“Wait.” He makes his way over to me with his wallet out. “I want you to pay for the pizza. Don’t accept no for an answer.” He hands me money and drops a kiss to the top of my head. “Camron said you girls are watching movies all night.”

  “That’s the plan.” I keep my voice light.

  “Good. I’m glad you have someone responsible to hang out with again.” He glances at my clothes. “You need a jacket.”

  An eye roll later and I’m out the door holding a sweater over one shoulder. It’s like he grew up in the fifties instead of the eighties, and since when did he even notice what I was wearing?

  Since the night he saw me with Cole. I smile and open the passenger door and hop in.

  “You look nice,” Carmon says before pulling off from the curve with a screech of her tires.

  “It’s jeans and a tee.” How nice could it be?

  “It’s not the normal you,” she says and I suddenly regret my choice. “That’s not a bad thing,” she looks across the jeep and laughs. “You look great, Ash. I’m just making conversation.”

  “You remember the plan, right?” I move on from the small talk. Even though North Beach is a half-hour drive away, I want to have everything in place as soon as possible.

  “I’ve got it all covered. Your secret is safe with me. I’ll make sure the back kitchen door is unlocked and when Cole drops you off just sneak up to my room. By morning it will be like you were at my house the whole time.”

  “Great.” I’m a ball of nerves. When text alert dings I jump.

  “Geez Ash. If he’s got you this worked up, are you sure meeting him tonight is a good thing?”

  “I am,” I answer before checking the text. It’s Cole telling me he’s got a sketch ready. A picture comes in with the next ding and my breath catches.

  The most beautiful things I’ve ever seen scrolls across the white background. The head is sharp and pointing upward in contrast to two sets of talons reaching downward toward flames that flow from the bird out, but it’s the feathers that catch me. Light and airy they lift from the bird and splay out in gorgeous lines and arches. I can’t imagine anything so beautiful becoming part of me.

  “What’s that?” Camron asks, leaning over to see my phone.

  “Nothing,” I shoot back and click off the screen. “Just some of Cole’s artwork.”

  “Have you asked him about...you know...the car and the girl and...jail time?”

  I roll my eyes. “It hasn’t naturally come up in conversation, no. Besides, it’s not really my business what happened in his past. We’re just friends.”

  Camron makes a deep raspy noise in her throat. “You are not just friends. Ash, I’ve known you since we were five and I’ve never once known you to lie to your father.”

  “I’ve never been grounded before either. I’m eighteen years old and leaving in six weeks for college and this is the first time in my life my father’s taken enough interest in my extracurricular activities to put his foot down. That’s how not a big deal Cole’s past is to me.”

  Camron pulls into the bar parking lot and stops under an overhead light by the front door. “Wanting to try something new is normal, and you of all people deserve a walk on the wild side. But, have you stopped to think what Cole’s motives are? What’s in this arrangement for him?”

  “We’re still just friends,” I answer, my door half open.

  “For you maybe, but guys don’t work the same way, Ash. If he’s spending this much time with you he wants something else. Something I’m not sure you’ve spent much time considering.”

  Midway out of the jeep, I stop and turn back to Camron. “What are you getting at? That he’s only interested in sex?”

  Cole isn’t like that. At least, the Cole I’ve gotten to know over the few weeks since my party.

  “Face it, Ash. If he’s your bad boy fantasy, you’re his good girl wet dream. And when he’s gotten that achievement out of his system, what will you be to him then?” She puts the jeep in park and reaches for her bag from the back seat. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t have fun, but just remember this isn’t a scripted TV show or a well-written romance novel. This is real life and things can get messy.”

  Camron hands over a long, silver row of little square packets with an indented circle in the middle of each. It’s not until they are in my hand and I hold them up to the light that I see they are condoms. Ribbed for her pleasure.

  “Just be safe. Even Kate knew to always be safe.”

  The last sentence slaps me in the face. I shut the door and Camron is out of the parking lot before I reach the bar.

