Page 9 of Awaken My Heart

I blow out a breath. I really need to stop obsessing about this man. The musical will help. Once I’m in rehearsal mode, I’ll be completely focused on my kids and the musical. Just because he looks like he was made from my fantasy-man catalog doesn’t mean anything.

Cleary walks up and it’s nice to see that she’s short like me. Short and plump like me which is even better. I don’t know why. I don’t actually care what friends look like, but standing next to her, she makes me feel instantly comfortable. I’m used to faking it til I make it most of the time.

“I’m so glad you came today and introduced yourself,” Cleary says.

“I was being serious about loving your books, but I don’t want to be creepy.” We walk side-by-side down the street from the bookstore.

She laughs. “You’re so not creepy. Plus I’ll tell you, once upon a time, before Anita Dix was born, I infiltrated a romance author writing retreat and met all my favorite authors in one spot. Then two of them married my brothers. Completely surreal. They’re who encouraged me to write my own books.”

“Oh wow, that’s so cool. Mind if I ask who your sisters-in-law are?”

“Of course not. Paige Turner and Cassia Murphy.”

“Oh my God, I like both of them!”

“Right? They’re amazing and so perfect for my brothers. We’re just a romance writing family.”

Eventually we’re standing in front of a tattoo shop. “The Needle Bards.” I snort. “That’s clever.”

“I know. My man and his brother are hella talented too.” She pulls open the door.

“We’re closed,” a man growls from the back of the shop.

She ignores him and just walks in that direction.

I follow and nothing can prepare me for the sight that greets me once we step into the tattooing station. There, reclining back on the barber-looking chair, is none other than Bram Whitmore. Shirtless.

I nearly run into a wall staring at the masculine beauty in front of me. It’s not just the expanse of his bared, broad shoulders and thick torso. No, it’s the ink itself. I move closer.

It’s a map. A one-of-a-kind map that somehow merges Saddle Creek, inked over his heart, to Greece, lower on his right side. The map between those two points is what is hard to look away from. It’s the most perfect rendition of that fantasy world map. You’ve probably seen pictures of it online.

Narnia, Middle Earth, Whoville, Hogwarts, and every other fictional place you’ve ever wanted to visit. I don’t realize I’m tracing the letters of Atlantis until a deep rumble comes from his throat.

I jerk my hand back as if the very touch of his skin burns me. Where is a giant sinkhole when you need one? Seriously, what is wrong with me?

“I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to touch you without permission. I just, I’ve never seen anything like it. Your tattoo is,” I swallow thickly. Sexy. So damn hot. “Gorgeous.”

My eyes flick to his to find those blue eyes of his have darkened to a deep sapphire. I clear my throat and step away from the chair.

Cleary and her—wow, she wasn’t kidding when she said her husband was mean looking—he’s beautiful, but in a harsh, dangerous kind of way.

“Sugar baby,” he says, his voice is whiskey rich. “Introduce me to your new friend.” He says all of this while totally grabbing her ass.

“Right. Ian, this is not only my biggest fan, but also my stalker. She moved here for me. I told you I was famous.” She winks at me. “Emma, my husband, Ian.”

He holds a huge, tatted hand out to me. “Nice to meet you, Emma. I’m a fan of any of my wife’s fans.”

“He totally looks like that assassin you wrote about. Did you do that on purpose?” I blurt.

They both laugh. “Long story, but I’ll tell you one day.” Then Cleary winces. “Where are my manners? Bram, this is Emma. Emma, Bram Whitmore.”

“We’ve met,” he manages.

“What are you adding now?” Cleary asks. “I agree with Emma, Bram’s ink is the coolest.”

“You’re obviously very talented,” I say to Ian.

“Panem, complete with all the districts,” Bram says.