Body, Ink, and Soul

by Jude Ouvrard

  I reached for his belt and couldn’t undo it fast enough. His pants were down on the carpet floor in no time. He’d done so much for me, now I wanted to spend the night with him, sharing both our bodies and souls. I would never forget this night. I knew he loved me before, but everything had suddenly gotten so much more intense between us, far more serious.

  He hitched my legs up to his waist one by one, lifting me from the floor and into his arms. I wanted so much more. He walked over to the wall and pressed me against it, our bodies glued together. I tried to control myself, but dug my nails into the skin on his back. I was out of breath, but not nearly ready to stop. I wanted him, I wanted to make love and never forget this night. He was so special and the thought of ever leaving him again were impossible to consider.

  "I don't think I’ll be able to control myself much longer, Rock Star."

  "Me neither, Angel," I whispered.

  He nibbled on my neck as I said the words, pulling me back from the wall and walking us to the bed. The cold sheets felt cool against my overheated skin. I pushed his boxer down his legs and then, removed my own. The excitement of what was about to happen pulsed through my body from head to toe. We kissed passionately again, then he tickled me, and I giggled. Slowly, our touches transformed into something more powerful, so overwhelming that I could barely breathe. I wanted to please him and he obviously wanted to show me how much he cared. The lights in the room were so dim, I could barely see the outline of any of his tattoos. I had missed them so much, while we’d been apart.

  Our bodies instinctively found their way to one another and within seconds we were making love in a bed for the very first time. It was different than in the past, this time it was much more of an emotional body, our minds, our bodies, our souls melded together to become one. I wanted to make this moment last forever. His touches, his kisses, every word he whispered in the quiet room - every individual sensation sent me directly to heaven.

  Waking up to the sound of his heartbeat against my ear was the perfect start to the day. His arms wrapped around my body made me wish we could stay here, in bed, all day long. Our night together had only confirmed I wanted to be with him forever.

  All the drama with Mom still hurt, but the love Levi offered was so incredibly powerful, he was filling the gaping hole she’d left in my chest. I was better because of him, and I was incredibly grateful. His heart was pure, he was a truly amazing man.

  While I was resting my head over his chest to listen to the steady thump of his heartbeat, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and took a couple of pictures of us together. They would serve as a tangible reminder that heaven really does exist. I kissed his lips tenderly, before I cautiously wriggled out of his warm embrace, trying not to wake him. I had to go back home today, get back to work and the new school year was approaching rapidly. While I loved Boston, I was missing my Seattle.

  Even though it was very early, I called Val to let her know everything was okay and that I would drop by her apartment to pick up my belongings, before we caught our flight home. I was missing Bekka, Tyler and Kyle, and I was excited to be seeing them soon.

  I took a shower and dried my hair, all the while Levi never noticed a thing. He must have been really exhausted, to sleep through the racket I was making. I sat on the couch, feet away from the bed and switched on the TV, turning down the volume and watching cartoons. After a few minutes, I heard Levi stirring in bed. When I turned my head to glance at him, he was smiling. Not just a little smile; this was a huge, enormous happy smile. He was utterly gorgeous.

  "Morning, Rock Star." He has the sexiest morning voice ever, when he first awoke, it was always rough and raspy.

  "Good morning, Angel." He crawled out of bed and joined me on the couch. I motioned him to come closer and when he did, he lay down on the couch and rested his head in my lap. I gazed down at him for long minutes, memorizing every little detail of his face - his nose, his beautiful eyes, his soft lips. I never thought I would say it, but in that instant, I knew I was going to marry him some day. I loved everything about Levi, and there was no doubt, love was turning me into a completely different person. My eyes lingered over the new tattoo he’d gotten, the one which represented me and my part in his life. It was so much more symbolic than a ring could ever be. He’d chosen to have it marked on his body, as a permanent symbol of his love for me.

  "We have to get ready to leave soon, Levi," I reminded him.