  My face is hot. I stash the packets in the front pocket of my jeans and wipe the back of my hand over my eyes. She knew bringing up Kate would dig deep. She knew it would unsettle me.

  I stand at the entrance, breathe in through my nose and pull the heavy door open. Cole is at the bar. He’s slinging bottles around as if he’s dancing. There’s only one stool left and I take it.

  “You alright?” he asks as soon as he spots me.

  “Fine,” I answer and try to mentally cool myself off. He can read my frustration and I want tonight to be nothing but special.

  He puts a shot glass on the bar in front of me and pours an amber liquid halfway to the top. “For the tattoo. You’ll think me later.”

  “What is it?” Picking up the glass, I hold it to the light. The color is a rich honey and I wonder if it will taste as sweet.

  “Vodka. It’s a smooth one. No burn. Just lean back and toss it down.”

  I study his face. He’s watching me. Waiting. I do as he instructs and the second the liquid hits my throat I want to spit it back out. It’s too late and it’s burning down into my stomach. I wipe the back of my hand over my mouth and a warmth settles in my belly.

  “Good?” he asks.

  I nod. A couple more of these and I could forget Carmon’s comment or the packs of condoms shoved into my jeans pockets.

  “Did you get the picture I sent?”

  Dangit. I’d forgotten to text him back with Camron questioning me. “I love it.”

  “Great.” Someone calls his name and he turns to a guy at the bar placing an order. He nods and turns back to me. “I’ve got to finish up here, but Snake’s in the back getting set up. Why don’t you head back and get settled.” His eyes turn a darker shade of their natural brown. “But don’t let him talk you into starting. I want to be there to make sure he’s doing everything right.”

  “I’ll be sure to.” I’m not sure what else to say and my nerves are beginning to get the best of me. Or, maybe it’s the tequila. Asking for another shot runs through my brain, but as soon as it does a picture of Kate, drunk off her ass, pops into place and I decide to skip the second and let my stomach cut somersaults instead.

  Snake greats me in the back room. The walls are lined with shelves filled with bottles of liquor, condiments, and dry goods and there’s a cot against one wall. Snake has a table and chair set up on the opposite side and is playing around with a gun looking machine with a long cord. He calls me over to sit and I get a good look at the needle.

  I’ve never been the fainting type and needles have never been an issue for me before, but thinking of Snake poking my skin repeatedly sends my stomach flipping again and the tequila that felt so good a few minutes ago is beginning to churn.

  “You’ve done this kind of thing before, right?” I ask, eyeing the machine and shivering when he dips it in a small pot of color and it buzzes.

  “Have you seen Cole’s work?” He grins.

  I nod.

  “Saint Jude is mine.”

  “Oh.” My fingers twitch at the memory of running them over Cole’s smooth, hard chest.

  “Cole said this one is going above your breast.”

  My attention shoots back to Snake. I suddenly realize getting this tattoo means Snake’s hands on my skin and his eyes on me. He’s got gloves on, but that does little to ease the sudden wave of dread washing over me. I begin to panic, when the door opens again and Cole steps into the room.

  He has another shot glass half filled and he hands it to me. “You didn’t start without me, did you?”

  Snake reaches for the glass and Cole pulls it away. “Hey, hey. No alcohol for you until after.”

  Snake makes a wounded groan sound in his throat, but his eyes are soft and his lips curved upward. It’s friendly banter and with Cole now in the room, my nerves are calming. I don’t even need the drink he offers, but I take it anyway. No telling how much pain I’ll be in soon and if it will help me not be such a wimp, I’m all for it.

  Cole takes a chair next to mine and holds my hand while Snake lowers me back. His eyes are fixed on mine and the rest of the room begins to fade away until Snake pulls the neck of my tank down and clips it so only my bra is covering my skin.

  “If you’re gonna puke, don’t do it on my workspace,” Snake announces before the machine begins to buzz.

  “I’m not going to throw up,” I say.

