Page 98 of Protector

“I, uh, I smoked one while I was waitin’ in Mikey’s room earlier,” I admitted. “Didn’t plan on runnin’ into you so soon after or I would’ve freshened up. I’m sorry, darlin’.”

Celia shook her head and leaned in until her mouth was within inches of mine, taking me by surprise. “It’s not like you haven’t smoked one in front of me before—”

“I know what it does to you. Believe me, I ain’t tryin’ to—”

She silenced me with a soft kiss before pulling away again. “Hey, Jamie?”

“Yeah?” I answered softly.

The outer corners of her eyes crinkled as she grinned, and it struck me how far we’d come in a decade. I was sober, and my girl was looking up at me like she had that day in the record store.

I’d do whatever it took to keep that smile on her face the rest of our lives.

Celia took my lower lip between her teeth, nipping lightly, before letting her hands roam over my ass. “It’s working,” she said with a squeeze.

“What’s workin’?”

She gave me another grin before skipping down toward the beach like a small child.

“Celia?” I called after her. “What’s workin’?”

Her long dark hair fell over her shoulder as she looked back toward me. “When I smelled the cigar, I didn’t think of him. I thought of you.”

Chapter Twenty

Celia: 2010

Islid the drawing across the counter. “This is what I want.”

Ryan studied the image before shaking his head. “You know I’m gonna have to clear this with Grey.”

He reached for the cordless phone, and I placed my hand on top of his. “Look, he’s kind of in the middle of something and doesn’t want to be disturbed but trust me when I say that he knows about this.”

“Remember that time I gave you a ride home from the library during a rainstorm? Because I do. I’d be happy to tattoo the fuckin’ Statue of Liberty across your back, but only with his blessing.”

With a sigh, I gestured for him to make the call.

So much for it being a surprise.

“Uh, Grey? Hey, it’s Ryan over atInked on Broadway, and I’m sorry to bother you, but uh, your Ol’ Lady is here, and she’s wanting a tattoo—what’s that? Oh, it’s like a bird or some shit—”

“Phoenix.”

Ryan looked up at me with a furrowed brow before correcting himself. “Oh, it’s, uh, actually a phoenix. What? No, I didn’t ask.” He covered the mouthpiece and looked up at me again. “He wants to know where you’re wanting it.”

I briefly chewed on the inside of my cheek. “Tell him I want it over the thirteen.”

He rubbed at his forehead. “She, um, she wants it over a thirteen? Does that mean some—oh, she’s right here. Yes, sir. Whatever she wants. Got it.” He pulled the phone from his ear. “He wants to talk to you.”

“Hey,” I answered. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

He laughed roughly. “Should’ve gone to another shop then, darlin’. I know everybody comin’ and goin’ out ofInked.”

“You gonna waste any more of my time or let me get back to it?” I asked cheekily, enjoying the way the color seemed to drain from Ryan’s face.

“You’re takin’ some big risks there, princess. Better watch it, or I just might have a surprise for that smart mouth of yours when you get home.”

“I look forward to it, Pres.” I ended the call and handed the phone to Ryan with a triumphant grin. “You heard the man.”

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