Awesome.
“We met after you moved here.” Yeah.... At my brother’s wedding, my brother’s concerts, Noah’s wedding, more concerts and the various parties, and other important shit the last few years, but whatever. I figured I was forgettable to someone like him, but the truth of it sucked.
“I was teasing, Mya,” he says and smiles. Perfect white teeth glisten like a GQ model and I get chills from how sexy he is. “I know who you are. I haven’t seen much of you since you moved back though. I saw more of you when you were in school.”
Small talk with the hotty was killing me and making me feel insecure. I felt all bubbly, and like I would start giggling randomly and uncontrollably any second. A reaction like this was for grade school girls, not college grads like me.
My phone vibrates again, so I give a sweet smile in apology for answering it, but I need a lifeline to calm me down.
Tayla: Play it cool. Fucking obvious much? Breathe, Mya.
I look at her, panic on my face that I am making a fool of myself and try to breathe through it. “I just moved back in May, after graduation.”
He smiles at me again. “That’s right,Summa Cum Laudeif I remember?”
I nod and take a deep breath. “I studied business and economics, but I also was recognized for dance.”
“That’s impressive. I graduated Technical College in business. I sucked at organization, growing up all over the place wanting to be a rebel. Once I started taking my artistic side serious, I took running a business serious.”
Okay, so this was a normal conversation and the butterflies from it are dumb, but acceptable. “The studio is a powerhouse, so I think you made the right choice.”
“You should come by and check it out. Get some ink…” He trails off as he stares long and leisurely down my arms at my tattoos. “You don’t seem to be shy of the needle.”
I feel the blush on my neck from his obvious flirting. Tayla must see it though and laughs as she stands from the table. “Axe and I are going backstage. See you two in a bit.”
We both nod at her departure, and I throw up a silent thank you to God for blessing me with friends who know how to act accordingly.
“So, what do ya say?” He says, pulling me from my thoughts.
“About what? Getting a tattoo?”
“Yeah. You haven’t been tattooed unless you have been tattooed by one of the PIT crew.”
I don’t tell him that Noah and Chad both have done some of my work. Noah still does tattoos in his off time for his standing clientele and a few select others. Chad only tattoos on the side as a release, and usually within friends and family these days. “Well, I will if I can get one by you. I am a collector of tats. I have been tattooed only by the best and an original Sully tattoo would be the ideal addition to my collection.”
I see the recognition at the ‘original Sully tattoo’ comment. His birth name was Sam Sullivan, but he tattooed and built his name as Sully. “I’m sure I can make an exception and find the time. I can’t be the only one left off this canvas.” He leans close, lifting my arm to get a view of each line. “This lace, and the crown and jewels around it here, is Noah Beckett work, as well as the roses and the feathers…” He rolls my arm to see the inside of my bicep where my pinup is. “...that is Chad Blake. By far the best photo realism artist in the world, my opinion anyway.”
“Very good,” I say and smile. My flirting smile is received when he gives me one back and scoots closer, reaching for my right arm.
“All the work is delicate. Nothing harsh or too bold, which is appealing on a woman as beautiful as you. ” He doesn’t look at me as he says it. It’s like an afterthought, but I love that he said it. “I could follow the pattern and keep it organic in nature.”
I laugh as his fingers trail down my arm, tracing the lines softly. “You’re good, I’ll give you that.” I say and sip from my champagne.
“We should find a spot that sells beer and shots,” he says to me, like I am no longer the beautiful delicate woman he flirted with seconds before, but instead detoured into dude territory.
It irritates me.
“Is that how you do it? Get all cozy and sweet talk a woman until you think you have her hook, line, and sinker, then change to the uninterested bad boy so she follows like a puppy?” I fold my arms and stare him down, unafraid to call him by his shit. That is the bonus of having big brothers and a protective daddy. I am not afraid to speak my mind to any man.
He looks at me though, with a droll stare, like I make no sense. “Huh?”
“You know what I mean,” I say and deepen my voice to imitate him as I grab his arm. “So delicate, I can keep the beautiful organic nature…” I roll my eyes and drop his arm.
He laughs at my imitation and leans back, watching me with delight. “I don’t sound like that. Ever. I am not some cheesy one liner, Mya. If I wanted to fuck you, I would. I don’t give lines and sure as shit don’t play games. I want a shot and a beer because I hate this stuffy fancy shit. I thought you were cool enough to hang.” He leans forward, close, so close as he whispers in my ear. “And yes, you are beautiful and delicate, but all things can get dirty, Pet. Even delicate things.”
A stronger woman would slap him. I wanted to get a shot and a beer. “Okay then, let’s get a shot and a beer.”
Mya
