“I recall going to a self-help convention with a few of my friends and for whatever reason, the words of the keynote speaker really stood out to me. She’d been through hell and back, overcoming adversity and obstacles to become the person she was. She asked one question that will always stick with me... What do you love about yourself? And if your first response was what you didn’t love about yourself, then you needed to do some reevaluating.”
“That’s a powerful question,” Kendrick said. “Was that the turning point for you?”
Nicole nodded. “It was, mainly because even a couple hours after the speech ended, I was still making a list of things I didn’t like and that wasn’t healthy. I truly believe that it’s okay to meet people in your life who impact you for the better, and therefore you take a piece of them with you wherever you may go. The issue is when you can’t authentically name any part of yourself that you love that wasn’t influenced by someone else. I’d spent too long being scared to take chances and make mistakes. Not willing to change for fear of the unknown. I needed to make my own path. I needed to define my own journey and stop searching for love when I didn’t love myself. So that’s precisely what I did. The next day was the first day toward becoming a better me. Oh, and check this out.” She left the bed and reached into her purse for a sheet of paper.
“What’s this?” he asked as he opened the sheet of paper. Nicole held her breath as he took a good look at it. “Is this a tattoo design?”
She laughed in surprise. “How did you know?”
“Because I know tattoos, and it seems to be something we have in common.” Kendrick traced the design with his finger. “I love the curves of the infinity symbol intertwining in the flowers.”
“They’re sweet peas,” she said. “My grandparents used to always call me sweet pea, and my grandmother still does. I’m not an artist by any means, so this is just a rough sketch of the next tattoo I want. Hopefully, I can get it while I’m in LA.”
That’s right...you have to go back to Miami soon. The words were a little bitter, even in his mind.
“If you’re trying to get the tattoo in LA, I actually know the perfect shop. A friend of mine owns the spot, and even though he’s normally really busy, I’m sure he’ll fit you in as a favor to me.”
“I would love that,” Nicole said. “Especially since this tattoo is something that I’ve wanted for a while. I just haven’t had the time to get it. It represents my journey so far, so it’s really important to me.”
Kendrick placed the sheet of paper on the nightstand and leaned closer to her. “You’re amazing and your story is inspiring. I know that it’s taken you a while to get here, but you’re one of the most self-aware people I know.”
“Thank you,” she said with a smile. “I’ve actually never talked to anyone about my journey in as much detail as I have with you.”
Kendrick flashed her a handsome smile. “I think you should be rewarded for your honesty.”
“Oh, yeah?” She smirked. “What did you have in mind?”
He placed his hand on her chin and tilted it upward. “I was thinking of starting with a kiss.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips. “And another kiss.” This time, he kissed her neck. “And another.” He kissed the top of her breasts.
“For kicks, I was thinking of going even further.” He trailed sweet kisses in between her breasts, down her stomach and to her thighs.
“What’s a kiss without going for the gusto?” He placed a kiss onto her nub, slowly adding a little tongue. Nicole was already spreading her legs wider for him.
“Did you have a French kiss in mind?” she asked.
“Always,” he said, then proceeded to show her just the kind of French kiss he meant.
Chapter 13
Nicole breathed in the fresh beach air as she walked along the Venice Boardwalk with Kendrick. Well, it wasn’t exactly fresh. It was more like beach water, mixed with stale pizza, and random incense that was burning in almost every store they passed. Regardless, she was enjoying her first time on the boardwalk.
They’d arrived back to LA three days ago, and since his mom was in town assisting with renovations for his home and Nicole was on Bare Sophistication duty, they’d only briefly seen each other when they were in the studio shooting the last commercial.
Their time in Lake Tahoe had been amazing, and if they hadn’t been there for work, Nicole had no doubt that they would have stayed longer. Though she hadn’t gotten a chance to corner Angelica, judging by the lovey-dovey looks her and Monty were exchanging in the shuttle on the way to the airport, she’d say they probably shared the same sentiments.
“It’s a few stores down,” Kendrick said as they neared his friend’s tattoo shop. The day after they’d landed in LA, she’d called Kendrick to take him up on his offer of having his friend do her tattoo. He’d surprised her when he mentioned that he’d already put in a call to his friend and that today he was available due to a cancellation.
“Here we are,” Kendrick said as he held open the door. Nicole immediately stopped when she walked through the door.
“I thought you said he wasn’t busy?” She looked around at all the waiting patrons.
“They aren’t here for my friend Ant,” Kendrick said. “Ant owns the shop, but he has six other artists who work with him. He only takes the high-profile clients now in the private rooms in the back.”
Nicole followed Kendrick down the long hall to the back of the shop that had another door. “Follow me,” he said, opening the door.
“Well, if it isn’t KD,” a muscular tattooed man said when they walked through the door.
“What’s up, Ant?” Kendrick dapped fists with the man before turning to Nicole. “When I first walked in this shop, my mom and I had just moved to LA. When I wasn’t working at my uncle’s winery, I was here at the shop.”
