PS01 - Tall, Dark & Lonely (33 page)

“Are you all set for clothes?” she asked.

“Yes, these all fit.” He dropped them back into the carriage. “Tell me what?”

Ephraim stood up. “Well, I guess the surprise is ruined.”

“What surprise?”

“You’re going with me.”

“Where?”

“I’m going to get a tattoo.” He reached back to make sure the two pieces of paper he carefully folded and placed in his back

pocket earlier were still there, Sentinel symbols identifying him as a Pyte and a Sentinel by election. The symbols were known

to Sentinels and would save him time and energy later on if he had to identify himself or ask for help.

“Really?”

“Yes, I have two symbols I really like. You can come with me.” He raised an eyebrow. “That is unless you’re chicken.”

“Don’t start that shit, man. Let’s go!” He practically skipped over to Ephraim.

Ephraim pulled out his wallet and handed over the last of his cash to Madison. “Ephraim, there’s like two grand here.”

“I know. That should cover everyone.”

“That is more than enough to cover you and the kids and Grandma.”

“And you. Go buy some clothes.” She opened her mouth to argue. “Please just go buy what you want. I still owe you a birthday

gift. So go buy some clothes.”

“You didn’t give her a gift? What happened to the ri-“

Ephraim’s hand clamped tightly across his mouth. “Let’s go before I decide to take Joshua instead of you.”

“Thank you.” She pulled him down for a kiss. “But you need to stop or you’re going to make me spoiled.”

“I like spoiling you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll see you later, baby.”

She nibbled on her lip. “Are you really getting tattoos?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“Oh, I think we’ll leave that as a surprise.”

*******

“I lied.”

“Apparently.”

“I decided on the third one when we stepped in here if you must know.”

“I must.”

“You know I’ve been doing this for ten years” Ed, the man who was filling in the tattoo on his chest, said. “And I can honestly

tell you that I’ve never had a client that stood for his tattoo, never mind two at the same time.”

Jeff, the man who was filling in the one on his right shoulder, said “I would have to agree with that. I like these designs, man.

Celtic?”

“Yes, and I’ll pay you an extra hundred dollars each never to replicate them for anyone.”

“Wanna keep the designs original? I gotcha man. Don’t worry about it. We don’t use anything here we don’t have permission

for. Plus these damn tats of yours are so fucking intricate I would never be able replicate them anyway.”

“I appreciate it, gentlemen,” Ephraim said.

“I thought for sure you’d flinch or cry or something. You’re really disappointing me,
Dad
.” Chris was half teasing, but it was

obvious that he really liked saying it.

Ed looked up at Ephraim with a curious look. “I would have guessed he was your brother.”

“Nope, he’s my son.”

“I’m adopted,” Chris said proudly.

“Well, your Dad’s a bad ass. I’ve had bikers who cry and squirm under my needle. Not your old man. Not one move.”

“It hurts like hell, but I don’t want to mess it up.” He lied. He barely felt the burn of the needle. He'd learned long ago how to

block out pain.

“Smart man. One fuck up and this would be totally messed up.”

He frowned. “That’s what I thought.”

“So, Dad, where are you going to put the third one?” Chris asked.

“On my bicep.”

“Really? If you think you can handle it John should be back from his break in a few minutes. He can do that. Jeff, what do you

think?”

“Hey, as long as everyone stays in their own space and he doesn’t move we should be good.”

“Sounds good,” Ephraim said. It really didn’t hurt that much. The skin healed as they worked. Plus, he’d had worse from

Nichols.

“You know I think you should skip the tribal tattoo on your arm and instead put fangs, bloody fangs, big ones.” Chris grinned

hugely.

Ephraim narrowed his eyes on him. Chris’ hands shot up in a gesture of surrender. “Just kidding.”

“You want an ‘M’ in the middle of the tribal band on your arm, right?”

“Yes.”

“She might not like that,” Chris commented.

“It’s not for her. It’s for me.”

