I needed to know that it wasn’t just the excitement of being in Los Angeles getting to me, so I pulled back the curtain to show Jesse the dress. At first glance, I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head. “Roni,” Jesse said.
“Is it too much?” I asked, suddenly self-conscious. It occurred to me for the first time that I didn’t actually know what people wore to these kinds of parties. What was the dress code for parties with tattoo artists and belly dancers?
Jesse moved closer to me. “You look like a magazine cover,” he said. “You’re the picture of perfection, and you’re glowing in it”
The mirror confirmed that my cheeks were turning a light shade of pink. “I love it,” I said quietly.
I wasn’t sure what my hesitance was. Maybe it was that I hadn’t checked the price tag yet. I knew it was bound to be more than the $40 I was used to spending on a dress at the mall, but I had different factors to consider. I didn’t have a lot of overhead since I moved in with my father. Being a teacher wasn’t exactly a lucrative career, but I was doing alright. I braced myself for the inflation Los Angeles was sure to bring and pulled the price tag out from between the dress and my bare skin.
I thought I was going to fall to the floor when I saw the price, which had an extra zero past what I had initially expected it to cost. What bothered me more than knowing I couldn’t afford the dress was knowing that I had to tell Jesse that. I said the only thing I could think of. “Let’s keep looking elsewhere.”
“What? This dress is perfect!” Jesse exclaimed, loud enough that the two employees in the store looked up from what they were doing.
No secrets, I reminded myself. Hesitantly, I held up the price tag. “I love the dress, Jesse,” I said. “I really do. But I can’t justify spending this much on a dress I may never wear again.”
“Who said anything about you paying?” For a split second, I thought Jesse was implying that I should shoplift the dress, a suggestion he’d given numerous times years earlier. I then realized that he wasn’t the same guy he’d been back then, and he was actually suggesting that he purchase the dress for me.
I shook my head. “I wouldn’t even accept chocolates from you,” I said, smiling for the first time since I’d seen the price tag. “It’s so sweet of you to offer, but I couldn’t possibly accept.”
Jesse took my hand in his and turned me toward the mirror. “Roni, I’ve never seen you look more stunning than you look in this dress,” he said. “And you’re gorgeous, so that’s saying a lot. Please, let me buy the dress. You’re my guest tomorrow night, so it’s really a reflection of me if you wear anything else but this perfect dress.”
I laughed at Jesse’s logic. “I can’t.”
“What if I told you that the cost of this dress isn’t even a fraction of what I’m being paid for tomorrow night?”
Hoping to lighten the mood, I said, “Then I’d say that you need to teach me how to tattoo.”
We shared a laugh, and Jesse and I bickered back and forth until I finally agreed to let him buy the dress. I hated taking presents from people, especially something of this magnitude. I felt in my gut that we were starting a long-term relationship which made me finally feel ok letting him purchase the dress. Plus, I had to admit, I would’ve spent the rest of the trip daydreaming about the dress I could have worn.
“It’s going to be worth every penny I just spent to see you all dolled up in this dress tomorrow night,” Jesse said, holding my hand as we walked along the sidewalk. I could tell by the sparkle in his eye that he meant it.
“You promise I didn’t just spend your entire pay for tomorrow night on this dress?” I asked, adding a giggle so the bickering wouldn’t start all over again.
Jesse nodded. “Just a small fraction.”
“Well, who knew tattooing was such a lucrative career field?”
“It’s not,” Jesse said. “It’s not about what you tattoo. It’s about who you tattoo.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “So, who gave you your start? You don’t end up tattooing the rich and famous without some sort of crazy story.”
Turning to face me, Jesse’s face glistened in the California sunlight. It was incredible to have the chance to get to know each other away from Linfield, away from our history. “You know me too well,” he said. “It was kind of a freak accident, actually. A few months after I got out of prison, I was thinking about moving out here, so I took a trip here just to see what it was all about. A buddy of mine told me about a tattoo shop he’d gotten work done at, so I took a ride over there to see if they were hiring.”
