Page 46 of Possession

“It’s okay, Declan, let him come around on his own terms, it’s how he is.” The corner of my lip lifted. “He’s just as gruff as I remembered. If not more.”

Declan laughed. “He’s an asshole on most days. Don’t let him get to you.”

“I won’t.” I’d almost convinced myself.

“See you in a few minutes.” Declan grinned just before he turned and opened his bedroom door.

The bathroom was just across the hall, and once I was under the bright lights I cringed. I was worse than I thought. I reached into my jeans pocket and pulled out a hair tie. I quickly assembled a top knot and secured it into place. After splashing some cool water on my face and patting it dry with a towel from under the sink, I stole some toothpaste and brushed my teeth with my finger. The sour taste of my mouth rinsed away with cold water and, as I took another cursory glance in the mirror, I decided this was as good as it was going to get.

Declan was sitting on a bar stool doodling on a piece of paper in the kitchen when I emerged with my bag over my shoulder. He glanced up at me and gave me a gorgeous smile that reached his eyes. His full lips spread even bigger as he assessed me.

“You look nice.” He stood and pocketed the drawing.

“Thanks.” I laughed.

“Would you like to see the shop?” He placed his left hand in his pocket and motioned with his right toward the door.

“Sure.”

I tamped down the fear of seeing Liam again so that I could let myself enjoy the invitation into Declan’s new world.

The air was crisp and dense with the electricity of autumn as we descended the stairs. I shivered and Declan wrapped his arm around me as we walked the short distance from the bottom of the stairs to the back door of the tattoo parlor. The heat of his body was an instant relief, as well as the gesture.

He squeezed me once before dropping his arm to open the door. Once inside, my eyes devoured everything. The art on the walls, some of it I could tell was Declan’s, but the rest were mish mashes of style. From the typical tattoos to the more intricate. Some pieces drawn with an obvious delicate hand and others angrier. The floors were stark white and each station had red leather tables. We’d passed a few empty spots, but as we neared the center of the shop I felt the eyes of everyone in the room. The hair on the back of my neck stood at attention as I heard Liam’s deep voice.

“It’s just a fucking chick, Kemper, calm the hell down.” Liam laughed and smacked who I assumed was Kemper on the shoulder.

Declan linked my hand with his as we approached them and my heart began to sprint. “Hey, Kemp, this is Paige, an old friend of mine.”

Declan’s tone was jovial, warm, unburdened. He was in his element. I gave Kemper a wave and marveled at all the jewelry in his face. Both nostrils were pierced along with his eyebrows. He even had a piercing in his lip. He was reed thin, tall, and his black Mohawk was flat and slicked back.

“It’s a girl,” he said with wonder and Liam smacked him in the back of the head this time.

“Of course it’s a girl, you fucking idiot.” Liam laughed and nodded his head at me. I noticed a slight narrowing of his eyes before he turned away. He didn’t trust me, but he wasn’t kicking me out either.

Declan chuckled and the sound of it vined around my heart and gave it a squeeze.

“It’s nice to meet you.” My voice was too timid. Avenues Ink, with its clean lines, blood-red furniture, and black counter tops, it was bold and I was just a spectator.

“She speaks.” Kemper winked and gave me a goofy, lopsided smile. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with a—”

“First time for everything,” Kieran’s familiar voice sounded right next to me and I jumped. “Hey, Declan…” He smiled at me. “Welcome to the shop, Paige.” He continued past us as if it was just like any other day.

“Good to meet you.” Kemper leaned in with a conspiratorial grin plastered to his face. “I was starting to think Declan didn’t like girls.” He laughed at his own joke.

“Get the fuck to work, man.” Declan shoved Kemper’s shoulder in jest and he grimaced.

“Easy, meat head.” Kemper gave me another once over before he walked away rubbing his arm.

Declan tugged on my hand. “This is me.” He nodded his head to the station to the right and then led me to the work table. “Have a seat.” He let go of my hand with a mischievous smile.

I took a seat on the table, and the stiff leather gave way to my weight. It was comfortable and inviting and I suddenly could see myself lying here, eyes closed, letting Declan cover me with his art.

“I was thinking.” He reached into his pocket and handed me the drawing from earlier, but it was more than a drawing. The quote“I am, I am, I am”was written in his handwriting and just below it was a heart rhythm. Something you’d see on a monitor in a hospital. The line was jagged with actual marked beats… three, to be exact. “I could do this… if you wanted.”

I flicked my gaze from the paper to his eyes. His hand rubbed at the back of his neck as if he was nervous, but the smile that played at his lips suggested otherwise. I’d never really wanted a tattoo, but this… I looked at the paper again and then back at Declan. This was perfect.

“Where would you place it?” I asked and his smile widened.

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