“One of the best prodigies I ever had,” Ant said. “When this dude told us he was trading in his tattoo equipment for a life in Hollywood, we hated to lose a good artist, but couldn’t be anything but happy for him. Plus, he still tattoos when he wants. We keep a spare room open for him.”
Nicole’s eyes widened. “You never told me that you actually used to do the tattoos. Only that you would design them.”
Kendrick shrugged. “When I first walked into this shop, I’d only had the intention of showing a few of my drawings.”
“Until we schooled him that only true tattoo artists tat their own creations,” Ant said. “But the kid had a certain energy about him that I liked. So I offered to teach him a few things. Next thing you know, he was booking his own clients and renting one of our rooms.”
“Helped me pay my way through film school,” Kendrick said. “And it kept me off the streets.”
Nicole glanced at Kendrick. “You’re amazing,” she said.
“Thanks. You’re pretty amazing too.” He was looking at her so intently that it took all her energy not to squirm under his gaze.
“How do you two know one another?” Ant asked.
Nicole noticed a flash of hesitance in Kendrick’s eyes before he responded. “Uh, we currently work together on those Valentine’s Day commercials and documentary I was telling you about. Nicole is a makeup artist and hairstylist with the agency.”
Ant lifted an eyebrow. “You work together?” He wasn’t so much asking as he was repeating what Kendrick had said.
“Yeah.” A silent communication seemed to pass between Ant and Kendrick. Although Nicole didn’t know what it was about, she figured it had something to do with the reason Kendrick had that rule about not dating people he worked with. Eventually, you’re going to have to ask him more about that.
“She knows about my rule,” Kendrick said, breaking her thoughts. His eyes held hers. “Believe it or not, I knew the day she walked in the studio that I wouldn’t be able to stay away. Sometimes, you meet someone
who makes you question all the preconceived notions you once had. That’s what Nicole does to me. She shows me a different side of things.”
She relaxed under his warm gaze. In all honesty, they’d moved so far beyond being coworkers that she’d forgotten that they did work together.
“So,” Ant said. “Are you two gonna stand there staring at one another all intense and shit, or are you going to tell me why you’re here?”
“Right.” Kendrick laughed. “Remember I called and said a friend needed a favor? We’re here because Nicole was hoping that she could get you to do a tattoo for her. It’s actually her own design, but it needs some tweaking before she gets it done.” Kendrick pulled the piece of paper with her design on it from his back pocket and handed it to Ant.
“Cool design,” Ant said. “Does it have a meaning?”
“It does,” Nicole said. “It represents strength, resilience. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come on my personal journey and how much further I still have to go. More importantly, it’s a reminder to always love myself...flaws and all.”
Ant glanced from Nicole to the paper. “I like it,” he said as he handed the paper back to Kendrick. “KD, I think you need to take this one.”
Kendrick’s eyes widened. “Nah, man. I haven’t done a tat in a while. This is special to Nicole, so she needs the best.”
“Man, you know you’re extremely talented. Besides, I taught you everything you know, so you’re as good as me.”
Ant looked back at Nicole. “What do you say? Do you trust my man to give you this tat?”
She studied Kendrick for any signs that he couldn’t handle this. He doesn’t seem nervous about doing my tattoo. He seems more nervous about what my response will be. Trusting someone to permanently ink your body wasn’t a decision to be taken lightly. There were so many things that could go wrong. But you’re done being careful, she reminded herself. So, if the question was if she trusted Kendrick with such a big task, the answer was easy.
“Yes,” she said, her eyes not leaving Kendrick’s. “I trust him...completely.”
The relief she saw reflected in his eyes was quickly replaced with a look she couldn’t interpret. Intrigue? Surprise? When he pulled her in for a sweet kiss, she realized what it was... Appreciation.
* * *
There were so many feelings coursing through his body, he knew he had to get it together so that he could get in tattoo mode. She trusts me... And not only was he amazed that she trusted him, but he was in awe at how confident she was in her conviction.
“Come on,” Ant said. “I have a room set up already.”
Kendrick observed his friend. “When you told me to bring in Nicole, was this your plan all along? You had to figure I was bringing her for a tattoo.”
“Who, me?” Ant pretended to be surprised by the accusation. “Nah, man, you’re giving me too much credit.” Ant leaned closer so that Nicole wouldn’t overhear. “But for real though, the minute she showed you the tat design, you were itching to make it your own and tattoo her. Am I right?”
Kendrick glanced over his shoulder at Nicole and caught her smile. “Yeah, you’re right,” he said. “I just didn’t think she’d trust me with something so sacred to her.”
“I studied her first,” Ant said. “Watched to see how you two interacted. Y’all had a good vibe and energy together. Although seventy percent of folks come to the shop with the intention of getting a tat, the other thirty percent are nervous and hesitant about the decision. You and I both know that making the client comfortable enough to ink their body is half the battle.” Ant’s voice got lower. “And I don’t know what changed your mind about dating someone you work with, but I like her, man. She’s a good one.”
Kendrick heard the words that Ant didn’t say. “Thanks, man. She caught me off guard, but in so many ways, she reminded me that I couldn’t let my past affect my future.”
