The Amber Shift

Forty-Seven

Elijah

I stiffen at Victor's words. It is one thing to know my brothers have seen my mate's body, but another to hear him ask. And didn't the fucker know to make eye contact with me before saying it? But I just cross my arms over my bare chest and bite the inside of my cheek. This is Noelle's decision, and my jealousy has no place here.

She shifts from side to side, nervously gnawing on her bottom lip. It doesn't take a genius to see that she wants to do it, and I have a feeling what her hang up is. I step forward and place my hand on her lower back, moving her until she is pressed against a tree.

"I got you," I say, sliding the zipper down her spine.

Hidden by my body, she shimmies out of the dress, and I toss it back to Asher. "Hold that for her."

The asshole begrudgingly does as I ask. He is my oldest friend who now covets what is mine and mine alone. I hate the way he eye-fucks my mate and glares at me like he wants me dead. With each passing day, I'm returning the sentiment. I want to rip the lustful thoughts and resentment out of his head.

I reach behind Noelle and remove her bra before placing her arms around my neck. "Hold on," I say, lifting her from the ground. She wraps her legs around me and I carry her to the rock. Without letting her go, I sit and lay back on the smooth surface, giving Victor access to her spine.

Noelle crosses her arms over my chest and props her chin on top.

"Comfortable?" I ask.

She grins and nods. "Is this normally the way people get tattooed or am I just really lucky?" she asks, rotating her hips over mine while Victor prepares his supplies.

"Make sure you don't do that while he is working on you, or you might regret this arrangement."

Noelle's eyebrow quirks and she glances over her shoulder to see him still sanitizing his gun. Turning back toward me, she grinds against me again and says, "Well, I guess I better get it all out of my system now then, huh?"

I look to the other side where our friends and her uncle stand. Thankfully, they're deep in conversation with Remi, but that could change at any moment. "Are you having a change of heart? I could invite Remi over," I tease.

She shakes her head and runs one hand up my chest and through the hair at the nape of my neck. "Don't," she whispers, gripping the strands between her fingers. "I want you to be underneath me for this."

"Then quit giving everyone a show of your ass wiggling around and save what's mine for later," I whisper, kissing the curve of her neck.

Noelle shivers against me and settles down as Victor comes over with the gun. "Fine," she murmurs. "But don't forget...later."

"Not a chance."

Victor clears his throat and says, "Miss Hart, I feel I should warn you; I am going to tattoo the length of your spine. It's going to be painful. Especially for your first piece. Are you sure you want to do this?"

She meets my eyes, and there's a bit of fear in her gaze, but I can practically see the adrenaline pumping through her veins. "Yes," she says. "I'm sure."

"All right, then. Don't move." He looks at me and adds, "Keep your hands on her hips and hold her still."

"Simple requests I enjoy, easy." I grip her hips, holding them to mine. The buzz of the gun ricochets off the trees, and her body goes rigid against me. "Breathe and stay right here with me."

Noelle lets out a breath through her nose and her eyelids flutter closed. "Shit, that hurts," she whispers, barely moving her lips, trying to stay as still as she can. "Like, fuck, I've never felt anything like this before."