Wench With Wings

by Cassidy, Rose D.

  She went through the routine of her regular Monday a bit scrambled, but still in control. She wouldn’t say she was nervous but she couldn’t get the delay of his return to her shop tonight out of her mind. She wasn’t sure if it was the interest for the need to beat him at his own game or the unpredictable way he sometimes was. The few things that have thrown her off are the ones she wanted to see, yet those where the ones that made her lose her control. His sincerity when he stuck up for her, the truth in his eyes at certain times he looked into hers, the way he just needed the pain more than her touch; his satisfaction with pain. Certain things just through her off her game. The fact that he could walk in silence next to her, yup that got her. All of it got her; except his mouth and his obvious control and it all angered her, ‘he just wants to fight me and take my control, I will not give him what he wants, I am mine.’ Anticipation, aggravation; which one she didn’t know but it was there all the way home and she wasn’t going to be alone. She made sure that one of the girls would be with her.

  “Hey honny! I’m here. Did you miss me?” She couldn’t believe her ears. She didn’t bother to look up from the work she was on, it was an older guy that had many but he respected so she concentrated or at least pretended for Ayden’s sake. “Seriously? Could you possibly be anymore pathetic?”

  “Come on you called me honny. I just wanted to follow along. It was cute, right?”

  “Not at all, it was pathetic, like I already said.”

  “Yup, it was, I agree.” Jos said laughing. Trey shot her a look that he thought was funny but kept it to himself. Trey didn’t want Jos to think that he was amusing and he knew that was the reason for the look because if it was because she thought it was pathetic Trey wouldn’t have shot the look.

  “I’d have to say, I’m a bit disappointed, I’m a regular customer that comes at the same time every night and here you are already working on another tat with someone else. I even confirmed my appointment last night.”

  “I just started so it will be a while, you mine as well just comeback another time, or not.”

  “Kicking me out so soon, but I thought you wanted to walk the line with me, you said so last night on our stroll to feed the ducks.”

  “Stroll to feed the ducks?” The guy she was working on says.

  “Yea, the dudes completely crazy and for some reason he’s obsessed with ducks, I mean, ducks, of all things. And he always has to be walking on a line, whether it be in the tiles or in the road, whatever, I told him he should walk the yellow one in the middle apparently he don’t know his colors.” The guy shook his head and chuckled. “You are truly great Trey!”

  “I know right!”

  “You can keep going if you want.” He dropped his voice and Trey respected the man a little more. She smiled and shook her head in one quick movement. Ayden had a feeling the man was trying to give her an out from him which would have upset him because she didn’t want help from him. Why would she from this guy, but she did shake her head. “She is great! I’ll just sit here and wait!” No one replied.

  She had to make him sweat, make him wait so she took her time, yet it still only took five minutes longer. The guy took his money out to pay her but she said, “Na, this one is on me, Jim. Just bring in that wife of yours next time, I love to listen to her rant about you. Now that women is great!”

  She gestured Ayden with her hand to the chair as she turned her back to him. She didn’t want to be caught with his look as he took his shirt off again. She cleaned up her table and he noticed her attention was on trying to avoid him. “Completely crazy for me, huh?”

  “Yup, sure.”

  “Do you need the drawing again?”

  “Nope.” She set herself up for that one.

  “Yup, completely crazy for me! All the tats you do and you remember mine exactly, I’m impressed, you do think about me all the time.”

  “Nope, but considering how funny it is that a guy wants a butterfly on him, it’s not something anyone could get to slip the mind.”

  “You can’t get me to slip your mind, that’s cute. What do you think about when I’m in that pretty little head of yours?”

  “Oh, let's see… How annoyingly pathetic and predictable you are.”

  “Predictable, really?”

  “Yup, taking every word I say out of context, twisting it and using it to what you think is an advantage. That’s just weak minded, something I already could tell you were, so yes, predictable. Next you will try to find some way to turn me on, lead me on, just to get on me. Just so you’ll know and not bother; that is simply not going to happen.”

  “How do you know that I’m not going to try and get you to do that to me?”

  “It’s a possibility and would use more wit, something I just don’t think you’re capable enough to accomplish, you might try to attempt it but it won’t last long, I predict your patience will break way beforehand.”

  “Are they the only possibilities?”

  “No, I have a few more but I’m done talking, do you want to do this or not?”

  “Please do and do touch if you feel the need!” Trey shook her head at his audacity, her need to touch him, ‘ha, yeah right.’ “Oh and after all I’ve heard you speak, apparently only a fourth of your words are what you actually mean and you can’t forget the hidden meanings you so graciously pointed out last night. Maybe that’s why you think I only hear what I want, in hopes of some kind of truth in your game of words.” She huffed and pushed him down, “Right.”

  The second he sighed in relief it became almost impossible not to touch him and she cursed herself for it. ‘Why in the hell do I enjoy that so much from some stuck up jerk bent on taking me down?’ Maybe she was the pathetic one wanting someone that wanted the destruction of her.

  He reviled in the pain; the pain she caused him, he enjoyed so much more. ‘She has to be dying not to touch, she was entirely too turned on last time with my satisfying need of pain. Next tat will be in the front so I can look at her to see her need/want for me! What a fix that would be.’

