Tatted Cowboy (18 page)

LUKE

“Hey, bro, you almost ready?”

“Yeah man, coming,” Zeke answers.

Tonight we are all meeting at The Cow and Calf for drinks to celebrate Ava’s birthday.  Zeke and I just got off work and we ducked home to shower and change before we meet everyone there.

“Let’s go.”  Zeke comes out, adjusting his cap on his head.  I grab mine off the counter, slam it on my head, tuck my wallet into my back pocket and we are out the door.  We decided to walk to the pub, since we will be drinking. 

“How’re things going with Laura?” Zeke asks as we walk along.

“Good.  Nah, man, good is an understatement.  Shit’s great.”

“I’m happy for you, bro.”

“What about you? Happy to be back in Pine Creek?”

He stays silent for a few beats before answering.  “Yeah, I am.  It was time to come home.  Plus, you weren’t wrong about how busy Premier Ink is.  That’s crazy, man. We’ve been  fuckin’ flat out.”

“Yep.  Now, imagine what it was like when it was just me,” I laugh.

We walk in the doors of the pub and I throw a wave to Dory.

“Who’s that?” Zeke asks, jerking his chin towards the bar.

I follow his line of sight and see Sienna, serving a beer to Skip.

“That’s Skip.  He’s a bit old for you, man.  Not to mention, he’s married.  Rhonda would have your balls if she found out you were hitting on her man,” I tease, keeping a straight face.

He thumps me on the arm.  “Fuck off, idiot.  You know I’m asking about the hot piece behind the bar.”

“Oh, you mean Sienna?  Jeez, dude I thought you might’ve switched teams there for a minute.”

“Dickhead,” he mutters.

“She’s Doreen’s niece.  And you better be careful or it’ll be
Dory
who has your balls if you hurt her girl,” I warn.

“Simmer down, bro.  Just askin’.”

Yeah.
  I know my brother and I know that look in his eyes. 

“Hey boys, what can I getcha?” Dory asks as we walk up to the bar.

“Two beers, thanks,” I tell her before turning my attention to Skip, noticing Zeke has rounded the bar to talk with Sienna.  I shake my head once lightly.  “Hey, Skip, how’s it going?”

He brings his VB beer to his lips, takes a swig and lowers it before answering.  “I’m going alright, Luke.  How’s things been for you?  You got a bit of free time on your hands now you got some help at the tattoo place?”

“A little bit, though it seems we’re busier than ever.  You know I’ve always got a free spot for you, though, if you ever feel like coming in and inking that virgin skin of yours.”

He chuckles heartedly before replying.  “Rhonda would have my arse if I got a tattoo, son.”

“Bet she would,” I agree.

Dory returns with our beers and I slap Skip on the shoulder.  “See ya out back in a bit?”

He nods.  “I’ll be out there shortly.”

“Yo! Zeke.”  He turns to me, scowling.  I hold the beers up and jerk my head in the direction of out the back.  He nods sharply and then looks back to Sienna.

Dickhead.

I walk out the back and stop suddenly, lifting the beers in the air so they don’t spill as Oscar’s little body collides with my legs.

“Hey, bud.” I smile down at him.

“Luke.  L-U-K-E.”

“You’re getting smarter every day, Oz.”

“Oscar knows. Mum says Oscar is the smartest boy in the world.”

“Well, your mum would be right.”

“See ya.”  He runs off before I have a chance to reply.

“Hey, sweetheart.”  I lean down to kiss Laura’s head, taking in her vanilla, coconut and cinnamon scent. Fuck, she smells good enough to eat.

“Hey, babe.” She swivels in her seat, turning her head to touch her lips to my jaw.

Her eyes are shining and she looks happy.  It makes the ache in my chest ease a little.  Since she told me about Gus, I’ve had a permanent heavy feeling across my chest.  But, it loosens every day, because every day she opens up a little more, and every time she reveals a little more, I see the shadows slightly fading from the depths of her beautiful eyes.

She showed me pictures of him, the handsome little blue-eyed, blond-haired boy whose life was cut too short.  Just last week, she showed me the teddy bear with his ashes inside.  I thought I’d break down, but I held strong, determined to bear this weight for her without cracking.

