Page 15 of Burn for Me

She might already have a few, but I've never seen them. She’s not like the other women on base who wear tank tops while working out or wander the halls in pajamas looking for a midnight snack. I’ve caught glimpses of the scars that peek out beneath her collar before, so I have a good idea why.

Sharkie shakes her head and steps closer to my side as Kage sits in a swivel chair and leans over a toolbox, pulling out various assortments of needles, ink, and his tattoo machine. The movement she makes reminds me a lot of Sam. Even though she’s trying to be protective, I find it comforting.

“What are we getting today?” Kage asks. I glance at the wall behind him, filled with display sheets showcasing beautiful abstract works of art. Some look hand-designed, while others seem printed for display, but I’m searching for a specific piece.

“So, tell me the story.” Kage laughs as I lazily point in that direction.

I respond with a giggle, drifting into the memory of every word Sam spoke yesterday. I shouldn’t think of him at the moment, especially with another man’s hand wiping something on my butt cheek, but the feelings stirred yesterday have a mind of their own.

It makes me wish it were his hand instead, with his lips close to my ear and the strong thump of his heart beating against my chest.

I clear my throat, “It’s because I'm sweet and innocent, of course!”

A felt tip is light on my skin as he stencils his work, and he responds with a humor-filled voice, “I'm having a hard time believing that.”

Sharkie laughs, prompting me to silently agree, though I won’t admit it's my way of defying a certain man. I take a sharp breath and duck my head into my arms as the needle vibrates against my skin. Eventually, my flesh goes numb, and I close my eyes to enjoy the brief moment of comfort–of normality.

“There you go!” Kage says, wiping a cool paper towel over the area. The moment ends too quickly, and I hesitate to hop off the table.

As I stand in front of the mirror, Sharkie looks disapproving but can’t hide the crinkle of laughter in her eyes. I tilt my hips to examine his work—it’s perfect; each line is straight and smooth in deep red cursive letters.

Angel.

“I love it,” I murmur with a mischievous grin. “How much do I owe you?”

“On the house. The men come in here enough to keep me in business, so consider it a thank you to them.”

“Thanks, Kage!" I yell as Sharkie hooks her arm through mine, quickly pulling us out of the shop.

“We better not be late.” Sharkie huffs as she tugs me toward the door.

I glance at the dashboard as I slide into the driver’s seat and shift to get comfortable, “Uh-oh.”

“Uh-oh? That’s what you have to say? Uh-oh?!” Sharkie rushes to buckle her seatbelt, and I throw the car into reverse, speedingtoward the base. The tattoo took longer than expected, and now we’re racing against the clock. Tide will blame me for being late, and Sam will be upset because he’s off schedule—not to mention the whole vehicle situation. But I don’t regret it. For the first time in a while, I felt normal—not like my old self or this new version I’ve created over the years, but like the person I am when it’s just Sam and me sitting together in silence.

So lost in my thoughts, I slam on the brakes as soon as we enter the base’s gates. Sam and Tide stand with their arms crossed, completely calm, despite the fact that I almost ran them over.

“Shit…” Sharkie mutters, and I stay silent in return, my stare narrowed on Sam, almost challenging him to try me.

Taking my sweet time, I unbuckle with my head held high and strut out of the car.

“Where have you–” I toss the keys at Sam's chest, cutting off his words.

“You better hurry up, or you'll be late for training.” I purr as I walk past him with a smile.

Six

8-23-2024

I want to enjoy this.

-Sam

I'm still pissed.

No matter how often Jasmine shocks us all by outrunning Moe on the training course, I still can't get over the fact that she was recklessly driving–my truck, might I add. The whole point of her having access to it was because I knew she’d be safe. That wasn't the most brilliant option, considering I could see the vehicle tilt on two fucking wheels when they entered the parking lot.

Tide isn't pleased either, which isn't anything out of the ordinary. Even if they made it on time, she endangeredhisgirl and left without warning. He has to run a tight ship, and the respect of his soldiers is the key to his success, but she refuses to understand that her role is to do as she's told and fill her position correctly.

---