Priceless Ink: A Small Town Romance

by Lagomarsino, Giulia

  I didn’t know where to go from there. How did I ask him to take me as I was when I had nothing to offer? How did I ask him to keep me when I would only be a nuisance?

  His hand came up to cup my face and I finally looked up at him. But instead of uncertainty in his eyes, I only saw passion, desire, longing…things I had only ever hoped to see when I looked at a man.

  “There is nothing about you that’s not desirable. I don’t care if you don’t know how to work. I can see that you’re eager to learn, and I can live with that. And maybe you’ll never be able to cook, but that’s okay. I can cook for the both of us. Maybe it’ll be terrible and we’ll have to order pizza all the time. Those are just small details, Sofia. I see the person inside of you, the one that is desperate to break free from who she’s always been told she has to be. That’s the woman I want. You say you’re nervous that I won’t want you, but I’m just as nervous. I’m scared I won’t be able to give you everything you want. I’m scared that you’re going to see that my life isn’t all that glamorous and you’ll leave me. And the truth is, I can’t do anything about that. I can’t make you stay. I can’t make you choose me, but I can show you how much I’m falling in love with you. I can prove to you that I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

  “You’re falling in love with me?” I asked, tears slipping down my cheeks.

  “More and more every damn day,” he murmured.

  I smiled up at him, wanting to tell him that I was falling too, but as I thought about kissing him, something swirled inside me. Something not very good. I was going to be sick.

  His eyes widened and he jumped out of bed, yanking me to my feet and pulling me out of the bedroom. He led me into the bathroom right as I was about to throw up and he held my hair back, keeping the long strands out of my face. It was disgusting and smelled gross, and unfortunately, I couldn’t stop the constant heaving. By the time I was done, I was drained.

  “Yeah, I didn’t want to tell you, but the hangover cure is throwing it up and getting it out of your system.”

  I groaned and rested my head on the toilet seat, but he yanked me up gently.

  “Nope, can’t have you doing that. That’s just disgusting. Men sit on that seat, and a lady doesn’t rest her head on a toilet seat.”

  “I don’t feel like a lady right now,” I groaned. “I feel gross.”

  “Well, I figured you might want a shower this morning, so I scrubbed the shower out. There are no man germs in there.”

  He pulled out a towel and washcloth and set them on the counter. Then he stripped me of my shirt and pulled down his own pants. He guided me into the shower and turned on the water. It was cold at first, but when he wrapped his arms around me, he made everything better.

  He pulled the shower gel down from his shelf, pouring the flowery scent onto a loofa that had appeared at some point. I wasn’t sure when he picked this stuff up, but it made me feel important, special. No one had ever done something so simple for me. His hands slowly moved over my body, washing all of me, paying special attention to what I now knew were his favorite areas. My nipples were hard as he ran the loofa over them repeatedly, and when he rinsed them off, he sucked one into his mouth while his other hand played between my thighs. I was so wet for him. I held onto him, wrapping my arms around his neck. My legs were weak and I felt like I was barely holding on, but as a tidal wave of emotions crashed around me, he was the one holding me up. His tongue slid across my skin, kissing every inch of me as his fingers slowly pulled out every last thread of my orgasm.

  And then his lips found mine and he was kissing me, even after I had just thrown up. But he didn’t seem to care. I felt his fingers running through my hair as the water streamed over it. After washing my hair, he shut off the water and stepped out of the shower.

  He grabbed the towel and held it out for me to step into. I hesitantly took a step forward, but he didn’t turn his gaze as I stepped out of the shower. Blushing furiously, I held my arms up and let him move forward, wrapping the towel around my body. He slid the towel around until it joined in between my breasts. His eyes never left mine as he tucked the corners between my breasts, but I didn’t miss the way his fingers lingered.

  His hand slid down the front of the towel until his fingers brushed against mine. He joined our fingers and then started leading me out of the bathroom and back to his bedroom. He dug through the drawers, pulling out something for him to wear, but I noticed he only pulled out a t-shirt for me.

  “Really?” I asked with a grin. “No underwear?”

  He looked at me strangely. “Why would you need underwear?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Sheer comfort?”

  He stalked toward me and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me into his body. “Surely you can’t find cotton underwear all that comfortable.”

  “I’m beginning to like it.”

  His eyes twinkled at me and he finally relented, grabbing me a pair of underwear. But he didn’t turn around like a gentleman. By the time I was dressed, Joe was already lounging in bed, one arm slung behind his head as he flicked through the channels on the TV. After a few seconds, his gaze flicked to mine and he did a double take, his eyes landing firmly on my breasts. Over the past week, I had learned not to be shy around him. It was clear that he found me attractive, and after sleeping together all week, there was nothing more to be shy about.

  He tossed back the covers and patted the bed. “Come on. Let’s get to the second part of the hangover cure.”

  “The stay in bed and watch TV all day part?” I asked, scooting closer to the bed.

  “Exactly, and we’re not going to get very far into that plan if you stand over there.”

