Under His Ink Read online

  “I hear she’s booked pretty far in advance,” I said breathlessly. He gave me a lazy smile that made my stomach do somersaults and had me squeezing my thighs together.

  “I think I might be able to persuade her to fit me in.”

  He palmed my ass and slid my jeans down over my hips. I braced my hands on his shoulders to steady myself.

  “Ivan—” The words caught in my throat as he glanced up at me. I’d said I wouldn’t say stop. I didn’t want to say stop. I wanted this, but I knew when it was all over, it would be a mistake.

  “Stop thinking, Dahlia. Stop thinking and just feel.” He slid his hands up my stomach and under my bra, cupping my breasts. He toyed with my nipples, squeezing and tugging on them. I groaned as he snatched his hands away just as quickly as they were there. “I don’t want to do this here. Will you come home with me?”

  He tugged my jeans back up over my ass and picked up my sweatshirt off the floor. I nodded. I knew the words wouldn’t come if I tried to say them out loud. He helped me back into my sweatshirt and grabbed my coat off the hook by the door.

  “Let’s go out the back.” He threaded his fingers between mine and guided me to the back door.

  “Why?”

  “You’ll see,” he said, pushing the door open. In the dingy alley that no one would ever call romantic or mood setting in any way was a black town car complete with a driver in a black suit. The driver opened the door, and Ivan hustled me into the car before peering down the alley and climbing in after me. His heavy grip was on my thigh the entire trip. His hand traveled up and down my leg, keeping me on edge as we traversed the city, heading to his apartment. Each pass of his hand brought it higher and higher up my thigh.

  I glanced over at him, but he kept his attention out the windows of the car. I felt like he was trying not to spook me, afraid if he gave me his undivided attention, I might try to escape, maybe even jumping from the moving car. But I had no intentions of trying to escape. I needed this. No matter what happened, I needed to have at least one taste of Ivan now. Of the Ivan I helped piece together with fragments of his past.

  He ushered me into his apartment and closed the door behind him. “Welcome to my home.” I glanced around, and it was nothing like I would’ve expected. The Ivan I remembered would not have gone for the deep, rich colors and wood accents of his place. But in a way I saw how it made sense. He’d grown up in our time apart. We both had. In more ways than either of us realized.

  “Stop thinking, Dahlia. I see the wheels turning. I see the excuses brewing. But I know you want this as much as I do. Need it like I do.”

  My feet were rooted to the floor. With every step he took closer, my heart pounded harder in anticipation of what he would do to me. How he’d make me soar.

  In bed. That was one place where things always made sense between the two of us. It was the one place where I always knew he’d catch me.

  “How is it after all these years, you’re even more beautiful than I remember?”

  “That could be the endorphins running through your body. I have been torturing you for the past few weeks. Maybe this is just your mind’s way of coping with being so close to your torturer,” I said, my breath catching as he wrapped his arms around me, tugging my shirt and bra off in one motion.

  “Somehow I don’t think that’s true. But there is one thing I never got to do, and I’m not going to be able to resist for another minute.”

  “What?”

  He pressed his palm into my chest, making me fall over backward onto the soft couch. My legs hooked over the arm, and I licked my lips in anticipation. My hair flew into my face, and I pushed it out of the way and tried to right myself. He had other ideas. Both of my heels were gone in an instant, and Ivan unbuttoned my jeans and ripped them off my legs in one fluid motion, but slid the heels back onto my feet. I chuckled, ready to ask about his infatuation with my shoes, but laughter died in my throat as I felt Ivan’s hot breath on my pussy.

  “I never got to taste you, Dahl. I plan to make up for it now.” He buried his face in my pussy, flicking my clit with his tongue. I clawed at the couch, my fingers digging into the cushions as a scream ripped from my throat. The smoldering balls of fire that had been brewing in my stomach and making me wet since the moment he stepped into my shop finally exploded. My body went rigid, and I collapsed back into the couch after the world’s fastest orgasm.