“You got a drink?” I ask her.

“Yep,” she nods, glancing to the table.

With that sorted, I give everyone else a
g’day
and then walk around to Ava.  Bending down, I kiss her cheek and wish her a happy birthday before making my way back to Laura.  I take the seat beside her and throw my arm around her shoulders, holding her close.

“How was work?” she asks softly.

“Good, sweetheart.  How was your day?”

“Good. Frank called.”

I raise my eyebrows, indicating for her to continue.  I know, since ANZAC night when Frank showed up, that she hasn’t heard from him. I also know it’s played on her mind and she is always wondering about him.  So him calling, I was hoping, was a good thing.

“He’s doing well.” She smiles, so I return the gesture.  God, she has got a beautiful smile.  “He found a good therapist in Mount Isa and he’s been going three times a week.  He sounded really good,” she says, sounding relieved.

“That’s good, sweetheart.  I’m happy for him.  No one deserves to live the way he was.”  I touch my mouth to hers.  It’s not lost on me that Laura could have ended up the same broken, lost soul that Frank is, if things had been different in her grief journey.

“Did you tell him?” Edie leans over the table and asks Laura slyly.

“Tell me what?” I ask, my voice full of suspicion.

Laura looks to me and grins.  “I figured out what tattoo I want.”

A low, rumbled growl vibrates my chest.  I curl my hand around the back of her head and tug her towards me.  “I can’t wait to pop your cherry, baby.”

She whimpers right before I slam my mouth down on hers.

“Get a room, Stewart,” Jack, Jer and Clay cheer, while the girls sigh and tell them to shut up.  I pull back from my woman, grinning, and listening to my friends laugh around me.

Life couldn’t be sweeter!

***

All night, the thought of inking Laura has had my dick hard.  Since the moment she said the words, I’ve barely been able to think of anything other than giving her a celebratory fuck to remember.  So, when the party quietens down, I lead her around the side of the pub to a darkened area and press her up against the wall.

“What’s going on?” she asks.

“I can’t stop thinking about how we can celebrate you getting a tatt.  But, I think I figured it out.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah,” I promise.  “I’m gonna make you come so hard, sweetheart.”  My breath skates across her cheek and ear as I speak low.  “And, I’m gonna do it
many
times.  Then, when you think you can’t possibly come again, I’m gonna sink my cock deep inside that tight little cunt of yours and make you come apart once more, even harder than before.”  I thrust my hips gently against hers, pushing her deeper into the wall, showing her exactly what she does to me.

“You gonna let me ink you?” I ask, just so she will confirm.

“Yes.”

A low rumble vibrates my chest, my gratification animalistic. 

“Luke,” she whispers my name, breathlessly, her chest rising and falling against mine, her pebbled nipples showing through her dress.

“You wet, Laura?” I growl.

“Yes,” she answers instantly.  My hand makes contact with her knee and then I begin sliding up, torturously slowly, loving the feeling of her milky soft skin beneath my roughened palm.

She gasps when my fingers run along the bare slit of her pussy.  One touch of her heat and I lean down low and hiss in her ear.  I slide one, long, thick digit inside her.  “Fuck, sweetheart.  So tight and wet.”  I add another one, wishing it were my dick instead.

She moans low and I feel her pussy spasm around my fingers.  My thumb circles her clit as my fingers pump rhythmically in and out of her.  The scent of her arousal hits my nostrils as she begins to rock against my hand, fucking my fingers.

“That’s right, baby.  Fuck my hand.  I love this greedy little cunt of yours.  Wish I could get down on my knees and eat you for days.”

She whimpers at my words and more wetness seeps from her pussy around my fingers.

“You love my dirty talk, Laura?”

“Yes,” she cries out.

My girl loves my dirty talk.  So, I’m going to fucking give it to her.

  “Just wanna slam my dick inside you.  Wanna fuck you so hard.  This tight little cunt is mine, Laura.  It’s mine.” I pump my fingers harder, faster.

“Fuck me. Please. Fuck me,” she begs, her voice hoarse, laced with desire.