  I climbed under the covers beside him and snuggled in closer. I rubbed my nose against him, taking in his smell. God, he smelled so good.

  “Are you rubbing your nose against me?”

  I flushed and hid in his armpit. He even smelled good there. Damnit.

  “Why are you hiding? It’s okay if you’re sniffing me. I sniff you too.”

  “You do not.”

  “Yes, I do. When you’re sleeping and I’m watching, I like to sniff you.”

  “You’re so weird,” I laughed. “What else do you do?”

  “Are we talking weird stuff or just things in general?”

  I thought about it a moment. “Well, I guess I should know the weird stuff first.”

  “Okay.” He looked up at the ceiling and chuckled slightly. “For a long time, Andrew and I used a little different language than what you hear now.”

  “What do you mean? Like, you made up your own language?”

  “No,” he laughed. “You know how every generation makes up their own words?”

  “Not really,” I mumbled. “Sheltered person, here.”

  “Well, for instance, if a woman is hot, we’d say thirsty.”

  “You said something similar to me.”

  “I know, and when I saw the confusion on your face, it really hit me just how stupid I sounded.”

  My brows furrowed and I shook my head. “But, why did you stop talking that way to begin with?”

  “It was a bet with Eric. When he was dating Kat, she forced him to get a tattoo and he didn’t want to see it. He thought it would be horrible. But he wouldn’t actually tell us what happened, so I agreed that if he told me, I would stop speaking that way for a month. And after a month, it just kind of stopped coming out so much.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. But then something else hit me. “Would you ever give me a tattoo?”

  “You?”

  “Yeah. I’ve seen your work. You’re very good.”

  He ran his hand down my arm and frowned. “I don’t like the idea of your skin inked.”

  “Why? You have tattoos. Why can’t I have them?”

  With a look of uncertainty, he held my gaze for a beat before looking away. “What if you change your mind?”

  “Well, I’m aware it’s permanent.”

>   “No, I mean, what if you change your mind about…”

  And then it hit me like a sledgehammer. “You mean, what if I decide to go home.”

  He nodded. “You have perfect skin right now. I just want you to be sure.”

  I understood what he was saying, and I couldn’t say that he was wrong to feel that way. We had only known each other a week. I knew in my heart that I didn’t want to go home, but he didn’t understand that there was no way I could go back now. I had experienced too much. I had lived this entirely different life and I was dying to see more. I wanted to know what it was like to drive in a convertible with the top down or to go on a rollercoaster. I wanted to bungee jump like his brother had done. I wanted freedom, and that would never happen if I went home.

  “You’d find something perfect for me,” I said, laying my head back on his chest. “I know it.”

  I felt his lips graze my forehead and then he shifted, clearing his throat.

  “Here, look for something to watch. I’m going to make you something to eat.”

  My stomach churned at the thought. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Trust me, okay?” He winked and got up, walking out of the room in just his sweats.

  Sighing, I picked up the remote and tried to figure out how to use it. We didn’t watch TV in our house. Not that we didn’t have one, but my father felt that there were better ways to use my mind. I had watched TV before, of course, but it was always at someone else’s house, and I didn’t have control of the remote. I had no idea what I was even interested in because I never had the opportunity to figure it out.

  When Joe returned, I had just figured out how to use the remote, but I was lost as far as finding something to watch.

  “Anything look good?”

  “Um…why don’t you pick?”

  “Because I want you to pick.”

  God, I really didn’t want to admit this to him. He would think I was an idiot. “I’m not picky. Just choose whatever you want.”

  He frowned and turned on his side to face me. “Why don’t you want to pick?”

  “What?” I huffed out a laugh. “I’m not…I just don’t care what we watch.” He stared me down, refusing to give in on this. It was embarrassing. “I haven’t watched a lot of TV. I wouldn’t know an actor if you introduced me to him, and I don’t have any particular taste in movies because I’ve probably seen about three in my entire life.”

  He was quiet for a minute and I found myself squirming under his stare. “Well, we’ll just have to fix that. Now, what sounds good to you? Mystery and intrigue? Comedy? Romance? Please don’t say romance.”

  I laughed slightly. “Well, I think maybe something with a little bit of danger.”

  “Alright, movie or tv show?”

  “Is there a difference?”

  He shrugged slightly. “A lot of actors are moving to tv shows now.” He started flicking through all the categories, explaining to me that he had Amazon Prime and got to watch certain things for free if they had this Prime banner across the corner of the show. Then he showed me how to purchase a show, and even gave me his pin. I insisted I wouldn’t use it. How could I? I barely earned any money and I wasn’t about to take his. I would never say it, but it was obvious that he didn’t have a lot of money. Even though I had never worked a day in my life, I knew that people needed money to survive. It would be wasteful to spend money on something so frivolous. In the end, I got too frazzled with all the choices and forced Joe to pick something. Then I sank into his bed and was immediately wrapped up in his choice.

  Joe

  I was completely enraptured by her. I had known her for only a short time, but I already knew that I would have a hard time letting her go if she didn’t choose me. God, I wanted her to choose me. I knew I didn’t have a lot to offer, but I would work my ass off to give her anything she wanted.

