Page 7 of Dreams Of Fate

“Thanks.” She moves around the room, cleaning her tools. “Why don’t you go home? Rest and relax.”

“I need a distraction. If I went home, I’d whine about the pain,” I snort, and she laughs. “I can be a big baby sometimes when no one is watching.” I ease out of the chair and stretch.

“You’re allowed to pamper yourself,” she says.

“Yes, but it’s better when someone does it for me.”

“Do you want me to wrap them?”

“No. I’ll put cream on them. I left it at the counter.” I move toward the door. “Do you want to get food tonight?”

“Sure. I have one more client.”

“I’ll wait for you.” I wiggle my fingers and enter the bookstore. I continue the wave as I spot Rome lounging on the couch.

“Hey,” I say, and he nods.

“Savy, they’re beautiful,” Mara says as I walk behind her.

“Lace never disappoints.” I lean over, grab my salve and bracelets. I know it'll aggravate the new ink as I slide them on, but it’s a habit. “If only it didn’t hurt so fucking bad.” I laugh, straightening as the bell on the door rings. I open the little jar and then lift my arms so the metal slides out of the way, but I freeze as an unusual sensation washes over me.

“Why are you in pain?” a low voice asks, and I glance at the source.

“Archer,” Mara says, and my mouth goes dry.

“Umm…” I swallow hard and stare at the man who's about to change my life. Lace was right; he’s super-hot.

“Archer,” Rome says, slowly standing, and I look at him.

“Eyes on me,” Archer says softly, and I follow his order, focusing on his face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly, and shake my arms slightly. “I got new tattoos.”

My mouth goes dry as my soul bond walks toward me, and I freeze. It’s like in the movies. I’m sure he’s walking at a normal speed, but from my point of view, he’s in slow motion. He’s muscular, tall, and dark. His black hair is messy, likely from the motorcycle helmet he grips with his fingers. The tattoos on his arms are glowing, and I want to explore the skin his short sleeves hide. His stride is confident, yet I sense a slight hesitation. Is it me? Or because of the pain I see in his aura? I’m still staring when he reaches me. He places his helmet on the counter, takes the salve from my hand, and pulls down my arms.

“Why do they cause you pain?” he asks roughly.

I swallow thickly. “Gold is mixed with ink.”

He holds my right hand gently and dips his finger in the jar. I shake my head and blink. He runs his finger over the tattoo, and my toes curl. I forget about the pain, and Mara, and Rome. His touch soothes the sting, and I glance at his face.

His lashes are black and long. They shield his dark blue eyes. His expression is blank as if he feels nothing. That can’t be true because I sense a storm inside him. I look back down. His hands are strong, his fingers long. His skin isn’t soft and smooth. I wonder what it would feel like to have them on other parts of my body. I've never craved another man or had an instant vision of him on top of me. Would he be commanding or sensual?

“Umm…Savy?” Mara mumbles.

“Yeah?” I ask. I slap my hand against the counter when he releases it, and he moves on to the other ink. I keep my focus on his bent head. I bite my lip while he swishes his finger across my skin.

“Can you tone it down?” she asks.

I frown and turn my head. “Oh.”

Books are floating in the air, and the lights are flickering. Rome locks the door and shuts the blinds. Wind blows through the room, twisting Mara’s long hair, and she bundles it in her fist. Rome hurries toward her, pulling her around the counter, dodging flying pages, and holds her close. My clothes and hair are unaffected, as are Archer’s. It’s as if we're in a bubble.

“What the hell?” Lace bursts into the room. “Archer.” She smiles at him. “What is going on?” She looks at me, and her eyes widen. Her hair whips across her face.

“Does it feel better?” Archer asks, and I focus on him.

“Yes,” I whisper.