♥️

I shimmy into a pair of jeans and throw a T-shirt on; it's starting to get cooler at night. Fall is my favorite time of year; I grab Aiden's hoodie for good measure. "Let's go off our deck." Aiden suggest, which is smart. I nod in agreement. We descend the back staircase that leads to the side of the cabin.

A guard sits flush against the front stoop, I can't tell who it is but I know it's not Howard since this man has a head full of black hair. "What do we do?" I whisper, trying to hold back a laugh as Aiden smiles.

"What?" I ask, he looks mischievous.

Slipping into the side door of the garage I look around at our options, newer luxury cars, classic cars, Aiden standing next to a shiny black motorcycle with a grin.

"Nope." I tell him.

Grabbing a helmet, he slips it on my head. "You know I would never let you get hurt." He tells me, "Besides, my other cars are too loud. We have to take this or walk."

My eyes pan back to the intimidating looking bike. I've never been on one before and the way the slick black metal twist around the frame terrifies me for some reason. Screw it. "Let's do it."

Opening a small metal door that's flush against the wall Aiden grabs out two leather jackets, he zips mine up and laughs when he realizes it's swallowing me whole. "I'll adjust the strap." He laughs, "So we're going to walk it down the driveway, I'll start it once we're in the clear."

I tip toe beside him as he straddles the bike, inching it down the driveway with his feet. It's so dark and quiet I'm worried we'll be caught by the sounds of my giggles as Aiden makes faces at me in the dim moonlight but before I know it, he's gesturing for me to hop on.

"How?" I ask, trying to figure out where to place my feet.

He smiles, dimples showing prominently even in the dark. "Come here." I obey and he twist his body slightly to pick me up and place me behind him. "Just hold on to my waist, if I lean just go with me."

I wrap my hands tightly around him, he laughs, "You don't have to have a death grip." When I don't ease up, he laughs once more before starting the bike up. It lightly purrs to life. The headlights bring the mountainous scenery to life. Thankfully he guides us slowly, drifting through the curvy roads with ease.

Taking one hand he places it on my leg reassuringly, "Feel better?" He asks, his head tilted to the side. I can see his jawline and sharp perfect edges for a brief moment before he brings his eyes forward again.

The feeling of the cool wind as it cascades across my face through the helmet is calming and the way the trees fly past us is freeing. With anyone else I would be terrified, but with Aiden... I know I'm safe.

Leaning against his back I yell over the wind, "Faster!" I say, my voice happy and my mind free.

I watch his hand twist the throttle as we accelerate, I place my head against his back at an angle so I can still see everything around us. It's beautiful, it would be gorgeous in the daytime to watch the scenic views fly past us.

A town comes into view, small but alive. Bars with neon signs and people outside turn in our direction as we pull up, my eyes pan around the area and I notice the tattoo shop in the corner of the small strip.

Aiden helps me off, keeping alert as the drunk men finish their smoke and head back inside. "Everything is okay." I reassure him as I place my helmet on the handlebars, watching his eyes soften.

Hand in hand we walk inside of the tattoo shop. The first and only time I was ever in one was when my mom got an in-memory tattoo for my dad, now I'll be getting one too. Even more special because Aiden designed it.

Black leather chairs are dotted throughout the shop, with various booths set up. One woman is working on a man's back piece, she is too thoroughly focused to notice us walking in. Then a man comes from the back, his eyes light up when he sees Aiden.

"Mr. Scott! To what do I owe the pleasure?" He seems so chipper to be working so late, but I'm guessing this is his normal schedule. A mustache twirls into a spiral above his lip, making him look fancy.

The men shake hands, "Hey Bo, just wanted to swing in and get some new ink." He tells him.

Bo looks over at me, his smile brightening. "I've never seen you with a lady before." I extend my hand to his and he bends down and kisses it enthusiastically. His bubbly personality makes me giggle, normally Aiden is extremely protective but he's smiling from ear to ear. These men must go way back. "What can I do for ya?" Bo says.

Aiden hands him the piece of paper, "full color? "Bo asks, looking at the drawing..

"Yes." Aiden responds, "It will be my only color tattoo." He winks at me, stopping my heart. Not only is he getting something for me but it will be his only vivid tattoo. I have to stop myself from melting in front of the two men.

Bo whistles, throwing his head back. "It must be an important tattoo."

Aiden looks over to me, "Yes, it is."

Bo turns his attention to me, I bounce on my heels with nerves. "Anything for you, young lady?"

Aiden shakes his head, I respond with "I want to get it too."

"She's joking. Just me." Aiden responds.

I place my hand on his shoulder, "Aiden, it's okay."

Bo laughs, walking away to let us have a moment while he lays out his items.

"I don't want you to ruin your perfect skin." He whispers deeply into my ear.

"I thought we were coming here for me to get one too!" I whisper, with irritation. He shakes his head.

"Aiden in the past month I've almost died twice, you died like eight times." I have to chuckle at the irony. "And now we're in our own version of witness protection. I'm getting the freaking tattoo." He chuckles, giving in.

Bo walks back over, placing black gloves around his hand. "I see from your face that you got your way?" he asks.

"I always do." I wink, eliciting an annoyed groan from Aiden.

♥️