  It was strange, getting to know a woman like her. Something as simple as not being able to choose a TV show was a new thing for her. Hell, I was pretty sure she didn’t even know how to use the remote, and I didn’t want to draw attention to the fact because I was pretty sure it would only embarrass her. I had always assumed that she had it all, that she had all these experiences that most people never got the chance to have, but the more I got to know her, she was the one suffering. She didn’t seem to know anything about love or family. She was sheltered more than you would think any person her age would be. And based on the way that she watched Kat cook food last night, it was clear that she had never spent time in a kitchen before. And on top of all that, before she met me she was a virgin. But despite all that, I was dying to be the one to give her those new experiences. I could see the eagerness in her eyes when she had a chance to learn how to cook last night. Her life may have been sheltered, but that wasn’t what she wanted.

  She was fast asleep beside me and had been for the past hour. Sleeping off a hangover was the best remedy anyone could ask for. However, as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t stay any longer. I had to head downstairs and open up the shop. I had clients coming in an hour, and I had to have everything ready to go. Not to mention that I had to do the books tonight, something I hated having to do. But it was part of having a business. I got out of bed and showered quickly, dressing in jeans and a t-shirt.

  I bent over and gave her a kiss, not wanting to leave her at all. Her eyes fluttered open and she screeched, flinching back before realizing it was me.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just kissing you. You looked so peaceful and since you’re my bae and all, I wanted to kiss you. Not that that’s not completely sus when you wake up with a creeper in your face-“

  I stopped talking when I realized that I was slipping back into my Millennial speak and she was confused AF.

  I cleared my throat and smirked, shaking my head at myself. “What I meant to say, is that you’re my girl, and I wanted to kiss you, but I didn’t realize how creepy it would be to wake up to someone leaning over you.”

  A slight smile tilted her lips and then she burst out laughing. “I had no idea what you said.”

  I turned bright red and rubbed the back of my neck. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

  “No, I like it. I have no idea what you’re saying, but it doesn’t bother me. I’ve just never heard anyone talk like that before.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m trying to stop.”

  “Just be yourself.”

  I shrugged. “Well, even I can hear how much of an idiot I sound like.”

  “If it makes you feel any better, I know what an idiot I look like.”

  “In what way?”

  “Well, I don’t know how to cook or clean. I’ve never had a job. I ran out of my wedding and I have no way to take care of myself. I don’t even know how to use a remote! So, tell me who’s more pathetic here.”

  I sat down on the side of the bed and laughed slightly. “You’re not pathetic. You’re just getting a later start in life than everyone else.”

  She nodded, smiling at me and looking so damn beautiful that it made my heart hurt.

  I stood and looked down at her, wishing I didn’t have to leave her, but I had to. “I have to head downstairs for work.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “Why would you do that? Just stay in bed and feel better. There’s food in the fridge if you get hungry.”

  “Thank you,” she blushed.

  I nodded and headed for the front door and down the stairs to unlock the shop. Jagger, my newest hire, would be in soon to set up his station. And if the night was slow, I might be able to get some work done. Although, with bills due, I needed the clients. I would just have to stay late instead of running back home to Sofia. Besides, the sooner I got it through my head that she wasn’t staying, the easier it would be when she left.

  As it turned out, the night was even busier than I planned. I had a lot of walk-ins because Decker was sending people my way. I appreciated the business, but I didn’t understand wh
y he would send his clients my way. By the time the fifth client came in saying Decker sent him over, I gave up and dialed his number.

  “Decker here.”

  “Hey, it’s Joe. Why are you sending clients my way?”

  “You want me to stop?”

  “Hell no,” I laughed. “Just wondering why.”

  “I’m the only one here tonight. Sonny walked out on me last night, said he was too good to work in my shop. I can’t handle all the people I had booked, so I figured it was better to send them to someone I trained.”

  I nodded. “I appreciate it. Thanks, man.”

  “Anytime. And hey, if you ever feel like returning the favor, I’ll be glad to take a few off your hands.”

  “You got it.”

  Decker was a good guy and had helped me a lot getting set up. Our shops were far enough apart that there were plenty of clients to go between the two of us. I hung up and got back to work, looking at the waiting room full of people. This was going to be a long night. I walked over to the sign-in sheet and called out the next name. The bell over the door chimed and I sighed. Turning, I was surprised to see Sofia step inside.

  “Hey,” I grinned, happy to see her. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better. I thought I would come help you out.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “God, yes,” she laughed. “My butt is going to be permanently numb if I lay in bed any longer.”

  I wanted to tell her that I could keep her busy in bed, but now was not the time. I had too much work to do. So, instead I kissed her and let her take her place behind the desk. I kept glancing over at her all night. I just couldn’t stop watching her.

  Jagger walked over to me as I was stenciling out a design and tapped me on the shoulder. “Were you meaning to spell it that way?”

  I looked down at the design and laughed. I had completely misspelled it, all because I was too busy checking out my girl.