Tattooed Moon

by Tiana Laveen

  Even still, he could tell from her tone of voice, something was amiss. He asked her if she still wanted to go to the movies, and she said no. He didn’t push it, but something wasn’t right. Regardless, he had things to do before she arrived. Milan had never been to his home, and due to this, he made extra sure everything was just so. One thing he was certain of as he went over his small, glass end table with a hearty helping of glass cleaning spray he’d concocted out of vinegar—she’d never forget this evening. Anyone that stepped into his house was in for a treat and had a mélange of things to focus on; odds and ends to sort out in their minds. He had items organized, somewhat tidy, but he surrounded himself with articles he felt were important, but many others would find, well, weird. Extraordinary tribal masks here, bottles filled with various ointments there, collected spiritually charged gems, bowls of pretty, round things, sparkling healing crystals, stacks of fresh, unopened tarot cards and some over a century old, enough incense to smoke out the entire state of Georgia, and a golden bowl filled with the cinnamon sticks that he loved to chew like gum.

  The plans had changed, but he was okay with that. He was able to roll with the crashing tide. He ran a hand over his semi-exposed chest. A button-down blue denim shirt clung to his form. He loved that shirt; it was the perfect blue, paired well with his eyes.

  I know she’ll be hungry…

  He put on a pot of tea and checked his vegetarian cheese rolls in the oven. He then walked into his first floor hall bathroom and made sure there was enough toilet paper, wet wipes, all the things he surmised a woman would want. After a while, he sank onto his olive green couch, picked up his ‘Inked magazine’ and crossed his ankles, enjoying the break. He lounged about, the few candles glimmering from the fireplace hearth aiding in relaxation. Not a good ten minutes had passed before he heard the bell. He tossed the magazine on the black ash wood cocktail table, stood to his bare feet and made his way to the front door of his duplex home. There she stood, her hair parted down the middle, a light tan leather jacket on, some form-fitting dark blue jeans and evergreen boots with white fur trim. He wasn’t the least bit surprised that Milan stayed on the edge of the current fashion trend. It didn’t bother him though; hell, it suited her personality, and he was just fine with that.

  “Hi, gorgeous.” He smiled at her. “Come on in.”

  “Hi, thanks…”

  She handed him a large golden box of imported teas wrapped with a big silvery-blue bow, then shoved her hands in her pockets.

  “How nice, thank you, Milan.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She stepped inside and immediately began to set her sights to varying areas of the house. He closed the door and locked it, placed the box of tea down then stood there quietly, allowing her a moment. He didn’t miss the way the material of her pants hugged her perfect, round ass.

  An ass like whoa…

  He stroked his goatee as he sized her up, drifting in sexual thoughts, embracing them fully.

  “Wow! What a house,” she said, looking around. “Those are crystals, right?” She pointed across the room at a lit display of therapeutic, iridescent rocks and gems. Sade sung in the background, ‘Hold On.’

  “Yup. Go on over, don’t be shy. Take a look around… Hand me your coat first though.” She handed him her jacket, and he took notice of her emerald green V-neck sweater. It looked wonderful against her complexion. It only took him moments to hang the coat up. Milan moved around the display, carefully surveying his wares. Soon, he was right beside her.

  “I collect them.”

  “Some of these are beautiful. What’s that one?” She pointed into the glass cover at a large light pink gem shaped like a dull sword.

  “That’s rose quartz. Is that the one you gravitate towards? Does it call to you?”

  She chuckled. “Well, I don’t know about all of that, but yeah, it’s pretty.”

  “If it is the first one you noticed, or the one you keep coming back to, then it is the one you need.” He gently scooted her out of the way by clasping his hands around her hips. They met eyes for a moment, the sexual tension mounting like a jockey on a horse. He opened and lifted the case, removed the large gem, and placed it in her hands. “Feel it, rub your hands along it.”

  She looked at it, turning it all different directions. “This thing is huge. You must’ve paid a lot for it.”

  “Well, it wasn’t cheap. Do you know what that one is specifically for?”

  “You know I don’t know anything about this new age sort of stuff.”

  “It’s old age. The medicines you all use now are new age, but I digress. Rose quartz, sometimes just called pink quartz, helps with negative emotions, love and relationship issues. It helps to attract love, too.”

  “So it’s the match maker of the gems.”

  He laughed lightly. “I suppose you could say that.”

  He thought about how he’d had on a rose quartz pinky ring the night she called the shop. He’d slipped it off to work that morning, then right before he began to clean up, he’d slipped it back on…

  “It also helps with grief…” He hesitated then continued, placing his hand along her back. “What happened today, Milan?”

  She opened her mouth, and got ready to no doubt lie to him. To tell him she didn’t know what he was talking about, or to laugh it all off. The more he stared at her, the more he wanted to touch her. He couldn’t help but pull the woman even closer into his personal space. She hung her head and gripped him.

  “It was a terrible day at work, and…for whatever reason, I found myself angrier than I’ve been in a long time.”

  “Come with me.” He took her hand and walked her out of the living room, into his family area which blended into his modernized kitchen equipped with black appliances. “Would you like a cup of tea?”

