by Jennifer Ann
Shots.
Playful banter.
More shots.
Steamy kisses.
More shots.
We took a cab back to Beckett’s apartment in the Meatpacking District. I stumbled over the threshold to the building, so he slung me over his shoulder and carried me up the single flight of stairs, dropping me on his king sized bed.
I’m seized with panic when I can’t remember anything after that. We’re both completely naked.
My phone continues to buzz from underneath the spare pillow between our heads. I slowly drag it out, annoyed that I forgot to change the alarm when my 10:00 appointment canceled. Ozzy wants me to still come in somewhat early for walk-ins. Since I’m at Beckett’s in the city, however, I don’t have to allow for extra commute time. Besides, I don’t always listen to Ozzy now that I operate my own booth.
As I’m typing on my phone, Beckett stretches his arm up into the air before bending it back for me, as if to see if I slipped away in the night. Sunlight from the glass windows on the old warehouse ceiling hits his strawberry blond hair as he turns to his other side, giving him the appearance of someone totally untouchable, like he’s Brad fucking Pitt.
His steel gaze burns through me as he smiles lazily. “Mornin’, baby. I could get used to seeing this vision every morning. We need to do this more often.”
“Funny I should find myself in your bed yet again. Are you ever going to believe me when I say we’re not going this direction anymore?” Moaning, I bring my hands to my face. “Damn it, Beck, you’re going to be the death of me. How did we end up this way?”
“You were too drunk to walk, so I carried you up here.” He reaches his hand out to run his thumb ever so slowly along the inside of my thigh. “You were very receptive to celebrating well into the night.”
“I mean how did we end up so fucked up?” I sit upright, flinching when my head pounds. I flop back down to the pillow. “I knew those shots were a shitty idea. They always lead me to here. The kind of decisions I don’t remember making.” I punch him lightly in the shoulder. “You know, one of these times you could speak up for me and say that you’ve had enough so maybe those guys would quit buying ‘em. You know they’ll ride me until next week if I beg for that kind of mercy.”
He slides in tight against me, his face lit with excitement. “I’d like to ride you until next week.” He takes my hand in his, bringing it over to his smooth belly and continuing down until it lands on his swelling hard-on. “If you don’t remember where your decisions led you last night, I’d be happy to give you an encore.”
My heart races with the feel of his silky skin. It’s not fair that someone as sex-deprived as me is left to hold her best friend’s dick with no other options in sight. I relax with a slow breath, running my fingers along his shaft and recalling exactly how amazing he feels inside of me. I tingle down below in unstoppable anticipation.
Though exasperated by his never-ending insistence, I find myself ready to give in. Then again, I’ve been down this path before. Dating Beckett is far too complicated. It will only eventually break up the band. That’s definitely not what I want. “Beck—”
He closes his eyes, assisting my hand to create hurried movements. “That’s right, baby, you know what I like.” Seeing him get off on me is such a turn on. I move in closer, claiming his bearded face with my hand and lips. Beckett groans and twists his fists in my hair, devouring me with his lips and tongue as I continue to stroke him. “My sexy superstar,” he mumbles between kisses. “God, you have no idea how much I want you. I love you so much it makes me crazy.”
Between his sweet words and talented lips, I get lose in the erotic smell and taste of my Beckett, the one person who knows me better than anyone. Maybe he’s right, maybe we belong together. He already feels like home. I just don’t know that I can trust him when we’re not together and expect him to keep his anger in check when we are.
“I want you, baby.” He pushes two fingers inside me with ease, humming with his discovery. “Hmmm. It seems you want me too.”
Gasping, I grab his face with both hands. Desire blazes through me like an inferno. I want him too despite what my damn head says. It’s not like Mick is mine for the taking anyway. The way he talked about his past, I’m starting to wonder if being with him will ever be an option.
My phone startles us both, yapping with Lonely Island’s “Like a Boss,” my ringtone for Ozzy. Plagued with an odd mix of disappointment and relief, I detach myself from Beckett. “Shit, I gotta go.”
