Page 42 of Bite Your Tongue

After all, this is my first proper date. I’m going to enjoy it.

“We’re almost at our first stop,” I say, enjoying having Saylor in my arms a little too much. “After this, we have dinner plans.”

She looks up ahead, and then her eyes fly to mine, wide with panic. “A tattoo shop? On Christmas? How is that even possible?”

“Honestly, I’m not really sure,” I answer. “But I’m going to get one with you.”

“How is this not a big deal to you? Do you already have other ones?” She stops, looking deep in thought. “I’ve seena lotof you, Ryder Cambridge, and I don’t remember any ink. But it would be crazy if you don’t already have one because you seem so … calm.”

“This will be my first,” I say honestly just as the horses come to a stop and she grows visibly antsy. “Not a fan of needles, so never saw the need for a tattoo.”

Her throat works as she gulps thickly, her eyes wide and staring at the tattoo shop. “Maybe we should just, you know, erase that from my list. I mean, a tattoo is forever. You do realize that, right? I felt like a badass, writing that, but I’d be fine to just, you know … cover it up with Wite-Out and pretend it was never there, and no one has to know.”

“Stop it,” I say, patting her thigh. “How about I go first? You can watch me be a big, brave boy, and it’ll make you feel better.” I shrug before slowly standing and pulling her up with me. “I’ll even let you choose my ink.”

“Well, that’d be great, but … does that mean you get to choose mine too?” She gasps. “I don’t know how I feel about that.”

“What are you scared of?” I utter, bringing my lips to her ear. “Afraid I might get an outline of my dick on your ass cheek?”

Her body shudders against mine, but she smacks my arm lightly. “You wouldn’t!” She pauses, looking thoughtful. “What about matching ones?”

“Sounds intimate,” I tease her, leading her down onto the sidewalk. “I’m kidding. That sounds good, but I think I should choose.”

“Um, no!” She shakes her head. “That’s a negative, Ghost Rider.”

I tilt my head to the side. “Your list is all about letting go and living, Brat. Don’t you think letting someone else choose your ink would be a perfect example of that?” I narrow my eyes. “I mean, you have kissing Morgan Wallen on there. That seems weirder than letting me choose your tattoo.”

Her mouth hangs open, and she stares at me in shock. “He’s Morgan Wallen, you moron. I’d let him or Riley Green do just about anything to me—”

Bringing my finger to her lips, I shut her up.Damn Riley and his mustache, and fuck Wallen and his handsome face.

“Don’t wanna hear it, Brat. You’re on a date with me now.”

Her eyes dance between mine, and surprisingly, she keeps quiet. Slowly, I pull my finger away from her plump lips.

“Fine, you choose. But nothing stupid, okay?”

“I’m getting it too; you think I want something stupid on me?” I ask, pretending she hurt my feelings.

“I mean, maybe … yes,” she deadpans. “You do weird, debatable shit from time to time.”

“I already have one in mind,” I toss back, giving her an annoyed look. “And it is definitely not stupid.” It actually holds significance for us both.

She sighs, moving around on her feet a bit, like she’s shaking out her nerves. “All right. Fine,” she says before walking past me. “Let’s do this. Before I change my mind.”

We end up getting our tattoos done at the same time—how there are two people working at a tattoo shop on Christmas, I have no idea. But this worked out because she agreed I could choose what we got.

Mine is done, and the artist finishes hers before wiping it off and nodding toward Saylor.

“It’s done,” he says proudly. “What do you think?”

Holding her arm up, she stares at the small outline of Maine on her bicep. I chose the outline of Maine for both of us because for Saylor, that’s her home, and for me, it’s where my Shark family is. And truly, I love it so much that I don’t know if I’ll ever leave.

“Oh my God,” she squeals, covering her mouth. “I love it.”

“Did I do okay?” I grin. “Not too stupid, right?”

She doesn’t tear up, which I knew she wouldn’t because that isn’t her. But her voice is thick with emotion when she says, “Definitely not stupid, Ryder. You did good. I … I really love it. I was worried you’d give me a corny quote or actually follow through and get an outline of your dick.” She stares at it again. “Now I have a little piece of home with me all the time.”

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