When he dropped his towel my attention shifted at the sight of his strong body, still damp from his shower, out on display. Suddenly, I wanted him in the worst way despite the danger of it all. He must have felt the same because when he turned back to face me, his erection was prominent and the look in his eyes was dark and promising.

“We may not have love but we have this. This is all it will ever be,” he said as he undressed me.

“Do I have a say?” I asked with bitterness heavy in my mind and making its way down to my heart. Soon it could very well take over my soul and then it would be too late.

“No, baby. It’s already done,” he said as he laid his body over mine and entered me slowly. He closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. “I’m addicted to you.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

I didn’t realize I’d fallen asleep until I woke up in a dark room again but this time there wasn’t any feeling of fear. I reluctantly rolled over to my back with a low groan.  I thought about the homework I needed to get done. Keiran was distracting me way too much. I had to keep a head start on my homework for good grades.

I rubbed the spot next to me where he’d been and found it cold. How long was I out for? I quickly left his room and heard the television downstairs so I followed the sound. When I reached the living room I saw only his uncle sitting on the leather sofa. He looked up at me seemingly sensing my presence. I couldn’t meet his eyes after what Keiran and I did upstairs. I’d forgotten that he was home. Sexual desire had once again clouded my judgment and I prayed that he didn’t hear us.

“They’re in the basement,” he offered. I would have said thanks but he’d already turned back to the television so I left.

When I opened the door I could hear a buzzing sound drift up from the bottom of the stairs and the low rumble of Keiran’s voice. I walked down and found Keiran sitting in a chair with a bottle of alcohol in his hands and Keenan sitting behind him holding a needle gun. They looked up and noticed me as I walked closer.

“What are you guys doing?”

“He finally let me work on him.” Keenan grinned and dipped the needle in ink and brought it to his back. I instinctively stretched my neck to see but couldn’t see what he was drawing from here.

“Keiran?”

“I’m forgiving myself,” he said with sarcasm, holding my gaze and bringing the bottle to his lips again. I didn’t know Keiran to drink heavily but then again I didn’t know much about him still.

“By getting a tattoo?”

“By confessing my sins the only way I can.”

That took me by surprise. “Oh.”

“Come here.” He patted his lap and Keenan scowled at his back.

“Be still, man.” Keenan looked up at me with a sly smile. “Hey, Lake, what’s with all the claw marks? You ruined my canvas.” I ignored Keiran’s offer and Keenan’s comment and pulled up a chair in front of him. As badly as I wanted to see what he was doing I ignored the temptation and rested my hands on my knees.

“Don’t you need a license to do that?” They both snorted and Keenan continued to work. “Is it because of what I said?” I went on, changing questions.

“No,” he answered without hesitation.

“Oh.” I wondered again what sins could an eight-year possibly commit and I once again thought about the girl in the photo. I didn’t know if it was wise to bring it up to him. It would open up a can of worms for sure and I still may not get any answers.

“How bad does it hurt?”

“I’ve felt worse.”

“I should get one –”

“No,” he said vehemently.  “I want your body just the way it is. And there is no way in hell anyone is getting their hands on you.”

“Be for real, Keiran.”

“I am. I said no.”

“Shelly’s got one,” Keenan piped in, interrupting our silent stare down.

“Where?” I asked. I haven’t seen one and she never mentioned getting one.

“On her ass. I put my name there a few months ago,” he said cockily.  Sheldon was still seventeen so I was sure her parents didn’t allow that.

“Let me guess…her parents don’t know?”

“Nope. Her dad would kill me.”

“So why do it?”

“We were drinking and –”

“Wait, you tattooed her while you guys were drunk?”

He shrugged. “It came out pretty good.”

“That’s not the point and you know it.”

“Ha, all four of us have been drinking since we were thirteen. We can handle our liquor.” I shook my head but didn’t say anything else. They were all crazy. “I promise not to tattoo your ass while I’m drunk.”

“You won’t go anywhere near her ass,” Keiran barked.

Keenan snorted and rolled his eyes. “Guy gets his first girlfriend and suddenly he thinks he’s the boss of everyone.”

“Keenan –” Keiran began.

As much screwing as he did I was sure there had to have been a girlfriend or two, or six so I asked, “What about Anya?”

“That crazy nut? No way! She isn’t even that good of a lay,” Keenan said before Keiran could respond.

“And how would you know? She was Keiran’s girlfriend. You already have a girlfriend.”

“She wasn’t my girlfriend.” Keiran finally answered, cutting Keenan off.