  He stood between my legs, which were still over the back of the arm, with a big smile on his face, rolling a condom onto his thick shaft.

  “That was one.”

  “You’re keeping count now?”

  “Making sure you don’t forget tonight anytime soon,” he said, rubbing his fingers down my slit, and I shuddered. He lined himself up with my pussy, the head of his cock rubbing through my wetness.

  “Are you ready?”

  15

  Ivan

  She nodded, and that was all I needed. I pressed into her. I sucked in a breath while her warm heat completely enveloped me.

  Her moans and cries as I bottomed out made my toes curl. I bit back a curse and closed my eyes. We weren’t supposed to do this here. I’d gotten ahead of myself, so excited to finally taste her that we hadn’t even made it to the bed like I’d planned.

  Keeping myself firmly inside her, I lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around me, surrounding me with her soft warmth. Her hands ran up into my hair, and I licked the side of her neck.

  “Where are we going?” she said breathlessly. Her eyes were glazed with desire, and I had to force myself to take another step toward the bedroom and not press her right up against the wall. We’d save that for later. She kissed along my jaw, and I growled as I laid her down on the bed.

  “Bed,” I said as she hitched her legs higher and I sank deeper into her. A shiver ran through my body as I stared at her, spread so deliciously in my bed. Finally.

  She squeezed her legs tighter around me and bucked her hips.

  “Are you trying to tell me something, Dahl?” I asked, brushing the hair off her face.

  “Fuck me,” she said, grinding herself on me. My eyes rolled back in my head as she tightened around me.

  “As you wish.” I leaned down, caging her between my arms as my hips slammed into her over and over again. Her nails raked down my back, digging into my skin, and I relished every sharp second of it. She didn’t seem as worried about damaging her artwork as she had been earlier.

  “Yes,” she moaned with her fingers fisted around the base of my neck. I cupped her breast, tugging and pinching her nipple. Her back arched up off the bed, and she screamed, nearly deafening me as she tightened around me. Her orgasm triggered my own, and I gritted my teeth and buried my face in her hair. She smelled like flowers, like wildflowers. Sweaty wildflowers. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  I rolled off her and pulled her onto me. Her hair tickled my skin as she ran her fingers across my chest.

  “That was two,” I said, running my fingers through her hair. She lifted up her head and smiled with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

  “Just how many do you think you’re good for?”

  “I can go all night. Can you keep up?”

  “Only one way to find out.” She pressed up off my chest and slung her thigh over my hips, grabbing my cock in her hand. I hissed as she rubbed me up and down her wet slit, grabbing a condom before lowering herself onto me.

  “I think we’re going to have fun figuring out just how far you’re willing to go.”

  She didn’t say a word but dropped her hips down in a freefall. Both of us groaned in unison as I slid into her to the hilt.

  Bits of sunlight tried to break through the thick curtains. I woke slowly, my body tense until I realized Dahlia was in my arms. I stared down at her and ran my finger along the side of her face. She squirmed and burrowed deeper into my chest. Her hands wrapped around my back, and her leg was over top of mine. I was like her own personal climbing equipment.

  Things were
different now. I always thought it would be the case, but now I knew for sure. There was nothing in this world, short of death, that would keep me away from her. I didn’t know how I was gonna do it, but I would make sure she was safe. Leaving wasn’t an option. For me or for her. The look on her face when she’d opened the envelope with the invitation for the gallery opening—I wanted to be able to give her that look every day of her life. Make her see herself the way I saw her, the way other people saw her.

  The newspaper article showed a side of her most people wouldn’t imagine. A tattoo artist with a heart of gold. I always knew that was the truth. That’s what drew me to her in the beginning. Well, that and her amazing ass. I slid my hand down her back and cupped her ass, giving it a nice squeeze. She grumbled in her sleep and swatted at my hand.

