by Tina Donahue
“You did the right thing. If anything feels off in the least, tell me. My brother knows the cops who patrol this area.” Tor explained how the police were keeping an eye out for trouble. “I can’t guarantee how long they’ll monitor things but I’ll keep bugging them.”
“You’re such a great guy. I’m glad Marnie met you.”
Not half as happy as Tor was that she’d come into his life.
* * * * *
Tor picked up Marnie a half-hour later at her door.
She smiled. “What service. You know, I could walk to the parlor.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Tor had her against the jamb, kissing her neck.
“You have a point.” She ground her pussy into his cock.
After necking for a few minutes, Tor pulled his mouth free. “Tonight, stay at my place so I can look after your new outline. Okay?”
“I’ve already packed.” She gestured to her purse.
Sticking out from the center of the thing was a rectangular box wrapped in newspapers.
“I ran out of the pretty wrapping paper,” Marnie said and licked his lobe. “Hope you don’t mind.”
“That you’re spending the night and bringing me a gift? Hell no. What’s in the box?”
“You’ll see.”
Marnie said no more on the matter, smiling as Tor tried to guess what she’d gotten him. He asked if the package was filled with gold chalk to make up for the piece he’d lost, then speculated she’d bought him a new sketchpad and eventually turned to clothing—mainly tank tops in funky designs. Zebra, leopard print, dainty hearts…
“No, no and no,” she said as they reached the parlor. “You’ll have to wait and see.” Marnie handed the box to Jasmina, who was already behind the counter. “Protect this with your life. Don’t let Tor anywhere near it.”
Jasmina smiled. “My pleasure. You two have fun.”
“This is business,” Tor said.
Minutes later, he and Marnie were necking again. She’d stripped to her panties and lay on the convertible chair in his station, the door closed. When he pulled away to get some air, she pointed at the security camera. “We forgot.”
“No problem.” He took several of the dark gloves, shoved them inside each other and slipped the latex over the camera lens.
They went back at it, Tor cupping her mound, Marnie cradling his balls.
This time, she pulled her mouth free. “Wait. We gotta get going on the tat or we’ll never get to your place.” Marnie didn’t want to wait a second more than she had to for tonight.
Tor’s head was down, hair hanging over his forehead. “Point taken.”
He checked her arm first to see how the outline was coming along. Her skin had stopped peeling and looked almost healed to Marnie. Tor nodded in satisfaction then went through the same routine he had the last time. After he had her get up and had sanitized the work area, she hopped back onto the chair. Tor checked her leg to see if she’d shaved closely enough.
“You did good, babe.” He patted her thigh. “Want to make some extra cash? I could hire you as my assistant. Shaving guy’s bellies, thighs, backs…”
“No thanks.”
He gave her a dimpled smile. “It’s show time.”
Tor transferred the design on her calf, knee and thigh the same way he had applied the design onto her arm. After checking herself in the mirror, Marnie gave him a long, deep and wet kiss. His drawing had concealed every imperfection on her leg.
They talked and laughed while he inked her, with Tor far less anxious this go-around. He worked more quickly too, breezing through her thigh in less time than he’d taken to do her arm. After they had a break for soda and pizza, Tor worked on Marnie’s calf. He didn’t slow down until he got to the part on her knee.
“I can see this hurts,” he said. “Want to take a break?”
“No. Go on, please. Let’s get this over with.”
He was so careful, this part took nearly as long as the others had, but at last he’d finished. “Take a look.” He helped her off the chair and led her to the mirror. “Tell me if you want anything changed.”
Marnie stared at the spectacular outline of flowers, butterflies, leaves and dragonflies, intricate and delicate. Simply gorgeous. “You need to take a picture of this for the wall in front.”
“Wow, you are pleased.”
She moved into him, one arm slung around his shoulder, her un-inked leg against him. “Soon as we get to your place, I’ll show you how much.”
That got him moving. He had her sanitized, oiled and bandaged in far less time than she believed possible. While he was busy cleaning his station, Marnie retrieved her gift from Jasmina.
