Page 261 of Sin With Me

“Why not? I’m hungry, and this is free.”

“I doubt it’s free,” I mutter. “Put some back.” She scrunches her nose at me as she drops everything on the couch before sitting on the opposite end, the snacks between us.

Ignoring me, she grabs a bag and rips it open, most of the little crackers falling into her lap. She doesn’t seem to mind as she begins chomping on them, the crumbs settling on her jeans and the couch. I sigh, giving the girl at the desk another apologetic smile, but she just smiles back, waving me off.

A tall man with broad shoulders and a beard strolls out of Kon’s room seconds before he appears. The man says something to him and Kon grunts his response. My lips twitch.

Seems he doesn’t talk to anyone, not just me.

A door somewhere in the shop opens as the man strides across the store, barely glancing at Oli and me, before slipping out of the shop. I stand, smoothing my hands down my leggings, and try to ignore the anxious twist of my stomach.

I step forward as Kon’s eyes meet mine. His brows barely raise. “You’re here.”

“You told me to be here at this time,” I say softly.

“Didn’t think you were serious.” He scans me like he’s trying to find something wrong, like he’s trying to see if he can tell I’m not ready for this.

But I am.

“Of course, I’m serious,” I mutter. “Why would I ask for a tattoo if I didn’t mean it?”

Kon glances behind him before looking back at me, sighing loudly and letting his shoulders fall. “Fine. Come on.”

I take a step forward, then come to an abrupt stop as someone steps behind Kon. My breath catches as my eyes meet hazel ones.

“You’re here for a tattoo?” Roman asks, his voice low. I barely manage a shaky nod, and he tips his chin back. Kon looks at him, his expression unreadable. “I’ll do it.”

“But, Kon—”

“No one touches you but me.” My mouth snaps shut, my eyes widening at his growled words. He claps Kon’s shoulder on his way past, the touch so familiar and effortless, it reminds me how close they really are.

I figured out how much Roman meant to Kon over the last couple weeks, but seeing them now, the way Roman is so comfortable around him, makes my throat tighten.

Apart from Chase, and occasionally me, Roman was never relaxed. He was always on edge, always ready to fight. But here, in this moment, even if he looks stressed, he doesn’t look on edge.

He disappears into his room, but I stay frozen until I feel a light nudge at my back. Glancing down, Oli is grinning up at me. “Go on, then. Your stepbrother just went all caveman and claimed you.”

“God, don’t call him that,” I groan, scrubbing my hand down my face.

“That’s what he is.” I shoot her a look and she chuckles, sliding deeper into the couch as she snacks.

“It sounds so—”

“Incesty,” she interrupts, nodding as she pops a mini cookie in her mouth. “I love it.”

“I wasn’t going to say that,” I hiss, glancing at the girl at the desk. She’s pretending not to listen, but I see the way her lips are tipped up in a smile. “Just don’t eat all their snacks.”

“It’s all gravy, baby,” she grins, putting her hand behind her head. “Go get some.”

“Oh my God.” I give her a final glare, then hesitantly make my way to where Roman disappeared.

I stand in the doorway, watching as he sets up, his back to me. His broad shoulders are bunched as he moves effortlessly around the room. Looking around, I take in the framed art pieces on the walls, the stencils taped up, the random posters and business cards, the stack of takeout menus in the back corner.

There’s a black leather chair beside his leg, and a metal stand he’s placing things on. A long black leather bed, like one you’d find in a doctor’s office, is pushed against one wall, and a comfy-looking chair is in the center of the room. A floor-to-ceiling length mirror is on another wall, surrounded by photos of random people’s limbs with fresh tattoos on them.

When I finally turn my attention back to him, Roman’s already staring at me. I didn’t even hear him turn around.

“Color?” he asks, and I blink.

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