  Cole grins. “He’s talking to me. I can’t stand needles.” His hand closes harder around mine, and his gaze stays steady on me.

  “If you don’t like needles then…”

  “I’ve said the same thing for years. He’d be one hell of a tattoo artist if he could just get over his fucking fear.”

  “It’s not a fear,” Cole grinds out. He looks at me so deeply, I’m afraid maybe he’s already getting sick. “My mother…” he swallows hard and I watch his throat bobble. “She was an addict.”

  I’m flush with heat. Of course, when he mentioned the moon and stars tattoo being for his mother, I'd wondered where she’d gone. He didn’t have to explain any more.”Just look at me. Keep your eyes on mine and you’ll be fine.”

  “That shouldn’t be hard,” Snake adds. After wiping my skin down and positioning a rough copy of the drawing on my chest he begins his work.

  The first peck of the needle burns but each one after lessens in pain until all I really feel are pinches.

  Snake moves faster and I reached for Cole’s hand and tried not to crush it in mine.

  “The pain gets better after the first few minutes,” he offers. It isn’t the pain that had me holding on for dear life. Well, it is partly the pain and the sensation of Snake’s fingers brushing my skin as he moves the needle along the outline of the design.

  Mostly it’s Cole. I hadn’t noticed the flecks of gold in his eyes until I studied them as if they were the only things keeping me from breaking apart.

  “There’s another bonfire on the beach tonight. You think your old man will let you slip out long enough to meet up?”

  I loosen my grip on Cole’s hand. “He doesn’t have to give me permission. I’m eighteen and a college freshman in a matter of weeks.”

  Snake chuckles, but doesn’t say anything.

  “Your friend’s covering for you, isn’t she?”

  I glance away and don’t answer.

  “You’re a born rebel, Baby Girl. By the end of the summer, you’ll have your father not allowing you to leave the house without an entourage of guards tracking your every move.”

  “It’s not that bad. He’s overprotective since my sister--” I say followed by an “ouch” as Snake glides over my breastbone.

  Cole laughs. “It’s not a bad thing to have someone care about you. Your father’s a good man for wanting to protect his family.”

  I look at him again, my glare hard. “I don’t need protection from you.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  It’s an awkward conversation to have with Snake hovering over me. “No,” I answer, Camron’s words of warning ringing in my ears. “But so far you’ve given me no reason to think you’re anything less than a stand up guy with good intentions.”

  I’m not sure how to categorize the sound that escapes from Snake’s mouth. It’s a strangled laugh and he steps away for a second and turns his back to me.

  I panic and start to rise up to my elbows. Cole drops his hand to my bare shoulder and sparks fly up my arm. “Don’t move. You’ll probably be lightheaded for a little while and need to get up slowly.”

  “Five more minutes and I’ll have the outline done. The wings will take two sessions to finish.” Snake is back with his hand resting on my collar bone.

  A strange sensation begins in my belly and flows outward until every inch of my body is warm and tingling with electric sparks. I’ve never been the type of girl who can hold a guy’s attention for longer than it takes to decide I’m nothing special and look away. But, here I am, laying on a table with my bra exposed and not one, but two guys staring at me like I’m the center of their collective worlds.

  There’s an adrenaline rush type euphoria that comes with that kind of power. It's exhilarating. Or, maybe the pain is fading as Snake said and I’m entering the endorphin phase. Either way, I’m sure my face looks goofy.

  “How long will it take before you can finish the wings?” I ask.

  “This one has to heal first. Maybe about a month,” Snake answers.

  That’s about all the time I have left. Dad’s driving me to Columbia the third week of August and my first plane ticket back to Marshville isn’t until Thanksgiving.

  “It’s finished,” Snake announces. He dabs some cooling liquid on my shoulder then sits me up and hands me a mirror. “I’ll need to add a few more details, mostly to the wings when this heals a bit, but other than that, it turned out great.”

  I’m staring in the mirror. Black lines outlined by reddened flesh spread across my chest and upper breast. “It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.”

