Page 99 of All The Things: The Last Thing He Needs Omnibus

“Wow,” Bobby muttered.

Carrie had drawn a rough sketch of their idea. Her skills were coming along, but Ben had taken her little design to a whole new level.

“That’s about as small as I can go and still keep the detailing,” Ben explained. “And I added two little branches here for balance.”

Tommy counted them and shook his head. “Nope, has to be seven.”

“I figured you’d say that.” Ben plucked the paper from Tommy’s fingers. “You’re a picky bastard, Tommy.”

Bobby snorted a laugh, nodding, but he didn’t say anything as Ben handed them another sheet of paper. The second design was similar but actually looked better this time around. The intricate knot made from two separate roots was finer, had more details, and the seven little branches stretching out and away from them seemed to have personalities of their own.

“If I weren’t so picky, I wouldn’t be here,” Tommy said after a beat. He looked at Bobby and asked, “What do ya think, copper?”

“It’s… pretty damn amazing, actually.”

Tommy agreed with a nod and handed the drawing back to Ben. “That’s the one.”

“All right,” Ben said, a half-smile on his face as he disappeared behind the curtain again.

Tommy lost track of time, had no idea how long they’d been there, and felt bad for Ben by the end. The guy looked like his hand might fall off when he finally said they were done. He ran through the details about aftercare and, just to be a dick, gave Tommy a nice slap on his chest over his fresh ink. Tommy felt less bad for him then.

“You’re an asshole,” Tommy said, wincing. “I hope you don’t do that to all your customers.”

“You’re the first, actually,” Ben said with a laugh. “But I promised Gene, so blame him.”

That made more sense. He’d have to thank Gene later with a boot in his ass. “How’s Gavin doin’?” Tommy asked, distracted as he watched Bobby button his shirt.

“He’s still a pain in my ass, so I guess I can’t complain.”

Tommy knew the look on Ben’s face for what it was. He probably had the same expression every time he talked about Bobby.

“Tell him to come with ya the next time you’re in town. He deserves a few free drinks down at the bar for putting up with you.”

After they settled the bill and walked outside into the dark blue night, Tommy slipped his arm around Bobby’s shoulder and kissed his temple. “Any regrets?”

Bobby had decided at the last minute to get his tattoo over his heart, just as Tommy had done. Until that second, he’d been firm on having it on his back somewhere—where he wouldn’t have to see it if he didn’t like it.

He turned to face Tommy, looked deep into his eyes for a long minute, and whispered, “Not a one.”

“Good,” Tommy said as he leaned in, brushed his lips over Bobby’s. “Let’s go make some good use of that hotel room.”

Getting Bobby out of his clothes and onto the bed took no time at all. Tommy’s abused skin smarted every time he moved his left arm, but it wasn’t too distracting. Not when Bobby pressed close and ran his fingertips down the length of Tommy’s cock. Not when he pulled Tommy over him and kissed him hard and hungry, bit his bottom lip as he carded his fingers into Tommy’s hair.

When Bobby reached for the small bottle of lube, Tommy asked, “You in some kinda rush tonight?”

Bobby breathed out a soft laugh. “You’re not?” He shifted and spread his legs wider, an obvious invitation as he hitched one foot up the back of Tommy’s leg.

Tommy shook his head and pulled back, practically wrestled with Bobby until he could straddle his hips. “Not in a rush, exactly,” Tommy said as he drizzled the clear fluid into his hand and started to stroke Bobby’s cock in a long, slow rhythm. “Just haven’t decided what I wanna do yet.”

The gasp from Bobby sent a quick, hot spark of want through Tommy. It always did, truth be told. But tonight, he really did want to take his time. He prepped them both slowly, hitched himself higher over Bobby’s body, and watched Bobby’s face as he lowered himself over Bobby’s cock.

Surprise and satisfaction mingled in Bobby’s expression as Tommy started to ride him. They’d been together a while now—Christ, they were married, for fuck’s sake—but it still seemed to shock the hell out of Bobby anytime Tommy bottomed for him.

“What are you smirking about?” Bobby asked, his words tangled in a groan as he rocked his hips, got himself into synch with Tommy.

“Just can’t decide if I should do this more often,” Tommy whispered, having to pause for a strained breath. “Or if I should keep you wanting more.”

Bobby’s laugh was tight, as if it was too much effort to keep up with conversation and fuck Tommy at the same time. “I always want more,” Bobby muttered, running his hand up Tommy’s arm, tugging him closer. “But I don’t care how I get it, as long as it’s you.”

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