My fingers leave her heat, but before she can protest the loss, I pull my cock from my jeans and slide inside.  Not hard and swift like I want to, but slow and steady, savouring every fucking second. Inch by inch, my dick disappears inside her hot, wet pussy. 

“Luke,” she moans, her head slumps back against the wall as sheer pleasure washes over her face.

“Fuck yeah,” I grit out through clenched teeth as I begin thrusting. 

“I take it you really like the idea of me getting a tatt?” she teases as she fixes herself up after we have finished fucking.

“No, sweetheart, I love the idea of
me
giving you a tatt,” I smirk.  “You look fucking beautiful, Laura.  Stop fussing.”  She keeps fluffing her hair and fixing her dress, so I grab her hand and lead her back to the party.

“Luke, I look like I’ve just been fucked against the wall,” she hisses.

I stop, pulling her against me, the smell of sex lingering around us.  “Good.  ‘Cause, baby, that’s what just happened.”  I slap her arse, ignore her eye roll and lead her back to our friends so we can continue celebrating Ava’s birthday.

Six months later

LAURA

“I love this,” Luke says, stepping forward to tug the top of my shirt. The pearl button snaps open effortlessly and I gasp, my blood beginning to heat.  “I can’t wait to peel this off you later.”  He leans down, breathing in through his nose as he rubs his face against my neck.  My body breaks out in goose bumps and I shiver in his hold.

Tonight, it’s our one-year anniversary and Luke is taking me out to dinner at the Rose Garden in Darwin.  It’s where we had our first date all those months ago, and I’ve been craving egg rolls for
weeks
, so we thought we’d satisfy my craving and celebrate our anniversary at the same time. 
Two birds, one stone.

A lot has happened in the last six months.  For starters, Luke moved in about four months ago and Zeke took over the lease to his unit.  Gran was so happy things had progressed, that she even helped Luke move in.  Granted, she hardly did anything except throw orders around, but she was definitely present on moving day!

“What time is our reservation?” I ask against his lips.

“Eight-thirty.” His tongue sneaks out to run over my lips and I tremble, my stomach clenching in anticipation.

“Mmm.” I glance at my watch.  “We’ve got enough time for a quickie,” I suggest.

“Baby,” he sighs.  “You know I don’t like taking you quick. I like spending time, licking every delectable inch of your gorgeous body.”

“I know,” I breathe.  “But, we can take our time when we get home.”  I sink to my knees and pull out his cock before he can object.  Swirling my tongue around the head, I taste his arousal and it spurs me on.  Taking him deeper in my mouth, I revel in his laboured breathing and panting and the way he gently thrusts his hips against my face.  His fingers dive into my hair and he holds my head as I suck him.

“Enough,” he growls hoarsely.  His hands go under my arms and he boosts me up and then pushes me against the wall.  He tugs my jeans down and pulls my panties aside before thrusting into me sharply.  My back bows off the wall and I cling to him as he drives into me.  My walls stretch around him, burning with pleasure and pain at his invasion. Filling me so completely.

“God.  Yes!” I cry out.  The pull in my belly gets stronger with every thrust.  His thumb snakes down and rubs my clit in firm circles.

“Come on, baby, give it up for me.”

My head falls forward and I latch onto his neck as my orgasm consumes me.

“That’s right, baby, milk my cock,” he growls as my pussy pulses around him.

As I come down from my high, I soothe the mark I left on him with soft strokes of my tongue.  His thrusts become faster and then he stills and slams his mouth into mine, groaning his orgasm down my throat.  He slows to a glide as his cock continues pulsing inside my convulsing sex.

“Feel better?” he asks, humour evident in his tone.

“Uh-huh,” I nod.

“Good.  Now, let’s get you cleaned up and on the road, or we’ll be late for our reservation.”

“‘Kay.”

Two and a bit hours later, we arrive at the Rose Garden and we’re shown to our seats by the waitress.

“I take your order now?” she asks.

We order our food – egg rolls and sizzling beef and black bean for me, special fried rice and Peking duck for Luke – and then we chat while waiting for it to arrive. 

