“I could kiss you a thousand times and feel the same way after number 999 as I do right now. It’s not the kiss that matters. It’s who you’re kissing,” he says, and I believe if I had to pinpoint the moment I fell in love with Reid Landry, this would be it.
One year later…
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you,” Reid says when I quiz him as to why I have to wear a blindfold.
“So, you won’t tell me where we’re going, and I have to keep my eyes covered? Should I be worried?”
I’m not, of course. I trust Reid. We’ve been dating almost a year, and I’ve never felt more at home than I do when I’m with him. I’m not a fan of surprises, though. They never turn out in my favor.
I sense the car door opening and soon after, feel a hand in mine, guiding me out of the car then inside an unknown building. The strong scent of cigarettes and leather permeates the room. Country music blares over the sound system, and I hear what sounds like the clanking together of balls on a pool table. Are we in a bar? He brought me to a bar?
I grip Reid’s hand tightly as he sits me in a leather chair and slips my shirt over my head. Immediate panic rushes over my body. Why is he undressing me? Are we alone or is there an audience? I move to fold my arms over my chest, but he stops me.
He lifts my right arm and traces his fingertips along my ribs, about six inches below my armpit.
“Here,” he says to someone I can’t see.
“Reid?” Now I’m really nervous. This isn’t fun. I want to leave.
He pulls the blindfold from my eyes. “Sshh babygirl, I told you not to worry.”
I smile when I see his gorgeous face. Then I notice he is also shirtless, and we’re in a tattoo parlor.
“Reid?” I repeat, slightly less nervous this time.
He beams when he smiles and holds his arms out as if to introduce the room. “Surprise!”
“We’re getting tattoos?” I probably sound like he just told me we’re getting root canals.
“We are getting a tattoo,” he corrects me, and I lift a brow. “Come here,” he continues as he holds his arms open, inviting me to hug him.
Once our arms are around each other, he nods at the woman, and she smiles.
“You have a damn sweet boyfriend, pretty girl,” she says.
Tell me something I don’t already know. My eyes find Reid’s as I search for my voice. I know I am in the safest place on earth, here in his arms, but I’m still nervous about what’s actually happening.
“Thank you. I think so too.”
The woman walks away, and Reid squeezes me tight. I take the moment to confide in him.
“I don’t think I can do this,” I whisper.
He kisses the top of my head. “Of course, you can. You’re braver than you think. Besides, we’re together. There’s nothing we can’t do.”
With just one look, Reid has a way of making me feel like I’m the strongest, bravest, most beautiful and brilliant girl on the planet. With his words, I am invincible.
I watch as the woman wheels her equipment over on a metal cart with squeaky wheels and begins to snap on a pair of purple rubber gloves.
Reid moves his arms up my body, so that they overlap mine.
“I’m Raven. You must be Makenna,” the woman says as she prepares her instrument. I nod, and she chuckles. “Well, Makenna, I’d usually have you sit over there in that chair, but Reid here, insisted on holding you through the whole thing. Wouldn’t take no for an answer,” she tells me through a fascinated smile.
The thought of him arguing with this woman over something so simple makes me laugh. Typical Reid.
“Does it hurt?” I ask, not caring who answers, Raven or Reid.
I feel his chin move against the top of my head as he speaks. “Not nearly as much as you’re thinking.”