“Not until I’m done with you,” he grumbles, reaching for me again.
“That’d be stellar. Then you can explain to Oz why I’m late,” I snap, scooting from the bed. “Do you know how hard it would be for me to find a new shop considering I just finished my apprenticeship? I can’t mess this up. You know how hard I’ve worked to get here. I’m sorry, I have to go.”
Beckett follows me from the bed, the wanton look in his eye creating another warm, electric surge between my legs. Why does he have the power to drive me wild with a mere look? He reaches out to take my hand, gently pulling me back toward the bed. “Baby, get back in here. It’ll only take a minute, I promise.” When he finally succeeds in laying me back down on the mattress, he hovers over me, stroking my face with his index finger. “It had been so long since I’ve been with you, I could hardly stand it. You’re so fucking beautiful. Do you have any idea what your body does to me?”
The feel of his erection pressed into my stomach drives me wild. He may be acting like a possessive ass, but I’ve had Beckett Christensen enough times to know there’s no better lover out there.
The minute he produces the blindfold and handcuffs from beneath his mattress, however, I know I’ve made a mistake. It’s going to be more than just a minute the way Beckett’s eyes sizzle with wanton. “Be a good girl and I’ll reward you later.”
I still with his words, knowing the domineering act is back. It’s been years since we last had that kind of kinky sex, usually involving handcuffs and whips in addition to other kinky toys. Though I thought it was hot at first, and we both really got into it, I was glad when I ended things and the sadist toys were retired. Now, however, I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m compliant as he slips the blindfold over my head.
Once I’m fastened to the bed, Beckett tortures my body with his teeth and prodding fingertips, taking me over the edge until my mind is so fuzzy I can’t think about anything other than the sensual feeling of my nerves exploding, one by one. I’m a quivering mess by the time he enters me, biting my skin and pounding against me in a commanding, dominating manner. It isn’t until he’s laying on top of me, breathing heavily against my chest that I realize it’s another sexual encounter with Beckett that I’ll come to regret.
On my way to the shop, I find several missed calls and texts from Ozzy, in addition to a few messages from Jewels and Kelly, asking where I’ve gone. I quickly text the girls back to let them know I’m horribly late for work and I’ll call later before I enter the grand double doors to the shop and stomp the remaining snow from my combat boots.
Lexie, the only other female artist in the shop, sits tall behind the ornate receptionist’s desk with the phone clenched between her check and shoulder. She’s the type who comes off as large and in charge beneath the massive stainless steel arch sporting the shop’s logo as she lays into someone on the line. Her hair’s a new shocking shade of red, totally suiting her dark brows, broad face and expansive collection of colorful tattoos covering nearly every inch of her skin. She wears one of her signature black corsets with leather pants.
If there’s anyone I look up to in this world, it’s Lexie. She’s been in the business for over a decade and doesn’t take shit from anyone. Sadly, we never hang outside of work because she’s busy with her baby girl and a demanding husband who doesn’t think she needs time outside of their home. In all honesty I think the guy is worried another man will steal his irresistible wife away from him if he
gives her too much space.
Her contact-wearing lavender eyes widen when I walk in. “Just hold on,” she barks into the phone, covering it with her black fingernails. “Yo, you better get your ass back there. Oz is having a total meltdown. You were supposed to be in an hour ago.”
“He’ll get over it,” I mumble, removing my bag from my shoulder and peeling my coat from my arms. As I throw my things behind the desk, I feel a faint pang where the handcuffs cut into my wrists and sigh. I knew I should’ve left before Beckett convinced me to have sex with him. Closing my eyes, I scold myself for giving in. Now it’ll be nearly impossible to convince him we’re no good for each other.
“You have customers,” Lexie tells me, tilting her head to waiting area. “They’ve been waiting at least twenty minutes.”
