Page 101 of One Way Out

Goddamn.

She really does take my breath away. No one has ever loved me the way she does, and it’s more addictive than any drug. Hell, I failed to ever pick back up smoking, simply because she scrunched her nose and saidI don’t know how I feel about kissing a smoker.

* * *

“It’s a known fact,” Troy, the tattoo artist says, putting down his machine. “Women sit better for tattoos. It’s like the pain doesn’t faze them. I’ve seen women send emails, fall asleep, read a book. They just don’t seem to notice.”

“Don’t let it get to you,” Shaw says to me, laughing. “Anything near your ribs is the fucking worst.”

Valor studies Saylor’s wrist. “Or maybe he’s just ababywhen it comes to pain. Remember how he used to love hazing me about having my injuries tended?”

Saylor grins. “All right, stop giving my beta hell. It’s time for our anniversary dinner.” She looks at Valor. “And you were kind of a wimp about the antiseptic cream, but can I just say how thankful I am that you all get a lot less injuries these days?”

She laughs, and the bond fills with her happiness.

I can’t wait to spend another fifty years with that woman by my side.

Ah yes, and maybe breed her a time or two… We would make some really fucking cute kids.

* * *