Page 63 of Under the Ink

With just a tiny bit of ambient light, he could see the flesh of her leg—and could tell that the skin there was also covered in ink. In his head, he could see the artwork snaking its way around both her legs, up her hips, over the skin of her belly and lower back.

Really, though, he had no clue.

When she pulled on his cock bringing him closer, all thought escaped as the animal inside took over. Easing himself inside her darkness, he let out a slow breath.

Holy fuck. Already sweet and divine.

But there was something else.

Jesus H. Christ. She was tight—probably tighter than she should be—and she’d gotten really quiet and tense.

“You’re not a virgin, are you?”

“No!” she said, almost a little too firmly. But before he could demand more information, she tilted her pelvis to swallow him deeper.

Okay, so shewasn’ta virgin—but she was really tight. Maybe she had some medical condition that made her a little more snug than most women—and maybe losing her virginity hadn’t…

He lost all rational thought, including following that thread, as she bit into his neck. Not nibbling, not licking, not teasing.

Biting.

But it sent another surge of blood to his cock, leaving him lightheaded…and ready to go. He just had to hold out for her first. No fucking way was he coming before she did.

No. Fucking. Way.

Even if it meant he’d have to go down on her to bring her to pleasure.

Once more, she started fingering herself—not the first time he’d had a woman do that during sex. “Want me to help?”

“Youare. Just don’t stop.”

He could obey that command—just that and making sure he didn’t lose his load too early. Yeah, he could do that. So he tried to simply focus on how good it felt while allowing a little of that pain on his neck inside so he didn’t give in.

Not yet.

After a bit, though, her thighs started to quiver and a tiny whimper issued from her mouth. More than that, he could feel her pussy undulating against his cock rhythmically.

Christ.Thiswas what it was all about.

When she finally slowed, resting her head on his shoulder, no longer moving her finger, he knew he could let it all go. As he did, as he allowed his cock to release everything it had been holding back this whole time, his brain shattered like sheet glass, and every nerve in his body lit up, sending a rush of chemicals through his veins.

Delicious pleasure…and he didn’t want it to end.

Finally, though, his muscles softened and he became aware of his heart thudding in his chest. Resting his cheek against her head, he became aware of how soft her body felt. And parts of him ached from being in that weird position—meaning she might not feel great, either, having her back wedged against the wall, her legs splayed around him.

That was all it took for a tender, protective side Sage had never felt before take over. Suddenly, he wanted to cradle her, hold her close, keep her safe.

Resisting the urge again to flip on the light switch, he instead carried her to the bed in the darkness. The way she held onto him, practically hanging on his body, allowed him to yank the covers back with one hand before laying her down on the sheet. Then, with loving care, he untied her other boot and pulled it off, followed by the jeans.

And a wave of heavy sleepiness washed over him.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Sage managed to barely get the boots and condom off before getting in next to her. Reaching to the foot of the bed, he pulled the comforter back over them both, and his head barely rested on the pillow before he was consumed by a darkness blacker than the room.

He slept better than he had in years.

EN ROUTE TO ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

JULY 10

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