used to, but she thought she finally had.
Holding hands, they walked into the studio and she noticed he held a folder in his opposite hand. They greeted the artist and a few minutes later they were both seated at a table. Lennox tapped the folder.
“I’m going to show you the design before he starts,” he said.
She guessed it was probably so if she hated it, he could change it. She came close to telling him that there was no need, that she’d love anything he drew for her. But he wanted to show her, she decided. She wasn’t going to argue. Especially since she wanted to see it so badly.
“Thank you, Sir,” she said.
He opened the folder, and she held her breath as he slowly slid the sheet of paper out. He kept his eyes on her while he flipped it over so she could finally see.
Marie was speechless and covered her mouth in surprise. She couldn’t keep her eyes off the drawing.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“You like it?”
She tore her gaze away from the drawing so he could see the sincerity in her eyes. “I love it.”
It was a delicate drawing, made to look like a fragile bracelet, and consisted of two lines twisted together. On the inside of her wrist, there would be a charm with LM inside.
“I didn’t want anything too outrageous.” Lennox traced the drawing with his finger. “But I wanted it to be seen. And with your comment about dancing, I didn’t want it too in-your-face either.”
She took his hand and entwined their fingers. “It’s absolutely perfect. I can’t imagine anything any better.”
He picked up her hand and kissed her there. “I love you.”
“Are you ready?” The tattoo artist asked.
Marie had never felt more ready for anything in her life. She gave him a big smile. “Yes,” she said so enthusiastically, even Lennox laughed in amusement.
The artist waited, though, and instead of moving forward, he gave Lennox a nod.
Lennox took both her hands. “Marie, I know we’ve discussed this at length, but now that we’re here, I want to do it one more time.”
With those words she felt her love for him grow deeper. But while she appreciated him checking with her, there was nothing that was going to change her mind. She would let him speak his mind though.
“If you get this ink, that’s it. We’re permanent.”
God, she hoped so. “Yes, Sir.”
“I wouldn’t be sitting here, claiming you with my mark, if that wasn’t what I wanted. But I’m asking you, to be sure. Is this what you want?”
She squeezed his hands. “I want your mark on me so badly, Sir. Even more so if it’s permanent.”
He lifted her right hand, the one that would soon carry his mark and would tell the world who she belonged to, and kissed the inside of her wrist. He kept hold of it as he lowered it to the table.
“I’m going to hold your arm in place,” he said giving the tattoo artist a nod. “And I don’t want you looking anywhere except at me.”
“Yes, Sir,” she said.
It was harder than she’d anticipated to keep her eyes on him once the tattooing process began. She closed her eyes and sucked in a breath as the pain hit.
“Eyes open and on me,” he commanded softly.
She opened her eyes, but only because it was him asking.
“I know it hurts.” He took hold of her left hand. “Take it for me and give it back to me by squeezing my hand.”
She knew he was strong, yet she hesitated.
“Now, Marie.” He was still speaking softly, but that in no way diminished the authority in his command. “It’s not for you to take on your own. Share it with me.”
It sounded so simple, to squeeze his hand. To be honest, she didn’t think it would do any good. But since he insisted, she squeezed his hand and maybe it was the placebo effect, but it didn’t seem to hurt as much.
“Thank you, Sir,” she whispered, and looking into his eyes, she knew that dance was no longer the only thing she could count on.
• • •
LATER THAT NIGHT, they greeted their guests at the cottage. Marie wore a simple dress of white linen. It wasn’t a color she would normally wear, but Lennox had picked the outfit. She’d raised an eyebrow when he brought the gown out, but he shut down her questioning with a look.
She watched him out of the corner of her eye. He looked devastatingly handsome in his dark suit. He caught her staring at him and smiled, putting an arm around her and pulling her close.
“Looks like Fulton and Andie have arrived,” he said, indicating the couple walking up the driveway.
“Are you going to talk to them about . . .” She let the sentence drop off. There were too many people nearby who might overhear, and now wasn’t the right time to bring it up in public.
“Yes. I’ll probably pull them aside in a bit.” His arm tightened around her. “You’ll have to come with me.”
“Of course, Sir.” Then to Andie and Fulton, she said, “Hey, guys. Come on in.”
“Oh my god,” Andie said holding out her hands. “Let me see it!”
Smiling, Marie held her wrist up for her friend to see. “It’s still got ointment on it and it’s all pink.” But she described the design since it was still bandaged.
Andie oohed and aahed. “It sounds gorgeous.”
Marie agreed. “I know. I love it.”
Andie looked up at Fulton. “I want a tattoo.”
Fulton shot a now see what you’ve done look to Lennox who just laughed and held up his hands. “Don’t blame me, the tattoo was her idea. All I did was design it.”
Fulton looked down at Andie. “We’ll talk about it later.”
“Speaking of talking,” Lennox said, obviously wanting to change the subject. “We need to chat sometime tonight.”
Fulton must have noticed the somber tone of his voice, because his head shot up. “Everything okay, boss?”
“Yes, just something I need to take care of.”
“Okay,” Fulton said. “Just let me know when you want talk.”
Lennox and Marie went around the rooms, speaking to their guests. She knew most of them since a good number had been associated with the academy in one way or another over the years. Only a handful she didn’t recognize and they were associates of Lennox from the real estate world. Marie was surprised that she didn’t feel uncomfortable, especially with so many people in attendance. For once it seemed she didn’t mind being the center of attention. Even if she wasn’t naked.
“Why the giggles?” Lennox asked. “Is something funny?”
“I was thinking how it was funny that I don’t mind being the center of attention today. I’m not even naked,” she said with a smile.
He laughed at that. He seemed to be laughing a lot lately. It made her happy.
He leaned over as if he were about to whisper something scandalous. “I can always ask you to get naked, you know.”
“I know you could.” She just knew that he wouldn’t. At least she didn’t think he would.
He winked at her, which made her think he considered doing it. Most people in attendance were in the kink world, so it wouldn’t be inconceivable of him to do so. Probably just highly unlikely.