“It’ll be hidden under your clothes most of the time,” he murmured, leaning close so only I could hear. “I want it here, near your stomach. Symbolic, I guess.” His hand pressed gently on my waist, stirring a flutter in my belly that was half fear, half holy shit hot.
“That okay with you?” Taz asked, glancing between us.
I swallowed. “Yes. Fine.”
Taz nodded, grabbing a small stencil. “Then have a seat, sugar.”
Instead of leading me to the tattoo chair, Maverick sank down first. He spread his legs, pulling me onto his lap. I let out a little gasp at the feel of his strong thighs beneath me and something else pressing, growing harder against my backside. My cheeks burned.
“This all right?” Taz asked, snapping on latex gloves. “Sometimes the old ladies get nervous. Having the man there can help.”
I couldn’t find my voice, so I just nodded, heart rattling in my chest. Taz produced a shot of liquor. “You look real nervous, sugar.”
Maverick’s arm encircled my waist, steadying me as I took the shot. Knocking it back, I noticed how strong it was. I about gagged. “What the hell is that?”
“Tequilla and Molly,” Taz remarked.
“Molly?... Drugs?” I asked, horrified.
Maverick grumbled, maybe at Taz. “Don’t worry. I’ll be here.”
Taz carefully pulled my shirt up, exposing the lower half of my stomach. The chill of the air made my skin prickle. “Small patch, right?” he confirmed.
“Yeah,” Maverick said. “Make it say ‘Property of Maverick of the Road Monsters MC with the small flaming skull, the standard design for ol’ ladies.”
He glanced down at me, his lips brushing my ear. “You good?”
I gave another nod, my heart banging. My head swam with the significance. I was getting a permanent mark that said I belonged to this club… and by extension, to Maverick. And I felt all fuzzy.
Taz cleaned the skin with alcohol and placed a stencil. I felt Maverick’s breath warm on my neck, his hand gripping my hip. “You’re doing great,” he murmured.
Then Taz switched on the tattoo machine, and the buzzing filled the room. The first prick of the needle stung more than I expected. I winced, inhaling sharply through my teeth. But I laughed out loud. My head was floating around the room like a helium balloon.
Maverick pressed his mouth to my ear, whispering, “Easy, princess. Breathe.”
I did, focusing on the steady drum of my heart, on Maverick’s arm holding me close. But I was also liquid, flowing. Part of me knew it was the laced shot. Part of me didn’t know a damn thing. My nails dug into Maverick’s thigh as Taz worked. But after a minute, the pain dulled to a constant burn, bearable, if uncomfortable.
Maverick’s hot lips brushed my earlobe, sending shivers that competed with the sting of the tattoo. “I’m proud of you,” he whispered. “When I get back, I’m gonna make this real. Claim you for good.”
My cheeks burned. “This wasn’t real enough?”
He chuckled, his breath ghosting over my neck. “The tattoo makes you off-limits to the club, but I’m talking aboutus.” His free hand slid under my shirt a fraction, resting on my ribcage. “I want to claim you, Lexi. For real. You, me, no fear, no interruptions. Show you what it’s like to be mine in every sense. Claim your soul, mind, your pussy.”
“My pussy,” I repeated his words. Or rather, the drugs did. I would never say such a word aloud.
My pussy pulsated, half terror, all desire.
“Yeah, that full bush.”
“You know that’s not true. I don’t have any hair down there. I’ve waxed so long, it barely grows back.”
The needle buzzed, Taz oblivious to our conversation. Maverick’s hand had slipped lower, and he was petting me, petting my pussy. Well, my jeans over my pussy. I was sure Taz could see that, but nothing was said. And somehow, I didn’t give a damn. Oh God, this is intense, I thought, biting back a moan that was definitely not from pain alone.
“I can’t wait till I come back and get inside you. Make you mine,” Maverick rumbled in my ear.
“You… you talk like it’s guaranteed,” I mumbled, breath catching.
He tightened his hold, his cock beneath me pressing into my ass as he rubbed me. “Because it is, princess. Very soon, I’m coming back for you. And I’ll make sure you’re never afraid again.”