“How’d your session go?” Jasmina smiled broadly.
“Almost as good as tonight will.”
Jasmina wagged her finger. “Lauren told me Tor blocked the camera.”
“Is she mad?”
“Are you kidding? You should have been here when she and Dante worked together.”
“You’ll have to tell me the highlights sometime.”
“Concerning what?” Tor asked, coming down the hall.
Jasmina smiled. “Enjoy your evening.”
Since Marnie didn’t want to keep taking advantage of Rafe’s generosity, she and Tor stopped at a fastfood joint for takeout. At his place, she ate her burger and fries hurriedly. He did the same with his meal as he kept sneaking peeks at the gift she’d gotten him. Marnie had deliberately placed the box on the kitchen table.
“This is killing me,” he said. “Let me open the thing.”
“Not until you finish your vegetables.”
Tor pushed the last of his fries into his mouth, chewed twice and swallowed. “Now?”
Marnie handed him her gift.
Tor didn’t bother to shake the box. He ripped through the paper, yanked off the top and stared.
Resting on pink tissue paper were a black satin blindfold, a soft leather strap for discipline and a pair of breakaway handcuffs.
Tor lifted one of the cuffs with his forefinger. “Is this for me?”
“No, me. Do me good.”
Chapter Eleven
Even with her leg bandaged, Marnie felt more desirable than she had in years, her scars and insecurities in the past. From the beginning, Tor’s passion for her had released a rush of emotions, allowing Marnie to become the woman she was today. Confident and free, no longer hiding behind fear or regret.
In the bedroom, Tor placed the cuffs, blindfold and leather strap on the comforter. Displaying them? Maybe. He smiled at the adult toys, his dimples obvious as he turned to her.
She’d already slipped her skirt past her hips and let go. The fabric floated down, puddling at her feet. “You’re not keeping up,” she said.
“No kidding.” Rather than pull off his clothes, Tor eased his hands beneath her peasant blouse, his fingertips grazing her skin. Marnie inhaled deeply at the welcome sensation. He moved closer, their intimate bond and shared excitement giving him the right. He eased the garment from her, followed by her bra and panties, leaving Marnie naked and willingly defenseless before him.
Heat settled in her pussy, her cleft growing damp in response.
She leaned into him, the tips of her breasts grazing his tank top. The soft cotton was pleasant; however, Marnie wanted to feel skin. “Take this off.” She ran her fingertips over the edge.
Tor curled his fingers around her wrists, holding Marnie’s hands behind her. “In a minute.”
He kissed her throat, the sweep of his tongue, the contrast of his bristly cheeks and velvety lips making her moan for more of what he had to give and who he was. Effortlessly masculine, powerful without being cruel, his good heart and respect for her the greatest part of his allure.
In Tor’s arms, Marnie knew she’d always be safe and well loved.
She grinned when he snapped the cuffs around her wrists, the metal clink making her heart jump in anticipation. Since he’d secured her hands in front, sh
e rested them on her head, flaunting her breasts, her nipples lifted to him, begging for his mouth.
Tor denied her the pleasure—at least for the moment—and moved around Marnie, regarding her nudity from every angle. She recalled his comments about a Sultan and his slave. Her face warmed as Tor’s attention lingered on the dark curls between her legs, her breasts, nipples and certainly her ass when he was behind her. She wanted to look over and catch his expression but kept her face forward, allowing him what he wanted…a privilege she’d given him.
Marnie had never been as willing to submit.
Tor brought her to the dresser, placing her hands on top. She regarded her reflection in the mirror, hair mussed from him pushing his fingers through the tresses, lips puffy from his kisses, her breasts exposed for his use. Without direction, Marnie leaned down, forearms on the wood, legs parted, ass lifted high.
She caught a whiff of her musk, wanting to smell his.
Tor remained dressed, going behind her again. She sensed he could see both her openings. Her pussy grew even wetter at the thought.
