Tattoos and Transformations (9 page)

“I love your tits too much.”

To prove his point, he dragged his teeth up the sides of the now-swollen nipples. The pricks of pleasure rippled down her body. “Yes.” He continued to tug and tease the tips. Her nails dug into his shoulders. She lifted her hips, hoping to get a piece of his cock, but he was too far down for her to reach. Another hard suck made her gasp.

“You like that.”

How could he tell? Was it how her moans were getting louder and louder or from the way she was pressing her chest upward?

He must have been satisfied with her level of heightened excitement because he slid down farther until he landed between her thighs. Using his elbows, he pried opened her legs. His tongue dashed out and swept across her opening, smashing against her clit. Torrents of bliss exploded in every direction.

“Oh, God.”

His callused palm slid from her tit down to her belly as if he needed to be in contact with her, especially if his tongue wasn’t. The next lick catapulted her closer to her climax. She bucked and wiggled.

When he slipped a finger into her pussy, she squeezed shut her eyes

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and clenched her ass cheeks, forgetting about the dildo until more thrills skittered up her backbone.

It was when he nibbled on her clit that she nearly lost it. Heat sizzled inside her with each capture of her tiny nub. He’d flick it with his tongue then lightly bite down on the glistening pearl. Electric pulses ran rampant inside her.

“Please fuck me.” Her voice sounded too loud, but she couldn’t help it.

Clint pulled away, and the void devastated her. She opened her eyes. He’d gotten up on his knees and tore open the condom package.

With a dexterity she’d never seen before, he slipped on the protective coating in one quick motion. He straddled her hips and dropped on top of her. His lips met hers and his cock breached her opening. She inhaled, desperately needing him inside her. She threaded her fingers through his damp hair, loving how the slick strands cooled her palms.

His mouth ravaged hers as if he, too, were desperate to bond with her.

Not able to stand the anticipation, she pressed her hips downward.

Her invitation was accepted. He drove his cock into her wetness, stopping halfway to give her a chance to adjust to his size. The combination of having the fake dick in her ass coupled with his cock in her pussy magnified his size. The two seemed to barely fit.

“You are so damned tight.”

“That’s because of the freaking thing in my ass.” He grinned. “I can’t wait to fuck you there.” She lifted her head and nipped his lip. “Fuck my pussy now.” With that demand, he plunged in. Wicked flames of need wrapped around her, heating her insides to near the boiling point. She added to the movement by lifting her hips. Every time she thrust upward, her ass clenched, causing the dildo to drive in deeper. Electric sparks shot down both channels. Her climax neared.

Clint cupped her face. “Christ, but you feel good.” His
take no prisoner
kiss caused rolling spasms to shimmer down her body. Her pussy sang. Heat built. Blood pounded through her
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body as her heart raced. Sweat poured off her body as the erotic lust peaked.

“I can’t hold out. I’m coming.” She gasped for air.

Kissing him this time, she grabbed his ass and held him tight as her orgasm swept over her, washing her away with the tide of desire.

Her whole body vibrated and throbbed with ecstasy.

Clint increased his speed, pumping hard into her. His balls slammed against her ass, and his groans got louder and louder.

“Fuck!”

His cock exploded, widening and pulsating with his heartbeat.

Heat filled her. She hung on tight as they became one. He buried his head in her hair and inhaled.

Having him pressed to her chest and clinging to her body completed her. Nothing could be better than being with Clint. Slowly, her fingers released their hold, and she dropped down to the bed.

He seemed like he wanted to stay there longer, but he withdrew and got off the bed to get something to clean her up.

Before he returned, the bedroom door opened. Morgan’s brows pinched as his gaze raked over her naked body, her legs spread, and her creamy hole oozing her juices.
Oh, shit.

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* * * *

The week went by too quickly. Getting everything organized for the opening had taken all of her time.

Jade had stopped by, and what a relief that was. “What can I do to help?”

Dakota gave her a hug. “Just listen to me rant while I run around.

Be prepared, though, to be fetch a few things if I ask.”

“Anything.”

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“You talk to Morgan this week?” She held her breath.

Jade sat on one of the benches lining the gallery. “Uh-oh. What did he do or not do?”

She told her about going swimming and how Morgan had said she had little-girl tits. She palmed her tits over her T-shirt. “Do you think I should look into breast implants?”

Jade laughed then sobered. “You can’t be serious. You’re tiny.

You’d look top heavy if you had real big boobs.” That was probably true, but maybe Morgan would want her if she were more endowed. “I know, but—”

“Dakota Smith. Don’t you dare. Morgan has demons. He has a fear of getting too close emotionally. He just said that to push you away.”

“Well, it worked.” She straightened one of the paintings. “What do you think I should do to attract his attention?” Her best friend blew out a breath. “Nothing. Morgan probably still thinks of you as the girl in the black combat boots with her face pierced and who had colored hair.
That
girl kept people out of her world, and he’s afraid you might retreat to that person again. He has this wacked-out belief that I know my dad instilled in him.”

