Tattoo Lust: A Tattoo Romance Collection

by Skyla Madi

  I did throw all his crap to the curb, him included. And my sister, well, she can kiss my…I’ll leave that to your imagination. Have you ever had this type of situation happen on the column before? Any tips to get through it?

  The man, I can get over eventually. The jerkoff told me he was sleeping with her while we were on an intimate dinner date. Like a sucker, I thought I was there because he was going to propose. Boy was I wrong.

  Do you think I’ll be able to salvage the relationship with my sister one day? Sadly, we used to be so close, but as it stands, it doesn’t feel like I’ll ever be able to forgive her betrayal. Help!

  If anything, it was just nice to vent, and let’s face it, I cried too.

  ~Hopeless, Hurt, and Betrayed in Minneapolis~

  *

  Dear Hopeless, Hurt, and Betrayed:

  First, I believe your Prince Charming is out there. I’m sure of it. It just takes some of us longer to find him than others.

  Secondly, some good things come to an end because they just weren’t meant to be. Unfortunately, we get cheating stories written in often. They don’t get any easier, and there is no right answer or tips to follow. You did the right thing by getting rid of him as soon as you could. The man sounds like a real loser, and you deserve better.

  It’s always best to know your self-worth.

  Thirdly, as for your sister, that’s a tough one that only you can answer. She isn’t worthy of your trust or your time, but who knows what the future holds for you both? It could change.

  In the meantime, cry some more, scream, or punch a pillow to get out those frustrations to make you feel better. And always know you can write in anytime to vent, as you put it. I’m happy to lend you an ear.

  Big Hugs,

  Harlow

  ***

  Harlow

  Time flew by as summer turned into fall. Harlow and Toby had been together for a couple of months now. It was confusing trying to label what they were. Toby warned her he wasn’t sure he could deal with a serious relationship from the beginning, but as time went on, she couldn’t help but want the commitment. She was his, regardless, and Harlow knew without a doubt that she loved him wholeheartedly. Scars and all. Just as she suspected he was in denial and might love her too.

  It was a chilly October evening, and Harlow pulled the lapels of her jacket closer together against the wind as she walked down Main Street. She was meeting up with Toby at St. Anthony’s Main Theater for their date. “Sorry I’m late,” she said, leaning forward on the tips of her toes so she could give him a kiss. “What are we seeing?”

  “In the spirit of this time of year, I figured we could see Halloween. You can’t beat the classics.” Toby grinned. “Feel free to get as close as possible if you get scared.”

  “Hm, I just might,” she said. “I’ve seen all of the old ones. Let’s just hope this new one is just as good as the rest. Can you believe it’s been, like, forty years since the original came out on the big screen?”

  “That just makes me feel like I’m getting old when you put it that way.” Toby chuckled as he handed her a ticket to get in. “It came out a little before my time, but like you, I’ve still seen them all.”

  “Okay, then.” Harlow giggled. “Come on, old man. I need some popcorn.”

  “I’ll show you old,” Toby said. Harlow squealed in delight as he lifted her up and spun her around.

  “Okay, okay.” Harlow held onto him as he put her down and enjoyed his comforting embrace for a moment longer. “My man’s not old at all. He’s a thirty-three-year-old sexy, manly man. Big, tough, and talented. Now can I have my popcorn?”

  “Your man, huh?” Toby winked. “I like the sound of that.”

  Heck yeah! Well, okay then.

  Harlow smirked as Toby grabbed her hand and led the way to the concession stand. It was such a good start to the night. She couldn’t wait for the rest and decided tonight was the night she was going to tell him the depth of her feelings. She just hoped it didn’t backfire.

  “Just one more thing before the movie starts,” Harlow said. They had their popcorn and jumbo drinks on hand and had just sat down in the packed theater. “Scared or not, I want to be close to you, Toby. Will you hold me later, if I need it?”

  “Oh, baby.” Toby leaned in closer. “I’ll hold you, kiss you, touch you…” The lights dimmed, and the movie began when Toby showed her with one hell of a kiss that left her breathless.

