Tempt Me (Tattoos and Temptation #1) - Mia Monroe Page 0,44
really inspirational for me.”
“Aw, that is sweet, Tate.”
“How did you do it? Like, I guess, how are you brave enough?”
“I was not always so brave. Certainly not in Paris. I decided, though, I wanted to be happy, and that is one way I can do it. It is one reason I wanted to come back to Miami. I knew I could be myself here.”
He nods, studying my face.
“I think you just have to feel confident,” I continue. “You have to know the people in your life support you. I think you can see through me they will.”
“Yeah. Do people ever stare at you when you have makeup on?”
“Yes, but I have decided it is because I am pretty. If they give me an ugly look, it is because they are jealous.” I smile. “It doesn’t matter if it's true or not. They do not matter to me. I am almost thirty. I will not hold back anymore for the comfort of strangers.”
“I like that. Do you, um,” he glances at Cairo and Gen across the table who are ignoring us as they chat with Luca, Apollo, and Casper. “Do you wear lingerie?”
“Exclusively. You?”
“Yeah. That’s cool. I’ve never met another guy who does.”
“Neither have I, actually. I found a beautiful shop when I was out with Apollo. It is a little expensive, but it is heaven. We should go sometime.”
“I’d like that.”
“So would I,” Nix says, nuzzling Tate’s neck and letting us know he was listening. Tate’s cheeks bloom pink as he laughs softly.
The conversation is lively as our food is delivered and everyone eats and drinks mimosas and Bloody Mary’s. I’m updated on how all the couples met, and it feels so nice to be pulled into this group. Apparently, Apollo didn’t know a lot of it either.
The couple who captures my attention the most though is Saint and Casper. Saint is doting, and an obvious caretaker, making sure Casper is eating in between talking. His attention and devotion never wavers from his fiancé, and it makes me feel warm inside. It’s how I feel about Apollo. I just have to have a little more patience for him to see what I do. We are well on our way.
Grey, one of the guys who works at the tattoo shop, startles me by asking my favorite Parisian district, in French.
“Tu parles français?”
Grey shrugs. “Un peu. My parents had an exchange student who lived with us for a year. I helped him with English, he helped me with French, but I’m rusty.”
“You have a good accent.”
“Merci.”
“Let’s see, my favorite district. Probably the Marais since I love to shop. Eclectic and fun, vintage and classic. You could find anything there. It was a fun way to spend the day.”
“Nice. I always wanted to go to the Champs-Élysées.”
“Also a nice area. A must see if you are in Paris of course. It is very romantic.”
“Maybe we’ll go there someday,” Apollo says.
“That would be lovely.”
Nix’s phone buzzes across the table. He grabs it, and while he chats, his eyes shift up to Grey and he nods. After he ends the call, he smiles. “Mitsu sends his hello, Grey. He couldn’t make it out last night. A friend was visiting from out of town.”
Grey’s expression is a mixture of fear and awe. “Oh, that’s really nice. You can tell him I say hi too, next time you talk to him.”
“I will,” Nix says, winking.
That was interesting.
After we finish eating, we split the bill and get ready to leave.
“We’re going to see a movie,” Gen announces. “If anyone wants to come.”
“We can come,” Tate says. “You guys?” he asks, looking at Apollo.
“Nah, I’m taking my boyfriend apartment hunting.”
My eyes widen as my face heats.
“Boyfriend,” Gen says, grinning. “That’s an upgrade.”
Apollo chuckles, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I know a good thing when I see it. Had to lock him down before someone else did.”
I gaze up at Apollo as if he just unlocked the secrets of the universe. I didn’t think I could fall any harder for him, but I just did.
“Yes, I have to move out from my parents’. Well, I don’t have to, but I want to.”
"Of course, boo,” Cairo says.
“Have a good day, y’all,” Luca says, giving Apollo a pointed look.
Apollo takes my hand and leads me to the car. Once inside, he looks at me with a serious expression. “Was that okay? I should’ve asked first.”
“What?”
“Announcing that you’re my boyfriend. I guess I got excited.”
“Is it okay that the man I have