“This one—” I tapped my arm “—is a veterinary one I had done after I became an official vet.”
She turned, studying the design, running her fingers over the image. “It’s very cool.”
“I like it. A friend designed it for me,” I explained. “It has all my favorite animals in it.”
“Horses, dogs, and cats?”
I touched one of the smaller images. “Elephants, too. I think they’re amazing animals.”
She peered up at me with a mischievous grin. “Is that allowed? Should vets have favorites?”
“I don’t let the birds and ferrets see. They might get upset.”
She laughed, still tracing the ink. “You have big arms. Strong,” she added with a whisper.
“I lift weights and work out. I need the upper body strength to work with the bigger animals.”
“Yeah, I, ah, noticed how massive your chest is.”
With a low growl, I bent down and nipped her neck. “It’s not the only massive thing I have, Sprite.”
With a small gasp, she turned back in my arms, facing away.
Laughing, I tucked her close and lowered my lips to her ear. “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
“Not so surprised,” she muttered. “I’ve felt your, ah, package, a few times.”
My package.
My chest shook with amusement. She was funny.
“Where is your other tattoo?”
I shook my head with a grin. “You’ll have to discover that one on your own.”
“Ah, a mystery.”
“Think of it like a treasure map.” I dipped my head, pitching my voice low. “And there’s a prize at the end for you, Avery.”
Her hands tightened on my arm. “X marks the spot?”
“Oh, I’ll mark it, all right.”
She shivered, her flesh pebbling under my fingers.
I dropped another kiss on her neck and leaned back. I liked her reactions. I liked them a lot.
The playlist on my iPod ended, the quiet strains of the music dying off.
Avery turned her face up to me. “Why do I hear the sound of waves?”
I rose to my feet, pointing to the thick row of evergreens that hid my secret. “I saved my favorite part for last. Come with me.”
I tugged her up, grabbed the blanket, and led her through the thick trees, then down the rough path, making sure she didn’t fall. When we reached the bottom, I swept out my arm. “My own private oasis.”
Avery moved past me, beaming in delight. A small inlet of water, the lazy waves dancing in the sun, reflected a multitude of colors at us. The small beach was grainy, the sand thick with tiny pebbles and crushed rock. Some larger boulders edged the one side, forming a private area.
She turned to me with wide eyes. “Is this yours?”