He nodded. “We’ll see how it goes after the outline.”
The tattoo artist sat down. “Perfect. Now, the important part is to hold still. If you want to do a test feel on the back of your hand or your arm, we can do that. Otherwise, it might be best if Max here holds your leg down. Not hard. But just so we make sure you don’t jump when I touch your skin for the first time.”
I nodded. “Max, are you okay with that?”
He turned my leg softly before pressing his hands against it, pinning it to the tattoo chair.
“Ready when you are,” he said.
I was scared at first. But when the tattoo needle came down against my skin, I realized why the artist wanted to do that. The initial contact was a jolt to my system. Electricity buzzed throughout my muscles. I felt my thigh contract and Max started massaging me with his hands. The artist took his time, slowly tracing over the outline in a barely-there black line. I watched with wide eyes. I was curious, more than anything. And after the outline was done, he picked the needle up.
“All right. How are you feeling?”
I drew in a deep breath. “Surprisingly okay. What comes next?”
Max took my hand. “The shading. The coloring. This part is a little more intense, so squeeze my hand if you need to.”
The tattoo artist started gathering colors. “You think you can hold still for the initial contact?”
I nodded. “Now that I know what it feels like? Yes.”
Max kissed my temple. “Good girl.”
His words made me melt as the tattoo artist continued his work of art.
There were moments where the pain was a bit much. Where I felt my face flushing and my heart beating harder than it should. I needed two breaks with the shading as it grew closer to my hip bone. But it still wasn’t that bad. The anticipation of the new experience was worse than the experience itself. And when the tattoo artist wiped at my finished design, tears sprang to my eyes.
“So what do you think?” Max asked.
My eyes fluttered up to his as the tattoo artist slid something along my irritated skin.
“I think everything I thought I knew about myself was a lie. This is me, Max. I’m yours.”
And the smile that lit up his face was one I knew I’d never forget.
28
Max
I tightened my grip around her waist as I slowly came to. The sun just barely streamed through the windows as my eyes cracked open. The smell of her hair filled my nostrils. The feel of her body permeated my muscles. Dani was in bed with me. Her ass against my pelvis. Her leg threaded between my own. I’d never felt so alive and fulfilled in all my life.
So this is what love feels like.
I pressed a tired kiss against her bare shoulder, cherishing every second I had with her. Dani skipped classes just for me yesterday. And, according to her, she wasn’t going today, either. I knew I needed to make her go to classes. I worried that she was giving up too much of her life that she enjoyed just to be with me. I didn't want to be the negative
force in her life that led her away from a life that might have been better for her. But, hearing her tell me I was the only thing she wanted while looking up at me with those doe eyes of hers?
It was too much to resist.
My hand slid down her leg until I hit the gauze wrap around her thigh. I traced my fingertips along the smooth surface, knowing exactly the pattern her tattoo took. Her shoulder rose and fell with her even breaths. She slept so soundly next to me, and that swelled my chest with pride. Sleep was the most vulnerable state anyone could be in around anyone else. And Dani trusted me with her body while she was asleep.
I took that trust to heart.
“I’ll protect you from anything,” I whispered.
I still don’t know how it happened. How the fuck she chose me out of the numerous other men out there that I knew were much better for her. But I sure as hell wasn’t squandering it. I felt her shift against me and I moved, watching as she rolled over onto her back. Her soft breasts bounced against my body and her hair splayed out over my pillows.
I sighed. “You’re perfect, Dani.”