Page 20 of Make Me Dream of You

“All done,” I say, giving a final wipe to make sure the skin is clean and all the lines are crisp and beautiful before I show her.

She squeals, “Oh my god!” when I hold up the mirror for her. “They are exactly what I wanted. I love them. Thank you.”

Her smile lights up her face.

That face. Big, green eyes and pouty lips, her delicate chin, with the faintest spattering of freckles across her cheeks and the bridge of her refined nose—she really is stunning.

The exuberance in her smile is infectious and I smile back.

I never smile. I sometimes smirk or grin in amusement, but she has me full-on, face-splitting, cheek-hurting smiling.

Fuck is wrong with me?

I apply ointment over her freshly inked skin, cover the tattoos with Tegaderm, and go over aftercare instructions with her. Then I wait outside the room so she can get dressed and I can walk her out since everyone has already left for the night.

“How much do I owe you?” she asks when she comes out.

Her cheeks are still a pretty rose color and I will not let my mind wander to the fact that now I know what shade of pink she turns when her whole body is flushed.

“This one’s on me.”

“Oh! No. I mean, I didn’t come here expecting… I can pay.”

“I know. Consider it a graduation present. Plus, you’re going to design my next tattoo for me, so I’m the one getting the better deal here.”

“But—”

“It’s already done. I’m not taking your money.”

“Noah.” Her eyes are narrowed at me and I’m sure she would be infuriated to learn that instead of being intimidating, she looks even cuter.

I like how she says my name. I like how her voice drops a little lower on the ‘o’ part. And, no, I am not thinking about her little breathy moans combined with ‘ohs’ now. I’m not.

“Let me give you this gift. Please.”

Livvy looks up at me with those big, beautiful eyes. “Okay. I—” She blinks rapidly. “Thank you.”

She lifts up onto her tiptoes and before I register what’s happening, her arms are around my shoulders. Instinctively, my hands go to her waist. Then she presses against my chest, hooking her elbows around my neck at the same time I wrap my arms around her, ratcheting her closer.

Her body melts against mine as I exhale.

I can’t remember that last time I was hugged. Genuinely hugged. Years. Probably at the funeral.

It’s a peace, a comfort, a softness I miss. So I let myself enjoy this feeling and the scent of strawberries in her hair a few moments longer than I ought to.

ANG3L:

Can I ask you for some advice? I need a guy’s perspective

2Horned:

Of course

ANG3L:

And don’t bullshit me, be brutally honest

2Horned:

---