Page 30 of Four Tattoos

Christian spots me looking at it. “Why did you bring this?” he asks, gesturing.

“I didn’t want to come empty-handed, and I thought this would look nice at your house.”

Hutch chides me gently. “Rose, you don’t have to bring anything when you come over.”

“We’ll probably kill it,” Zipper says flatly.

“It’s very hardy,” I say. “I have one like it, and it’s lasted forever.”

“Thank you, Rose,” Mace says. “Our house could use some greenery.”

I smile, even as I chew a bite of smoked pork. None of the men seem to have any issues with the alone time I just shared with Zipper, and I feel more comfortable with all of them than I ever have. My body’s still humming after that alone time, and my appetite is suddenly ravenous; barbecue has never tasted better. I eat what feels like a lot, but is nowhere close to the amount each of the men puts away. I guess they need a lot of fuel to support their powerful bodies.

When we’re all done, they don’t protest when I insist on taking my own plate to the sink, and it makes me feel even more at home here to help clean up. Moving among them in the smaller room, I’m hoping for some action with the other men, but it’s Hutch who reminds me that I have somewhere to be tonight.

“Darn job,” I say, sliding my hand over the bold inked patterns on his forearm.

His big hand presses into my lower back, bringing me closer to him. “When’s your next night off?”

“Christian’s taking me to dinner on my next night off,” I say, and Christian, who was packing up the leftover food, slides his hand around my neck and turns my head toward him so he can kiss me, even as Hutch is holding me. With the two of them so close to me, it’s harder than ever to make myself leave, but I don’t want to risk losing my job.

Hutch turns me back to him after Christian releases me. “We’ll see you again soon. Hope you have a good night.” His kiss is tender, and edged with enough fire to tell me my night working at Club Red will never be anywhere near as good as it would be if I were to stay here.

Mace and Zipper kiss me goodbye too, and I leave feeling not so much like a toy that’s being passed around, but more like someone they each cherish, but maybe that’s my own wishful thinking.

* * *

They don’t order coffee for the next two days, but Hutch stays in touch with brief text messages, and Christian messages me about plans for our dinner. He offers several restaurant options, and I pick a place off the island, so there’ll be less of a chance of my brother hearing about it from anyone.

I really don’t like sneaking around, but the four brothers in ink are so very worth it.

22

CHRISTIAN

It feels wrong meeting Rose at the restaurant rather than picking her up, but she insisted, and I chose not to argue. She has her reasons, though I have concerns about those reasons.

I arrive early so I can watch for her to pull into the lot, and be there to open her car door for her. She’s stunning, as always. I can’t decide whether I like it better when she’s dressed up, or when she’s looking casual in jeans and a t-shirt.

The dress she’s wearing tonight is like a long, oversized shirt with buttons that run down the front, from her chest halfway down her thighs. The access those buttons could provide reminds me that I prefer her wearing nothing at all, but there’ll be time for that later.

“Hi.” I fold her into my arms as soon as she’s out of her car. Her sweet scent makes me inhale deeply, breathing in her warmth. My hands slide over her back, the need to touch her like a primal instinct.

“Hi,” she echoes with a smile after I kiss her.

With her hand in mine, we walk to the restaurant, where we’re immediately shown to our table. When I hold out her chair for her and push it in as she sits, she says, “This feels like a real date.”

I take the seat across from her, my brow furrowing. “Itisa date. What else would it be?”

Her laughter is light as she looks down at the white-clothed table between us. “I guess you’re right. I just meant … dates often involve an intention to find someone for a relationship, and I know that’s not what’s going on between us.”

I’m still frowning, wondering what impression she’s gotten from the four of us. “What makes you think that?”

Her almost ever-present smile falters and she bites her bottom lip. “Am I wrong?”

A waiter appears and tells us about a drink special, which Rose orders. After I order a dark beer, he leaves Rose and I alone again.

“I’m curious why you don’t think this is a real date and why you think we might not want a relationship with you.”

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