  “Yes…” She sat down, gripping the crystal. “Your home is a little strange, Julian, but I like it. As odd as it is, it feels comfortable, you know? The swirly tattooed artwork is really nice, boarded in red. You have a really good eye…you’re talented. Did you do those?”

  She pointed to the life-sized paintings on the walls by baseboard to ceiling windows.

  “Yes, I did…and thank you.” He came over to her and handed her a cup of tea. “I don’t know if you are hungry, but I’ve got some things cooking. After we talk, I can take you out to the grocery store, too.”

  She nodded, then sighed.

  “Thank you.”

  “So, tell me exactly what happened. You had a bad day, you got mad…” He sat next to her and crossed one leg over the other, his ankle on his knee.

  “Well, Martin is at it again.” She rolled her eyes. “It seems he thinks I was kissing ass, because I was being nicer. I don’t know. He’s been making comments like, ‘You must really want that promotion, huh?’ and saying ridiculous things like that, as if I’ve sold out. No, I agreed with you Julian, that I should try to change the situation a bit, you know, try to let him see that we had some things in common—but all he did was use it to boost his own ego. Now he thinks he has me in the palm of his grubby hand. I…I hate that man.” Her eyes darkened. She appeared more saddened than angry in his opinion, but he didn’t interrupt. “Do you know what he said to me the day after my mother died? I had come into the office to get a few things and take a week off for her funeral.”

  “What did he say?”

  “Well, maybe now you can get some work done and concentrate when you get back.”

  Julian scratched his chin; his lips drooped, as he was certain his disgust showed. “He sounds like a real prick.” He leaned back against the couch, propping one leg up on the table. In the background, Sade now sung, ‘I Will Be Your Friend.’

  “He was one of those people that told me she was in a better place now, then two minutes later, asked me about an expense report.” She snorted, as if her throat were clogged with mucous. “Sorry…”

  “No need to apologize.” He casually glanced at her and point
ed to the teacup. “Drink up. Sounds like you have a sinus issue. This will help… No dairy for you tonight, though.”

  She chuckled.

  “Thanks for being so understanding about my bad mood, Julian. I know that this is not exactly the evening we’d originally planned, nor is it pleasant conversation for a date. I’m sorry.”

  “Come on now, Milan. We’re beyond that. You said it yourself,” His teeth sunk into the fleshiness of his bottom lip as he surveyed her breasts for a brief spell. “We are having these sort of discussions because we’re supposed to. I’m your friend, okay?”

  “Yeah.” She huffed, looking down into her cup. “Let’s talk about something else,” she said cheerfully, trying to no doubt switch up her miserable mood.

  “Okay, fine. Let’s talk about what I just said to you.”

  She looked at him in confusion. “What part?”

  “About being your friend. I lied. I’m not your friend.”

  She swallowed, circled her hands around her mug a bit tighter as her bewilderment undoubtedly grew.

  “What I mean is,” he grinned and casually looked away before turning back towards her, his body warming as his eyes glossed over, ever so slightly. “I’m trying to be more than just a friend, Milan.” He couldn’t help it, the words came out and his eyes centered on her lips. “I see something I want…and she’s sitting right here.”

  “More than just a friend, huh?” She took another sip of her tea, nervously tapping the cup with her fingertips as she broke their eye-lock.

  “Look, don’t sit there trying to act like this is news to you, okay?” He smirked. “You already know how I feel. You’re too smart not to. Anyway, I really like you, want to spend all of my free time with you. When I’m not on the phone with you or we’re not together, I’m thinking about you. I like that. It feels good. I’ve been out of a relationship for a while now.” Yeah, he was having that sort of feeling—compelled to get it out, to be straight up with the woman and tell her where he was coming from, where he stood. He wanted her to open up completely to him. Her mind, body and soul—he wanted it all.

  “How long?” she asked, her interest definitely piqued.

  “About nine months or so. I’ve dated here and there in the meantime. I don’t need to keep doing that though…the search is over.” They were quiet for a while as he stared deep into her eyes, trying desperately to not kiss her just yet.

  “Are you still good friends with your ex-wife?”

  I like that. She wants to make sure the coast is clear for her…

  “Yes, we are still friends. We don’t talk all the time though.” He shrugged. “It’s not appropriate and well, her husband doesn’t like it.”

  Milan nodded. “You can understand that though, right?” Her brow arched.

  “Well shit,” He ran his hand over his face, dragging his lips a bit. “Of course I can. The man knows I was her first love, her first everything.”

  “Are you completely over her and your ex-girlfriend?” Milan set the cup on the table, slid off her boots then folded her white-sock-covered feet underneath herself. He was being interviewed, fuck that…interrogated, but he could take the heat.

