Twenty Five

"I did?" The color drained from my face. Why would I say that? The 'L' word had been far from my lips and mind, so why would it have slipped out so casually?

He seemed just as perplexed, watching me closely as if I were some alien species posing as his girlfriend. His girlfriend. Wasn't saying 'I love you' normal for couples? But we weren't normal. This was an adult relationship where those words shouldn't just be thrown around. It was a serious thing to say and we'd known eachother for a week.

It must've been the sex.

It wouldn't be the first time someone had made an accidental confession amidst the throes of passion. It was a trope for a reason, right? Except I didn't say I loved him. I called him 'love'. So I had either turned British during our fucking, or implied that he was my love. My love.

Damn it, stop! I was acting like some hormonal teenager with a crush. I needed to focus on Joel right now, and not on how right his new pet name sounded in my head.

"Was it… an accident?" I licked my dry lips, forcing out a nod.

"Uh, yea. It, um, it just came out."

"Oh." Was he disappointed? Relieved? Why couldn't I read him better? "Your appointment is in less than an hour. You should get cleaned up."

I nodded, allowing him to help me to my feet before stripping off my bra and climbing into the shower. The hot water stung against my bruised shoulder, but I couldn't focus on it. I had so much to think about. Not even just what I'd said, but what I was about to do. A tattoo. Was I crazy? This was crazy.

Before Joel managed to slip out of the bathroom, I spoke up.

"So, this tattoo. Just how bad will it hurt?" His smooth chuckle rang out through the cascading droplets.

"Already getting cold feet? I thought you'd at least make it to the door." I scowled.

"Don't be an ass. I'm not getting cold feet. I'm still going to do it, I just want some more information." I picked up my hibiscus scented body wash, squirting some into my palm and lathering it.

"In your case, it probably won't be too bad." I furrowed my brow.

"What do you mean 'in my case'?" He paused, and I could see him leaning against the wall across from the sink.

"Well, it's worse if its directly over bone. You have enough padding there to help." Padding? I was full on frowning now, soaping over the spot the blossoms would be inked. "Don't."

"Don't what?"

"You know what. You're getting insecure, and you shouldn't. You're fucking sexy and I love your curves." I turned so he couldn't see me smile before moving onto my hair.

"So it won't hurt?" He snorted.

"Of course it'll hurt. But I'll be there with you. It's not too complicated, so it probably won't take more than two hours." My hands froze against my sudded scalp. Did he just say two hours? For a single tattoo? He sensed my surprise, continuing. "It's not as bad as it sounds. They give breaks."

.

.

.

Forty minutes later and I found myself walking hand in hand with my man, approaching an all brick building with tinted windows. "Jord's Tattoo and Piercing" was sprawled on the black glass in lime green. Joel stepped ahead of me to grab the door, holding it open for me to enter.

It wasn't what I'd expected at all. Instead of being dark and moody, it was brightly lit, smelling like a mix between rubbing alcohol and the bleach they'd used to clean the white tile floor. The waiting area was basically nonexistent save a small desk in the corner with a newer looking cash register and computer setup. At first the place looked vacant, but a movement from across the building caught my eye.

"Hey man, long time no see." The man spoke. He was covered up to his neck in designs, looking like he was wearing an entire other outfit atop his slim but fit figure. He had a friendly smile, and soft brown eyes that scanned me curiously as he approached.

He was wearing all black, including a black vinyl apron and black leather boots. A pencil sat delicately behind his ear, leaving an indention in his black shoulder length hair. He stepped up to Joel first, giving him a manly hug before turning to me, not bothering to wait for Joel to introduce me.

"Hey cutie, I'm Jord. What's a pretty girl like you doing next to this brute? Did he corrupt you?" I laughed at his amusing joke, but Joel rolled his eyes, pulling me closer to him by the waist. I did look a little out of place here, with my girly sundress and neatly pinned hair.

"Here." He took the black flash drive out of his pocket, tossing it to Jord with a huff. Jord, of course, looked amused as hell at his tantrum.

"I'm Jen." I replied respectfully, ignoring his rude behavior and extending a hand. Jord took it, his chilly fingers making me shiver. God, it was cold. It made me glad I wore a bra, or else I'd be poking eyes out with my nipples.

"It's lovely meeting you, precious." He said with a wink. "You can undress. I'll go print this off." He waved the drive in the air, crossing over to the computer at the desk. My eyes shot to Joel, who still looked a bit peeved. But he didn't correct him.

"Undress?" I asked again, for clarity. Joel's eyes finally met mine.

"Yea. You don't want blood to stain your dress. Besides, it's a bit of an awkward spot to get to without you being undressed." Oh God. Okay, I was really fucking glad I wore a bra now. "Here, this way." He took my hand, leading me further into the room where what looked like a clinical bed was stationed between a side table and stool. The side table had a variety of instruments neatly placed atop it and there was a tall coat tree standing to its right.