  I nuzzled my head in beside hers, breathing her in. My phone lit up and vibrated on the nightstand. I didn’t want to look. I didn’t want anything to disrupt our brief bit of peace because I knew it could all come crashing down at any minute. The real world was full of dangers, full of things I couldn’t control, but I could stay with her here like this for just a few more minutes.

  The screen lit up again, and the phone rattled as another message or phone call came in. I sighed and disentangled myself from her. She grabbed the pillow and squashed it to her chest, wrapping herself around it.

  A text from Alexei.

  Alexei: I got a message from Elena.

  Me: Thank fuck. What did she say?

  Alexei: She was having trouble getting to the airport because Sergei’s guys are crawling all over everything. Apparently, Erik has been helping her. She’s leaving Russia by boat to bypass his eyes and ears to get to somewhere safe to fly from. She should be here by the end of the month.

  Me: This is taking so much longer than I hoped.

  Alexei: I know, but what else can we do. At least we know she’s safe. She was finally in a place where she could make a call.

  Me: Yes, I guess that’s at least one good thing.

  Alexei: How’s Dahlia?

  I glanced around me, swearing he must have cameras in my apartment.

  Me: How in the hell did you know?

  Alexei: If I ever text you this early in the morning you always call me right away to bitch me out about bothering you. I figured no call meant you had a visitor. Since she’s all you’ve talked about since the day you saw the paper, I figured she was there.

  Me: She is.

  I glanced back at her as she covered her head with the blanket.

  Alexei: What happens now?

  Me: Once Elena gets here, then we can figure out what we are going to do. I don’t want to make any moves until I know she’s safe.

  Alexei: Agreed.

  I dropped my phone and climbed back into bed with Dahlia. She opened her eyes and looked at me. I wanted this every morning.

  “Good morning. How did you sleep?” I asked, running my hands down her back.

  “Not that great. Someone kept waking me throughout the night, doling out sexual favors until I nearly passed out.” Her sleepy smile was eclipsed by a big yawn. I could have this every morning for the rest of my life, and it would never be enough

  “That doesn’t sound like much of a problem to me.”

  She playfully punched me in the chest.

  “What time is it?” She sat up and glanced out the window. The late morning sun was masked by the heavy curtains in my bedroom.

  “It’s a little after ten.”

  “Oh wow, I should get going.” She tried to roll out of bed, but I caught her arm and held on to her. She glanced back at me.

  “What’s up?”

  “Nothing, I just want to stay here for a little longer.”

  “You want to stare at me like a scary stalker for a little longer. I’ve got stuff to do, especially if I have this art show thing happening. I’ll have to call them and figure it all out.” She hopped off the bed and scurried out into the living room, coming back with her clothes in her arms.

  “Did I tell you thank you for what you did?” she asked, bouncing onto the bed.

  “I don’t think you did.”

  “I am very. Very. Grateful.” She punctuated each word with a kiss on my lips. I pulled her down on top of me and smacked her ass. She pinched my nipple and squirmed out of my arms. “I’m going to take a quick shower. Is that okay with you?”

  I tucked my hands behind my head. “Of course. Go ahead. I’ll get you some towels.”

  “I was hoping maybe you might want to join me.” She shook her hips as she walked into the bathroom. Like I needed any more of an invitation. I jumped out of bed and practically bowled her over trying to get her into the shower. Her laughter echoed off the walls of the bathroom as we both ducked under the warm spray of the water.

  “This bench looks like it would sure come in handy,” she said, sitting on the built-in stone bench that ran along one of the walls of the shower. Without another word, she reached out and took my cock in her hand, working it into a soapy lather.

  “You could say that.”

  She grinned up at me, and I braced my hand on the shower wall. My knees threatened to give out from under me as she worked her hand up and down my shaft. It was going to be a very good morning for the both of us as I plotted my sweet, sweet revenge.