Ant slapped him on the back of the shoulder. “I’m proud of you, man.”
When they walked into the room where Kendrick would be tattooing Nicole, he immediately felt at home. I missed this place. There was a time when the shop had been like a second home to him. In a few ways, it still was.
“I forgot to ask,” Kendrick said when Ant had stepped away. “Where do you want this tattoo?”
“On the side of my hip,” she said. “I know it will hurt like hell, but it’s the perfect spot for this tat.”
Kendrick’s mind immediately began racing with ideas of how to enhance the tattoo for her hip. “I already have ideas brewing.” He handed her a sheet. “Why don’t you remove your pants and panties, but keep on your shirt. Do you want me to step out?”
Nicole glanced at the curtain separating their room from the hallway. “Would you lose your professional card if you stayed here while I changed?”
“No,” he said with a laugh.
“Then stay.” She kicked off her gym shoes one foot at a time. When her hands went to her leggings, she had his undivided attention. She slid the cotton material slowly down her thighs in a way that made his hands itch to touch her.
Once she’d finished removing her leggings, she ran her thumbs along the edge of her lilac panties, playing with the delicate straps.
“There are no cameras in here in case you were wondering.”
Nicole smirked. “I wasn’t worried. I figured you would have stopped this if there were.”
“You damn right,” he said with more force than he intended. He was the only one allowed to see her naked. Point-blank.
She finally slid her panties down her legs, kicking them to the side to join her leggings. His eyes locked on the part of her he’d gotten very acquainted with a couple days ago. She’s beautiful. Nicole was one of those types of women who knew she was gorgeous, but didn’t flaunt her beauty around. She was real. Honest. And you’re falling for her quicker than you realize.
It didn’t surprise him that he was developing strong feelings for Nicole. It had been a long time since he’d fallen in love with a woman, but he knew he was falling in love with her.
Unable to resist himself, he walked over to her and squeezed her butt cheeks, pulling her closer to him. She let out a small gasp when she felt how hard he was. He wasn’t ashamed to let her see the effect she was having on him. If anything, he’d rather she know exactly where he stood so that she wouldn’t be shocked if there came a point where he couldn’t hold back his feelings anymore.
“If I don’t release you right now, you’re never getting this tattoo,” he said.
“Fine.” She grinned. “I’ve been waiting years to get this tattoo so you better get to work.”
As Kendrick began drawing the intricate design with the infinity symbol and sweet peas, he was reminded of why he loved tattoos so much. It was a freedom of expression that he didn’t get from much else. Although he had given the tattoo design his own trademark, he also kept the design in line with Nicole’s other tattoos, making it authentically her.
After the drawing was complete, he helped her to a nearby chair and covered her with the white sheet, only leaving her right hip exposed. He put on gloves before he applied the design to her skin, then traced the outline of the design with a red marker. Thirty minutes later, the design was complete.
“I’ve been thinking about the perfect way to enhance this drawing ever since you showed it to me,” he said. “Here, let me help you up so you can see it.” Kendrick led her to the floor-length mirror. “Based off everything you said to me when we were in Lake Tahoe, I feel as though this design represents the statement you’re trying to make. What do you think? Do you like it?”
“No,” she said, placing her hand on his arm. “I more than like it. I’m in love with this design.” She looked at him, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” he said. When she leaned forward to hug him
, he immediately pulled her into his embrace. Of all the tattoo designs that he’d ever created, this one meant more to him than he could express.
“But we’re just getting started. Now comes the hard part.” He helped her back in the chair and made sure she was as comfortable as she could be. He grinned when he noticed that the equipment was all the brands that he liked and was used to working with. That guy, he thought. Ant seemed like he wasn’t one to play matchmaker, but that’s precisely what he’d been doing.
Chapter 14
It took Kendrick longer than it normally would to set up, but he wanted everything perfect before he began Nicole’s tattoo. “I’m going to start now. If at any time you want me to stop because it hurts, just let me know and I’ll take a break. I’m thinking we need to do this in two sessions. The outline today and the color later.”
“Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I’m ready.”
Ten minutes into the tattoo, Kendrick realized that although Nicole may have gotten other tattoos before, she was experiencing how much more painful it was to get a tattoo on the hip bone.
“Can you talk to me?” she asked. “To take my mind off the pain.”
“Sure,” he said. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Hmm.” She closed her eyes until he finished the line he was tattooing. “Can you tell me why you created your rule about not dating people you work with?”
He glanced her way before continuing what he was doing. He knew it would come up sooner or later. “I created that rule because of what I’d gone through with two of my exes,” he said. “With Veronica, I’d met her in film school, but we’d only been friends at the time. We ran into each other a couple years later when we were both vying for the same assistant director position. At the time, I think it meant more to her than it did to me, but I still really wanted the position. The hiring process was three months long, and I’d never applied for a job that had us go through so many trials before someone was chosen. In that time, Veronica and I grew even stronger and quickly started dating. Round after round, only her and I remained until finally they were ready to choose the winner. At this point, I thought I was in love with her, and I told her it didn’t matter who got it.”
Her Unexpected Valentine Page 12