Turning to the row of white leather chairs, I find Kelly and Jewels staring at me. They’re practically mirror images of each other, only in blonde and brunette versions with legs crossed, eyes filled with a confusing blend of amusement and annoyance. They’re both dressed like a couple of hipsters—Jewels in a Ramones t-shirt and Kelly in black and white stripes—with cardigans and skinny jeans, reminding me of a Taylor Swift video. I can see New York fashion rubbing off on them slowly over time—Kelly having recently sworn off the sexy look unless she’s going out on the town and Jewels actually developing a sense of quirky fashion.
I sulk over to greet them, waiting for their wrath to fall. “You have no idea how sorry I am. I just lost track of time. I swear I would’ve broken my neck coming in if I had known you two were hoping for a walk-in. I seriously hope you haven’t been here for very long.”
Jewels sighs, dropping the annoyed bit and smiling brightly. “Shit, Chloe. A call back would’ve been nice. We were starting to worry you didn’t find your way home last night. Are we going to have to start making you check in with us every time you finish a gig?”
Although her tone is playful, I know she’s attempting to be serious, so I decide to be straight with them. “I ended up crashing at Beckett’s. It’s not a big deal, I do it all the time. I’m sorry to have worried you. You both are so sweet to care so much.” I clap my hands together, eyes wide. “Now. Are you going to tell me what you’re doing here in my reception area, posing as customers?”
“We want to surprise the guys,” Kelly answers, glancing at Jewels. They both light up like a couple of little girls visiting their first American Girl store. “We want you design tattoos for us that honor them.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” I ask, holding back a snicker. Getting your significant other’s name tattooed on a part of your body is what our shop likes to call the “kiss of death” in a relationship. I know these girls are crazy in love and on their way down the aisle, but it always seems like just a matter of time before my customers regret those kind of decisions. “You guys have always talked about wanting me to draw up something matching.”
Kelly shakes her head. “That’ll come later. Since this is my first one, I want it to be for Theo and Jewels wants something meaningful for Adam.”
“Aren’t you two just fucking adorable,” I say, rolling my eyes and clicking my tongue. Since they literally are the cutest about their men, I decide to give them a pass. I break out in a grin. “Give me a minute to calm Oz down and I’ll bring you back to my booth so we can hash out some ideas.”
As expected, Oz is fuming that I came in late. As I get my booth ready he stands over me, barking his disappointment into my ear. Anyone who doesn’t know him would easily be intimidated by his hulking size and the sinister drawings that cover everything but his bald head. He’s known for having an explosive temper, though he’s relatively harmless and more like a big teddy bear. In reality, he’d murder anyone who did me wrong.
“I took you under my wing with the understanding that you’re going to be an asset for my business!” he snaps, arms crossed, face as red as a tomato. “Don’t make me regret the fact that I turned down some highly acclaimed artists to give you a chance!”
I touch his arm with a bright smile. In the past year I’ve become skilled at calming him down, knowing exactly which buttons to push. “The two clients waiting are my friends, Oz. They knew I’d be a little late. It’s all good, I promise. They both want work done, so it’s a two-for-one. I’ll have them outta here in time for my first appointment on the books. No need to come undone. You’re going to give yourself a heart attack one of these times, I swear. I hope you’re taking your blood pressure meds.”
The dark cloud gripping his features begins to fizzle away, though his dark eyes stay on me for an uncomfortable moment. “Consider this your last warning, Chloe. I fucking mean it, no more chances.” He storms off toward his desk in the back corner, grumbling to himself. I laugh, knowing he doesn’t really mean it. He never does.
“You really know how to get his motor running,” T-Roy comments behind me. “I haven’t seen him that fucking pissed in forever.”
My co-worker works on a curvaceous blonde, drawing a picture of a little boy on the inside curve of her breast. She watches me, wide-eyed, probably still stunned by the ass chewing I just endured. I have to resist rolling my eyes at the placement choice of her ink. Who wants a picture of their kid on their tits? With her arms stretched over her head, blond hair fanned out above her, she looks like she’s very likely getting a sexual charge out of T-Roy pressing his fingers against her. It wouldn’t be the first time one of his clients was brought to orgasmic levels.
“He’s probably still mad that I refused to see him outside of work.” I stop to stand over his shoulder, admiring his handiwork. “Solid detail, T-Roy. And nice tits, sweetheart.”