“So, when can you fit me in for my tattoo?” I ask.  I told Luke the design I had in mind and he drew it up for me.  It looks amazing.  We planned to do it one Sunday, when we both didn’t have work, but we got side-tracked these past few weeks doing other things around the house.

“How about this weekend?”

“Okay, sounds good.”  I smile big. I can’t wait. 

Our food arrives and we eat in comfortable silence, though Luke looks a tad nervous throughout.  His brow is sweating and he keeps brushing it off with the back of his hand.  I’m starting to worry he’s coming down sick.

“Are you sure you’re okay?  You’re not feeling ill are you?”

“No, babe, I’m not.” He shakes his head to emphasize the point and then stands.

“What’s—” I attempt to ask what’s wrong but I’m cut off when he drops to the floor in front of me …
on one knee!!!!!

“Oh my god!” I shriek, my hands flying up to cover my mouth and tears overflowing from my eyes.

He shakes his head, a small grin playing on his lips.

“I love you, Laura.  I love you so damn much; more than I ever believed I could love another person.  I want to spend the rest of my life being the man you deserve to have by your side.  If you grant me that honour, I’ll work every day to be that man.”  He pauses to reach into his jeans pocket and pull out a ring.  Holding it out to me, he asks, “Will you marry me?”

“Yes!  Yes!  Oh my god, yes!”  I slide off my chair and fall to my knees in front of him.  My hands go around his neck and I crush my lips to his, happy tears mingle amongst our kiss, but I don’t care.  I just kiss him with all I have, with
all I am.

He pulls back and slides the ring onto my finger.  I look down, and through my blurry eyes, I see a beautiful, large solitaire diamond on a white gold band.  It’s absolutely stunning.

I kiss him again and then shout, “I’m getting married!”  The other patrons in the restaurant all clap and cheer, but I barely hear them; my focus is on the man in front of me, his smiling eyes glistening with unshed tears, his teeth showing in a smile so bright it could light up Darwin and more love pouring from him than I thought I was worthy of receiving.

My fiancé.

“I love you, too.”

***

“Ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”  My body thrums with nervous energy.  I’m scared, but excited.  Nervous and anxious but so
ready
.  Today is Sunday.  Both Inner Beauty and Premier Ink are closed to the public.  Today is the day I get my tattoo.

“Okay, sweetheart, just jump up on the bed and sit down.  I’ll get sorted while you relax a bit.”  He leans down to gently kiss my lips and when he pulls back, I lift off my top and toss it on the ground.  Then I pull down the straps of my bra, so my shoulders are exposed.  Propping my arse on the bed, I watch him get out the little plastic pots and fill them with ink and get his tattoo gun sorted.

“Okay, so just turn a little to the side for me.”  His warm hands make contact with my skin and I shiver.

“Baby,” he growls, leaning in close to my ear.  “After I ink you up, I’m gonna bend you over this table and take you from behind.”

“Yes,” I whisper, my nipples puckering, straining against my bra.

“But, right now, you’ve got to stop shivering when I touch you, or I’m not gonna be able to focus.  It’s
hard
enough already,” he says suggestively, pushing his hips into my side so I can feel the evidence of his arousal.

“I’ll be good.” I clutch my hands in my lap in an effort not to grab his cock instead.

“Good girl.”  He places the stencil of my tattoo on my shoulder where I told him I want it.  He holds a mirror in front of me, and one behind me so I can see it.

“This good?”

“Perfect,” I whisper as tears prick my eyes.

The buzz of the gun is a little scary at first, but I take a deep breath and ready myself for the feel of it.

“Hold steady.  You’re doing so good, sweetheart.”

He works for almost an hour.  After the first ten or fifteen minutes, the pinching slash burning sensation almost disappeared because my shoulder went numb.  That being said, I can still feel it to some extent.

I close my eyes and listen as he works, stopping sporadically to dip the gun into the pots to gather more ink and then putting it back to my skin.

“Almost done.”

“‘Kay.”

“There.  Perfect.”  He peppers little kisses all around my new ink and then grabs the mirrors again for me to see.

My breath catches in my throat, trapped by the large lump that has formed there.  It looks beautiful.  God.
God! 
So beautiful.

He lets me have a moment, tenderly rubbing my opposite shoulder.