“Which is?”

“Leopards don’t change their spots.”

“Back up a minute. You think I was hiding when I dressed like that?”

Jade cocked a brow. “Weren’t you?”

Perhaps, but she didn’t think anyone noticed. “I don’t know.” She spun around and sat next to Jade. “Tell me what it’s like to have a ménage.”

She burst out laughing. “Nice change of subject to avoid discussing your issues.” She waved a hand. “I’ll let that pass. Back to your new question. Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself? You said Morgan wasn’t interested, and if I know my brothers, Clint isn’t sharing with anyone else.” Her mouth opened. “Oh, my God. You
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slept with Clint!”

She’d been dying to tell Jade. “I wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. Oh, by the way, your brother and I had wild monkey sex on top of Randall’s Ridge, and then again at his house while Morgan was only a room away.”

“Just stop. You didn’t.”

“Did.”

Jade faced the front of the room. “I don’t want to know the details.

After all, Clint is my brother. Just tell me if you’re happy.”

“Totally. The only negative is Morgan. Clint is working hard to get him onboard, but he’s angry about something.” Jade took her hands. “That’s a good sign. It means he cares and can’t stand seeing you with Clint.”

“He’s jealous?”

Her friend sucked in a bottom lip. “I don’t think he’s jealous of Clint, but rather he’s upset with himself for not agreeing to be with you.”

She shook her head. “That makes no sense.”

“I know, but that’s Morgan. He’s tightly wound. Everything has to be in place or he’s not happy. That’s why the ranch is doing well. He has excellent attention to detail, and I think you’re one detail that doesn’t fit.”

“I’m the square peg in the round hole?”

“Precisely.”

“Maybe if he comes to the opening, he’ll see that I’ve changed, and that I’m not the flighty girl he knew.” Jade smiled. “We can only hope.” She snapped her fingers. “Did you remember to order the sheet cakes?”

“Yes, and I even ordered an extra one for Jessie.”

“Why?”

“I can’t believe you don’t know.” Dakota rarely got the scoop first.

“Know what? Is Jessie pregnant?”

Dakota laughed. “No. Not that I know of. Maybe she wants to find

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a time to announce it to the family, but according to Cody, she wrote a romance novel about a female television reporter in some fictitious town in Texas who uncovered all this dirt going on in town, but her boss wouldn’t let her air it.”

“That really happened to her.”

Dakota smiled. “I know, but she had to change the names to protect the innocent, and to protect the guilty, too. Anyway, she got an agent who sent it to a couple of the big houses. It went to auction and finally sold to a big publishing house.”

“No way.”

“Way. Her advance is big enough to set up her mom for life.” Jade’s eyes widened. “I’ll have to give her a call.”

* * * *

“Why should I go?” Morgan didn’t like Clint and Jade pressuring him to attend Dakota’s gallery opening.

Jade threaded her arm through his. “Come on. It’s only for an hour. Mom and Dad will be there, as will half the town.”

“All the more reason not to go. The place isn’t that big.” Seeing Dakota smiling at half the town didn’t settle well with him.

Clint pulled Jade away. “Come on. We don’t need Mr. Sourpuss.” Jade seemed to agree. “Besides, by staying home, Dakota will know for sure that he’s been secretly in love with her for years, but that she’s way out of his league.”

Fuck
. “That’s not true.” He hoped his tensed shoulders didn’t give anything away. “Fine. I’ll come.”

They shared a triumphant glance. “You can drive yourself so you can leave early.”

He liked Jade’s reasoning. “Fine.”

He grabbed his keys and followed Jade and Clint out. It might have been a waste of gas to take three vehicles, but if Dakota so much as flirted with another guy, he’d have to leave. For the opening, he
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wouldn’t be surprised if she donned her punk look and went full-out with the piercings.

Parking was a mess, but all three found spots about five blocks away. That was good. He’d get in, congratulate her on her success, and get out.

Jade did that possessive thing and looped her arm through his. He glanced down at her. “Where are your husbands? Shouldn’t you be with them?”

She chuckled. “Logan and Parker are helping Dakota set up.

You’ll get to see them.”

That was not what he meant. He didn’t want his sister dragging him through the crowd only to deposit him in front of Dakota.

The bell above the door to the studio chimed. While there were a lot of people inside, there was still plenty of room to walk around. He nodded to Heath, who seemed to have been roped into serving the drinks.

“I’ll have a glass of wine.” He could use something stronger, but only wine, soda, and water were the options.

Once he got his glass, his sister dragged him into the main gallery.

He unhooked her fingers. “I can check out the paintings myself.” She smiled. “See that you do. I’m going to say hi to Mom and Dad.”