The woman beams brightly at me.
I retrieve Kelly and Jewels from the reception area. Though they’ve been to the shop before, they take in the high ceilings and modern art with wide, excited eyes, their arms looped. When Jewels discovers the topless woman, she quickly turns her back on the sight, her cheeks flushed.
“Okay, ladies. Do you want to look through my portfolio, or do you have something specific already in mind?” I ask, tapping at the large binder on my table.
Kelly glances between me and Jewels with her bottom lip between her teeth as if she can stop the dopy grin crossing her face. “I want semper fi in a neat cursive down here.” She points to the right side of her pelvic bone. “I’m so proud of Theo for serving in the Marines and, you know, the double meaning of it just seems fitting.”
I nod repeatedly, matching her grin. “Classy and simple, I like it. Just to warn you, it can get a little sensitive down there. It’s perfect though. Something private for just the two of you. It’ll stay bright over the years unless you start sunbathing in the nude, which is something I’m guessing you’ve done a time or two.” I turn to Jewels. “What about you?”
“I want the lyrics from our favorite Jack Johnson song, ‘I’ve got you, I don’t need nothing, more than you, I got everything.’ I think I want it running down my side.” She scrunches her nose, somehow still managing to look beautiful. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
Kelly touches her arm. “It’s genius. Adam’s gonna flip.”
“Ribs will hurt even worse than the groin, but I’m with Kel. I’m just glad neither one of you asked me to get your man’s names, because that seems to have a history of breaking a couple up. I swear it’s like some kind of curse or something.”
“I have my boyfriend’s name on my ass,” the woman getting her tits done interjects.
I wave a hand her way. “Good luck with that.” I smile at my friends and motion to the needle. “You guys ready? Who’s going first?”
That night as I walk into my narrow driveway ridden with weeds, I’m stunned to see Beckett’s Honda parked beside my brother’s rusted out car. Now that we’ve had sex again, he probably expects us to hang out more like we did in the old days.
The minute I’m in the door, I’m met with the strong odor of booze. Gavin greets me from the recliner
in the living room with a can of beer raised high into the air. “There she is! Hey, baby sis!” From the slur of his words, it’s definitely not his first beer of the day. Then again, it never is.
Beckett stands from the couch, striding toward me with a crooked grin. “Hey, baby.” He wraps me in his arms, planting small kisses to the soft spot between my shoulder and neck. “Mmmm…you smell so good. Good enough to eat.”
My body betrays me, warming with his touch. I nudge him off and toss my keys to the coffee table. “Are you both loaded? Guys, it’s only seven. Were the two of you drinking all fucking day?”
“Such a party pooper,” my brother grumbles, letting out a loud belch.
Staring hard at my once successful big brother, I let out a long breath. Gavin was an attorney less than a year ago, living in a killer loft in the heart of Tribeca. As one of the top in his class, a child prodigy who graduated high school at 17, he was snagged by the firm before he even received his degree. He was living the high life until he was forced by the firm’s partners to help a big client cover up the murder of his wife. Gavin took the fall for the crime and was unceremoniously disbarred. Considering our parents were too poor to pay for us to go to college, he worked his ass off to finish four years of college in just three before continuing on to law school.
Now at 23, he’s completely broke, living off what little income he didn’t blow and drinks most days away with cheap beer that would’ve once disgusted him. He refuses to look for anything that would pay less than a lawyer’s income, which leaves very little to choose from. One of these days I’ll have to bite the bullet and make him get off his ass to find a job, but for now I just feel really awful for him. I can’t imagine anything that could’ve crushed his ego more.
It breaks my heart that I hardly ever see him smile anymore. He was once a lady killer with a smoldering brown eyes, a great head of hair and the most contagious of laughs. All that was lost when he was fired. He stopped going to the gym, losing the muscular edge he worked so hard to achieve. I miss the days when he was healthy and a riot to hang with. One of these days I fear I’ll come home to discover he’s drank himself to death.