Forever in Ink

by Jude Ouvrard

  “If you aren’t ready, we can wait. It doesn’t have to be right now.”

  “No, the timing is good. I’ve been gone long enough. I need to make amends with Mum and Dad.” His fingers danced against my back, beneath the edge of my top, skin on skin. The small gesture made him even more desirable.

  “Do you think you can handle a little dancing? I’ll hold you close.”

  “I’m a better dancer than you, Kyle.”

  “Like you would know,” he teased while helping me the rest of the way off the stool. “Come on, just one dance?”

  “With you, one won’t be enough.” When did I turn into a romantic?

  Smiling with pride, he held my hand and guided me to the dance floor of the club I’d been working at for months. At first, it felt weird not to be working, to be any old customer. Tyler had informed me and Kyle that I wasn’t allowed back at work for at least four weeks. The loud music and long hours of standing would be too hard on me. He had a point, but I needed money, or I would soon. Staying with K had kept all my expenses at bay, other than the rent on my studio. We’d have to talk about that soon. If I let go of my studio, I expected to pay rent and split the other bills with him.

  “Tiffany, I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but stop. Let’s just dance and have a good time, yeah?”

  My nagging thoughts were about to ruin our night out as, surprised by my courage, I blurted out, “Do you still want me to move in with you?”

  He stepped back to get a better look at me. “What? Yeah, I was serious. Why are you asking?”

  “If you want me to move in with you, I expect to pay my part.” Laughing, he started kissing my lips—trying to distract me, I’m sure—but it didn’t work. “Kyle, please. I’m being serious right now.”

  “Call me old school if you want, but no, I won’t let you pay. I can afford to take care of all your needs, Tiff. I’ll feed you and keep you warm. End of discussion. Now, dance with me, beautiful.” His lips melded to mine, and as he started swaying side to side, I couldn’t help but follow him. Although it infuriated me, his charming ways were irresistible.

  We danced, our bodies glued together. His touchy hands roamed under my shirt and tickled the skin at the waist. Giggling, I let him take the lead, and he impressed me. His moves were smooth, sexy, and testing our limits. I craved him, and knew I could say the same of him. He needed me as much, the tension between us soaring higher than the sky. My words didn’t do justice to what we were; I had never experienced anything like us. Our thing had changed, evolved and transformed into something serious and, hopefully, permanent. Getting lost in my thoughts again, I forced my mind back to the present, to the dance floor. I had a bloody sexy man dancing with me, and my focus needed to stay on him.

  I swayed my hips, rocking them toward his, and wrapped my arms around his neck. I’d not noticed it, but the ink on the skin of his neck made him appear so rebellious. Kyle was a gorgeous man who wore his story engraved on his body. I found it extra hot. His dark brown hair was pulled back and added to the five o’clock shadow he had going on. He was sexy enough to make all the college girls turn around, but because of what a gentleman he was, he didn’t even pay attention to them. Only me… all night long, as he had all day.

  “You have moves, K,” I yelled over the music.

  “I told you so.” Laughing, he pulled me closer.

  We were so close, but I wasn’t sure we were dancing at that point anymore. Our hips moved in sync, and our eyes were lost in each other’s. My face burned with the heat between the two of us as I blushed under his love-filled stare.

  “I think we should head home. My head is pounding.”

  He furrowed his brow. “Really?”

  Chuckling, I hid my face against his chest. “No, I just need an excuse to get the hell out of here… and go home with you.”

  “You don’t need an excuse for that. You just need to ask.” Leaning toward me, he kissed my forehead. “Ready now?”

  I nodded. While the club was like a second home to me, tonight, I wanted to be elsewhere with the man I loved.

  We said bye to our friends and were on our way within two minutes. Once outside, I didn’t get too far ahead because he didn’t let me. Kyle pulled my hand, and our bodies crashed together as he said, “Come here for a second.”

