Free Lust's Rhythm (Heart of Fame Book 10) by Lexxie Couper Page B

much she snorted, something she hadn’t done since she was a teenager.
    By the time they pulled to a halt outside Angel Ink 24 Hour Tattoo Parlor, they’d decided their puppy was going to be two puppies, both rescue dogs, which they were going to call Groot and Rocket.
    Face aching from smiling so much, Chloe thanked their driver and climbed from the taxi. She heard the man say something to Jed as he paid the fare, heard Jed chuckle, and then her husband was standing behind her, his hands smoothing over her tummy as he rested his chin on her shoulder. “Are you sure?” he asked, taking in the front of Angel Ink.
    She twisted in his arms a little and smiled. “Just as sure as I am that marrying you is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
    He pulled a satisfied face. “In that case…”
    An hour later, they emerged with matching tattoos on the backs of their necks to go with their matching rings.
    Standing on the footpath outside the parlor, Chloe tentatively touched the bandage covering the image of a cello and an acoustic guitar melding together, now inked into her skin. “Well, that hurt more than I thought it would.”
    Jed smoothed his hands over her hips and tugged her to his body. “It goes away quickly,” he said gently. “Trust me.”
    Chloe smiled up at him. “I do. Completely and totally.”
    He gazed into her eyes, his expression growing serious. “I love you. I know it’s insane, but I love you.”
    “Sometimes insanity is the reality no one wants to believe possible,” she whispered.
    His chest swelled against hers as he drew in a slow breath and cupped her face in his hands. “And now I love you even—”
    A white light flashed beside them.
    Followed by another. And another.
    Chloe winced and flinched from the blinding detonations.
    “Hey, Jed,” a male voice called from behind the blinding flashes. “How long have you and Chloe Blackthorne been seeing each other?”
    Jed’s arms around her tightened and, as another flash bleached the night, he let out a low growl. “Piss off, mate. Go find someone else to annoy.”
    “C’mon, Jed.” Flash . “Give us a smile.” Flash . “Or another kiss.” Flash . “Or show us your tattoos.” Flash .
    Anger shot through Jed and he bit back a growl. Someone in the tattoo parlor must have tipped the prick off.
    Another flash of white light filled his vision.
    “Are they matching?” the man asked.
    In Jed’s arms, Chloe stiffened. “Want me to stick that camera up your arse?”
    “Whoa,” the pap—who Chloe could only just discern through the flash-burn splotches in her vision—laughed. “The sweet little Untouchable’s got a gutter mouth.”
    Another flash.
    Jed spun, putting his back between Chloe and the camera. “C’mon, mate. Leave us alone.”
    She could feel the tension in his body. His arms around her were growing tighter with every flash of the paparazzo’s camera and every goading word out of the man’s mouth.
    “So, you do anything dirty to that mouth yet, Jed?”
    Jed froze. Chloe’s stomach dropped.
    Oh no.
    “Jed.” She fisted her hands in his shirt, desperate for him to look at her instead of the man pointing the camera at them, smirk wide and knowing. “Jed, let’s go. Let’s—”
    “Are they wedding rings?” Crude joy filled the man’s question. The flash fired again. “The Untouchable’s not so untouched now I bet, ’eh, Jed? Tell me, is she hot in the sack?”
    Chloe clawed at Jed’s shirt. Her husband didn’t move. Fury radiated from him. His arms circled her. His heart thumped in his chest so hard and fast she could feel it in her breast.
    The flash fired again. So close, so bright, pain speared her eyes. She winced again.
    “Nice talking to you, mate,” Jed suddenly declared, his voice completely relaxed. “Cheers.”
    His hand smoothed over her back and, with a gentle hug, he pulled her to his side and began walking away from the pap.
    Chloe shot him a quick look, surprised at the expression on