he’s just over a year old. My parents are pretty skilled. I mean, I turned out okay.”

  “You turned out perfectly, baby.” I nuzzle her ear, making her giggle.

  “So, I booked a room at the hotel for us.”

  “Wait…the hotel?”

  “You know it.” Her teeth sink into her bottom lip. “And I bought a new dress.”

  My length stiffens against my jeans, causing me to position her a little bit more in front so I’m not on full display in front of my boys.

  I’m about to ask about the pink dress, but I stop myself. I’m not a total idiot. Astrid’s holding onto a little bit of that baby weight, but dammit I love it on her. The more to hold onto the better. I’m a big man and I love my curvy woman.

  “I can’t wait to see you in and out of it.” I brush her midnight blue hair away from her face.

  “You don’t have to wait, baby. Let’s get out of here.”

  Looking down into her eager eyes, there’s nothing I want more than to scoop her up, throw her on that bed and have my way with her. But, this is my last night with the guys at the shop. “Fifteen minutes?”

  Astrid brushes the hair from my eyes, pressing her pink lips into a warm smile. “I’ll be here all night, baby. Take your time.”

  I pull her to me once more. “You can count on that.” I give her rear end a squeeze and kiss the groove of her neck. “In the meantime, can I buy you a drink?”

  “Hmm.” Her blue nail taps her chin. “I was thinking I could get the first round.”

  “I don’t normally let women buy the first round, but I have a feeling about you.”

  Astrid’s hips sway on her way over to the cooler. She pulls out two beers, and hands me one. I pull out my own keychain this time, opening them both for us. We clink bottles and take a long swig before I pull her into my side.

  Looking around my heart swells. I have it all. My best friends, my tattoo shop, and the woman of my dreams. Things may be changing around the shop with King heading out to the country, but in my heart I know in this moment right now, things will always be like this.

  Perfect, like life was meant to be. Because everyone deserves a little dose of redemption.

  Epilogue: Astrid

  Twenty Years Later

  Bone pulls the gate down, bringing with it a rumble to wake the dead. With my arms over my chest, I watch him. How can he remain so calm right now? I turn and face the beach. The boardwalk is hopping. Part of the reason we agreed to run this branch of Redemption Ink was to take in the clean ocean air. Most of the time I enjoy it, but right now I’m worried. Callan didn’t come into work today, already breaking his agreement with us.

  “Babe.” Bone wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head. “He’s fine.”

  “Is he though?”

  “He’s a tough kid. He knows how to take care of himself.”

  “Which is why he ended up in trouble…”

  “Shh.” My husband raises my chin and I meet his eyes.

  “Let’s go home and eat. We’ll discuss it in our PJs.”

  “It’s part of his parole that he has to keep a job. When we agreed that he could work for us, that was part of the deal, that he actually show up and work.”

  “His parole’s over, baby. This was our agreement.” He pulls me into a bear hug, knowing the overpowering nature of his arms always calms me down.

  The sun sets over the horizon. Couples stroll hand in hand. The illuminated Ferris wheel spins young lovers around and around, stopping at the top for a better view of the beach.

  I just wish I knew he was safe.

  A yelp escapes my mouth. Suddenly, I’m off of my feet. Strong arms around my waist momentarily stunt my airflow. In a flash I’m back on the boardwalk, fumbling to find my balance. When I spin around, I’m met with my son, Callan’s gleaming smile.

  Dammit if this kid doesn’t melt my heart.

  I slap his chest. Broad. Strong. Built just like his daddy. “Where the hell have you been, young man?”

  He glances at Bone. Hoping for an out. “Well?” Bone crosses his arms over his chest like he’s the one who’s been freaking out all day.

  “I’m sorry.” Callan’s blue eyes are dotted with amber rings around their irises.

  “You’re supposed to be at the shop.” I sound like a nag, but it’s for his own good.

  “Sorry, something came up. Something important. It won’t happen again.” His gaze moves out toward the ocean. I follow his glance and it hits me. He’s not looking at the ocean at all, he’s looking at a girl. Alone on a bench. Brushing her brown hair away from her face. A petite little thing. Who looks young.

  “Who’s that?” I ask.

  Callan’s gaze flickers back to mine. “The reason I didn’t come in today.”

  I take a deep breath. Even at twenty-one years old, I don’t know if I’m ready for anyone to steal my baby away from me. Another lecture forms in the back of my head.

  “Don’t let it happen again.” Bone steps in front of our son, blocking his view. “You have a responsibility. Your ass better be here.”

  Callan meets his eye. They’re like two sides of the same coin. A mirror image standoff. But Callan knows that he’ll never win against his father.

  “Fine.” He sighs.

  “Fine.” Bone grabs my hand and turns me toward the parking lot. “Don’t be too late.” He calls over his shoulder.

  My eyes nearly bug from my head as we leave Callan standing on the boardwalk. I rubber neck back in my son’s direction and catch him already jogging over to the mystery girl on the bench.

  “What the hell was that?” I pull away from my husband.

  “Our son’s in love.” He smiles down at me. “Let’s go home. Let’s have some food. And let’s fuck like we did when we were his age.”

  A smile spreads across my lips. It’s been a minute since we’ve made love. We’re older now and busy with the shop.

  I loop my finger into his belt as the sun sets behind us, silently agreeing to my husband’s demands. And hoping upon hope that Callan knows what he’s getting himself into. Love can be quite complicated, especially for someone like him…

  Also by Flora Madison

  ALSO BY FLORA MADISON

  REDEMPTION INK

  Book 1: King

  Book 2: Phoenix

  Book 3: Titus

  Book 4: Bone

  CURVES IN THE CITY:

  Curves in the City: Book 1

  Curvy Librarian (Curves in the City: Book 2)

  Curvy Co-Star (Curves in the City: Book 3)

  INSTA LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT:

  Ryker: Book 1

  Dayton: Book 2

  OTT ALPHAS AND BBWS:

  Stick and Poke

  Grind’r

  Re-paired: An Insta Love OTT Alpha Romance

  POSSESSIVE BILLIONAIRE BOSSES:

  Possessive Alpha Boss

  Possessive New Boss

  Possessive Boss Next Door

  POSSESSIVE ALPHAS:

  Possessive Teacher

  Possessive Mechanic

  The Cowboy’s Curvy Love

  Her Secret Billionaire Neighbor

  Possessive Irish Cop

  Possessive Billionaire Athlete

  Possessive Mountain Man

  Possessive Alpha Man Bundle

  OTT STANDALONES:

  The Cowboy’s Curvy Love

  Her Secret Billionaire Neighbor

 

1 2 3 4