Morgan stepped in front of the first landscape. He’d seen two or three of Dakota’s paintings, but the one of the Grand Teton had an emotional draw he’d not seen in other paintings of the area. So as not to block the view from the other onlookers, he moved to the next one.

He recognized the setting. The large yellow flower was one in front of his house. What amazed him was the detail of his home in the background. She’d captured the tranquility and beauty of the place.

“You like it?”

Dakota
.

“It’s remarkable.” He could have lied, but why should he. She had talent. He spun around expecting to see more of the pink-and-blue

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hair. Instead, she had on a conservative red business suit. Her subtle pink lipstick made him want to kiss her. “Wow.” She grinned. “What was that for?”

“You look so…”

“Respectable?”

“Yes.” The last time he’d seen her, her legs had been spread and her tits begging for him to suck on her. Maybe he had been a fool not to take her up on her offer.
Stop that thought.

“I’m a business owner now. I need to appeal to those with money.”

So this was yet another costume. He had to admit she still had the same air about her as the girl in the yellow dress. “You’ve done well.” It was the truth.

“Thank you.”

Clint sashayed over and wrapped an arm around her waist. The fact she didn’t break eye contact with him despite Clint’s appearance made his cock hard. His brother leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“I’ll let you two bond.” Clint slipped away as quickly as he’d come.

Damn
. He swept his gaze down the aisle and spotted some strange-looking photos. “You take all of these?”

“My work is on this wall and the back wall. The other side contains works from the area artists.”

He headed down to the smaller prints. It took a moment to grasp what he was looking at. They were photos of grapefruit with amazingly detailed scenes. “You did this?”

“Yes. I like to create tattoos. I practice on the grapefruit.” His sister rushed up. “It’s time to cut the cake.”
Damn
. He had a proposition he wanted to pose to Dakota.

Dakota turned toward him. “I need to do this.”

“We need to talk.”

She smiled. “Okay. Later.”

He followed her to the front of the store. She turned around and whistled. The crowd noise slowly lessened. “May I have everyone’s
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attention?”

This would be her big moment, and he was proud of all she’d accomplished.

She tilted a cake upward. Instead of the frosting saying something about her store, it said, “Congratulations, Jessie. Hope you have a best seller.”

He had no idea what was going on. The noise level rose. Dakota held up her hand. She proceeded to tell the group about Jessie’s new book and how a lot of publishing houses wanted her story.

She grinned. “This is an achievement of a lifetime. I know Cody and Shane are terribly proud.”

He looked over and watched the men hug their wife. A bit of melancholy struck him. He wanted a relationship like that.

Perhaps what affected him more was the fact that on Dakota’s big day, she was willing to divert the attention to someone equally deserving. At that moment, he realized that Dakota had changed on the inside.

After she talked about how Jade had helped her get her start, she thanked his parents.

“If it hadn’t been for Spencer and Lisa Callen, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to try painting. Their loving ways made me what I am today. So thank you.”

His opinion of her rose tenfold. His sister stepped forward and helped pass out the cake. Morgan looked around to see if her father was there. He wasn’t.
Poor Dakota
.

After she accepted all the accolades, he moved over to her. “Can I speak with you in private?”

Her eyes widened. “Sure. We can either go upstairs, or step in the back.”

The last place he needed to go with her was up to her apartment.

“In the back will be fine. It’ll only take a minute.” Her brows pinched, but she didn’t question him. When she led him into a small space where Jade had had her furnace, she faced him.

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“What’s up?”

“You have to promise not to tell anyone what I’m about to tell you.”

Her lips firmed. She held up her hand, acting like she was taking an oath. “I swear.”

“I’m the owner of the D’Ink Coda tattoo parlor.” Her mouth opened. “No shit. You?” Her gaze searched his arms.

“Yes. And no, I don’t have any tattoos. It was a business decision to purchase the store.”

“Harley has no idea.”

He gently clasped her arms and pulled her closer. Her scent filled his head and made his body respond.
Damned cock
. “You can’t tell him.”

“Okay. Do Clint and Jade know?”

“Only Clint, but I swore him to secrecy. Please don’t mention this to Jade.”

She stepped out of his hold. “Why are you telling me?” At least she didn’t say something about him not even liking her. “I think you have an amazing talent, and I wanted to see if you’d be willing to work a few hours a week at the store. I know your gallery will take up a lot of your time, but even one day a week would be great.”

Her breath hitched. When her eyes sparkled, his cock hardened.

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”
Please agree to this.

She got that devilish look. “I’ve never tattooed a person before, even though I’ve studied how.”

“I’m sure Harley will be willing to help you.” She bit on her bottom lip looking way too sexy. His hardened cock was urging him to steal a kiss, but his conscience told him to keep away.

“Okay, but on one condition.”

She better not say she wanted to fuck his brains out, because if she
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did, he’d just have to do it. “What is it?”

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