Page 4 of Open Road (Tattooed Hearts Duet 3)

Nodding, I stood with him and waited for him to tell the others where we were headed. Lennox gave us a look, suspicion heavy in her gaze, and I hated she was feeling left out. I didn’t want her to feel that way. She was my whole world, and the sooner she knew that, the less anxious I’d feel.

Walking into Simon’s childhood bedroom, a new idea emerged in my head. He went to the bookshelf, grabbed something, and then turned around, catching my face.

“No.”

“What?” My lip lifted up slightly, giving away my intention.

“Uh-huh, I see that look. I know that face.” Simon grabbed me by the hips, pulling our bodies together, looping his fingers into the belt loops to hold onto me. “If we weren’t about to show Lenn the surprise you’ve been working on all month, then I’d be right there with you. You’re just nervous and wanting to distract yourself, but it would be at Peach’s expense, and neither of us want that. So, come on. Keep your snakezilla in your pants, and let's go and rock our girl’s world—figuratively speaking.”

He grinned, pecking my nose and letting go of the loops before he walked out. I knew he was right, but my cock didn’t like the idea of waiting as it strained against my zipper. Following him, I took some deep breaths, reminding myself she’d love it. Plus, it wasn’t like I hadn’t been drawing this tattoo for close to ten years now.

It was time I inked my girl, declaring to her and the world she was mine.

ChapterFour

SIMON

We shuffled into the store,Lennox in front of Slade, as he covered her eyes. Thane went around, turning on the lights, and the shop slowly came into view. The smell of fresh paint and plaster was still thick in the air, and it tickled my nose. The candles Thane had placed should help once they were lit. I had to give it to him, the place looked incredible.

Slade had spent the past week drawing and painting a mural that covered the main wall in front of the desk. It was a modge-podge of images that represented all of us. There were tiny envelopes, stars, hearts, fire, music notes, her yellow bug, a motorcycle, and even a peach. The bigger picture was of the four of us, with Lennox in the middle. It was beautiful how he’d interconnected every little detail of our lives.

Thane had spent most of the day putting little glow-in-the-dark stars all over the place as well, finishing it off with candles and music. I helped him light the last candle, and he hit play on the remote, the speakers coming to life with her voice. I heard her gasp as she recognized it, and she tried to turn her head to find where it was coming from.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now, Peach.”

Slade dropped his hands, shoving them into his pants as he stepped back, fear she’d hate it written all over his face. This was step one in his big plan.

“Whoa,” she exclaimed. She covered her mouth as she tried to take in all the details. “You did all of this forme?”

“Of course, we love you, Lemon,” I said, Slade having lost his words.

“I love you, guys, too.”

She reached out, grabbing all of our hands, squeezing them as she tried to get her emotions under control. She kept going back to the mural and finally dropped our hands so she could walk over to it to inspect it.

“This is incredible, Slade. I knew you were talented, but this is amazing. I just…” she trailed off as she looked closer. “It’s like a ‘Where’s Waldo?’ of our lives.”

Slade’s shoulders relaxed, and he grabbed her hand, pulling her to the door of the next room.

“This one’s yours.”

“Mine? Do you mean? But I thought—”

“I just told you no because I wanted it to be a surprise. So, I agreed to let you be out there with the others, but come on, Peach. Do you really think I let just everyone gawk at you? I want to limit it as much as possible,” he growled, pulling her to him, his alphahole tendencies returning.

I watched as she melted into him, and I smiled, loving the way they loved one another.

“We did good,” Thane said, bumping my shoulder. I nodded, unable to look away.

“Yeah, we did.”

Slade kissed her quickly, releasing her to drag her into the studio he’d customized for her. Lenn’s eyes grew huge as she walked in, her mouth falling open as she spun around, taking everything in. “This is amazeballs.”

Slade stood back, watching her. He hadn’t spared any expense on the space, making it a tattoo artist’s dream studio.

“Well, get comfortable, Peach. It’s time you got some ink. First one is yours.”

Squealing, she jumped into the chair, and Slade began his setup. Sitting back on the couch, I relaxed now that the reveal had gone well. I knew it would, but Slade’s anxiety had started to rub off on me. Lenn would’ve been happy with a janitor’s closet. She just wanted to be part of it.

---