  "I have a different plan." He twisted his head so he could see me better. "It will take us more time to get home, but I really want to spend time with you, Rock Star. Before I came to Boston, I stopped in New York to pick up my motorbike. I’d left it with a friend’s until I got settled in Seattle. I want to bring it home with you. We’ll have to drive across about eleven states, but I want to do this with you. It’ll be a chance for us to get to know one another even better. What do you think? Are you in?"

  "Yeah," I agreed after a moment’s consideration, "but I don't have a leather jacket or a helmet."

  "We’ll get you what you need." He got up and knelt between my legs on the floor, clasping my hands in his. I could see the excitement in his eyes, at the prospect of the road trip. "We’ll have to spend at least a couple more nights away from home. We’ll stop where we want to, stay in a motel overnight, find some nice places to eat and ride throughout most of each day. It’ll be awesome."

  "Perfect. I want to do it," I agreed, then added in a whisper, "I want to spend my life with you." My throat tightened and my eyes filled with tears. The trip to Boston had been an emotional roller coaster, but I was more than happy to end it with my Angel. "I love you, and I have to tell you... that... I’m sorry you had to travel all the way here because of me. I’m sorry I didn't let you explain what was going on with your ex-girlfriend. I don't mean to bring it up again, but when I saw you with her, it nearly destroyed me. My heart was hurting so much, I didn't know what to think or do. I'm so glad I finally realized how silly I’d been and let you talk to me, because I can't imagine life without you. I really can't and I don't ever want to."

  Levi shuddered and squeezed my fingers tighter, his green eyes intense as he gazed up at me. "You nearly drove me mad that day, I was seriously about to lose it when I discovered you’d disappeared. You have Bekka and Tyler to thank for keeping me on the straight and narrow, because I didn't know what to do with myself. I knew everything you were going through with your Mom, I shouldn’t have tried to keep Mercedes a secret from you. I’m so sorry I put you through all this, Nix. I should have handled things much differently with her. I'm so glad you’re mine, baby."

  I smiled coyly. "Only glad? I thought you would probably be the happiest man alive or at least, ecstatic..."

  "Shh..." He placed a finger over my lips. "You are my Rock Star. You’re the one I love and the woman I can't live without." he said seriously, before his eyes twinkled with mischief. “Even when you are being a brat." He laughed, stretching up to press a kiss against my cheek.

  I laughed with him and continued the joke. "You are the nicest, sweetest and hottest Angel in the whole world."

  He quirked an eyebrow. "Only the whole world? It’s a pretty small place, Nix."

  "The universe and beyond that, you brat."

  We both laughed, acting like immature teenagers. It was one of the things I loved about him, the fact that he didn’t always have to take himself seriously. It meant I didn't have to pretend to be someone I wasn't.

  We got ready and Levi guided me into the underground parking lot of the hotel. The motorbike was parked near the elevators and there was a black box sitting on the floor beside it. I didn't really do more than glance at the box, because my eyes were too busy focusing on the black and red monster standing beside it. The bike looked amazingly powerful and fast, ‘Harley Davidson’ emblazoned across the gas tank and rims. A huge smile spread across my face. This was against every single thing my mother stood for. She would kill me, for even touching it, let alone considering ridi
ng on it with a tattooed guy she didn’t approve of. I nearly whooped out loud in the parking lot. It didn't matter anymore, what Mom thought of anything, did it? I was finally free.

  "Can I touch it?" I questioned.

  He laughed aloud, the sound echoing through the parking lot and making me jump. "You’re about to spend over forty hours sitting on it, Nix, of course you can touch it."

  I slid my fingers across the shining paint and the smooth leather seat. "I bet it makes a lot of noise too, right?"

  "Yeah, she makes the perfect deep rumble."

  "She?" I crooked an eyebrow at him.

  He grinned. "Her name is Beauty."

  It was my turn to burst into laughter. ‘She’ had a name. "Unbelievable."

  "Don't get jealous, you’re the one I’ll be spending the night with."

  "Is that all I get?" I gave him an innocent look, biting my lip as I waited for his response curiously.

  "You get everything, Nix. She’s only a pleasant distraction," he said, placing his hands on either side of my face. "I love you," he whispered huskily.