“Okay, whatever you say.” He chugged his soda down. “Hey, can I get a tattoo.”

“Not without your father’s permission and even with that I won’t do it until you’re at least seventeen,” Ed said.

“I can wait. Dad, can I?”

“We’ll see how the grades and behavior are. If they’re good then I’ll take you.”

“Sweet.”

******

word “love” and here he was sporting a tattoo with an ‘M’ in the middle. She was going to flip out. He’d be lucky if she didn’t

kick him out of her bed for good.

A light snore caught his attention as he closed the hallway door. She was asleep thank god. At least he had a short stay of

execution. The good news was he could catch up on his sleep and be well rested for the day of yelling he was going to have

endure tomorrow. That was something.

After making sure she was really asleep and not waiting to ambush him he stripped out of his clothes and climbed into the bed.

He curled up against her and pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder before drifting off.

With his teeth clenched and eyes still shut from sleep he threw his head back and moaned. This was either the best wet dream

of his life or Madison was riding him, hard.

Her hands ran over his stomach and then chest as she moved on him. She was moaning and panting loudly. “Oh, Ephraim!

Mmm, baby, you feel so good!” Her body clenched and spasmed around his. She moved harder and faster on him until she was

screaming.

Ephraim grabbed her, pulling her down onto him and in one move had her on her back. He started thrusting into her hard,

setting off another orgasm and then another until he finally joined her. When his body relaxed he lowered himself on her.

“Good morning, Madison,” he murmured against her skin. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

“Mmmm, good morning, I was wondering how long it would take you to wake up and realize I was taking advantage of you.”

He chuckled softly. “I thought I was having the best dream ever,” another kiss, “turns out I was having the best morning.”

Her hand gently caressed the left side of his chest. “Did I mention I like your tattoo?”

“Yeah?”

“Mmmhmm, it’s very sexy.”

He pushed himself up so he could hover over her. “Sexy, huh?”

“Mmm, very.” She traced the black circular tattoo with her finger. “It’s like a maze, is this Celtic?”

“No, but I guess I can tell you. It’s an ancient Hebrew symbol with a slight variation.” Holding himself up, he pointed to the

symbol in the middle of the maze.

“Hey, I didn’t even notice that until you pointed it out. That’s really cool….wow…it’s the same symbol Chris has.”

“Yes, it’s the Sentinel symbol. The design prevents anyone from seeing it unless it’s pointed out to them or they know to look

for it.”

“So it will identify you? Can’t someone else get the same tattoo and trick them?”

He shook his head. “No, take a better look at the maze on each side what do you see?”

“Words, but I can’t read them.”

“They’re from an ancient language long ago forgotten. The Sentinel’s don’t even know what they mean anymore, but it’s their

motto and would identify me. No one other than a Sentinel knows these words.”

“What if they told someone?”

“They wouldn’t.”

“But you told me and I wouldn’t have noticed unless you told me. Aren’t you breaking a rule?”

His eyes shifted and then took on a guarded look. “No, I told them I would show you. You haven’t told anyone my secret. They

appreciate that.”

“And if I told anyone those words?” She looked at his chest.

“They would take you.”

“Take me?”

“Yes, but I wouldn’t let them. Besides, there’s nothing to worry about. You won’t tell.”

“No, I won’t, but it’s still unnerving.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I won’t tell you anything else then. I don’t want to stress you out. You don’t know the words anyway so

you’re fine.”

“Okay.”

“Just forget these are symbols and don’t point anything out to anyone and you’ll be okay.”

“So, just let them think my man has really sexy tattoos?”

He groaned, “I like it when you call me your man.”

She giggled and wiggled beneath him. “I can tell.”

“Good then I won’t have to stop and explain how much I like it.” He began moving inside her again.

“Oh no you don’t! I want to see the other tattoo.” Her eyes went to his left bicep. “I didn’t get a very good look at that one. Is it

a tribal band?”

