Page 16 of Big Easy
"Take me to your bed, Jaxson." Her breath hitches.
That's all I needed to hear. Our food is forgotten. I quickly stand, bringing Sutton out of her chair with me. Digging my wallet from my back pocket, I toss enough cash onto the table for the food and a decent tip, all while fighting the urge to throw Sutton over my shoulder, caveman style, and carry her sweet ass out of the restaurant.
Eager as I am, Sutton keeps a steady pace beside me as we make our way downstairs toward the exit. As we descend the stairs, we run into Ryker.
"Heather mentioned you were here." He grins and glances at Sutton. "Are you leaving already?"
I quickly make introductions. "Ryker, this is Sutton—Sutton, meet Ryker Nygard." Ryker's eyes drop to our joined hands, and his grin grows.
"It's good to meet you, Sutton." Just before Ryker says another word, his phone rings, and he pulls it from his pocket. The color drains from his face. "I'm on my way." He ends the call. "Shit," he hisses, looking frazzled.
"Brother, is everything alright?" I ask..
He runs his hand through his long red beard. "My wife just went into labor." His eyes widen as if he doesn't know his next move.
I chuckle and clasp his shoulder. "Congratulations, brother. Now pull your head out of your ass and get to the hospital before you miss the birth of your son."
"Crap. I got to go." He looks at Sutton. "I hope to meet you again."
"Likewise," she says, then we watch him rush down the stairs and disappear.
"Let's get out of here." I usher Sutton out.
Finally, outside, we cross the street. Securing the helmet on her head, I help Sutton settle in behind me. Like before, she slides her palms across my abs, and I pull into traffic.
Twenty minutes later, I'm parking my bike outside Outlaw Ink. "You live here?" Sutton looks around. The lights are still on in the shop, but we closed early, nearly two hours ago.
"The club owns the place, but I live in the apartment above the shop." I point upward. "Come on, I'll give you a tour of the place." Punching out the code, I unlock the entrance. Out of habit, I check the inside, doing a quick visual scan before escorting her inside the building. "It's pretty basic as far as tattoo shops go. We each have our own stations and equipment. Mine," I say and point toward the back of the room, "is over there."
"The artwork on the wall is impressive. I love the vibrant colors." She looks around the room, admiring the pictures. "Did you tattoo all of these?"
"Not all of them. My brothers are amazing artists as well. Many of those are their masterpieces."
Sutton stops to admire a chest piece I did on a breast cancer survivor last year. "It's beautiful. I love the way the lines of the tattoo flow across her chest, and the way the phoenix tail feathers cascade over the curve of her hip." I stand amazed at how her eye catches all the details.
"Have you been inked?" I ask.
"No, but maybe one day. Looking at these photographs would inspire anyone to wear a permanent piece of art." The thought of being the first to press a tattoo needle against her flawless skin sends a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins.
I grab her hand once more and lead her to the spiral staircase that leads to my upstairs apartment. "Wow. I'm impressed. For a bachelor pad, it's not bad." Sutton moves about the room as I cross into the kitchen.
"I don't have much to offer in the drink department." I open the refrigerator. "I have water, juice, and sweet tea." I look over my shoulder to find her heading toward my bedroom.
"Water is fine." Stopping at the open door, she glances back at me. "Is this where the magic happens?" she teases.
My woman is bold, and I like it.
Leaving the water, I follow close behind while she enters my bedroom.
My king-sized bed, covered with a plush white comforter and pillows, faces the French doors that open to the balcony. The walls are the same black as the rest of my living space. On the other side of the room, not far from the balcony doors, is a stripper pole.
Sutton spots it. I wait for her response. She cocks her head at me, her brow lifted, but says nothing, and I offer no explanation. I don't feel the need to.
I turn on some music and watch Sutton cross the room, stopping in front of the mirrored doors. "The mirrors are two ways?" she looks out at the glowing city lights across the river.
"For privacy, without losing the view." I come up behind her and brush her hair to the side. I pepper kisses down her neck, feeling her skin prickle. "Your skin is so soft." My calloused palms skim beneath the hem of her scrubs, and my fingertips graze the bottoms of her covered breasts.
"Jaxson," she breathes.
