Page 120 of So Steady

Noah told her not to worry. He had a feeling Toby’s niceness had limits. And even if it didn’t, caring less about what other people were doing was something his girl was trying to work on. She was doing great at it, too, and whenever she slipped up and tried to overcontrol herself or others, he spanked her. It seemed to be working for them.

As though summoned by his thoughts, Nicole walked toward him, her smile like a punch to the chest.

“How are things going out here?” she asked.

“They’d be better without the audience.”

“Quit your bitching,” Tabby said distractedly. “The snags are burning.”

Nikki poked her sister. “No, they’re not.”

She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, slipping her cool little tongue into his mouth. She was fucking fire, his girl. Last night, she’d screamed so loud while he was bending her over, it was lucky no one called the cops. Their kiss deepened and he nipped her lower lip, reminding her of what a dirty little thing she was.

He’d been right, she came to him when she was too horny to think straight. And he fucked her back to concentration. A job he’d happily do forever.

Nikki backed away, flushing and smoothing her sundress. “It’s a beautiful evening.”

“Yeah,” Noah said. “You’re here.”

Tabby made a face. “Pukeasaurus Rex. I’m going inside.”

She left and Noah turned the sausages because someone had to.

Nicole looked around the yard, bouncing on her toes. “I hope everyone has a good time tonight.”

“Who gives a shit if they don’t?”

She laughed and slipped her arm around his waist. “They’re my family, I have to give a shit.”

“No, you don’t. It was Sam’s idea to have a DaSilva barbecue.”

“But they’re my crazy aunts and uncles, too! And I haven’t seen any of them since the mistletoe disaster of ’08.”

“So, if they act up tonight, you can just shaft them for another decade.”

She smiled, but then her expression turned serious again. “Do you think it’s weird that we’re about to have this big family event when my dad’s still missing, and Sam and Tabby are walking tattoo factories and I’m a recovering control freak?”

God, she was fucking delightful. He kissed her forehead. “Yep, because it’s exactly like what we talked about.”

“We talk about things?”

“Sarcasm.” He clipped her with the tongs. “We talk about how things don’t have to be perfect to be good, remember? Or that’s the bullshit you pulled out when you sent my fuckin’ painting to that art cunt.”

“Esteemed gallery owner,” Nicole corrected. “And I did that because it’s a crime to keep your paintings locked in your house like children you’re ashamed of. The world needs to see what you can do, and stop cringing. You’re not allowed to cringe, it’s an insult to everyone who’s dreamed of painting the way you do.”

Noah turned another sausage, trying to swallow the supernova that had opened in his throat.

“Anyway,” Nicole said, holding up her right wrist. “I’ve already atoned for my paint-stealing sins, remember?”

“How could I forget?”

A few weeks ago, they’d been in the studio, listening to Sticky Fingers and waiting for it to hit five so they could go out for an early dinner when she’d turned to him. “I’ve figured out how I can apologise for trying to show the world your immense talent.”

“Oh yeah?”

“I want you to tattoo me.”

He’d refused, told her it wasn’t necessary, that she didn’t need to prove how she felt about him or apologise. But she’d insisted, begged even. Then she’d told him that she loved him and after months of mental paper jams, it had come out. “I love you, too, Nikki.”

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