With a deep breath and hard swallow, I reached towards the back of my neck where my dress was tied, tugging on it slowly until it came undone. It wasn't that big of a deal. Who knew all of the exotic locations Jord had tattooed or pierced other women? I'm sure he'd seen it all. Besides, I was still in my underwear, so I wasn't completely nude. I stepped out of my dress that had fluttered to the floor at my feet, before bending over to pick it up. A warm hand snaked it's way down my upturned ass, stroking it gently.

"Son of a bitch, Jen. Why'd you wear such sexy panties?" Joel whispered into my ear. I shot up, glancing over my shoulder to see if Jord saw him grope me. Fortunately, he was still formatting the image for my tattoo, completely absorbed in his work.

"I didn't know I'd have to take my dress off here." I answered. Besides my red satin thong and matching push up bra, the hickey he had left on my shoulder was shining brightly against my pale skin.

"Woah…" Jord remarked, his eyes wide as he approached the station. "A beautiful design for a beautiful girl." He added with a smile. "Go ahead and lie down. Give me the hip you want it on." He nudged Joel out of the way, taking his place on his rolling stool. He opened up the top drawer to his table, surprising me by removing a pair of black rimmed glasses that he set on the bridge of his nose.

I obeyed, my skin on the cold vinyl freezing me. Joel helped position me, before stepping back.

"Joel-" I protested, but Jord spoke up.

"No worries. I'm just placing the template right now. I want to make sure you like the placement before it's stuck there forever." My heart dropped at his words. I was doing this. I was putting a permanent image on my body. Joel's art, at that. I urged myself not to cry at the cross between fear and sentimentality.

"You okay, baby?" He asked, running his hand over my arm, warming it. "You're not usually this quiet. Are you nervous?"

"No." I lied.

"Okay. Well, I'm right here. Let me know if it gets to be too much, okay?" He pressed his lips to my hair, smoothing it behind my ear.

"Alright, are you guiding me, Joel?" Jord asked, his hands now wrapped in black medical gloves. "This might be cold, Princess." He warned, before bringing a cotton ball soaked in alcohol over my skin.

"Yea. I was thinking it could sit right here." Joel hovered above my freshly sanitized skin, not wanting to contaminate it by touching me.

"Here?" Jord pressed his fingers into my skin to clarify, to which Joel nodded, flashing me a sweet smile.

Once the template was placed, which was alot like the temporary tattoos I used to apply as a child, I was alowed to see it in the mirror. It was beautiful, the placement perfect but foreign against my porcelain skin. It made me look so… mature. Maybe even sexy?

"Good?" Joel asked. Jord had gone to retrieve the ink he would need for the job. I nodded, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"It's perfect."

Having Joel there with me made the whole thing bearable. He held my hand the entire time, whispering words of encouragement into my ear as the loud needle gun pierced and stained my skin. It hurt unlike anything else I'd ever felt, but I faired okay. I only cried in the beginning. The longer I laid on the table, the easier it got. The sensation reminded me of being repeatedly stabbed with a mechanical pencil, but it became oddly pleasant by the one hour mark. I could certainly see why people got addicted to getting tattoos.

"All done, darling." I opened my eyes, not even realizing that they had fluttered closed. "Leave the bandage on for now. I'm not gonna give you the spiel, since you're going home with Joel, but I'll give you a paper with post care instructions." I glanced down to see a large white bandage covering my hip. I was a little disappointed, since I wanted to see it completed, but there was nothing to be done. Joel helped me sit up while Jord cleaned the station.

"How much do I owe?" I asked finally. I hadn't even bothered checking what the price would be, but I knew I'd saved enough to cover it. I didn't spend much.

"Nothing." I blinked slowly.

"Huh?"

"Your boyfriend already paid, sweetheart." What? I slid from the table, turning to face Joel with my arms crossed under my chest. He smiled smugly, eyeing my body like a feast.

"Its hard to take you seriously when you're dressed like that." He chuckled, pulling in his lip to stifle it. I groaned in annoyance, snatching my dress from the hook and pulling it up my body. I should be showing more gratitude for his gift. I just wished he would've told me. I didn't like him blowing all his money on me.

"Thank you." I mumbled beneath my breath.

"Hm?" I knew damn well he heard me, but I said it louder anyway.

"Thank you, Joel. For this." I gestured to my hip area. "The art is beautiful. I love it." His smirk softened and he rounded the bed, pulling me in while being cautious of my new pricks.

"Do you feel rebellious? No more crazy Frat parties?" The deep way he delivered the line was tantalizing. I smirked, standing on my toes to press my lips to his.

"How about you? How does it feel to have me permanently marked with your work?" I felt the shiver run through him, and he pulled back, shifting his stance and clearing his throat.

"Get that sexy little ass in the car." He rasped, bringing his hand down on my covered behind.