Chapter Twelve
“It is going to be okay.” Kym spun around in the receptionist’s chair once more while Charlotte paced up and down the silent room. “I’ll be here the whole time.”
“I know, I know, but what if he doesn’t show? I’ve been talking myself up about this for almost two days now, what if I did all that work to be okay with this date only to have him bail.” Charlotte gathered her hair in her hand, pulling it off her overheated neck. “Oh God, what if he shows up and even all the pep talks and makeovers in the world couldn’t make him any more interested in me.”
The makeup that she had been fine with just moments before weighed heavy on her skin. Off. It had to come off. “I knew I shouldn’t have let Bekah talk me into doing my makeup today. This isn’t me. I don’t wear makeup.” Her ribs squeezed tighter in her chest, preventing her burning lungs from taking in air. She ran for the bathroom, grabbing a paper towel from the dispenser and soaking it, then scrubbing it over her face. It came away with streaks of black, purple, and pink. Horrified, Charlotte looked up into the mirror to see all the colors spread over her face. The smoky purple eyeshadow Bekah had applied with painstaking precision only an hour ago now lay in ruins over Charlotte’s skin.
“Hey, hey, it is going to be okay.” Kym rubbed reassuring circles on Charlotte’s heaving back. She slipped the towel out of her hand and turned Charlotte to face her. “You’re right. This makeup isn’t you. It is your friend Bekah. And though it looks beautiful on you, you don’t need it.” Kym dabbed at Charlotte’s face, correcting and washing away what she had done in her burst of panic.
Out in the lobby, the bell over the door chimed, and a deep voice that Charlotte would know anywhere called out.
Before words of doubt could even bubble out of Charlotte’s mouth, Kym was already on top of the situation. “I’m going out there to greet him. You take another minute to breathe, and then come out. If you are in here for any longer than sixty seconds, I’m coming back. Got it?”
Charlotte nodded. Once Kym stepped out from the small bathroom, Charlotte closed her eyes, taking deep even breathes. She called to mind the positive visualization of how their date would go. Begging her body to calm down, for her heart to slow, and her lungs to loosen. They did, bit by bit, and Charlotte opened her eyes to look in the mirror. Thankfully, the mess of makeup had been wiped away, leaving her looking fresh and like herself. Whether that was good or bad, she didn’t know.
Before she could second guess herself anymore, Charlotte turned and walked to the lobby. The most complex reddish-brown eyes met hers. For a moment, her heart stopped dead in her chest before it roared back to life drumming against her breast bone.
Her vision widened out to take in the whole man. Deep brown skin, strong jaw, shoulders and arms that she knew for a fact rescued actual human beings on a regular basis. It was all too much. He was too much. Too beautiful. Too strong.
In three steps, he was standing directly before her, his huge hands cupping her jaw, fingers brushing her temples. “Don’t look at me like that. Like you’re scared of me. There is nothing here you need to be afraid of.”
Her body slumped, as if a string holding her taut had been released. “You’re perfect.” Her face burned red, embarrassed that those had been the first words she said to Trey’s face.
“I was about to say the same thing.” His hands traveled down her neck, to her shoulders, then her arms. “Jesus, I want to touch every part of you. I’m trying really hard to hold back right now. I don't want to freak you out. But you are the most perfect thing I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m not…”
“You are. I can’t stop looking.” It was true. His eyes roamed over her body and face, like he wanted to see it all but couldn’t decide where to start. “Why did it take so long for me to push to meet you? I should have had my hands on you weeks ago.”
“You were being patient. I appreciated it.” Charlotte found her voice in increments, her body coming back into sync, and finding her center again.
Trey laughed, a deep boom of air and gravel. “Well, I’m going to apologize now, then, because I am done being patient. Now that I’ve got you here in the flesh, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to let you go again.”
Bending down, almost in slow motion, Trey kissed Charlotte’s forehead. It might have been brief and totally innocent, but her body reacted as if he’d stripped her clothes off and laid her across the nearby leather couch to have at her.
Pulling back, Trey smiled the widest smile she’d ever had directed at her, and weaved their fingers together. “It is great to finally meet you, Charlotte.”
“You too.” She bit her lip between her teeth, trying to contain her own enormous grin. Though she didn’t know why she tried to hide her happiness. Trey hadn’t tried to hide his.
“Okay guys, I’m ready for you back here.” Kym interrupted their little moment, but Charlotte was strangely happy the charged atmosphere had been broken. She needed to gather her wits.
“Let’s go get you inked.” Still holding her hand, he followed Kym to her private room.
“Okay, I’ll just step out for a minute, so you can take your shirt off and get into position.” Kym turned to Trey, gesturing for him to follow her. “Why don’t we get you a drink while she gets set.”
Trey nodded and reluctantly left the room, his eyes heating as he took Charlotte in one more time.
Once she was alone again, Charlotte slumped against the vinyl table she had spent so many hours laying on while the tattoo needle buzzed over her. Trey’s entire presence was intoxicating. His scent, peppermint, smoke, and something indescribably male, fogged her brain and made her want things she’d never even really considered before.
Knowing they wouldn’t be long, Charlotte pulled off the t-shirt she’d been wearing and folded it neatly on the side table. The fact that she laid naked in the room had never affected her quite like this before. She’d been nervous during her first few sessions, but Kym always managed to put her at ease, usually because the tattoo artist had seen much worse in her line of work than a girl’s naked back. But Trey would be there as well. The first date, and she was already getting half naked in front of him.
Charlotte giggled. Maybe she was braver than she ever thought.
She laid down on the table, folding her arms under her and resting her cheek there. Thankfully today they’d be working on her lower back, so she could stay in the position. The worst days were when she had to have her arms hanging down over the edges of the table for hours.
The door snicked open, and two sets of footsteps entered. It wasn’t unusual for Charlotte to think people were watching her. If she forgot to put on deodorant or woke up too late to brush her teeth, she always convinced herself people could tell and were staring at her in disgust. But feeling Trey’s eyes rake over her was an altogether new sensation. Her skin prickled at the attention, as if every tiny hair on her body stood up and waved, seeking his attention and approval. Her heart picked up speed once again, but not as panicked now. More excited.
As Kym skirted around the room getting her things ready, Trey placed a chair by Charlotte’s head. “Hey there, beautiful.”