“Look at you, Mr. Motivated.”
Jesse playfully tousled my hair. “Funny. Anyway, the owner wasn’t hiring, but he was impressed with my work. He told me he had a friend who needed some private work done and asked if I was interested. Of course, I said yes. That friend ended up being a big-time music producer, and, from there, I guess it was just word of mouth.”
“Do you still think about moving here?” I asked, slightly afraid to hear the answer.
“Nah,” Jesse said. I breathed a sigh of relief. “I love coming out here every month or two, but I don’t think LA life is for me. Linfield is home.”
“I get it,” I said.
“You and New York?”
I nodded. “I love New York, but Linfield is home.”
An old-fashioned ice cream shop captured my attention, and I motioned for Jesse to follow. “That’s a mighty big sweet tooth of yours, Vance,” he said, laughing.
“I’m buying!” I said as I skipped down the sidewalk. I knew a late afternoon ice cream cone couldn’t hold a candle to a gorgeous designer cocktail dress, but I hoped it would at least show that I cared. I didn’t want Jesse to ever feel like I was taking him for granted.
Chapter 22
Jesse
I’d done tattoo work at quite a few mansions in the few years I’d been tattooing, but I could tell from the gorgeous stucco exterior that Martin Page’s was going to top them all. By the time we rolled up in the car Martin had sent for us, there were already dozens of cars parked along his street and music blasting loud enough for us to hear it from a block away.
“Holy shit,” Roni said when we stepped out of the car. “How rich is this guy?”
I laughed. “I don’t know an exact figure,” I said with a smile. “But he’s directed for some big stars.” I hoped Roni wouldn’t ask for specific names, because I wasn’t really one to keep up with celebrities.
We walked up the pathway to his front door, which happened to be beside his in-ground pool and hot tub. This was definitely one of the coolest parts of my job, but I had to admit that it also made me a bit self-conscious about my own socioeconomic status. I was well-off, living in one of the nicest houses in Linfield, and I knew that. But, compared to these people, I was a country bumpkin living in a little shack. Lucky for me, I’d gotten pretty good at handling myself, and my appearance didn’t exactly scream that I was from a small town in Virginia.
To my surprise, Martin greeted us himself. “Jesse, so glad you could make it,” Martin said, as if he hadn’t had his assistant check five times to make sure I’d gotten to Los Angeles on time. “Elaina told me you were on your way up.” He turned to Roni, acknowledging her for the first time. “And who is this stunning creature beside you?”
“Roni Vance,” Roni said, blushing as she shook Martin’s hand. “Thank you so much for having us.”
“Well, your boyfriend here is going to be a bit preoccupied, but I’m sure you’ll find an interesting person or two worth talking to. Maybe one of the Natalies, or a boy band guy.” Martin led us inside and introduced us around as if we were his closest friends.
I still couldn’t completely fathom how stunning Roni looked in the purple dress she’d chosen. She’d been captivating when she showed it to me in the store yesterday, but, tonight, with her hair done up and some extra jewelry on, she really was the most beautiful woman in the room. She indulged Martin as he told h
er about his award win, and I was glad I’d warned her about his lack of humbleness.
“Jesse, I have you set up right over here,” Martin said, pointing out a corner of the patio. He’d put together an area with a tattoo chair and all of the tools I normally used, complete with all new ink and needles. The idea had sounded a bit crazy on the phone, but I was impressed by what Martin had put together. He showed me a hidden feature of the patio railing, a section that pulled down to reveal outlets, and left me to set up shop.
The patio was incredible, the size of an entire floor of my house, with fancy string lights, and bartenders, and cocktail waitresses carrying around appetizers. Preoccupied, I realized I hadn’t taken the time to make sure Roni felt comfortable. She was standing by the railing, looking at the sunset, ignoring the hordes of people behind her. I walked up behind her and slipped my arm around her waist. “You alright, babe?” I asked. “If this is all too much, we can—”
“I’m fine,” Roni said. “Honest. I was just admiring the view from here. We definitely don’t have views like this back home.”