  “Done, thank the goddess, now I won’t have to see you in my shop again. Pay the lady and be on your marry way!” She turned from him to walk away and he jumped up and got in her way.

  "Not so fast beauty, it’s not done, I’ll see you tomorrow at our scheduled time.” He wanted to turn and go before she could disagree but the look on her face was too good to move him. It was defeat, he wasn’t going to leave her alone.

  “I don’t have a schedule and it is done. I did everything that was on the drawing.”

  “Ah yes, I presume you did but I did not draw the last part of it that I left for you to do.”

  “Oh yea and what’s that?” She crossed her arms pissed. He did not like that one bit.

  “I’ll let you know tomorrow. Goodnight, Trey.” He said sweetly, kissing her on her cheek and turned to walk away.

  “Again only hearing what you want, I said I don’t have a schedule.”

  “You do with me, love.” She shook her head to rid it of the endearment. ‘Love, ha like he knew what it even was.’ She sure the hell don’t and was positive he had no clue. Her plan did not work. She was mean, pretty much a bitch, everything she said was snarky. She tried not to talk to him other than like that and the jerk didn’t catch the hint. He was not going to leave her alone.

  “Night Jocelyn.”

  “Night.” He walked out.

  “Seriously Jos! Night, ewe.”

  “Don’t be jealous sweet pea, I won’t take him from you.”

  “Oh my goddess, No. Ya know, you could. Oh, please do.”

  “Absolutely not that guy is completely into you and if I’m not mistaken you to him too.”

  “Now that’s an absolutely not. Anyway don’t help, you suck, close up shop, would ya? I’m going for a run.”

  “Sure, I’ll close up shop while you run some steam off from him, run some for me I’m feeling the effects of you two also.” Trey shook her head in disgust.
/>   “You’re just as pathetic as him. I run every night, now stop being an ass.”

  “Sorry, you know me, I just say it how it is.”

  “No, you say it how you see it and with him you are completely blind. I do not want nor do I even like him. How can you not see my irritation with the jerk?”

  “Whatev’s babe! More like irritation that you want him but won’t take him,” Jos said.

  Trey headed out the back door shaking her head. It seemed she was doing a lot of that lately with him around. She broke out into a sprint and started her course of fighting avoidance training. It’s always been her favorite and pretty much the only real training she still does. She would never be able to give it up it was too much fun. ‘He’s not gonna give up either, I guess I’ll be in this for the long run so I’ll have to stay on top of my control because I will not let him win what’s mine, what I’ve created or break me down to even get close to it.’

  He waited till she rounded the corner and let her get a bit ahead than followed. He took it easy on her at the shop ‘because he could tell she really wasn’t feeling the fight tonight. ‘She was trying to tell me she wasn’t going to play the game. She wanted me to go away. It’s no game, I’m not going away and I’m all in, anyway. Whether she’ll take the bet or not.’

  He mostly kept up but still fell behind a few times. He was getting better just not good enough to surprise her. They both headed their separate ways. Hitting the bed after a shower at the same time and closing their eyes. Both falling asleep with thoughts of each other that drove them both to their almost demise.

  ***

  Chapter Seven:

  Nightly Tats, Nightly Runs

  She woke with the thought that she would just keep being a bitch to him. He would sooner or later stop bothering her if he couldn’t stand her. ‘Yup, sounds good.’ Then she went through her pep talk and started her day, the same schedule she’s had for the past couple weeks. It was starting to become habit, robotically pumping her brain with info, a friend filled leisurely lunch, calculating the training of each lady, a good home cooked meal at the shop with her pack and giving tats. It was spectacular, she was made to be this person she is, this habit she did well with. Right up until it was time for him to come and test her. She hated the test but she knew she needed it in order to be her best.

  His life was becoming the best habit he’s ever had except for the habit of thinking of Trey the second he first woke up. He liked that she was the first thing on his mind but this morning he wished for the first time in his life that he woke up next to a women; next to Trey. He never thought that he would want that and it threw him off for the rest of the day. It was all he could think about, ‘what would she look like just waking up? Would she pull me closer and not want me to move from the bed? Would I be able to move away from her?’ He focused on his classes but she never left his mind. He liked the presents of her there but in a way it still scared him. Never in his life did any women claim that much of his thought time. What was she going to do to him if ever he didn’t want to think of her?

  Going to classes, studying, training, all of it felt good. It wasn’t like when he went to work than to work again, this was a kind of work that moved him ahead, the kind that got him closer to the end; making something of himself. He was happy; his life wasn’t standing still any longer and yet Trey came, giving him more reason to move ahead, but with her he hit a brick wall that would stand the test of time. It was infuriating yet motivating at the same time. Yes, he was more motivated because of her but infuriated because he hasn’t yet been able to crack her walls of defense. He knew that all he had to do was find the weakest point and work at it and he was pretty sure that her want for him was going to be the only weakest point. The thing he was not sure of was; what made her want him, what made the lust in her eyes, what made her flustered with need of his touch. Was it the way he talked, was it the way he stood, was it in the look of his eyes, the list could go on and he would have to find what it was so that he could use it to his advantage as much as he could. He thought about all the possibilities on the way to her shop. He would test a few just to see.

