Page 74 of Heartless
Everyone, Larkan included, seemed to hold their breath as they waited for an answer.
“I love you,” he said, kissing her fingers again. “I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of you and whatever family we make.”
“Too much information,” Reaper muttered, earning a punch on the arm from Gunner.
“So what do you say, baby?” Larkan asked, his nerves starting to show.
Noelle grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck as she leaned over and kissed him, much like the way he did on the stairs.
“Of course I’ll marry you, dummy.”
The house erupted into cheers so loud, my ears started to ring. That still didn’t stop me from joining in the noise as Larkan rose to his feet and picked up Noelle to kiss her again. Her palms against his cheeks, she broke the kiss and said loud enough for everyone to hear, “But pull this embarrassing shit again and I’ll divorce your ass.”
“We need a toast!” Reaper shouted over everyone’s raucous laughter, trying not to bump into people as he headed into the kitchen.
The energy turned up several notches after the proposal. More drinks were flowing and everyone was excitedly congratulating the new couple. Even Tessa was smiling and hugging them both. I was glad and relieved she could feel at least some happiness tonight.
“Hey, Lark!” someone shouted across the room. Imagine my surprise to see that it was Shadow.
“What’s up, dude?” the newest Demon grinned after releasing someone from a hug.
Shadow smiled back. “When do you want that tattoo?”
It only took a moment for Larkan to decide. “You good to do it right now?” He lifted up his T-shirt, revealing sculpted pecs and rows of abs. “Give it to me right here, man.” He slapped his chest.
Shadow’s grin grew wider. “Let me finish my drink and get set up.”
“Wooo!” Larkan slid off his new cut and removed his shirt completely.
Much to Noelle’s dismay, he whipped the shirt around his head a few times before tossing it in a random direction. He nearly fell over laughing when it landed on Governor Vance’s head. Noelle placed a hand on her forehead and turned away, but I saw her shoulders shaking with laughter too.
“Have fun holding that wiggly one down,” I said to Shadow as he headed toward his bedroom.
He paused to draw me in for a kiss, gently squeezing my waist. “I know a few tricks of the trade. He won’t be nearly as solid as you, though.”
His voice was low and warm, husky from just enough alcohol for a light buzz. I would have swooned if he hadn’t been holding on to me. I stole a few more kisses before he released me, watching his wide shoulders swing through the door of his bedroom.
I was tipsy enough to consider following him, closing the door, and finally having our first moment alone since he got back. Preferably several moments. Even more preferably, all night long. I wanted him on top of me, inside me, all over my skin. Every taste of him leading up to now felt like meager scraps. Nothing was enough until we had consumed each other whole.
The tattoo would take a few hours, which felt like an eternity right then. I had already waited days, months really, to make this man truly mine. I was at the point where I didn’t care who saw. If Shadow wanted to take me bent over the couch, I’d get into position before he finished the sentence.
Despite his growing comfort in social situations, I knew he wouldn’t go that far. So I had to keep being a good hostess for the next few hours at least.
Considering people were still using our kitchen table to eat, Shadow decided to set Larkan up on the coffee table. People gathered around to watch, and the newest Demon turned out to be not as wiggly as I thought.
“Can you put Noelle’s name on the skull’s forehead?” he asked at one point.
“You better not!” Noelle cried from across the room.
“No,” Shadow answered in his more serious tone. “The Demon can’t be altered in any way. I can put her name somewhere else, though.”
“My ass, then.” Larkan nodded determinedly.
“We’re divorced!” Noelle bellowed, unable to contain her laughter. “Shortest marriage ever!”
“Love you too, babe!” Larkan laced his hands behind his head as Shadow worked.
People started filtering out of the house as the darkest areas of the tattoo were getting filled in. Governor Vance, Finn, and Lis were among the first to leave, making cracks about being too old to party with us as they said their goodbyes.
