Page 31 of Sugar and Skulls

The words I’ve been dreading and longing for all at the same time. Ignoring him, I continue to punish his skin. Wishing the needle would go deeper. Would puncture his heart so that he could feel the pain I felt while wishing, hoping that he would come for me.

He shifts uncomfortably. Backing my gun away from his skin, I scold, “Jesus, sit still. You act like this is your first tattoo.” I wipe the excess ink away before meeting his gaze.

“I’m so, so, sorry, Jess,” he says with pleading eyes.

“You must be confused. I’m an artist, not a therapist. I’m not here to make you feel better about yourself.” Rising from my chair I begin to pull my gloves off.

“No.” He reaches out to stop me. “I’ll shut the fuck up.” He leans back in the chair and closes his eyes.

Reluctantly I sit back down. Surprisingly, he keeps his promise even though he periodically opens and closes his mouth like a goddamn fish out of water. I’m not looking forward to all the words that are begging to fall from his lips.

Placing a thin layer of ointment over the finished piece, I hesitantly raise my eyes. He smiles at me sadly. “Done.” My feet push against the floor sending my stool rolling away from him.

I walk out, leaving him to stare in the mirror.

The heat hits me in the face when I open the door. Dirk is leaning against the building. I lean over and snag his cigarettes out of his pocket as I take a step down. He smirks as I put one in my mouth before tucking the pack back in his pocket, patting it for good measure.

Big Dan starts towards us from across the street. “No smoking. Jesse, goddammit,” he growls.

Dirk tosses me his lighter. I light my cigarette and toss it back just as Dan joins us. I stretch my arm out towards him keeping him at arm’s length as I take a long, much needed drag. “After what you just made me do you can fuck off. I’m inhaling this entire thing.”

Dan places his hands on his hips and huffs like an angry mama bear.

I roll my eyes, sharing a knowing look with Dirk. He laughs until Dan slaps him in the chest.

“So, you next?” I ask, tipping my head towards Dirk.

Without taking his scowling eyes off Dan he answers me, “Not a fucking chance.”

“Why? Do I got you spooked?” Sarcasm drips off my tongue before I can stop it.

That fucking scary eyebrow pops up on his scary fucking face, sending my heart galloping and my thighs clenching.

Why do I do that? Why?

There is something that makes me want to push his buttons. Provoke him. He makes me want to run only to see if he’ll follow. God what is wrong with me?

Calculating, stormy eyes make their way from Dan to me. Oh god, I’m going to pay for that later.

“Got no room for you to paint your pretty pictures, baby.” He gestures down his body with both hands. My dad joins us for a smoke. Dirk and I don’t take our eyes off each other.

A slow smile spreads across my face. “You got plenty of real estate. How about that empty spot on the top of your thigh? That spot’s mine, baby.” I back away, flicking my cigarette butt at him before heading inside.

I hear my dad and Dan roar at the same time. Fucking grizzly bears.

Chapter Thirteen

Dirk

???

Before you get your shackles all stirred up, hear me out. Jesse isn’t your normal girl. I know, I know she’s seventeen but just so you know the legal age of consent here in the great state of Nevada is sixteen. She’s a year and fucking half above that. And…she looks and acts at least a good ten above that, just saying.

Now, I’m not stupid. I’ve not forgotten the risk to my balls or my dick. But, I’m not worried about either of those. It’s my fucking heart that’s got me concerned.

She is my Eve, the girl who is going to lead me down a damming path. Oh, who am I kidding I’ve been on that path most of my life. However, she is a hairpin turn. I can’t see what’s up ahead and I’m coming in at nine-o. I need to put my foot on the break real quick.

Bill and Dan are both in my face the minute the door closes behind her. That little bitch is going to spend a considerable about of time on her knees for that little stunt. When she turns eighteen of course, even though we already went through all that. Besides, I never said I was good man. I’m being generous here. She is asking for it. She will be begging for it by the time her birthday rolls around.

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