I smiled. “I have the best view at home. You.” I planted a gentle kiss on Roni’s lips, and we agreed that she’d come back over to my station if she felt uncomfortable or wanted to leave before I was done.
Within minutes, I was tattooing my first client of the night, an A&R executive from a hip-hop label. Martin had preselected some designs for those who were interested, but this guy wanted his daughter’s name and birth date on his shoulder. It was simple enough. I’d done so many tattoos with letters—specifically in the block font that he’d chosen—that I could do them in my sleep.
The two guests who followed were a bit higher maintenance. They were a married couple whose occupations I didn’t catch but who carried themselves like they were Beyonce and Jay-Z. They wanted each other’s initials, complete with a starry background. The tattoos themselves weren’t overly complex, but the man and woman bickered for ten minutes before I could even start about if there should be a moon in the background. I finally interjected and told them they didn’t have to match exactly. The woman was happy with her tattoo and the inclusion of the moon, and her husband was happy to have his without a moon in the sky.
From time to time, Roni stopped by to give me a quick kiss, or I’d spot her talking to someone or grabbing a drink at the bar. It was surreal to see how well she fit in. I knew Roni had thought I was only trying to make her feel better when I told her she’d blend right in with the models and singers and actors, but I meant it. During the few breaks that I had, I found her talking with different people each time, striking up conversations about everything from art to politics. Each time, I made eye contact so I could blow her a kiss or send a smile her way, but I let her be. I wanted Roni to be confident in her ability to fit in without my help.
All in all, the addition of my tattooing to Martin’s bash seemed to be well-received. Each time another guest left my tattoo chair and showed their tattoo off, Martin came over to tell me what a wonderful job I had done. It was nice to get a chance to see that, beneath Martin’s tough exterior I often saw on set, he was a decent guy. He sent his assistant over three different times to make sure I had plenty to eat and drink.
The party finally started to die down around two in the morning, shortly after the fire breathers put on their final performance of the night. Martin gave me an exceptionally nice tip and told me that Roni was a superstar. I told him that I’d known that for years.
“So, did you have fun?” I asked Roni as the driver started us back to the hotel.
Roni was just beaming. “Is that even a question?” she said. “Tonight was incredible! Thank you so much for bringing me!”
“Thank you for honoring me with your presence.” I took Roni’s hand in mine. “You know, Martin says you’re a superstar.”
“Me?! What?!”
I chuckled. “Don’t let it go to your head or anything, but he said that, next time I’m coming out for a job and he needs some extras in his music videos, you have to come!”
Roni looked both pleased and flustered. “Wow!”
“But now I’m dying to hear all about your night.”
“You won’t believe who I struck up a conversation with at the bar!” Roni told me all about her bar escapade with some reality TV star, complete with the best martini she ever had. I had no clue who the woman was, but Roni was completely ecstatic, so I went along with it. “Martin’s house is incredible! Did you see the screening room? It has, like, eight different TVs, all showing different music videos that he’s helped produced.”
I got a detailed rundown of all of the foods Roni had gotten to try at the party, and I reciprocated by telling her about some of the tattoos I’d done. It seemed that it had been a perfect night for both of us, but I was happy to finally get some alone time, just the two of us.
“So, when’s our next trip to LA?” Roni said, a hint of humor in her voice. I knew that she wasn’t entirely kidding.
I sat up in my seat. “Whenever you want, babe. I mean it!”
“How often does Martin need you?”
“He calls when he calls,” I said. “But I can always find gigs out here. Besides, who says we only have to come for business? Pleasure is just as fun.” I winked, but I wasn’t certain that Roni caught it.
