“It’s a crow. He can be a little crooked.”
“You obviously haven’t dealt with a lot of moody artists,” I murmur. “We’re a meticulous sub-set of creatives.”
She laughs, her body rippling with the movement.
“Stay still,” I warn.
“I guess you’re right.” She tilts her head and taps her chin. “You’ll have to look at it every day. And knowing you, if you perceive any mistakes, you’ll obsess over them endlessly.”
“Great. New fear unlocked.” I flick my gaze up to hers. “Thanks.”
This was a mistake.
I’m friends with plenty of talented artists. I could’ve asked any one of them to do this piece for Emery. But then someoneelse would be touching her skin. I’d lose my mind, fantasize about murder, and end up doing the ink anyway.
“You’re sure about the placement?” I ask her for the thousandth time this week. “This is a sensitive spot.” I trace one finger from her elbow to pulse point. “It won’t tickle.”
Jaw set in a brave line, she nods once. “I’m sure.”
A few hours later, the steady drone of the needle fills the room.
Emery’s still in my chair. Her body’s tight with tension, like it’s taking all her strength to sit still and not squirm.
“You’re doing so well, baby,” I praise. “I’m proud of you.”
“You probably say that to all your customers,” she grits out.
“I really don’t.” I’m quiet while I shade one of the feathers. “Honestly, you’re taking this better than seventy-five percent of my male clients do.”
“Seventy-five, huh?” she scoffs, then winces. “Awfully specific.”
“It’s true.” I lift the needle for a second, giving her a break. “You good?”
She blows out a sharp exhale. “Just ducky. Feels like a swarm of angry bees throwing a rave on my arm.”
I chuckle low in my throat. “Breathe through it. We’re almost done for today.”
Her eyes flick to mine, her special brand of dry humor sparking in her eyes. “Easy for you to say.” She drops her gaze to my crotch. “Since you’re more familiar with bodymodifications.”
My lips twist into a smirk. “If you continue to be a good girl, I’ll let you explore every single one of them any way you want tonight.”
She purses her lips and gives me a playful eye roll. “Let’s be honest, you’re going to let me ride you like a roller coaster no matter what.”
I choke on a laugh. “True.
“All right.” I start again, wipe the excess ink and keep going. As much as I enjoy joking around with her, every wince she makes carves out a hole in my chest. I’d do anything to take on this pain for her.
“Distract me.” She shifts in the seat and hisses. “Remind me that I chose this torture because I’m celebrating?—”
“Five million views, baby.”
“Five million on partone,”she corrects.“The last three episodes haven’t quite caught up yet.”
I’d pull out my phone and read her stats to her but I’m so close to finishing this bird’s beak. “They all have a couple mil each. Don’t downplay your success. Your subscribers exploded and your other videos are all climbing too.” Pride swells in me. She’s built this while staying true to herself.
By the time I finish, she’s sweating and breathing hard. “All right. Done for now.” I push my stool back a few inches. “We can always add the branch and flowers later.”
“When I get amnesia about how much this hurt?”
