Page 40 of Uncover Me (Men of Inked 4)
so crazy about Gigi. I never thought I’d see the man amount to a pile of gushy love like I have seen him over our daughter.”
Mia coughed, choking on her martini. “Are you jealous, Suz?” The diamond on her finger momentarily blinded me as it sparkled in the light.
“Nah. It makes me happy. I needed out of babyland for a night. I’ve missed you girls.”
“Babe, we’ve been over, like, every other day to see you and the baby,” Izzy said, holding up her hand and calling over the waitress.
“It’s not the same. I needed one-on-one time with you ladies. No baby, no Joe—just us.”
Izzy pointed to the table, looking up at the waitress. “Another round, please.”
The waitress nodded and headed off toward the bar.
“I’m going to be drunk if I have another,” Suzy whined, sucking down the last bit of her drink until she was slurping air.
“You can use a drunken night. I’m sure Joe will thank me.” Izzy winked at Suzy.
“He didn’t last time.” Suzy laughed, slapping the table and snorting. Then she sobered, turning her attention toward me. “So, Angel, how’s it over there at Casa Badass?”
I almost spat out my drink as I sipped the last of my martini. Then I set down my glass, wiped the vodka off my face, and smiled. “It’s going really well.”
“Tommy is so damn sexy,” Suzy said before hiccupping.
“All right, tiger. You’re cut off,” Mia said, pulling the glass away from her as soon as the waitress set down the drinks.
“My hormones are a hot mess. I can appreciate the beauty of man. There’s no one like my Joe, though. He’s it for me.”
“Good answer,” Izzy said, giggling as she pushed the drink back in front of Suzy. “Keep drinking.”
“When’s the date, Mia?” I asked, changing the subject.
“We haven’t set one yet. I waited forever for him to ask. I’m happy knowing it’ll happen.”
“You know Ma isn’t going to let you two be engaged forever,” Izzy interrupted, a giant smile on her face.
“She’s lost in Gigi world for now. Speaking of which, when is your ass going to get engaged, Izzy?”
“I’m not ready for all that. Let me just enjoy the man for now, Mia. I don’t need a ring to know he’s mine.” Izzy toyed with the gold choker around her neck, rubbing the dangling heart locket.
“Did James buy you that beautiful necklace?” I asked, noticing that she’d played with it many times this evening. Stroking it, she caressed the cool metal.
“He did.” She nodded, releasing the locket from her fingers and grabbing her drink.
“Is that a collar?” Suzy blurted, moving her face closer to inspect it.
“What the fuck are you talking about, Suzy?” Mia asked, her eyebrows knitting together as she looked at her.
Suzy turned to Mia and smiled. “I read a lot. I’m into erotic books. It reminds me of some of the BDSM books I read during my pregnancy.” Turning her attention back toward Izzy, she asked again, “So, is it a collar?”
Izzy’s face flushed as she bit her lip. “I never knew you were such a kinky bitch, Suzy,” she replied.
“By the look on your face, I’d say she nailed it,” I added, knowing that Izzy was usually truthful. That response had been evasive.
“Like a dog?” Mia asked, rubbing her forehead. “I’m shocked.”
Izzy rolled her eyes, blowing out a hard breath. “It’s not like a dog, Mia. Jesus. Get out more, woman.”
“Then ’splain it to me, sister.” Mia lifted her drink, tipping it toward Izzy and taking a sip while waiting for her response.
We stared at Izzy, watching her turn ten shades of pink, before she cleared her throat. She straightened her shoulders, slammed back her drink, and then began to speak.
“James is into the lifestyle.”
“I fuckin’ knew it. I knew I loved that kinky bastard,” Suzy said, her body shaking as she giggled.
“Does Joe know you’re into this shit, Suzy?” Izzy asked, still avoiding the topic.
“He does.” She nodded, a giant smile spreading across her face. “He reaps all the benefits of my reading. We may not live in the ‘lifestyle’”—she used air quotes—“but we do like to role-play.”
“Oh, Jesus. Way too much information,” Izzy said, blanching and making a gagging gesture.
“You asked.” Suzy smiled, taking a sip from her daiquiri.
“I’m waiting,” Mia said, tapping the table with her fingernails.
“The necklace,” Izzy said, rubbing it again with her fingers, “just means that I’m his. We’re committed to each other. No one else can touch me.”
“Usually, if there’s a collar, then there’s a leash somewhere in there too, no?” Mia asked, cocking an eyebrow at Izzy.
“God, this isn’t what I wanted to talk about tonight,” Izzy groaned.
“There’s nothing better to talk about. I don’t want to talk about shitty diapers. Spill the goods, Izzy. We want the dirt,” Mia demanded, leaning forward and waiting for the details.
I laughed, throwing my head back as they spoke. This was the sisterhood I’d always wanted as a child. I would’ve been happy with just one, but now, I had three. They were kickass, obnoxious, funny as hell, and loyal to the core. The girls helped make me feel like I was meant to be a part of the family.
There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t thank my lucky stars that I’d caught the eye of Thomas, that I hadn’t gone insane during my time with him while he was working in the MC. I’d almost ended things with him, my feelings too much to bear at times as he’d kept me at a distance.
My life wouldn’t be the same if I’d let my head lead instead of following my heart. Thomas was the most amazing thing to have happened to me in my life. For once, I felt like I had a home. I had a purpose. I had a reason to live. Life no longer was just about surviving—it was about enjoying the little things. The kisses, the laughs, the family dinners, and the love of a good man were all I needed to make it through each day.
I was thankful for the future and grateful for my past, knowing that, without it, I wouldn’t have been sitting there in that moment, enjoying an evening with my girls and then going back home to my man.
For fuck’s sake… It’s the goddamn end of Thomas!