  “There’s nothing to get over. You see, Milan, this is how I see relationships.” He leaned forward and clasped his hands together. “They are chapters in my book of life. I shared a chapter with a woman, my ex-wife. A long, beautiful chapter, but we were too young to be in such an intense relationship. We are also far too much alike. We thought that was in our favor, but it wasn’t. It caused clashing.” He picked up his cup, took a quick sip then set it back down. “With the ex girlfriend, my last relationship, she and I just didn’t mesh well. She wasn’t a bad person, just not the person for me. Like I told you…” He reached over and caressed her chin. “I know what I want.”

  “All chapters end,” she mumbled.

  He knew it was coming from some place else, but he was going to set the record straight.

  “Nah,” he shook his head. “That’s not true. You see, there is something called a ‘never ending’ story. It is like a series that just goes on and on, or a great song that you can place on repeat. We, as people, decide when something ends. Even after death, love never dies.”

  She nodded, seeming to enjoy his words.

  “I want you to be that song with the continuous beat…that story where the end is no where in sight, Milan.”

  He moved in closer to her and wrapped his hand around her neck, bringing her to him. She smiled shyly as he gently titled her chin upward, brought her lips to his.

  Kissing.

  Slowly, their breathing intertwined. They took turns running their hands along each other’s bodies, one after the other, panting, reaching and grasping for air.

  Nina Simone broke in, her voice coating the mood the way only she could.

  “You’re going to heal…” He paused and looked into her eyes, so close together; their personal space became one. “You’re going to address your pain over losing your mother. The man at your job is just a symptom of unresolved issues. He is attracted to messing with you, because you’re vulnerable.” He gripped her face between his palms and laid a gentle kiss on her forehead. “You just lost your mother, baby…your best friend. No one can replace her. You did your best. Now, you have to start living again.”

  Milan’s eyes glossed over once more. She swiped at them and looked into his eyes. “I love this song…haven’t heard it in years. Nina Simone singing this song reminds me of you.”

  “How so?” he asked, getting up to go turn off the oven, then returning to her side.

  “It’s called, ‘Black is the Color’ and that one lyric that goes, ‘Black is the color of my true love’s hair… That’s you.”

  “I’m your lover?” he asked, knowing the answer, just wanting her to say it.

  “I hope so…”

  “I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’”

  They kissed, looked into each other’s eyes, then kissed a bit more…

  “Let’s have a talk before this goes any further…” He cleared his throat, growing serious.

  She hung her arms over his shoulders, her gaze heavy with what he perceived was unadulterated lust.

  I want to fuck you, Milan…fuck you good ‘nd slow, fast and hard… and all night long. But first, let’s get this shit out of the way.

  “I have a question and a statement. I’ll say the comment first. I’m kinda, what’s the word? Wired I guess, to be monogamous. This aint to say I haven’t had what they term, ‘casual sex.’” He smiled and put his hands in quotes, causing her to grin. “But I don’t want this to be like that, okay? We know too much about one another.” He ran his fingers lightly through her hair. “We’ve shared too much; we have something deeper than that shit. So, my question is, are you interested in settling down? Of course, it is in the new stages, and if I’m moving too fast, tell me, and I’ll back the hell off.”

  He could tell by her facial expression she was taken aback.

  “Well, I mean, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought of you that way…or wondered what it would be like.”

  He nodded. “Okay, well, no pressure. We can try it out, you know? We can be together, just you and me, and see how it goes. Now, that aside, there is something else I need to address.”

  She looked up at him, her lips a bit pouty.

  “And what is that?”

  “I need to make love to you tonight…” He ran his hand along her cheek, then down to her neck, folding her pliant body into his own. “Can I?” He softly kissed her temple and waited for her answer.

  “Yeah….” She tossed a naughty smile his way. “That’s what I want.”

  “Well, I know this is kind of a mood buster, but it is a necessary discussion before I take you back there…” He pointed towards his bedroom. “I’m healthy, STD and HIV free. I have condoms, too. Are you on birth control, anything like that?”

  “Not anymore… I’ve been off the pill for a few months
. I didn’t see the reason to continue to take it under the circumstances. It wasn’t like I was seeing anyone.”

  He nodded in understanding.

  “And I’m disease free, too,” she added, her eyes glimmering.

  “Do you have any allergies to latex?” He hated these sorts of discussions, but he was an adult, and he prided himself on being responsible. It had to be done.

  “It is a little irritating, but not so much that I can’t deal with it,” she whispered as she circled her fingers around his collar, pulling him a bit closer.

  “Okay, so here is what I’m thinking. We’ll use the condoms tonight, and then, since we are seeing each other, not going to date other people …”

  She smiled at his words, no doubt realizing he was stamping ownership to her ass right then and there and it warmed his heart.

  “We can both get tested sometime this week, together.”

  “I’ll get back on the pill,” she interjected, her voice raspier as she tried to hurry his ass along. Her body language screamed to him as her gaze continued to wander back in the direction he’d pointed.

  “Alright, and after we get the results, and you’ve been on the pill for a little bit, we can forfeit the condoms since they can be irritating to you. Enough of this shit, let’s go.”

  Standing, he quickly picked her up, causing her to scream out in astonishment as he snatched her from her seat. The restraint he needed in order to get through the conversation damn near killed him. His dick throbbed against his blue jeans, ready for action.