Page 88 of Edge of Desire

“Is this going where I think it’s going?”

“Probably. We can try, and if you find it too uncomfortable, I’ll stop.”

“Avery ...”

“I would do it with love. And I’m not talking about right now. Later at some other point.”

“Okay. For you I’ll try anything. But I can’t promise much.”

“Just trying is a step in the right direction.” I nuzzled my face into his neck, knowing just how much he was giving me. We held each other silently for a few minutes and then I asked, “What about a tattoo?”

“Huh?”

“Since you won’t let me get my nipples pierced, what about a tattoo?”

He laughed. “You’re relentless. The nipples are out because I don’t want anyone seeing your nipples except me.”

“But what if I had a woman do it? And I could start with just one nipple.”

“Avery, it’s so painful. I don’t want you to go through that. And ...” He just stopped and stared at me with a strange look on his face.

“What?”

He shook his head and said, “Nothing.”

“Oh no you don’t. That’s one of those withholding-information-from-Avery things I don’t like.”

“No, it’s not that at all. Really.”

“Preston,” I warned.

“Shit. Okay, what if someday you want children and you have pierced nipples?”

That struck me as hilarious, and I broke out in fits of giggles.

“You think that’s funny?” he asked.

“Yes,” I squeaked out. “I mean, I would just take out the rings or bars or whatever. It’s not a big deal, Preston.” I kept on laughing. He finally started laughing too.

“Yeah, it is a big deal if you’d want to breastfeed. The extra holes would make it difficult.”

I lifted up and said, “Are you a breastfeeding expert?”

“No, but I’ve read about how women are affected by it.”

He was probably right. “Tell you what. If you decide it’s okay, I’ll ask my doctor first.”

“Okay, you scored on that one.”

“Oh my God. You’re like a Puritan or something.”

“I am not! I just don’t want you in pain. That’s all.”

My heart thumped a little and I kissed him. “You’re sweet.”

“Avery,” he said against my lips, “if you get a tattoo, those hurt like hell too.”

“I’m tough, Preston,” I told him. “Can I ask you something?”

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