Page 24 of Forbidden Harmony

“No, why?”

“You’re shaking,” he said.

“Just nervous. I’m not worried about thepain or anything though.”

He was silent behind her and she nearlyjumped out of her skin when his gloved hand traced over her lower back. “Youneed to relax, Sunshine. I can’t tattoo you if you’re shaking like this.”

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“It’s fine,” he said. “If you don’t wantthis, it isn’t too late to change your mind.”

“I want this.”

Preacher continued to rub her lower back.His touch was soothing and after a few minutes, she was feeling much calmer andmore in control.

“Better?” he said.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Good. I have some tequila I could giveyou if you want a shot to calm your nerves further.”

She laughed. “Probably not a good idea.I’m a cheap drunk.”

His low chuckle sent a zing of heat to her core.“No tequila then. I have a rule about not tattooing my clients when they’redrunk.”

“Good rule,” she said.

He stroked her back a final time beforerolling closer. “Here we go. Ready?”

She nodded and took a deep breath as thetattoo gun buzzed to life.

Chapter Seven

Preacher was impressed with his little schoolteacher.It was an hour later, and he was almost finished with the tattoo. Her softskin was bright red, and it was obvious that it was becoming more painful, butshe hadn’t complained once or asked for a break. He wiped at her skin and shemade a soft hiss of pain.

“Sorry,” he said.

“It’s fine,” she said. “I’m just being awimp.”

He traced his finger down her spine, likingthe way it made goose bumps rise on her skin. “I’m almost done.”

“O-okay,” she said.

He resisted the temptation to trace herskin again and resumed the shading. The orchid was perfect and lookedbeautiful on her. He’d almost fallen over when he heard her soft voice in histattoo shop. He wondered if she had seen his surprise when she said she wanteda tattoo.

He probably should have told her no. Hehad a feeling that later she would regret being inked, but he couldn’t refuseher pleading gaze. Never mind the fact that he was itching to tattoo her. Whenshe allowed him to draw an original for her, an even deeper sense ofpossessiveness and pride washed over him.

She would be marked forever by him. Hisink would always be etched in her soft skin and every time she looked at it,she would be reminded of him.

He wanted desperately to know why she wasn’tengaged anymore. Was it because of him? Had the dirtbag lawyer finally seenhis mark on her neck and broke it off with her? Guilt rolled over him and hestopped tattooing. Fuck, what if it was his fault? He could try and ignore itall he wanted, but his little Sunshine didn’t look quite so sunshiny as sheusually did.

Was her heart broken? Was she regrettingthat fleeting moment with him outside of the pub? Even the way she dressed wasdifferent. She wasn’t wearing her customary string of pearls and instead ofher usual dress she was wearing a plain t-shirt and skinny jeans. He’d neverseen her in jeans before. Her auburn hair was in a messy bun and pinned haphazardlyagainst her scalp and her skin was free of makeup.

“Is it my fault?” He had to know.

She didn’t ask him what he meant. “No.”

“Are you telling me the truth?” He couldstill see his fading mark on her throat and more guilt flooded through him.

---