  "I love you more."

  "Don't start a game you can't possibly win." His lips were on mine before I could add another word. His kiss, always so delicious and heartwarming was over too soon, and Levi pulled back, indicating the carton sitting on the floor. "Open the box now."

  I hesitated for a second, but knelt down and opened the cardboard box. Inside, there was a helmet the same shade of red as his bike, along with a fitted black leather jacket. I stared up at him, the jacket and helmet clutched in my hands. When did he plan all of this? He had already thought of everything.

  "You are..." I was nearly speechless. "You are amazing. I'm so keeping you forever."

  Levi casually shrugged into his own jacket. "You missed something. The most important thing actually." What? Where?

  "It fits perfectly."

  "That's not what I’m talking about, Rock Star. Are you sure the box is empty?"

  "Well, it was. I thought it was." I peered back inside the carton and there it was, a small square, red velvet box, nestled in the corner. I clutched the box in my fingers, staring up at him wordlessly.

  "Don't freak out, I'm not asking you to marry me," he announced casually. The expression on his face suggested marriage wasn't going to be an option and I swallowed down a pang of disappointment.

  I opened the box and found a white gold chain with a star pendant, nestled against the velvet. I took it out carefully and turned it over. ‘Love you, Rock Star’, was engraved on the back of the star.

  "You did all this for me? Even after everything I’ve done? Running away, ignoring your calls..."

  "I did this, because you running away made me understand I can't live without you. I have a piece of you, always with me and now you have this, so you can keep a piece of me with you."

  "And your ink, too." I kissed him. "You’re perfect, Levi."

  He shook his head. "I’m far from perfect, Nix, but when I'm with you I want to be the best of me."

  I was in awe of Levi, his strength, his love, his kindness. I knew he wasn't perfect to everyone, but to me, he was the perfect man. I pressed a kiss against his lips and he wrapped his arms around me, deepening the kiss as he aligned me against his body.

  Reluctantly, I pulled away from him. "Angel, it's time to go. I have to pick up my things from Valerie’s and then we can start our trip, okay?"

  "Alright, let’s go," he smiled warmly.

  I zipped up the jacket and Levi carefully adjusted my new helmet, making sure it was secure. The size of Levi’s Harley was making me a little nervous, I’d never been on a motorbike before and this bike was huge. Levi started it up and with a throaty rumble, we were out of the parking garage and through the city in no time. A glance across his shoulder confirmed he wasn't speeding, but the air rushing past my face made me think we were flying. My arms were wrapped around his waist, holding him tightly. Without the security of holding him, I feared I would fall off the powerful bike. There was something scary about motorcycles and Mom’s warnings echoed in my head, despite my best intentions to ignore them. I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about the fact that there was nothing protecting us from certain death, apart from a helmet. Suddenly, this road trip didn't seem nearly as fun and relaxing anymore.

  Levi noticed how tense I was when he helped pack my things at Val’s, but I remained silent, not willing to tell him I wasn’t enjoying his beloved motorcycle. I was sad to leave Val and I figured he would think that was what was wrong with me. Val was all teary eyed when it came time to say goodbye, and so was I. We hugged for ages, before taking off, and we promised to visit each other as often as possible. I was going to miss her dreadfully, we’d had such a good time, even though the circumstances of my visit were difficult.

  The engine of the bike growled throatily as we left Val and John’s apartment. It wasn't even 10am yet and I knew we had a long ride ahead of us. I had my backpack strapped on my shoulders and my arms wrapped around my man’s slim waist. Tears were flowing quickly and drying just as fast, because of the wind buffeting us on the open road. Levi was humming some kind of song, while driving us out of the city. I shut my eyes in the hopes I could stop crying. When I opened them again, we were already on the highway and driving well above the speed limits, of that fact, I had no doubt. I shut my eyes again and clung to Levi for dear life.

