12
Lydia
Eleven Months Ago
Blake wrapped his arms around my middle from behind, pulling my back to his front. I leaned my head back to rest on his shoulder.
“Mmm,” he groaned. He licked a line up the side of my neck and bit the sensitive skin behind my ear. “You look good enough to eat. I want to sink my teeth into you, baby.”
My laugh was throaty and sultry. People milled about us as we stood by the back wall of the gallery. It was their grand opening, and having been responsible for curating most of the pieces myself, finding artists whose aesthetic and messaging complemented each other as well as what the owner was looking to achieve, I was invited to attend the event.
“Oh yeah, what else do you want to do to me in this dress?” I pushed my ass into his groin and swayed to the music that was playing over the speakers. He gripped my hips tightly with a low growl.
“Are you trying to start something here? Because I will throw you right over my shoulder and carry you home so I can show you every dirty thing I want to do to you,” he laughed.
I loved the playful, fun Blake. I loved the way he wanted me, wanted to be with me, all the time. He was attentive and communicative. He didn’t cast me aside in favor of hanging with his boys all the time. He showered me with presents, even still, after being together for months. He was perfect. Well, besides that argument a few months back where he scared me and that time when we got kicked out of the restaurant. He was almost perfect, which was more than I could have ever asked for.
“We should celebrate your big night.”
“I thought that was what we were talking about.” I winked, sticking my tongue out.
“I was thinking we should get tattoos. I want your name written on my skin for eternity, Lydia. You can get mine inked right here,” he said, kissing my forehead.
“Um, maybe we can think of a different spot,” I laughed.
He stared into my eyes, his gaze intense and studying. “Seriously though. I want to get a tattoo with you. I’ll put your name right across my heart.”
“Yeah? You would get a tattoo for me?”
“Of course. I would do anything for you. Would you get a tattoo for me?”
“Yeah. I mean, names freak me out. But we can get matching tattoos.” His face dropped. I hurried to place a kiss to his lips to show him it wasn’t because I wasn’t in this for the long haul. But rationally, we had only been together for five months. I knew Blake though—he wouldn’t understandthat. He was all in. Another thing I loved about him. “I’ll let you pick out where it goes, anywhere except my face.”
“So, the forehead is still off-limits,” he smirked, the sadness in his eyes lifting. “I want to put it somewhere no one else will ever see it. Something just for me. A brand for you to know who you belong to.”
Goose bumps rose on my skin. He didn’t mean it like it sounded though. He wasn’t possessive or controlling. He just loved hard.
We stayed for a few more hours before we said our goodbyes. Blake had researched tattoo shops, even stepping out at one point to call and make the appointment.
“I have a surprise for you,” he whispered as we strolled into the shop. The dark space smelled of leather and body odor mixed with the disinfectant scent of their cleaning supplies. A woman with blunt-cut bangs and a shaggy bob greeted us at the door.
“You must be Blake and Lydia.” She smiled. Blake shook her hand first, and then I did. “Hi. I’m Renee.”
“Thanks for taking our appointment so last minute,” I said.
“Happy to. I also have the design all worked up for you to approve. Come with me and I’ll show you what I’ve got.”
I figured we would just select something from the premade designs, maybe ask for some slight adjustments to make it more original.
I spun to look at Blake. “What design is she talking about?”
“Surprise.” He grinned.
“Here you are. Let me know if you want me to make any tweaks to it.”
Renee showed us a really cool rendering of the lettersBandLintertwined with vines and leaves. It was so intricate,it was almost hard to make out the letters inside the image.
“That’s fire,” Blake agreed. “It’s our initials, baby,” he said, wrapping his arm around me with a proud smile. “Isn’t it perfect?”
