“Yes, I’m sure.” She clicked her tongue against her teeth and rolled her eyes. “What good is college if you don’t graduate with at least some regrets?” She shrugged before her smug smile faded. “Before I get anything inked on, you’ll double check that it’s spelled correctly, right?”
I burst out laughing. “What are English major friends for?” I pulled the door open and followed Marley inside.
“Wow, how do you choose?” she whispered to me as she studied the different tattoo options on the wall.
“I think if you have to live with it forever, it should be something that has some sort of meaning to you, rather than something you pick off the wall like a takeout menu.”
“Very wise,” a deep voice agreed behind me. “Something with meaning, and no boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s names.” A tall, bearded man covered in ink strolled over to us. “I’m Rory. I heard we had two potential customers headed over. You must be Victoria.”
I shook his extended hand. “How did you know?”
“Anthony may have mentioned your eyes a time or twelve. And you are?”
“Marley,” she squeaked out and squared her shoulders. I had a feeling the poor thing was starting to lose her nerve.
“We have the tiny tattoos over on the right.” He pointed to the far corner near the entrance. “Perfect if you want to get some ink but ease into it. It’s still permanent but not as big of a commitment.” He winked and shifted toward the back. “Anthony is just finishing up with someone, and I’m about to start a small piece. Take your time.”
Marley padded over to the corner, squinting at the tattoos on the very top. “Tiny is the way to go, I think. Most likely won’t hurt as much, too. I’m surprised you don’t have any since your dad is covered with them.”
“And my little brother draws them on. He’s going to be more inked than our father when he turns eighteen.” A smile pulled at the corners of my mouth. Chris was a lovable but crazy kid. “I will, someday. I want mine to tell a story. So that makes me picky.”
“Of course, you do. Always so symbolic.”
I shoved her shoulder when she dramatically clutched her chest.
“That will be two-fifty.”
My heart jumped at a familiar voice—familiar in a good way this time. A smile curved my lips until I noticed the beautiful woman with a black bandage spanning half of her chest and disappearing into her tank top. I looked away when she shrugged on her jacket.
I never gave too much thought to Anthony giving tattoos to other women. Consciously, I knew that was part of the job, but it made me a little queasy thinking of his hand on someone else’s breast for any reason. The both of us were seeing each other out of our usual element, tonight.
“You’re thebest, Anthony. Thank you so much,” she gushed.
“No problem,” he smiled when he found my gaze over her shoulder. Despite the petty side of me wanting to usher this happy customer out the door, I smiled back.
He wore a tight, black T-shirt that showed off his arms, and it dawned on me that I’d never really seen his bare arms before. The guys in the shop had to wear long sleeves, an old-time rule from our Uncle Billy to prevent against injury. Even though he’d seen me mostly naked, I’d never seen much beyond his stomach and his long, perfect cock.
I rolled my shoulders, the hot memory rushing a chill up my spine.
Black and red lines swirled down his biceps and around his forearms, and I wondered if the designs on his arms were connected to the tattoo on his neck. He was a gorgeous puzzle I yearned to piece together.
“Funny seeing you here,” he sauntered over, the corners of his full lips twitching.
“It sure is.” My hands drifted up his arms, and I glided my nails along the soft skin over the hard muscle.
He yanked me flush to his body and kissed me. No tongue but enough intention to make my heart speed up a couple of beats. He pulled away slowly, cradling my face and leaning his forehead against mine.
“Bar scene didn’t do it for you, tonight?”
I crinkled my nose and shook my head, another twinge pinching my gut. I never expected us to be this affectionate at the shop, but a quick kiss hello without looking over each other’s shoulder seemed acceptable to me. Would we ever be able to be out in the open like that at Falco’s? I hated how unsure I was.
But I resolved to push those useless thoughts out of my head for an hour or two.
“Not at all. Marley felt like doing something crazy, so here we are.”
He laughed and craned his head toward her, still holding me in a tight embrace. “Hi Marley, I’m Anthony.” He extended his hand while keeping the other arm around my waist. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.” She smiled, throwing me a quick smirk. “I think I’m going to be clichè and get a heart on the inside of my wrist. A blue heart since that’s my favorite color, and I read an article about red ink allergies.”