  It had been over four hours since we left Boston and we had yet to make a stop which involved buying something to drink or using a bathroom. We had stopped a couple of times for gas, but they were always short stops and being on a motorcycle didn’t allow the opportunity to eat any snacks. I was already tired and I didn’t have a hope of sleeping on the bike. We passed signposts for Utica, Liverpool and Syracuse, before Levi finally stopped for something to eat.

  The first thing Lev did when I got off the bike, was to help me remove the helmet, then he held me in a tight hug for a long time, pressing kisses all over my face.

  "I love you, Rock Star." His lips met mine and we kissed again. "Let’s get something to eat real quick, and then get back on the road. I want to be in Chicago by midnight."

  What? Was he crazy? I asked myself. I couldn't even feel my behind anymore and I still felt the vibrations of the bike, even if I wasn't sitting on it. I wanted to cry.

  He held my hand and led the way through the restaurant to a quiet area. It was a cute diner with red tablecloths and white candles on each table. I could barely keep my eyes open, but my stomach had been growling with hunger for hours. I ordered lasagna with a Caesar salad and Levi selected a cheeseburger with extra bacon.

  "You look tired, Rock Star," he pointed out.

  "That's because I am tired, Levi. I'm exhausted and hungry."

  He played with his fingers, obviously thinking about what to say. "I want to get to Chicago before we stop for the night. Will you be able to hang on that long?"

  "What's the rush?" I asked him, irritated. We’d been riding for hours and I couldn't say I was enjoying myself in the slightest. If I’d used my plane ticket, I would have been home already and probably sitting comfortably in my pyjamas in front of the TV, chilling out.

  "Chicago is a really cool place to be." He sipped his water. "I want to spend a few hours there with you."

  I didn't have the energy to argue, but if there was a God, he surely knew how frustrated I was at the idea of sitting on that infernal machine again today. I didn't hate the Harley, but an hour-long ride would be more than sufficient.

  The food arrived and there wasn't a single word exchanged while we ate. I peeked over at Levi and couldn’t believe he could possibly be so excited about this whole ordeal. He could barely sit in place while he ate. Was I PMS’ing, or what? Why didn't I enjoy it as much as he did? I rolled my eyes at myself. It was obviously a guy thing, he loved motorbikes. I most definitely didn’t.

  I ordered a brownie with ice cream and hot chocolate sauce, in hopes of improving my mood. Levi stole a f
ew bites, but I ate the majority of it. He ordered a black coffee, preparing himself for the remainder of our ride.

  "How much longer are we going to ride today?" I tried to keep my voice neutral, and not sound like I was attacking him.

  "It's about ten hours. Maybe a little less."

  Tears filled my eyes, and I swear, my breathing stopped for a couple of seconds. I didn't want to sound like a spoiled brat or act like a princess but Jesus Christ, ten more hours? Was he completely insane? "Okay," was all I managed to say. There was only one place I wanted to be right now and it was Seattle.

  "We’ll be driving close to Lake Erie and Cleveland, too. We can stop there, if you’d like to take a look?"

  "Yeah, maybe." I kept my gaze lowered to my empty plate, finishing the glass of diet coke and wiping my mouth with napkins. "I just want to get to bed, tonight, as soon as possible."

  "We have a long way to go, before we get to Chicago," Levi said cheerfully.

  He paid the bill and we left the diner. Outside, Levi helped me with the helmet, the kissed me languorously until my knees went weak and we got back on Beauty. The engine rumbled and we were soon on the highway again.

  One thing was sure, Harley Davidson’s got a lot of attention on the highway. Everyone stared at us as we passed. Some idiots even tried to race us, but Levi never accepted their challenges. Maybe he would have, if I wasn't sitting behind him. He drove safely, at least.

  For a long period of time, I rested my head against his back with my eyes closed. I had to get some kind of rest and it seemed to make me feel a little better. We stopped for gas again and I stretched my legs and walked around for a bit while Levi filled the tank.

  Much later, we arrived in Cleveland and Levi stopped by the lake so I could take pictures. It seemed to be a nice city, but five minutes didn't really give me enough time to visit and appreciate the city. I sent pictures of the lake and Lev to Bekka, telling her I was getting closer.