  I sat across from Luca at one of his family’s many restaurants, practically coming apart at the seams with the rage building inside of me. The pictures he had showed me detailed way more than surveillance. They’d gone inside the shop. The massive shade over the front window was up and they were talking with one of the guys who worked at her shop. My jaw clenched at the thought of her working with someone who might be putting her in danger.

  After they left, they checked out the exterior of the building and seemed to be looking for something. Whatever it was, they hadn’t found it, but that wasn’t what mattered. What mattered was they were still there and getting bolder when it came to their intrusions into her life.

  After bringing in Alexei’s expertise, we scoured the place top to bottom without Dahlia knowing to make sure they hadn’t planted anything in there. No electronic surveillance on the street either. Only the eyes and ears of Sergei’s guys.

  Indecision warred inside me. How did I get them to stop without letting on that I was there? That I’d been there and I was now involved with her? As soon as my uncle knew that, it would be open season on her. Elena still wasn’t here, so anything we did might put her at risk. We’d discovered his contingency plans in place in case of his untimely death that might have put Elena at risk. Alexei was scouring every possible lead to make sure he’d taken care of any loose ends we may have missed.

  Tonight was Dahlia’s gallery opening. I should be there, supporting her, threatening to beat the shit out of anyone who didn’t recognize her talent. Instead I was here, sifting through the clusterfuck that was my life and every issue I’d brought into her life since the moment I met her.

  It was only a matter of time before she realized it wasn’t worth it. Or she ended up hurt by someone out to get me. The only way to stop that was to be more powerful. More dangerous. To take my place at the head of the table. Would she accept me once I did what I had to do to protect her? I didn’t know, but I couldn’t handle leaving her open to an attack.

  There wasn’t a prison on earth that could hold me until I rained down unbridled fire and brimstone on anyone who thought they could get to me through her. She’d already lost someone she loved because of me. I wasn’t going to see her hurt any more than she already had been. She didn’t even know how much being involved with me had already screwed up her life. Once she realized everything she’d lost because of me, there would be no coming back.

  16

  Dahlia

  I rushed around the apartment, shoving another macaron into my mouth, and gathered my things to take to the gallery. Making last-minute arrangements to get my pictures together had been a hell of a lot of work. Once the galler
y owner helped me choose the pieces, I’d had to get them printed and mounted.

  I was sweating buckets and running around town trying to make sure everything went off without a hitch. Rachel kept disappearing, so I couldn’t even get her to help. Every step of the way, I struggled to wrap my head around the fact that Ivan had done this for me.

  Just when I thought I had him figured out, he’d change gears and completely floor me. My head shot up at the thumping knock on the door. I peeked out the peephole and swung the door open. Craning my neck, I checked out the striking blond with bright blue eyes. He was big. Not as big as Ivan, but still a big guy.

  “Hi. You must be Dahlia. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He extended his hand, trying his best to play the dutiful boyfriend. It had taken me almost two weeks just to pry his name out of Rachel, but other than that she’d been incredibly tight-lipped.

  He was drop-dead gorgeous and nothing like I’d have expected for Rachel. She was so nice and sweet. This guy looked like a fucking asshole. Killian.

  I glanced down at his hand and opened the door wider so he could step inside. I closed the door behind him and crossed my arms over my chest, checking him out. His tailored suit fit well for a guy his size. It still looked like he might burst out of it at any minute, but he certainly had a better tailor than Ivan.

  He fidgeted a little under my steady stare. Good. Fidget. I’m sure there weren’t many people who could make him uncomfortable.

  “So, you’re the elusive Killian.” I pushed off the door and stalked toward him, giving my heels just the right bit of attitude. Our neighbors downstairs had to hate me right then. I had no trouble falling right into best-friend, don’t-you-mess-with-her mode.

  “That would be me.” He tried to pull off a nice-guy smile, but I saw right through him. Trouble with a big red flashing sign was what I saw when I looked at him, and I should know, I had one of my own. Falling for that kind of guy had never been an issue for me. Sadly it looked like Rachel had taken me up on my shitty advice.