  He walked in without a comment like normally he did. She was stunning as she worked on a chic that was on the list. After a few minutes she spoke up, “Are you just going to stand there and stare? It’s creepy, you’re freaking out my customers.”

  “Sorry, you’re stunning and I was stunned, unable to move.” She shook her head and he smiled and pulled out a stool, taking his sketchbook out, it was becoming a tradition. She always made him wait at least five minutes, then again he was always a bit early so he could.

  “So what is it that you want on your girly butterfly?”

  “Girly, huh? The artist needs to sign it.”

  “Where’s the artist or the paper with the signature?”

  “You.”

  “I didn’t draw it, you brought the sketch to me.”

  “Ah yes, but you did make it a picture on me. It was only a sketch till you put your unique touch to it and gave it your signature with that, so on me it is yours, sign it please.”

  “You have to be kidding me, that’s ridiculous.”

  “Is it though? You know you made it yours as you put it on me. The solid lines and certain curves were all you.”

  “Fine, if it gets you out of my shop and out of my life, so be it, I’ll finish it than these visits can end as well. Get on.” She gestured to the chair. He didn’t reply, he would not agree to what she said. It would not be the end of his visits and his unspoken words implied it. He could be as good as her and he would remind her tomorrow when he showed up with another sketch for her to do.

  She stared at the tattoo trying to think how she would sign it. She thought to make it look terrible but for some reason as her gun went to touch home she got the feeling it had to be beauty and she hesitated.

  “Whatever you create will be great, don’t hesitate.” She smiled at the honesty in his belief of her. ‘If he only knew why I hesitated.’ In the middle of the wrench, spanning out slightly from its edges she tattooed a Celtic knot handled sword with a sea serpent wrapped around it and a shield protecting the sword with a griffin flying past a sun with an arrow piercing it, on its front. It seemed fitting to her. The sword meaning warrior; her first name, the serpent; associated with the healing deity Sirona, the shield of protection; protecting her; the sword and serpent, the griffin; sharp like an eagle, strong like a lion and an arrow threw the sun; the defeat of darkness. To her it was simple, it was her name meaning and the proclamation that she would defeat him with her sharp wisdom and strength and the shield her protection; her control.

  “That seemed more than a signature.”

  “It’s my signature, in terms of you.”

  “Will you take a picture of it and show me? Please.” He handed her his phone to do so. She snatched it from him and took the picture and handed it back.

  “Wow, I like it, a lot. Will you explain all of it to me?”

  “You asked for my signature, I gave it. You figure it out. Now, I have more pressing matters to attend to, so pay the lady and be gone.” She turned to head towards the back when he piped up, “Thank you, Trey.”

  “How long do you think she will be mean to me for?”

  “No clue.” Gwen says.

  “Are you going to give me anything to go on?”

  “Wait it out.” She replied with no emotion just a shrug.

  “Nice! Have a good night.”

  “You too!” Ayden looked back at her to see the expression in her eyes with the amused remark he caught onto. It was as if Gwen had a clue about something that she clearly was keeping to herself. “I assume someday you will tell me.”

  “Huh! Yea, yea maybe.” She noticed that he did the same as Trey; read into her eyes. He was pretty dead on, he knew she would tell just not yet.

  He booked it down the block to catch up with Trey, when he had her in his sights he started to mimic her movements just
not with the grace she presented. When he reached the road that the bar was on he broke off and headed to work. Not wanting to leave her, he kept her close in his mind’s eye. He was nice to her today instead of not. He didn't want to show her that side of him but it just fell into place. 'Tomorrow will be different.' As soon as he got home he grabbed his laptop and started to search. He started with Celtic symbols and found most of the meanings. He was unsure of the serpent but had a feeling it had something to do with Sirona so he looked that up next. He got the gist of it but ‘In terms of you,’ her words; that he was not sure about. How did it pertained to him? He had to get her to tell him somehow.

  Her run was enlightening. Her being a bitch to him made him nice to her, she didn’t like that one bit but she would keep up the charade until he broke and left her alone. She had to because it was the last chance she had at doing what she wanted; getting him to walk away. If it didn’t work then she would have to play his game and that she did not want to do even though she started to at first, but knowing his real reason now just infuriated her more. She laid in bed revived from the run, happy with her proclamation but still annoyed. She had a feeling that this plan of hers would only make him get to her more. Could she handle him being nice verses the mouth he first showed her he was, that at least made her not like him, maybe a little.

  The next day and night was all of the same for the both of them until he walked into her shop that is. “I finished your tat. Why are you back?”

  “To get another one.”

  “I told you the visits would end after I finished.”

  “Yes, you did suggest that, but I never agreed, I figured it was implied with my unspoken words that I’d keep my visits with you.”

  “You are seriously unbelievable.”

  “Do you need to touch me, feel me to believe I’m here?” He walked over to her chair, taking his shirt off and sat down pulling out another sketch. “This one was already started, you can do more on it.”