Page 24 of The Dom with the Clever Tongue

“Used to be?”

“Gemma and Izzy sorted him out.” She grinned. “Gemma works with Mal. She’s a tattoo artist. Cross has his hands full with her. And Izzy’s not much better. She’s such a smartass.” She chuckled to herself. “But they’re good for him. They keep him balanced, you know?”

Not really, but she nodded anyway. So Malachi had been dumped because he wasn’t strict enough. Poor guy. Seemed like a silly reason but... Her own situation could turn out the same way. Doubt struck her. What if she asked Malachi to top Scarlet and Scarlet liked it so much she decided she couldn’t live without it? Would she break up with Reece?

A twinge of pain hit her chest and she felt like she couldn’t breathe. It was a possibility, but it was only fair for her to experience being topped properly. They’dtalked marriage a few times in the past few months. For now they’d have to hop next door to New York or Connecticut to make it legal. But Scarlet shouldn’t make a lifelong commitment without knowing if she and Reece were compatible in the bedroom. An unhappy sex life could split up even the most dedicated couple. And she didn’t believe in divorce.

Tears pricked at her eyes. She couldn’t lose Scarlet. She was the best thing that had ever happened to Reece. But she couldn’t live with herself if she withheld something Scarlet desired so strongly. If Reece truly loved her, she’d give her this. And if it came down to it, like Malachi, she’d let her go if she wasn’t enough. Maybe she and Malachi could form a lonely hearts club. He could coach her on getting over heartbreak. Kinky therapist turned real therapist.

She shook her head.You’re being overdramatic.First things first. Talk to Malachi.

“He’s probably not at the tattoo shop today, huh?” she mused, disappointed.

“He might be. He’s there almost every day. Even if there aren’t customers, he cleans and paints and stuff. That shop is like his second home.”

Perfect.

***

After Reece stopped home to apply make-up and put on real clothes, she headed to Ink Haven. She’d driven by the growing shop on Beach Street many times and had never given it a second look. Tattoos didn’t interest her. Though she’d like to take a closer look at Malachi’s inked-up body. She hadn’t paid attention to the designs covering his arms before. Tattoos seemed to give insight into a person’s life – their history, their values, their personality. She wondered what Malachi’s said about him.

Early afternoon on a Sunday, the shop was closed, as expected, but a figure moved behind the slightly tinted glass. When she went up close and peered inside, she recognized Malachi behind the counter. She knocked on the window.

A moment later, he opened the door and welcomed her inside with a smile. “Can’t say I thought you were the type for a tattoo, princess, but I’d love to give you one.”

She was too in awe with the shop to answer him. Red walls with beautiful framed art hung in a line across one side. Black-and-white tile floors gave it a funky appeal. The large fish tank lining the other wall made it feel a little zen.

Pointing toward it, she asked, “Is this to keep people relaxed during the pain?”

“No. I just like fish.”

She gazed at the colorful tropical fish. “Pretty.”

“Thanks.” He grinned. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

“I was talking about the fish!”

They both chuckled then stood awkwardly for a moment. “So what kind of tattoo are you looking for?” he finally asked.

“What? No.” She took a few steps back. “No tattoos for me.”

“No? You’d look sexy with one.”

“No. I don’t do...pain very well.”

His brows shot up like he didn’t believe her. “Really?”

Gathering her courage, she straightened her shoulders and said, “I’m here to talk about Scarlet.”

Curiosity showed on his face. “Okay. Have a seat.” He walked toward one of the tattoo stations and gestured to a big leather chair – a cross between a dentist seat and a lounge chair.

She stared at it a moment before hopping on. Being this close to needles and tattoo guns and...other stuff was a little unsettling. She shuddered. “If you start polishing your gun or whatever, I’m outta here.”

He laughed then sat down in a rolling seat a few feet away. “It’s not a gun. We don’t shoot people. It’s called a tattoo machine. And I never tattoo on the first date.” He winked.

“This isn’t a date,” she snapped then shifted on the chair and leaned back. Except the back disappeared, the front popped up, and the whole chair tipped backward. She yelped as she tried to fight gravity and stay upright in the middle. With her legs thrown out to the side, straddling the seat, she finally got herself under control. The chair had reclined itself entirely and morphed into a table.

She looked at Malachi, who seemed to be biting back a smile. His gaze dippeddown and he smirked. “Nice underwear.”

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