His lips quirk into a tentative smile. “You don’t have any tattoos.”
“I never knew what I wanted before, but I do now.”
“Sara, you don’t have to do this. Tattoos are forever.”
“Which is exactly why I want to do it.” It was a whim when Ifirst blurted it out, but now I’m determined to see it through. Before I change my mind. “Can I get it done now?”
He studies me for several beats as if debating whether he should talk me out of it or not. Then, “Come. He’ll still be there.”
Inside the tattoo parlor is exactly how I imagined it would be. The foyer walls are filled with images of elaborate designs inked onto various parts of people’s bodies. Ian has dark hair pulled into a low man-bun, spears piercing his nostrils, black gems studding his cheeks, and ink on every bit of exposed skin apart from his face. But he puts me at ease when he doesn’t question my design.
Instead, he takes me through to the sterile room where he’ll ink a picture onto my body and gestures for me to lie down on the couch while he gets ready. Romeo holds my hand. I would be terrified if he wasn’t here, but his presence keeps me calm. Reminds me why I’m doing the most impulsive thing I’ve ever done in my life.
Ian asks me to remove my hoodie and T-shirt, then he slides my bra strap over my left shoulder. A week ago, I would never have let a stranger see my naked breast, but Romeo is holding my hand, protective, his pants bulging when he sees my exposed nipple.
“Stop me if it feels like too much.” Ian rolls his seat closer to the raised bed and shows me the needle. “You’ll feel it prickle, but it won’t hurt.”
“I’ve got you,” Romeo whispers in my ear.
I watch the needle touch my skin and feel heat traveling through my body. When I walk out of here, I’ll be a different person than I was when I came in. I’ll have our initials printed above my heart for the rest of my life, and everyone will know how I feel about Romeo.
Am I crazy? Probably.
Will I regret it tomorrow when I look in the mirror? Absolutely fucking not.
I barely even register Ian’s gloved hand on my breast. I watch the image taking shape, the colors being filled in like a child’s drawing, the initials woven together as if this is where they always belonged. And when Ian shows me the finished tattoo in a hand-mirror I know that I couldn’t have chosen any other design.
It’s a lifebuoy ring, a delicate rope wound around it, and our combined initials in the center. Because Romeo will always be there to keep me afloat.
We barely make it through the front door to Romeo’s basement apartment. He presses me up against the wall in the hallway, raises my arms above my head, and removes my hoodie and T-shirt. His lips crush mine as he unclasps my bra behind my back. My nipples are already hard. The tattoo stings a little, but I’m too excited to care.
I got a tattoo.
I have an R for Romeo close to my heart.
And I want the whole world to know about it.
“You did this for me.” Romeo’s lips travel down my neck, over my collarbone, and caress the tattoo, feather-light.
“You did too.” I place my palm gently over the daisy on his chest.
“I wanted you to know that I’m always coming back, Sara.” His voice is husky.
“You know what this means?”
“What?” His lips are back on mine.
“It means that you get to show me how much you love me. Every. Single. Day.”
Romeo grips my wrists above my head with one hand and kisses me hard, his tongue filling my mouth. “Like this?”
“Maybe a bit lower.” I’m breathless already.
He kneels in front of me and sticks his tongue in my belly button. “Low enough?”
My heart is racing. “Lower.”
Romeo drags my sweatpants and panties down over my hips. My legs tremble as I step out of them. Gripping my thighs, he buries his face between my legs, and nothing else exists but his tongue inside me, and his initial inked onto my chest above my heart.
