“Well, I do.”
He gave her a look. “When?”
“I said it to myself right before I married you.”
“No you didn’t.”
“I did.” She arched a brow. “And back then I had no idea just how big I’d gone. Lucky me.”
A laugh burst from his chest, along with a small measure of embarrassment.“Mia.”
She laughed. “For a man who’s so good in bed, you sure are a prude talking about it.”
“I prefer action to talking.”
“You can say that again.” Her fingers slid across the sheet of paper. “Anyway, yes, this is the one. I know I’m supposed to have some serious reason I chose it, but I don’t. Lilies are my favorite flowers, and I just want something beautiful on my body.”
He leaned into her and whispered, “Everything about that body is beautiful.”
She nudged him with her shoulder, and the smile on her face sent a rush of satisfaction through him. “Thanks for coming with me.”
He hadn’t had any important meetings today, so leaving the office after lunch had been an easy decision. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Mia?”
Ian, the large bald man who’d walked Mia through the paperwork, looked at them expectantly. They stood and followed him to a chair.
“So, how many tattoos do you have?” Mia asked as they went.
“Just one,” Ian said. “I wanted more, but it hurts too bad.”
Her mouth dropped open and she turned wide eyes on him.
Noah frowned. “Dude.”
“It’s true.” Ian shrugged, unapologetic. “Have a seat.”
Mia, looking uncertain, handed her purse to Noah and sat. He didn’t take his eyes off her while she lifted her shirt and Ian placed the stencil transfer. She stood to look at the placement in the nearby mirror, and Noah focused on taking slow, deep breaths. The intricate, feminine design curved just a few inches below the edge of her breast.
“What do you think?”
“It’s—” He cleared the rasp from his throat. “It’s perfect.”
“I agree,” Ian said appreciatively.
Noah tossed a glare his way before refocusing on Mia. She turned this way and that, studying the design, and finally gave a little lift of her chin. “That’s good.”
She returned to the chair and positioned herself per Ian’s instructions, then Ian prepared the machine.
“Sure?” Noah mouthed.
She smiled in reply.
“Here we go,” Ian said. “I’ll start for just a second then stop, so you know what to expect. Okay?”
Mia nodded, locking eyes with Noah. The buzzing started, and Noah wanted to grab her hand, but was afraid to jostle her.
“Good?” Ian asked.