He slid her iPod into his back pocket.“I’m going to educate you in the finer art of metal this afternoon, darlin’.According to our rental agreement, no satanic worship is allowed on the premises and we only sacrifice live animals on Tuesdays and Saturdays, so you’re safe.”
With a groan, Harper sat, pushing her strapless dress down to reveal her back as Trent fiddled with the docking station.
Drums in a fast, pounding rhythm were followed by guitars.A rough voice singing about a white man coming across the sea joined the catchy rhythm.
“This,” said Trent, “is the start of Harper’s Metal 101.By the end of this, you’ll wonder what the heck you ever saw in country.To start is classic Iron Maiden.‘Run to the Hills.’”He pushed his hair back, put his baseball cap on backward, pulled on his gloves, and sat down on his stool.
It wasn’t as bad as Harper was expecting.You could kind of hear the lyrics, and the chorus was actually kind of catchy, not that she’d ever tell Trent.His foot was tapping as he straightened the cable of one of his tattoo machines.
Once he was done, he looked up at her.“Are you wearing a full bikini, or just the top?”
“Full.It felt weird to just wear the top.”It smacked of OCD, but that’s who she was.
“Take your dress off.It’ll give me more inspiration to work with.”One look at his eyes said he wasn’t joking.
“What do I get in return for being your muse?”
“Other than a kick-ass tattoo, what else is there?”Oh.She liked his confidence.She liked it.A lot.
Kneeling up on the bed to face him, she wriggled the dress down slowly across her flat stomach and over her hips.Trent’s eyes darkened and he licked his lower lip before biting it as he watched her shimmy the dress down to her knees.
Shaking his head, he smirked.“You continue to surprise me, Harper.Totally thought you were going to say no.This is awesome.Should have asked you to do that last time you were here.Okay.Lie down, hot stuff.I got some ink to play with and some lettering up your back that needs to be finished.”
The machine started to buzz and the usual feeling of anticipation tinged with a little fear surged through her.His hands stroked down her skin.Skin he’d shaved in the shower that morning.The Vaseline he rubbed into her skin was slightly sticky.
“Sixth single they released and the first one with their new singer, Bruce Dickinson.You’ll see that a lot in metal.There is a lot of movement of people between bands.Sometimes permanent, sometimes not.I’ll get to Dio and Ozzy in a bit as examples.This was likely their most commercially successful song… debatable whether or not it’s their best, but definitely one of the most popular.”
Maybe it was because the nature of their relationship had changed so much since her last appointment, but it felt more intimate having Trent tattoo her.When the needles started to do their thing on her skin, it took her breath away.
The song ended and Trent leaned over to line up the next one.A haunting voice started to count down.“Eight… seven… six… six… six… five… four…”
“Oh lovely,” Harper murmured.“Six six six?Seriously?”
“What metal countdown would be complete without at least one offering from Slipknot?Nu metal.This is ‘The Heretic Anthem’ fromIowa,their second album.Born in Des Moines, Iowa, funnily enough, and famous for wearing masks when they perform.”
“Sounds like the guy is going to throw up his vocal cords.”
Her bikini fell loose as Trent untied the strings.“Hey.What are you doing?”
“I’ve seen what’s under there, darlin’.It’s way easier for me with it not in the way.If I don’t, you’ll end up with missing letters.”
“Any more clothes come off and I might as well be naked,” she grumbled, more to herself than Trent.
“Now there’s a thought.What would I have to do to get you naked on my bed?”
“I am so not getting on that list.”
“What list?”He stopped inking her to change the tunes again.
“The ‘How many girlfriends can Trent tattoo naked in the back room?’list.”
She jumped as Trent appeared crouched down in front of her.Shit.He looked pissed.
“Just so we’re clear, there is no list.I haven’t tattooed any girlfriends in the past.I haven’t had anyone naked on my bed.I don’t use what I do as a way to pick up chicks and get laid.”He studied her intently until his face softened and he stroked her cheek with his finger and leaned in for a soft lingering kiss.“But for you, I’ve made a most definite exception.You’re a first in many ways, darlin’.”
Standing, he stroked her face one more time before returning to his stool.
A first in many ways.What on earth did he mean by that?