  Almost two hours later, they were back outside again, walking hand in hand and on their way to Harlow’s place. Her apartment was closer than his to the theater.

  “So how was your dinner with Calista?” Toby asked. Calista had called Harlow earlier in the day asking for a little girl time to talk about a few issues she was having. Which was why she’d met Toby at the theater instead of going with him from the start.

  “It went well, considering. She’s got a lot on her mind right now with work. She’s thinking of leaving the restaurant and opening up her own catering business.”

  Toby whistled. “It’s good to have goals. I hope it all works out for her, then.”

  “Yeah, me too,” Harlow said. “She’s been working at Caliente for the last four years as a sous chef and loving it. But now there’s a new owner, and from what I hear, he’s a real piece of work. Calista is such a strong person, a hard worker, and she’s resilient, so I have no doubt she’ll succeed at whatever she puts her mind to. I’m not very worried at this point.”

  “Caliente? I’ve never been.” Toby shrugged. “What kind of restaurant is it?”

  “It’s an upscale place with French-inspired cuisine. I’ve only been once myself, to tell you the truth, when Calista started there. It’s good food but really hard on the wallet.” Harlow smiled. “I could take you there sometime, if you’d like.”

  “I’d go anywhere with you, babe,” Toby said.

  “Aw, look.” Harlow pointed across the street toward an elderly couple. The old man was helping his wife down some building steps. “They’re as cute together as Fanny and Dusty. Don’t you think? That’s the type of love I hope to find some day—everlasting.”

  Toby looked confused. “Who?”

  “Who what?” It was Harlow’s turn now.

  “You said Fanny and Dusty. I don’t know anybody named Dusty, and last time I checked, Mamma Deuce was a happily married woman.” Toby’s eyebrow arched.

  “Well, she is.” Harlow blushed. “I just forgot his name. Last time I went to Fanny’s with the girls, she joined us for a bit. When she sat down for her break, she told us, and I quote: ‘Damn, I love that man, but we’re getting old and our hearing’s not what it used to be. Not to mention everything sags, and swear to God his farts turn to dust.’ I just figured I’d call her husband Dusty until we were formally introduced.”

  Toby guffawed, and she loved it. It was a full, hearty laugh from deep in his belly, and her chest felt like it swelled with pride for helping him with that. He needed to smile and laugh more.

  “Holy shit!” Toby wiped his eyes. “His name’s Harold, babe. Fanny’s husband is Harold. I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in years.”

  Harlow stopped and pulled him to a halt with her. She reached up and cupped the sides of his face. “Happy is a good look for you. You deserve this and so much more. I hope you realize that because I sometimes wonder.”

  “Yes, thanks to you,” Toby said. He wrapped his arms around her until she was flush against him for a kiss. The wind picked up, and she shivered, but it wasn’t until the downpour of rain fell on top of them that they broke apart breathlessly. Harlow laughed, and Toby smiled as she stepped back tipped her head up and twirled around the wet sidewalk.

  “This moment feels magical. Don’t you think?” she asked. “I feel so elated. Typical autumn weather be damned.” Harlow picked that moment to jump into a puddle and dance in the rain.

  Toby chuckled. “Come here, crazy woman, before you get yourself sick.” Toby held out his hand and pulled he
r close again as soon as she reached for him. He pressed his forehead to hers and just breathed her in. She loved it. Her hair was plastered to her face, and fat drops of water dripped off his. “As much as I love to see you so happy and carefree like this, I think it’s time to get out of the cold. I’ll take you home, then you can let me love you properly.”

  “An offer I’d never refuse,” Harlow replied. She gripped his hand tighter and led the way as they ran the few last remaining blocks to her apartment complex.