  His lips found mine while he pushed me into the cold brick wall of the building and pressed against me. This was something new, something I didn’t expect from Kyle. To be so demonstrative, making out in the public eye like we were behind closed doors, wasn’t like him. It was exhilarating. My heart rate continued accelerating with no limit, going faster the more he kissed me. His hands held me in place by my hips while I gripped his shirt in my fingers and held onto him like I was going to crumble. Running low on oxygen and the will to stop him, I had to push away before passing out.

  “Kyle, please.”

  Heavy breathing. My fingers hurt from not letting go. The feel of his lips on my forehead mixed with his breath, and I could tell he had pushed his limits as well.

  “We’ve got to get out of here, beautiful, because now, I’m pushing my luck. Getting arrested for indecent exposure would really ruin the night.”

  “Then get me home, babe.”

  Tiffany

  We’d had sex together before—many times, I might add—so, I knew what to expect. Yet my hands were clammy and my heart was unstable anyway. The big difference tonight was that we were a couple now, not just fuck buddies. An official couple who’d not been able to be intimate since the accident. We’d fooled around, of course, kissed and made out, but we’d not gone all the way because there was always something stopping us. My physical limitations or one of my late night headaches, for example.

  Not tonight, though. Things were happening again. The adrenaline was keeping me awake, and the excitement of what was to come thrilled me. Kyle had turned me on tonight at the club, awakening the desires in me. Oh, yes!

  By the time he’d locked the door behind him, I had already removed more than half my clothes and was ready to rush him, to get him out of his shirt.

  “Hold on, tiger. We have all night.”

  “We do, but I’m not patient.”

  Laughing at me, he let me undress him. When his muscles flexed under my touch, it sent a jolt through me. His tattoos were on display for me to see, so I slid my fingertips over his chest and abs, tracing the colors and perfection of his toned body.

  “I’m a very lucky woman.” I’d whispered the words without thinking, and blushed when I heard him chuckle.

  “I’m a very lucky man,” he responded while lifting my chin for our eyes to meet. “Are you done staring now? I have business to attend to.”

  “I’m done.”

  Kyle lifted me in his arms and carried me to his bedroom. Our bedroom. I couldn’t stop giggling, showing how nervous I was. This moment had to be perfect, even though I knew this part of our relationship had never been an issue. Sex had marked the beginning of us; it was how we’d met. But what was supposed to be just one night, I now realized, had turned into an existence where I couldn’t imagine a night without him.

  “You have to tell me if anything hurts or you want me to stop, okay?” he whispered against the curve of my neck, and it tickled. Why am I so nervous?

  Lying me on top of the untucked sheets, his arm stayed beneath me. His tongue swept over his bottom lip, and my eyes followed each movement. I wanted him to kiss me yet again. Delicately, he moved his arm from beneath me and then straddled my legs, placing his to each side of me. Not resting his weight on my legs, he hooked his fingers under the waistband of the last piece of fabric covering my body – my panties – and pulled them down, moving his body back until I could kick free of them. Both of us were naked, skin on skin. Soul to soul.

  This is it.

  “You’re a beautiful woman, Tiffany. I intend to take care of you tonight, and every night for the rest of our lives.”

  “I know, Kyle. I tr
ust you.” My voice broke, and although I was on the verge of crying, I held it inside because this wasn’t the moment to be so distraught. Something huge was happening inside my heart tonight. Something good.

  “I love you, Tiff. I have to tell you how much before we take the next step. The last couple of days, I’ve tried to show you a different side of me, which I hope you liked, without sex involved. Not that I haven’t thought about it.” He laughed, and it was nervous. “I’m serious about us, Tiff. I’m not playing any games. You mean a great deal to me. I love you.”

  “I’m serious, too, Kyle. I may not show or say everything I feel right now, but I am feeling a lot. A whole lot.”

  Kyle brushed away the hair covering my forehead and leaned down toward me so that his body covered all of mine. He started with feathery kisses on my shoulder and then made his way to my lips. My skin erupted in shiver bumps; I couldn’t control the waves of pleasure moving through me under his soft kisses.

