Page 89 of Lucien

Jamie looked up from the flash book as the man he’d been waiting for came out from the back, rubbing hand sanitizer between his palms. “Jamie? Come on back.”

“Wait here,” Jamie ordered, pressing a swift kiss to Luc’s frowning mouth. When the vampire still looked like he would protest, Jamie leaned in for a longer, filthier kiss, with lots of tongue for good measure. He shot the waiting employee a wink at the end, feeling only slightly guilty for the questionable PDA.

Taming a monster took a lot of work, okay? Sometimes there was going to be collateral damage.

This time, he gave Luc’s muscular ass a swat as he walked away. “Be right back, monster.”

It didn’t take long at all. Barely half an hour and they were out the door, Luc still acting vaguely pissy at being left behind in the shop. “You didn’t have to pay for it,” he grumbled. “I could have compelled him for you.”

“I’m not gonna scam some poor tattoo artist out of his money. Save that for the Walmarts of the world. Although, I do want you to teach me the mind-control thing. That’s pretty fucking cool.”

“Pretty fucking cool,” Luc repeated, musing over the words. He squeezed the hand Jamie had tucked into his. “Have I told you today how much I love you, my sweet?”

Jamie nodded, squeezing him back. “Like five times. You’re pretty sappy now that we’re bonded, aren’t you, green eyes?”

“I’ll show you sappy,” Luc growled, a surprisingly playful sound, pushing Jamie back into the alley they’d been walking past. He pressed the whole length of his body against Jamie’s front, collaring his throat with one broad hand. “Think you’re in charge now, do you, flower?”

Jamie did his best not to reveal the way the little dominance display had his pulse racing, but he knew Luc could hear it anyway.Jamiecould hear it, his poor little vampire heart pounding away.

Still, he arched a haughty brow, just for fun. “I’ve always been in charge, monster.”

“Yes, I believe you have been.” Luc reached up to stroke the hair away from Jamie’s face, but he didn’t take his other hand from his throat. “Show me,” he ordered, tightening his grip just a little.

Jamie maintained eye contact as he unbuttoned his jeans, delighting in the way Luc’s bright eyes flared with heat. He turned down the top band of his pants, revealing the script marked into his hip.

For my monster.

Luc glanced down, and then his green eyes were burning into Jamie’s, his hand tightening again on Jamie’s throat. Jamie resisted the urge to purr at the sensation. “How do you know it will stay?” Luc asked, his voice gruff.

Jamie shrugged. “I sort of guessed. But human skin regenerates all the time, and tattoos manage to stay visible. I don’t know exactlyhowit works, but I figured it would still hold on vampire skin. Maybe it’ll fade faster, maybe I’ll have to have it retouched in a few years, but that’s fine. I’ll have it redone as many times as I need to.”

“For my monster,” Luc murmured, tracing the edges of the tattoo with one finger now, softly. Reverently. “And what is for your monster, exactly? The tattoo? This body it’s been etched on?”

“All of it,” Jamie answered simply, relaxing into Luc’s hold. “My body. My soul. All of it’s for you. A reminder, should you need it.”

Through the bond, Jamie could feel the pleasure and love coursing through Luc at his words. “I like it very much, flower.Verymuch.”

“I thought you would, you possessive bastard.” Jamie hooked a hand around the back of Luc’s head, pulling him in close, nose to nose. “But don’t forget. It goes both ways. You belong to me too, every part of you.”

“Even the darkest parts.” There was a faint question in Luc’s tone.

“Especiallythose,” Jamie said firmly. “And when you feel out of control, you come to me, huh? I’ll give you exactly what you need.” His cock plumped in his jeans at the thought of it. Taming his vicious monster whenever it was required.

Luc’s breath hitched, and he released his hold on Jamie’s throat, caressing his chin with a brush of his knuckles. “You really are a desert flower, aren’t you? So beautiful. So alluring. But you draw blood when you want to. I’ve underestimated you from the beginning, haven’t I?”

Jamie nodded. “That’s okay though. You’re getting it now.”

And Jamie had endless lifetimes to keep reminding him.

Epilogue

Lucien

Lucstalkeddownthepath, the night air quiet around him. Earlier in the day, the large park had been relatively bustling with activity, couples and families strolling in the sunshine, taking in the greenery and the lake within.

But now, well after midnight, Parque San Martín was more or less deserted.

Except, that was, for Luc’s quarry.

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