“I love it,” I finally manage to whisper.

There, inked on my left shoulder, is a set of angel wings.  But, not just any angel wings.  On the inside line of the left one is
Gus.
  On the inside line of the right wing is
forever.
  Both words are written in a scroll as delicate as the wings themselves.  Luke shaded all around them and the detail in the feathers gives them an almost three-dimensional look.  It’s the most beautiful piece of artwork I’ve ever seen in my life. 

“I’m glad you love it, Laura.  It’s the best piece I’ve ever done,” Luke admits.

I spin to face him, throwing my arms around him.  I wince slightly as my skin stretches but I’m too emotional and happy right now to focus on the pain.

“Thank you.  Thank you so much, baby.”

“I’d do anything for you, sweetheart.  Anything.”

I touch my lips to his briefly before pulling back to look in his eyes.  I don’t know how I ever imagined I could be just friends with this man.  To think of all the love and support I would have missed out on if I didn’t take a chance…

Thank god things turned out the way they did.

“Kiss me again,” he orders.

“With pleasure.” I smile and then kiss him once again.

He growls, frustrated with my teasing.  Gripping behind my neck, he tugs me forward and holds me steady as he controls the kiss.

Then, he slides me off the bed, turns me around and fucks me from behind, just like promised.

It. Was.
Awesome!

8 Months Later

“I just don’t know what I’m going to do about it,” my client sighs.

“Well, I’m sure they’ll work it out.  They’re only seven-year-olds, after all,” I console her while trying to hold back my laughter.  I continue giving her a manicure while she continues panicking about the love affair her daughter, Claira, and Oscar have developed over the last couple of months while they have been at school.

“I can see the attraction - he’s a Henley, after all,” she reasons.  “But, my daughter is seven. 
Seven
  And, she’s already caught up in his spell.  God help her when she’s a teenager.”

Oh dear.
  “I’m sure it will be fine.”  I finish putting the clear varnish over the top and then place the heat lamp over her nails while she keeps panicking about their little love infatuation.  It’s quite funny, really, though it is a little scary.  Oscar
is
only seven after all, and to have girls falling for him already …
God help Ava in a few years!

After seeing her off, I flick the sign to
closed
and lock up before heading home.  It’s been a long day and I can’t wait to have a nice, long, relaxing bath before climbing into bed beside my love.

Twenty minutes later, I arrive home to find Luke is in the kitchen, dishing out pizza.

“Mmm, you’re awesome,” I tell him, snaring a piece and taking a bite.

“Long day?”

“Yep,” I answer while chewing.

He tugs me close and kisses me then tucks me to his side as we grab a plate each.  He settles us on the lounge; me curled in his lap, him stroking my back soothingly, while we eat the pizza.

“So, I think we’re going to have to push the wedding date back,” I blurt once we’re finished eating.

He cocks an eyebrow at me in question.  “Why?”

“I, uh, well, I, um,” I stutter.

“Spit it out, sweetheart.”

“I don’t want to be all fat and swollen in my wedding pictures.”  I peek up at him through my lashes, awaiting his reaction.  My heart thuds against my rib cage with nervous excitement.

“Babe,” he says in disbelief.  “Your body is fuckin’ rockin’.  What makes you think you’d be fat and swollen on our wedding day?  Is this some pre wedding nerves or some shit?”

“No, honey.  If we get married when we plan to, I
know
I’ll be fat and swollen, because,” I pause to swallow.  “I’m pregnant.  You’re going to be a daddy, babe.”

He stills beneath me, his body turning rock solid.  I watch intently as he blinks once, and then again. 

“Are you shittin’ me?” he asks.

I shake my head with a smile.  “No.”

“You little fuckin’ ripper!”  He stands, taking me with him and spins me around the room, cheering while I laugh along with him.

“I’m gonna be a dad?” he asks for the thousandth time.

“You’re going to be a dad,” I confirm once more.

“You little beauty!”

He carries me to our bed and lays me down before gently making sweet love to me.  It’s slow, tender and oh-so romantic.  It’s so beautiful that tears spill over and slide down my cheeks unchecked when we both finally reach our climax together.