  I reached up and wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders, then my legs followed suit, wrapping around his waist, but I couldn’t envelope him more than that. I had to touch him. Needed to feel him to calm my nerves.

  Kyle’s hand molded to my breast as he caressed me with such sensuality that my back arched while my heels dug into the backs of his thighs, pushing him into me. His moan filled my mouth and I responded by scratching my nails through his hair, along his scalp.

  In a cry for more, I pushed my hips up into his, almost humping him. I giggled at myself and wondered, Where did that come from? Kyle, ever the gentleman, didn’t say anything, but I felt him smile against my mouth and a second later, he was completing us as one. As he pushed inside me, I inhaled and then kept the air inside my lungs like it was my first time. After about ten seconds, I relaxed, and then joined him in the frenzy of our reunion. Kisses, heavy breathing, intense touching… if this was the whole package of being loved by Kyle, sign me up.

  It was unlike any time we’d been together before; tonight, Kyle and I were making love. Thrusting into me, he kept a steady rhythm, one that promised us the ultimate breaking point.

  “Look at me, beautiful,” he requested. Leaning on his elbow, his face was a few inches above mine. “Tiffany.”

  I looked into his brown eyes, which were bright and watery as his trembling hands cupped my face, and confessed, “You’re everything I want in my life.”

  I had said the words before and felt ready to say them again. This wasn’t easy, it didn’t come as one would expect, but I wanted to tell him because it was in my heart. “I love you, Kyle.” The words came out with no trouble, surprising me, and I couldn’t control the smile on my face. “This is incredible.”

  Kyle started to move faster, and everything became more intense. Our connection, and the feelings deep down, were getting stronger by the second. Every time Kyle groaned, my nails dug into his shoulders. Unable to keep quiet, I called out his name numerous times, not caring if I woke the neighbors or even the whole neighborhood.

  “Oh, my god, Kyle… babe!” Having reached my limit, my climax came down crashing on me. I felt like a feather floating in the air. So light, and perfect. This had been flawless in every way, a night I would remember forever.

  “I love—”

  “You,” he finished right before reaching his breaking point.

  Both of us exhausted, but oh, so happy, we stayed in bed. My head rested on his chest while his fingers danced in my hair, urging me toward dreamland. No dream would be as good as my reality, though. What we’d shared was spectacular. Things had gotten real. In a very good way.

  In the happiest state of mind I’d ever been in, I dosed off in Kyle’s arms.

  I woke up in the middle of the night with no clue what time it was, but the smell of food made my stomach growl. Grabbing Kyle’s shirt off the floor, I slipped it over my head and walked to the kitchen. My man was cooking in nothing but his black boxers. I loved seeing the ballerina on his back, and watching his muscles move under the design. The piece had been inked in his flesh to capture his first love and their story, but it didn’t bother me. I had his heart now.

  “Mm, sexy.” I whistled.

  He turned around, startled. “Sorry if I woke you, but I was starving. Are you up for a bowl of mac-and-cheese?”

  “Anything, as long as it’s with you.” I wanted it all with him. From mac-and-cheese to the happy ever after.

  Tiffany

  Packing for the trip home was nerve-wracking. Mum expected us to be there in the morning and Kyle was acting as if this were no big deal. He’d thrown a bunch of t-shirts, underwear, and jeans into the suitcase in ten minutes, and he was done. I’d been at it for at least two hours and was beyond frustrated. He had to be nervous, though, because I sure as fuck was.

  Halfway through my checklist, I decided it was time for a break. Kyle had gone to the shop today because one of his long-time regulars had begged. Of course, he agreed, because Kyle loved his job—and I’d told him to go. Wandering around the apartment, I grabbed an apple and took a bite. In an attempt to force myself to relax, I repeated in my mind: You’re just going home. It’s no big deal.

  But what if I see Rob?

  I wasn’t so worried about bumping into Pete, a hundred percent sure he didn’t want to see me. Plus, I was sure he would run away if he ever saw me because I would have his ass arrested if I could. He’d pulled a dick move sending me to the wolves.