  ***

  Toby

  The minute they walked in, Toby slammed the door closed with his foot and pressed her against the wall to devour her mouth. He needed her, couldn’t ever get enough, and at times, it drove him crazy. To want someone this much was just insane, but there, he was feeling it. They tore at each other’s clothes. It took a bit of effort seeing as they were soaked from the rain. Instead of running like a normal person would when the downpour started, Harlow had embraced it. She’d danced in the rain for him like he used to as a kid, and fuck was it ever nice to be carefree for once. She did that to him. Made him want to be a better man. To enjoy life again. She was a lifeline for him after feeling like he’d been drowning for so long. It was like he could finally breathe again. Damn it, and now he was thinking nonsense. He grunted when he finally got her shirt off and dropped to his knees so he could work on her jeans. “I’ve got to take you here, hard and fast, then we’ll go slow, I promise.” He looked up past her heaving chest to see her nodding eagerly, as if she felt the same way, and he smirked. He yanked her underwear at the same time he shimmied her pants down her legs and cursed when her clothes got caught on her shoes.

  Christ!

  When she was finally free, he stood up and threw each article behind him. Toby took just enough time to unzip, pull his dick out, and enter her in one smooth stroke to the hilt. He just didn’t have the patience for his own clothes right then. The pull was too strong. Harlow’s legs wrapped around his waist as he furiously thrust into her over and over. He could swear nothing ever felt as good as this, as she did when they were joined. That thought alone normally scared the shit out of him. Harlow threw her head back and moaned. Her nails dug into his shoulders. It was a move she did often, and she ran them down his back as she held on for the ride. Her fingers trailed back up into his hair, gripping hard, and she directed him back to her mouth. The minute her soft lush mouth met his, she opened for him. Their tongues touched, caressed, and tasted. Her hips moved to meet his, matching his frenzied pace. He knew it wasn’t going to last much longer. Her pussy was so wet, warm, and smooth, tight, and it fit him like he was made to be there. “So close.” Toby trembled. “Come for me. Let me feel it before I let go.”

  “Kay.” Harlow nodded. She licked the index finger on her left hand and moved it between them to reach between her legs and play with her clit. She rubbed in circles slowly at first and then faster the more she got worked up.

  “Fucking sexy,” Toby growled and slammed in faster.

  Harlow cried out. “Yes, almost there, almost—holy shit, Toby! Toby!” The minute she gushed, hell, the second he felt her pulse, he erupted until he was weak in the knees. His forehead was pressed against the hallway wall as he tried to catch his breath, and Harlow rubbed his back to give him a minute.

  “You okay?” She gave him a quick kiss on the side of his head before he straightened to look at her.

  “Never better.” He smiled and squeezed her ass as he carried her to her bedroom while they were still joined. “It’s not every day I’m left breathless and in need of a minute before I can move again. He winked, and she giggled.

  “You say the nicest things,” she teased and laughed out loud as she bounced on the bed when he dropped her in the middle of it.

  “Do I?” Toby shook his head and finally got undressed. She amused him. He liked that they could be playful before, during, and after making love. It was refreshing.

  Harlow nodded. “Let’s take a nap before round two. I’m feeling a little tired.”

  “Anything for you, babe.” He leaned over to kiss her on the forehead and pulled the covers back before joining in. She was on her side, and he closed the distance to spoon with her. His front to her back, she grabbed his hand to hold and placed it near her heart. It was quiet, blissfully so. Minutes had passed, and just as he was about to fall asleep, Harlow being Harlow kept him on his toes and surprised him.

  “Toby?” she whispered. “Are you still awake?”

  “Hm,” he mumbled.

  “I love you.”

  Unbeknownst to Harlow, his eyes popped open. She wiggled a bit as if to get comfortable, and her breathing evened out before he could think to respond. Unlike the woman in his arms, sleep eluded him. Those three words were game changing, as much as he liked hearing them.

  There was no doubt Harlow was an amazing woman, and there were feelings; he felt them for her, knew without a doubt he wanted her in his life. There hadn’t been another woman since they got together. He didn’t want anyone else.

  But to have her love me?

  He knew if he gave into his heart, it would just make him feel guilty, and he had to figure out how to get past it.

