“The jig is up, he confessed me that he’s my mystery client,” I told them, raising a brow.
“Well it was up to him to keep it a secret, so don’t you take it out on me.” They flounced back to the front desk.
“I wouldn’t,” I said when Bear looked worried. “Do you want to start working on the sketch for your tattoo?”
The way his eyes widened and began to shine with enthusiasm made my heart beat a little faster.
“Can we?”
“Of course. We have nothing else planned for today, right?”
“No, we don’t.”
“Then let’s go!”
We went to my room and I pulled my saddle chair while he hopped onto the chair.
“All right, so, based on ‘Roses?’”
He beamed. “Yes!” Then he got serious and hesitant. “Unless you think it’s a bad idea…?”
“Baby, why would I think it’s a bad idea?” I put my sketchpad next to him and rolled closer until I was in between his knees. “I always say anyone who wants a tattoo and is of age should be able to get a tattoo.”
He took my hand and began to play with my fingers, keeping his gaze locked at what he was doing instead of me.
“But you also said relationship tattoos are stupid and risky.”
Ah. “Bear, look at me.” When he raised his gaze, I smiled at him. “You’re right, technically. But I mostly mean tattoos that can only mean that one thing. Like someone’s name or portrait, something like that. This, especially because you actually like the flowers yourself, is not like that at all.” I sighed and pecked his lips. “It’s humbling. That you want this tattoo to be your first, because somehow, I’ve made enough of a positive impression that you want to commemorate what we have like this? It’s humbling as fuck, baby boy.”
His lip wobbled a little, and then he threw his arms around me and squeezed. “Okay, okay, then let’s do this.”
I winked at him. “Besides, if you change your mind, you’ll have time.”
“Oh hush.”
Together, we worked on an idea of a realistic grouping of roses with raindrops on the petals. It would be pretty in an understated way that wasn’t too feminine—not that there was anything wrong with feminine tattoos on guys or that I thought flowers were inherently feminine, but I would’ve definitely designed it a bit differently for a woman.
Once we’d come up with the basics, I made sure he liked the placement he’d planned.
“Would the ribs be harder to tattoo? And really painful?” he looked at himself in the mirror as I pointed out spots on him where the tattoo would fit nicely.
“It can be harder, but I’m experienced enough that I could do it. I’m worried about the pain, though. It’s not easy and for your first tattoo when you don’t know what you’re signing up for….” I shrugged. “The side of your hip would be good; wasn’t that your first pick?”
“Yeah, but now I’m thinking I might want it somewhere I can see it more easily.” He met my gaze in the mirror. “What if we put it on my chest? Like slightly on one side so we can continue it later if we want to?”
I tilted my head and looked at his skin thoughtfully. “Well you make a great canvas either way. How about I make two versions of it, and you can decide on Tuesday?”
“Okay, sounds good.”
“I’m thinking you might get hooked and chest is prime real estate so you might want something else on it later, that’s all,” I explained.
Bear smiled. “Honestly, I’m trusting you on this but I appreciate you’re showing me what it could look like so I can make the best informed decision.”
I kissed him. “Of course. Anything for you, baby.”
Bear
On Sunday and Monday, it seemed like we couldn’t really stop touching each other. It was like now that we’d touched, we couldn’t stop. Not that I was complaining, and neither was Daddy.