  Girl time would be perfect! I needed to think about something else or I was going to end up too mortified to go home.

  Nix answered the phone almost singing when I rang her; she had such a melodic voice. “Hey, Tiff. What’s up?”

  “Are you busy?”

  “No, why?”

  “Any chance you want to grab a coffee or an ice cream? I need some fresh air.”

  “I was actually about to get some lunch and head over to Ink Me. Want to come with?”

  “Perfect, I’ll be at your place in ten.”

  She stayed quiet long enough for me to wonder if she was still on the line before asking, “Are you okay?”

  “I am. I just need to calm down. Packing for London is stressing me out.” Why it was stressing me out, I didn’t know. Maybe it had to do with mixing my new life with my old life. Yes, that could be it without question.

  “Okay, see you in a few, then.”

  I fixed my hair real quick, grabbed my purse, and headed outside for the first time today. Over the past couple of days I’d become a hermit, which had to change. I’d gone outside with Kyle for walks, and to the club the other night, but that was it. His place could be why I stayed inside, though. It was too comfortable.

  Walking fast to Nix’s place was refreshing, and I felt the difference right away. Some of my stress had diminished, and my back and neck muscles were less tense. Kyle was right, I needed fresh air. Chuckling, I turned the corner and found Nix waiting for me outside her apartment. She ran up and gave me a tight hug with curls in her hair and her make-up on. I had to say married life agreed with her.

  “I’m happy you called. I don’t see you enough these days. When will you be back to work?”

  “After the trip to London. I can’t wait. Not that I don’t like spending all my time with Kyle, because I love it, but work is a good distraction and I get to see my friends, you know?”

  “I understand completely.” She hooked her arm in mine. “Why are you stressing over your trip back home?”

  I sighed, not certain what to say.

  “Do you have something back home you don’t want Kyle to find out about?”

  I shook my head. “He knows everything, I haven’t kept any secrets from him. There’s something wrong with me, I swear.”

  Chuckling, she pulled my arm closer to hers. “No, silly. You’re just nervous, which is normal. Now, chill out, and tell me how it’s been going with Kyle,” she ordered.

  We kept chatting as we walked, until we reached the guy’s favorite sandwich bar and Nix pulled me
inside to order some food.

  “They’re lucky to have us, it seems like we are always the ones bringing them food,” Nix said with a laugh.

  “Hey, Nix, the usual?” asked the employee behind the counter.

  “Yeah, but make it double today.” She turned to me. “You gotta feed your man, too.”

  “You have a point. I hadn’t thought about it. Guess I should take notes from you to get better at this girlfriend thing.”

  “You’ll get used to it. I’m very excited for you and Kyle. He’s a good man, and you’ve changed him. For the better.” She winked then gave me a quick hug. “That’s what Levi said. Kyle never took a day off from work unless it was something really important, or the anniversary of Cassidy’s passing. He’s always a mess on that day. Val was there with him the last time. It wasn’t pretty.”

  I nodded, not sure what to say.

  “Anyway,” she chirped, “you bring something good to his life, and I can see that he does the same for you.”

  “He does. Kyle’s a real gentleman.” I blushed thinking of him. “I never expected this when I moved back here.”

  “Look, as you may know, I don’t talk to my mom or stepfather anymore. They built their lives under some inhuman presumptions, and preferred to cut me out of their life rather than accept me and Levi with our lifestyles. It used to hurt me, but now, I accept their decision. It’s their loss. Levi does everything he can to make me happy, and I’m proud to be his wife. He’s so much more than a bum with tattoos, which was all Mom saw when she met him. She never gave him a chance. He could’ve brought so much to my family, but we’ll never find out, and that’s okay.”

  Her story was making my eyes tear up, and I nodded again.

  “You’re lucky to have both of your parents in your life. Trust that Kyle will show them how much he loves you. Under his inked armor, there is a beautiful man dying for you to let him in. Just think about it, okay?”