He went to the bed, returning with the strap, not the blindfold. Surprised, she met his gaze in the mirror.
“I want you to watch,” he said. His color had deepened, proving his excitement, the same as the sin in his eyes. He wound one end of the strap around his hand, the other swayed back and forth.
Her skin prickled with heat.
He flicked the strap in the air as though testing the thing. Its crack electrified Marnie, heightening her senses. The light in there seemed brighter than she recalled, the air cooler, Tor’s clean scent more tempting. He dropped the belt on the dresser, close to her hand. Marnie stared at the leather as though it were a living thing capable of slithering toward her to deliver punishment. A moment of discomfort followed by a surge of pleasure.
Stepping back, Tor pulled off his tank top, the dark hair in his pits so damn male Marnie whimpered. She stared at his tat, the design savage, the same as her lust, each movement of his muscles making the artwork come to life.
She imagined him as a soldier in ancient times, scarred from battle, fearless from so many victories, his hard body pressed against hers, his strength and passion demanding her indecent response.
He kicked his jeans aside and peeled off his navy boxer briefs, his cock fully erect, balls rounded and firm.
Marnie’s throat tightened around a wanting moan, the sound that escaped her strained with arousal.
Tor picked up the strap, again meeting her eyes in the mirror. She suspected he was giving her an out, if she wanted one.
Marnie lifted her ass a bit more in answer, obedient to her desire, to what he would do.
He went to her left side. She watched Tor’s reflection, his cock jutting out from his hairy groin, his firm belly moving slightly with his intake of air.
She was breathing as hard as he was without them having done anything yet, the anticipation driving her nuts. Never had she enjoyed anything more.
Tor swung the strap back and forth, a teasing and slightly menacing move. Once, the side of the leather grazed her ass. Marnie started and pressed her fingertips into the wood. Suddenly, Tor raised his arm. The end of the strap flipped up and arced, seemingly suspended for minutes. Impossible, Marnie knew, yet everything happened in slo-mo for her. The leather whistled slightly on the journey down, its sound interrupted by a sudden crack as the strap connected with her skin.
A moment passed before the sting registered. Her mouth sagged open.
Tor rested his hand on her hip.
“I’m okay,” she said before he could ask. Marnie sucked in more air and sighed noisily at the gush of heat coursing through her, replacing the relatively mild pain. “More. Now.”
He licked her again in a different area, the sensations as dazzling. After the fourth crack of leather against skin, Tor dropped the strap, kissed her buttocks, and padded away. Marnie was too spent to open her eyes and watch what he was doing. She flinched slightly when he put the satin blindfold on her, adjusting the straps until she couldn’t see anything.
She cocked her head, listening as he moved away again. To grab condoms from the nightstand? Marnie hoped he’d take several. Rarely had she been as horny, her body primed for his.
A sound caught her attention, too faint and indistinct for her to interpret.
What is he doing?
Seconds passed with little more than her rough breaths and the noise of the air conditioner filling the silence.
Marnie looked over to ask what was going on when the front of Tor’s thighs touched the back of hers, his sheathed cock pressing against the inside of her leg. She lowered her face, surrendering to what they both had to have.
Tor made her wait for pleasure, cupping her ass first, running his thumbs over the places he’d marked. The sting was minimal, her memories intense, arousing Marnie further. He eased his fingers through her triangle of hair but didn’t touch her clit. He played with her nipples, though far too briefly.
Marnie’s pussy couldn’t have been more congested with desire, her thoughts begging him to mount her.
He kissed her spine and buried his face in her hair.
She whimpered.
Tor suckled her shoulder and lifted his cock, the tip sliding against the inside of Marnie’s thigh. She raised her ass. He mounted, filling her in one assured thrust, their bodies touching.
On each new pump of his cock into her sheath, Marnie rocked forward slightly from the force of his passion. For the first time, he didn’t seem hampered with worry over harming her or giving Marnie the wrong impression of the person he was.
She’d never known a better man.
