Until Lexi

14

JAKE

Most of Lexi’s nights belong to me.

Don’t get me wrong… I love every minute I get to spend with her, but it’s not enough.

I’m selfish.

I want more minutes, more hours.

I want some of her days, too.

I want every little bit of time I can get, which is why I’m walking up to Blossom’s Tattoos with a bag of Thai food in my hand.

Even before Lexi rushed off this morning to get ready for work, I’d decided to drop in and see her today. It might not be the most professional thing to do, but somehow, I don’t think Blossom will mind. Something about the way she acted the first time I stepped foot in the tattoo parlor makes me think my visits are not only welcome, but strongly encouraged.

The smile on her face as I pull open the door and step inside only confirms it.

Hopefully Lexi feels the same.

“Nice to see you, Jake.”

I return Blossom’s greeting with a warm smile. “Is she busy?”

“Not too busy for you,” she says, tipping her head toward the hall. “Head on back, honey.”

“Thanks, Blossom.” I drop a kiss on her cheek as I pass the counter, knowing Blossom is firmly on Team Jake.

The soft buzzing sound gets louder as I walk down the hall, and as I reach the room where Lexi’s working, I lean against the door frame to watch. She’s totally in her element with a tattoo machine in her hand. Lexi may only be tattooing a piece of synthetic skin, but you’d never know it by the concentration on her face. If I couldn’t see her with my own two eyes, I’d think she was creating art on a living, breathing canvas. Before long, she will be.

Lexi was made for this.

She brought her portfolio to my rental one night and showed me some of the pieces she’s done over the last year, pieces not even Blossom has seen. They’re fucking impressive. I can’t believe she hasn’t told Blossom about how much practice she’s done on her own, but I guess she has her reasons.

A quick rap of my knuckle on the door draws her attention away from the ink and straight to me.

“Jake,” she says, a hint of surprise in her voice. “What are you doing here?”

“Brought lunch,” I tell her, lifting the bag.

“Oh good, I’m starving.”

A smirk pulls at my lips, but I fight it.

“Don’t go there,” she says, rolling her eyes as she sets the tattoo machine aside.

“I didn’t say it.”

“You’re thinking about it.”

Of course, she’s right. There’s another joke about going feral sitting on the tip of my tongue, but since she seems pleased I dropped in to see her, I won’t risk her ire. I’ll save it for another day.

“What are you working on?” I ask, leaning forward to get a look.

Lexi snaps off her gloves and tosses them in the trash bin. “I’ll show you after we eat.”

And she does.

Thirty minutes later, we step back into the room and I move immediately to the piece she was tattooing. It’s a rose with leaf-like petals and a small skull in the center, done in black and gray.

“Looks good,” I tell her, knowing a little praise goes a long way. “I can’t believe you’re not inking people already.”

“Thanks. I’m almost finished.”

“May I?” I ask, reaching for her sketchbook.

She nods, giving me permission as she prepares to get back to work on her current piece.

“Which design are you planning to do next?”

“That’s a good question, Lexi,” Blossom says, appearing in the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt. Thought I’d check in and see how you’re coming along.”

I move out of the way, taking a seat in the chair in the corner so the two women can talk. While I wait, I flip through Lexi’s sketchbook, appreciating the skill she has for drawing and tattoo designs. She’s talented as hell, that’s for sure.

“What do you think, Jake?”

“Hmm?” I tear my attention away from the drawings. “Sorry, what?”

“Which design do you think she should do next?” Blossom asks, holding up two tattoo stencils. One is a masquerade-style mask with what looks like rolling smoke behind it. The second is a sun and moon combo with some kind of floral details woven around it. They’re both beautiful in their own way, but I have something a little different in mind.

“Neither,” I tell them, hoping I don’t piss Lexi off with what I’m about to do. Standing, I set the sketchbook down on the seat of the chair and move closer to the women.

“Did you see something else you think I should do?” Lexi asks, tipping her head toward the book I discarded in the chair.

“Your designs are amazing, Lexi. I’ve told you that, but… I want you to design something for me.”

Blossom seems to realize immediately where I’m headed with this, but it takes Lexi a second to catch on.

“Jake…” Lexi says quietly, hesitantly. “I’m barely an apprentice. I need a lot more practice.”

I don’t know where the fuck her confidence went, but I don’t like this shy, uncertain Lexi standing in front of me.

Blossom studies the two of us, her eyes lingering on me and a hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth.

“You think she’s ready for a human canvas?” she asks me.

“More than you know,” I say with absolute conviction.

But I’m no longer looking at Blossom…

I’m staring at Lexi.

Willing her to see how strongly I believe in her. Letting her know without a shadow of a doubt that she’s ready for this next step. Wishing she’d be honest with Blossom about how much practice and experience she has with a tattoo machine.

As if she can read my mind, Lexi shoots me a look, silently urging me to keep my mouth shut.

She has nothing to fear.

I would never spill her secrets, no matter how much I wish she would. I won’t say more than I already have, which isn’t much at all.

But Blossom’s no fool.

It doesn’t take her long to put the pieces together.

She only has to glance at Lexi to know she’s hiding something and judging by the way her eyes flit to the synthetic skin Lexi’s been inking, I’d be willing to bet money that she already knows what Lexi won’t say.

When she chuckles, I know I’m right.

“Always two steps ahead, aren’t you, honey?” Blossom says, shaking her head with a laugh. “I should’ve known better. How long have you been practicing on your own?”

Lexi’s eyes widen, and I bite back a laugh.

“How…?”