When we arrived back to the hotel, Roni told me she had a surprise for me. She threw me down on the couch and proceeded to kiss my neck, then worked her way all across my body. As she stripped down, she gave me a short lap dance, showing me all the sexy dance moves I hadn’t even known she’d had up her sleeve. The whole thing lasted maybe five minutes, but it had been more than enough to leave me dizzy.
“Damn,” I said. “Your surprises are going to send me to my grave.”
Roni giggled. “That wasn’t even the surprise. That was just the opening act.” She told me to count to twenty then come into the bedroom. Despite being tired enough to collapse for the next ten hours, I did as I was told. Roni was nowhere to be found in the bedroom.
“Where are you?”
“Are you ready for me?” Roni called from the bathroom.
“I’ve been ready for you my whole life,” I said, anxious to see what her surprise was. I figured it was just going to be the same pink lingerie again, but that was alright with me. It wouldn’t be on her body for long, anyhow.
I did a double take when Roni emerged into the room. Her blonde curls were tied up in a bun, giving me a full view of the licorice bra she was wearing. It was nothing more than a few strings of licorice connecting two bright red licorice swirls, even better than I’d imagined in my wildest fantasies. On her bottom half, Roni had a sugar candy thong that looked almost as tasty as what was underneath.
“Sorry,” Roni said. “I couldn’t find licorice panties, so you’ll have to make do with a licorice bra.”
I chuckled. “Make do? Baby, this is everything I’ve ever wanted and more.”
Roni shuffled over to the mini refrigerator and brought back a can of whipped cream I hadn’t even known had been there. With a wink, she said, “Just in case.”
I lifted Roni up by her waist and threw her on the bed, dirty thoughts running through my mind. I nibbled at the sugar candy between her legs and ripped a piece off with my teeth. As I chewed, I ran my hands up her smoking hot body. I’d admittedly been pretty adventurous in bed, but this was the one thing I’d always wanted to do but hadn’t. Suddenly, I was glad that I’d never experienced this. There was no one I’d rather fulfill my ultimate fantasy with than Roni.
I slipped my hand under the licorice string that connected the two breast swirls and tugged it down to reveal Roni’s plump nipples. I alternated between sucking the sweetness of the licorice and sucking the sweetness of her breasts. Roni’s pleasurable moans told me she was happy to oblige.
“Has anyone ever told you you’re sexy as hell?” I said, smacking Roni’s ass hard enough to send a surge through my body.
Roni licked my
lips. “Once or twice.”
As I went for the panties, Roni tugged my pants down to reveal my stiff cock. She squeezed as I nibbled. Satisfied with what I’d accomplished, I pulled the rest of her candy panties off and threw my naked body on top of hers. Our mouths connected like they’d been desperately searching for one another. Roni clawed at my back as she pulled me in closer.
In the heat of the moment, I reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the whipped cream canister. I carefully dispensed the cream on each of her breasts and licked my lips just thinking about how I would be the one to get rid of it. Methodically, I used my tongue as a vacuum and sucked in the whipped cream and her sweet melons. Nothing had ever tasted so good.
Roni surprised me by flipping me over so that she was on top. She took the whipped cream and swirled it all over my hardness, then stared at me as she seductively, slowly licked it all off. When she was done, she kept sucking, a pleasure that sent me into another universe. I needed a way to release.
As if she was reading my mind, Roni got down on all fours, and I propelled myself inside of her. We rocked back and forth as I moved a bit deeper inside her with each motion. It was like we’d always been meant to fit together. I’d never experienced pleasure like what I felt when Roni and I fucked. It was sexy, and hot, and messy, and sticky, all at the same time.
Roni’s wetness only made me sweat harder as I rode her. I moved my body against her firm buttocks until we were one. Harder. Harder. Deeper. Deeper. I was coming. I found myself gasping for air as my sticky relief filled Roni’s body. I didn’t want to take myself out of her. It was the ultimate pleasure, an action I wanted to repeat over and over again.
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