He pulled out of her slowly and sat on the bed next to her. “Yes, that one is a tribal one. No symbols, but the one on my back is

the one that identifies me as a Pyte.” He turned, trying to distract her from his arm. It worked.

Her fingers ran over the tattoo on his back. “I don’t understand why you need this tattoo. Won’t they figure it out?”

“I’m wearing this one as a symbol of pride. I didn’t have to get this one. The council was showing me some of the books to

show me that four other Pytes had joined their ranks years ago and wanted me to see the good they were able to do. I saw that

symbol in the book and they told me what it meant. I asked for a copy so I could have that put on my back. It has no hidden

symbols and it isn’t a secret.”

She pressed a kiss to it. “Oh, sorry. Did that hurt? I forgot these things are supposed to hurt for a while.”

“No, they don’t hurt. I was healed before I left the tattoo parlor. The ink will never fade, thankfully. The damage done to my

skin is already repaired.”

“This one's sexy, too,” she said in a low voice.

“Yeah?” He turned his head back for a kiss. She took his lips in a long sensual kiss before abruptly breaking it.

“Wait I want to see the third one and see if it’s just as sexy as the first two,” she teased.

“No, Madison wait let me-“

Too late, she already moved around him. Her fingers traced over the tattoo and he knew from the way that her fingers shook

and her breath caught that she was touching the ‘M’.

“Madison, listen before you get mad I was just-“

“Is this an ‘M’?”

“Yes,” he said carefully.

“Is it..,” she swallowed. “Is it for my name?”

“Yes.” He prepared himself for screaming.

Her fingers continued to trace his skin until her hand was gliding over his arm, squeezing and caressing his muscles. “You

know I’m really surprised.”

“I know and I-“

“I really like it. I like seeing it banded around your arm.” She pressed a kiss to his arm.

“You like it?” He couldn’t disguise the surprise in his voice.

She took his other hand and brought it between her legs. “What do you think?” she moaned as she gently rocked her hips against

his hand.

He sucked in a breath. She was wet, very wet and very swollen. “I think you better be prepared to spend a day in bed with your

legs in the air,” he growled as he pounced on her, pinning her to the bed in one swift move and entering her in another.

She was giggling hard until he started moving. Then those sounds of delight turned into sounds of pleasure.

Chapter 21

Don’t puke, don’t puke, don’t puke
, she chanted in her head. She took a slow breath and leaned her head against the cool

surface of her desk. She sighed as the small comfort calmed her distress, slightly.

“Are you okay, Miss. Soloman?” someone asked.

She looked up to see her class staring at her. “I’m fine. Are you done with your exams?”

Most of the class shook their heads. “Okay, you guys have fifteen more minutes I suggest you use the time wisely. Remember

the highest grade doesn’t have to take the final exam next week.” That got their attention. They dropped their eyes back to their

exams.

She turned her attention to her computer screen, trying to look busy. Her stomach rolled uncomfortably. Four days, four longs

days of this. She was vomiting morning, noon and night. This all started when Ephraim left to go to Concord for a conference

and training with the State Police.

Madison couldn’t believe she could miss one person, a man for that matter, so much. Her appetite was gone and she couldn’t

sleep. She was love sick. There was no getting around it. She loved Ephraim.

Love. For the first time in her life she was in love with a man. Ephraim was everything she never thought a man could be,

thoughtful, kind, generous, funny and sweet. He was also calm and patient. For the past three months he’d told her he loved her

without any resistance or expectations and he never once became upset or distant when she didn’t say it back. Ephraim never

even brought up how she felt. He seemed content with just telling and showing her what he felt.

He was so unselfish that he made her feel like the biggest bitch. God, she didn’t deserve him. She rubbed her hands over her

face. Tonight when he got home she would tell him and show him just how much she loved him. Perhaps dancing and a drive

somewhere romantic followed by five or six hours under the sheets. Maybe she should make a romantic meal.

Maybe not.

Her stomach flipped over at the idea. She clutched her stomach and sighed with relief when the bell dismissed her class.