With their hunger for each other unleashed, they fucked wildly, the noises they made lewder than in times past. Unrestrained and filled with love.
* * * * *
The change in Marnie—from the woman Tor had first seen at the parlor to the way she was now—was remarkable. He attributed part of her transformation to the tats, allowing her to see beauty rather than the scars. Tor also hoped his desire had contributed to her shift from cautious to bold.
Over the following days, she laughed easily and joked around, their bed play always an adventure. He’d let her cuff him a couple of times, once to the steering wheel of his pickup so she could have her way with him.
On that night, the late hour plus the lack of foot and street traffic gave Tor some comfort as Marnie unbuttoned his jeans and unzipped his fly, working his cock out of his underwear. The second she had his rod in her mouth, he forgot about anyone coming upon them, a slave to pleasure.
Everything seemed to be falling into place.
The cops hadn’t seen anything of Ethan, nor had Alice. At the parlor, Jasmina kept a careful watch, reporting during each of her shifts that he hadn’t been around spying.
Tor began to relax, his attitude fueling Marnie’s. They were so comfortable with each other now they talked for hours about everything—art, women’s rights, domestic violence, sports, politics, TV shows, films. There seemed no end to what they wanted to share. They ate lunch in the park, at Rafe’s, at her apartment or in the breakroom at the parlor. Marnie hung around so much she was part of the gang now.
When she arrived with Tor so he could fill in the color on her arm tat, Jasmina grinned in welcome. Van Gogh offered a shy smile, proving how much he liked her.
Lauren joined them. “Hey there, stranger.”
She and Marnie hugged.
“Don’t forget,” Lauren said. “Once your tats are finished, pictures of them go up on the wall.”
Marnie laughed. “I’m never wearing sleeves or long pants again. I’m going to be your best advertisement.”
“That’s what we like to hear.” Lauren leveled her gaze on Tor. “No covering the security camera this time.”
“I’ll make sure he behaves,” Marnie said.
Yeah, right.
They necked like maniacs before he got started. Once he had, Tor turned the ch
air toward the mirror so Marnie could watch the magic. Several times, he caught her expression as the colors began to emerge, his technique creating three-dimensional depth, making the images appear increasingly real.
The work was fucking hard but worth the effort, the hours passing swiftly for both of them. By late afternoon, he’d finished and watched Marnie’s face as she regarded the breathtaking design.
Tears filled her eyes. Her mouth trembled.
Tor knew her well enough by now to realize how happy she was. “Good?”
She pressed her face against his chest and nodded, clearly too overcome to speak. Tor stroked her hair, saying nothing, giving her time to be whatever way she wanted.
Eventually she eased back and fingered tears from her eyes. “I want to go out front to show everyone my new tat and brag on you.”
“Thanks but you better not for a couple of weeks. Don’t want this baby getting infected. Let me get you bandaged up then we can take off. Hungry?” They hadn’t had anything for hours.
“I could eat. Want to walk to your uncle’s place? It’s nice outside.”
Even the weather was cooperating with their romantic fantasy, going from hazy and humid to clear and slightly cool. Tor smiled. “Sounds good.”
When he’d finished and Marnie was dressed, she looked around for her purse. “Did you put my bag in one of the cabinets?”
Tor shook his head and continued to clean up his space. “You must have left it in the pickup.” He handed her his keys.
She kissed him briefly and left his station.
Marnie gave Jasmina and Lauren a thumbs-up as she hurried to the front door. Lauren smiled. Jasmina didn’t see, her attention on the outside. Today, there were even more gawkers than usual, some of them looking like tourists, the others probably locals watching Van Gogh ink a twentysomething guy in the window.
Marnie’s finished tat had her smiling so hard, her cheeks hurt. She was steps away from the parlor—behind the crowd and heading for Tor’s pickup—when she heard the slap of footfalls behind her, someone moving fast.
She waited for the individual to pass. Whoever it was didn’t, seeming to keep up with her. Marnie slowed and looked over.