“I’m sure you don’t.”
“Are you sure you want it here? Once I start, there’s no going back.” “Where else could you put it where I can hide it?”
“You already turned down my first suggestion, so that leaves your ass.”
“Yeah, I think I’ll pass. Hip, it is.”
“Works for me. Now, stay still while I draw it on.”
I didn’t move a muscle as he started drawing the letters on my skin. He pulled back a few seconds later and grabbed a mirror off the cart holding his gun and the ink.
“Check it out.”
I angled the mirror, so I could see the design. It looked exactly as it had on the paper. “Looks good to me.”
“Okay, let’s get started. Just remember to breathe. A lot of first-timers forget that, and it’s kind of important.”
I laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Also, don’t move around a bunch. I don’t want you to yell at me if I mess it up because you moved.”
“It’ll be fine. Let’s do this.”
He picked up the gun, powered it on, and dipped the tip in the cup of ink. I balled my fists as he placed the gun over me, an inch from my skin.
“Stop teasing, and get it over with.” I squeezed my eyes closed.
The next thing I knew, the gun shut off, and his lips were on mine. I gasped in shock as he sucked my bottom lip into his mouth. His hands held my face in place as he continued to kiss me until my body felt like jelly.
“What was that for?” I gasped out as he pulled away.
“You were tense. I wanted to relax you.”
“Mission accomplished.”
He smiled. “Then, let’s get back to work.”
He picked up the gun again and powered it on. I kept my body relaxed as he lowered it to my skin. There was a small stinging feeling, but it wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. He worked carefully on each letter with his arm resting on my thigh. His breath tickled my skin as he leaned in closer, and a shiver ran through my body. I was in a blissful hell with him this close to me.
“You doing okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” I whispered.
He nodded as he continued to work. “We’re almost done.”
He’d been right. Just a few seconds later, he powered off the gun and used some kind of solution on a paper towel to wipe off the excess ink.
“Stand up, and look.”
He held out a hand, and I took it as I stood up. There was a mirror beside the table, and I stood in front of it to inspect my tattoo. It was simple and elegant. I loved it.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you let me do it.”
“I told you I trusted you.”
He walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my stomach, careful not to touch the tattoo. I rested my head back against his chest as I looked at us together in the mirror. There was a happiness to Jesse that hadn’t been there when I first met him. It made me happy as well to know that I was the reason for that.
“Come home with me tonight,” I blurted out.
“What?” he asked as I watched him raise a brow in the mirror.
“Come home with me. My mom isn’t home, so it’ll be okay.”
“I don’t know, Emma.”
“Please. I just want to spend the night together.”
––––––––
I wasn’t sure what she was asking when she’d said she wanted me to come home with her. I didn’t want her to think that my mind was only on one thing, but she was pressed up tightly against me, and I was sure she could feel exactly what I was thinking about.
“If you’re sure...”
“I am. I’m not asking for anything. I just want to fall asleep with you beside me.”
I smiled. This girl was going to be the death of me. “I think I can handle that. Let’s get something over your tattoo first.”
After I applied the bandage and cleaned up the room, I locked up and followed her to her car. She chatted as she drove, but I was barely paying attention. The farther we drove, the nicer the houses were that we passed. I wasn’t sure what to expect when we arrived at her house, but I knew it was going to blow me away.
“Why are you being so quiet?” she asked.
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. Tell me.”
“I don’t know how I’m going to feel when I see where you live.”
“You’re an idiot. A house is just a house.”
“Try saying that from my position.”
She slammed on the brakes and brought the car to a dead stop right in the middle of the road. I grabbed the dash as I flew forward.
“What the hell was that for?”
“You listen to me, Jesse Daniels! I don’t give a shit about where you live. I’ve told you that a million times, and you still don’t believe me. When are you going to realize that I’m telling the truth?”
“Okay, okay. I believe you. Jesus.”
“You better,” she growled as she started driving again.
We pulled up to her house a few minutes later. Damn. It was bigger than I’d expected. It was dark out, so I couldn’t see much, and I was secretly glad.
I didn’t need to feel worse about the differences in our situations.