  He owed it to them both so they could keep what they’d built together.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Dear Harlow:

  I’ve been good friends with this guy for about four years now. He’s my brother’s roommate, who we’ll call Jack, and lately, I’ve been feeling more than I should for him. Last weekend, we were drinking and hooked up for the first time. It was amazing, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I don’t know what to do. Should I lay it all out there and see if he feels the same? Or should I try to move on? We have the same group of friends, and I’m afraid to ruin what we already have. I don’t want to lose him, either way. Help!

  ~Confused and Crushing in Minneapolis~

  *

  Dear Confused and Crushing:

  Some of the best relationships start off with being friends first before starting something more. Talk to Jack. I’m sure it was just as amazing for him as it was for you. There is nothing wrong with giving in to your urges every now and again. Communication is key here, and I say, lay it all out there. You may have regrets later if you don’t.

  Worst case scenario, he doesn’t reciprocate your feelings, and you remain friends. Best case, your desires are met, he feels the same way, and you all live happily ever after.

  I’m rooting for you.

  All my best,

  Harlow

  ***

  Harlow

  The pitter patter of heavy rain drops against the bedroom window woke Harlow. She stretched with a smile on her face as she thought about the night before. The movie, playing in the rain, and Toby taking her hard against the wall. He’d woken her periodically through the night for some more sexy times too, and she felt well and truly loved. It was amazing.

  The soft cotton of Toby’s shirt caressed her body as her back arched in a stretch. She threw her arms above her head and moaned before she opened her eyes fully. The sight of her delectable tattooist sitting up beside her in bed was what greeted her. And what a sight to behold. He was half naked, nothing on but his jeans open at the fly. He looked completely relaxed with a coffee in one hand and a piece of paper he was reading in the other.

  “Hey, handsome. You been up long?”

  “About an hour.” He gripped the paper tighter and gave her a look she didn’t quite understand. “Figured I’d let you sleep a bit more, make some coffee, and I’d relax a little seeing as I took the day off to spend it with you. Funny how plans can change in a split second, though, huh?”

  “Excuse me? Forgive me for being a little confused here, but I just woke up. What’s wrong?” It wasn’t necessarily what he said, it was more about his body language. Something had changed in his demeanour from last night to this morning, and whatever it was, it wasn’t good. He looked hurt, maybe even a little pissed off at her.

&nbs
p; “Do you have anything you want to tell me?” Toby put his mug down on the ground and waited for her to respond.

  Harlow sat up. “I don’t know. Should I?”

  “What the fuck, Harlow. You knew!” He waved the paper around and shoved it in her face. “Here I was agonizing over telling you about my past with Carley, and you already fucking knew about it, with this. I trusted you. Do you have any idea how hard that was for me? To move on and be with you.”

  “I-I didn’t know at first.” She got on her knees to plead when he sprang up from his seat to pace in front of the bed. She reached out for him, but he brushed her off, and she could feel the moment her heart broke. It was beating so hard, it felt like it was about to be ripped right from her chest at any moment. Tears sprang to her eyes. “Please let me explain.”

  “Then talk,” he said. He sounded exasperated with her. “Who the fuck wrote this? Was it made public? You put it in your column?”

  “Where did you find that?” Harlow bit her lip to keep from sobbing. She’d never seen him this upset.

  “Really? That’s your first question. I can’t believe this shit.” Toby sat down abruptly on the side of the bed and put on his socks. “Word to the wise, Harlow. You try to keep something from someone, you don’t leave it out in the open. The letter was on the damn counter beside your other mail. Saw it while I was making my coffee.”

  She remembered then. She’d taken the letter out of her purse the other night, debating on whether she should just get rid of it. She’d meant to after her talk with Mel a little while ago but then forgot about it. When she was with Toby, they mostly went to his place. Rarely did they come to her apartment. Only they had last night because it was closer.

  Harlow nodded in acknowledgement. “I received the letter before we even met from someone who was worried about you. As a favor to them, I never made it public. I promise you, it never made it in Twin City. It was only after you told me what happened that I realized this letter was about you. Toby, I swear it. I know you’re upset but…”