  I glance at Cole who’s staring at me. “I’ve seen better.”

  My heart begins to race as the realization hits that Cole is referring to me.

  Snake is cleaning up his tools and Cole takes me by the hand to the mirror on the back of his bathroom door. He’s standing next to me, his inked arm around my shoulders, pulling my tank top down enough to see the full tattoo. The talons rest on the rise of my breast, the head almost to my shoulder and the wings take up most of the space between. Even with my top on correctly, there’s no hiding this massive tat under anything that dips low or cuts short on my shoulders.

  “You don’t like it?” Cole’s voice drops.

  I trace the lines with my fingers. “I love it more than I’ve loved almost anything.” I answer. And I do.

  This isn’t just a tat. It’s a story. A symbol of my transformation over the summer. A love letter between me and Cole.

  Chapter 7

  Cole

  Snake and Tate have the fire built up high tonight. They’re probably going to get the police called the way they keep throwing more driftwood into the flames and dancing around like idiots.

  Not that I care. I’m sitting on a fallen Palmetto trunk with Ash curled into my side. She snuggled up under my arm, and damn is she a perfect fit for me.

  Tate and Rocky don’t know about our secret. The tat Snake just branded into Ash’s virgin skin. A reminder to her, she took a walk on the wild side once, and she liked it.

  “Come on, Ash,” Tate calls from the fire.

  They’ve been after her all night to jump up and dance around the flames with them.

  No. Baby Girl is staying tucked right here under my arm where I can keep her safe.

  Watching Snake’s hands touching Ash earlier... I’m not sure I can describe the tightness that consumed my body other than primal and protective.

  Every time his pinky finger dropped lower than the lacy edge of her bra, I fought the urge to slug him one.

  I didn’t.

  Snake’s the only guy I’d allow near my Baby Girl with a tat machine, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still worry.

  It’s hot tonight. Humid and sticky as hell. I’d thought about suggesting we go for a dip in the ocean, but Ash is still holding onto me like I’ll vanish if she lets go.

  I’m unsure if she’s insecure about the tat or if something else has her attached, so I suggest a walk down the beach, away from the potheads and their fire dance.

  “Do you like it?” I ask, hovering my palm over the bandage peeking out from under her tank top.

  “I love it,” she says and looks up at me with those eyes that can suck me in and squeeze the life from me. “Not sure how I’m going to get this past, my dad, though. I guess I will wear high collars until I level for school.”

  I laugh to cover my heart dropping at the mention of college and Ash leaving me. I’ve known this is coming since we met. Her moving nine hundred miles up the coast made this...thing...we have going safe. But now, I’m not so sure I’m okay with her leaving me.

  “You need any help with packing?”

  She smiles. “You’re trying to get rid of me already?”

  I drop a kiss to the top of her head, wishing I’d turned her face up to meet mine and shown her how I really feel. I know once I have her mouth, I’ll be a dead man walking.

  “Never. But any excuse to spend time with you before you go, I’ll take.”

  “Really.” She stops me with a palm to my chest. “You’re not tired of me hanging around, looking for ways to make my life exciting?”

  “Maybe a little,” I tease.

  The smile she gives me makes her eyes small and her mouth the focal point on her face. I’ve been thinking about that mouth all damn night. Dreaming about what those lips taste like. Imagining their softness against mine.

  My dick hardens again, and I shift away from her so she won’t bump into my hard-on. I don’t want to scare her off, and I’m pretty damn sure at this point, Baby Girl hasn’t even seen a dick up close before.

  “Good. I’ve been thinking about college and Columbia in particular. It’s so far away, and I’m not sure I want to leave the coast.”

  Wait. I stop walking. She can’t be serious right now. A chance to get the hell out of Marshville. To get away from her father’s overprotective attitude, and she’s questioning it? I’m about to go ballistic, but me losing it is the last thing Ash needs tonight.

  “What’s got you thinking this way, Baby Girl?”

 

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