“You want me to what?”

I was sitting in my new favorite spot on the planet, straddling Davis when he was buried deep inside of me, throbbing as I clenched around him. We both were still coming down from another cataclysmic orgasm, breaths coming in deep gulps.

Davis kept his eyes trained on mine, the definition of intense . “You heard me. I want you to design a tattoo for me.”

I wasn’t sure if he meant it, or if he thought this was a way to please me. Both options made me happy because I’d love to put a tattoo on his skin, all those miles of smooth sun kissed flesh, and those dips and planes of his hard body.

“I’ll do it. But only if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure. Design something you think I’ll like.” His expression was determined, serious, and while I wanted him to be certain, I already had a few ideas running through my mind. “I trust you.”

“Why?” I put his hands on my chest and clamped around him, rolling my head back and closing my eyes.

“Shouldn’t I?”

“You can trust me with your skin, Davis.” That was about all he could trust me with, but the weekend had been so nice I didn’t want to ruin it. Yet. “Now where were we? Orgasm number two or three?”

“Who’s counting?”

I grinned at him. “I am.” I was up by one and determined to even us up before we got dressed for an afternoon walking around the city.

Just over an hour later we left the hotel hand in hand, lost in our little bubble of…whatever. “I say beignets and coffee for breakfast. Irish coffee. What do you think?”

“I think your kisses will taste delicious with powdered sugar on it.” His words were so cheesy, but I loved it and that was…unsettling. But I was going with it because Davis gave good, genuine compliments and he was easy to be with. I didn’t have to pretend, I could just be.

“I’m buying.”

He pulled closer and I could see the scowl on his face thanks to the little bunching of skin between his eyebrows. “We’ll see about that.”

“Sexist,” I pouted playfully.

“Hey,” he leaned in and kissed my cheek. “I let you be on top, didn’t I?”

“Let? You’ve been hanging around the guys at the firehouse too much if you think that choice was yours.”

“Come on. I need some coffee before your sass makes sense to me.”

I let him pull me along through the streets of New Orleans, musicians already set up on their corners with sultry, bluesy tunes drifting on the breeze. Hand in hand with an honest to goodness good guy, it seemed surreal, like the dreams I used to have back before I knew better. But I leaned against him and gripped his hand tighter, let him guide me until we found a cute little restaurant with white tablecloths and big comfortable chairs. We were seated by the window so we could watch the city outside. It was perfect. “This is just right, you know?”

His blue eyes softened and he placed his hand on top of mine, looking at me like this was real. Really real. “I do know, Mags. It feels like we’ve done this a million times, doesn’t it?”

I nodded, because what the hell else could I do? “Thanks for coming with me.”

“I’d go anywhere with you, Magenta.”

“You really know how to make me go all squishy, don’t you? Are these practiced lines, or are you just that good?” It was something I always wondered about him, especially in those months after we first parted when I missed him like crazy.

“I think maybe you just bring it out of me.”

“I think I might like the thought of that.”

As the day progressed it became more than a thought. It became a dream that started to focus and sharpen in my mind. Weekends like this with Davis between busy weeks filled with work and errands, long nights in bed. It all was too real. So real I could feel the happiness skating along my skin, the actual warmth in my chest.

It was creepy.

And scary.

“Come on, let’s go burn off some of this caffeine.” I surprised Davis when I took his hand and clasped it with mine, tugging him back out onto the crowded street filled with tourists up to start a new day, musicians just heading home for a nap and an odd mix of other walks of life. It as refreshing.

It felt right in all the ways that matter, exploring such a rich and artistic city with Davis. “Why aren’t all these people making albums,” he said as we passed a teenage girl with the voice of a woman twice her age.

“We all want to succeed on our terms, Davis. Even you.”

“There’s only one way to fight fires.”

I looked up at him. “Really, aren’t smoke jumpers like totally elite and exclusive?” Looking at his boyishly handsome face, especially when he smiled, you’d never guess he was a firefighting badass. But once glimpse at that body and it was either firefighter or superhero.

“Okay, fine. Point taken.”

“I’ve never gotten to spend any real time in this city. It’s an experience.”

I loved this city. It was definitely one of my top five cities because of the quirky vibe it had, the deep roots and rich history. Something about this place called to me, which was probably why I had no problem staying in Belle Musique so long.

“It’s a way of life.”

“Does that mean you’re thinking about staying?”

I looked up at him and I saw the questions in his eyes. He wanted me to stay, or at least he thought he did. “I haven’t thought about anything else since you showed up, Davis.”

“But you’re not happy about it.” It wasn’t a question, because though we hadn’t known each other long, Davis knew me.

“I’m no good for you, Davis. Things are fine, now, but eventually my quirks will get on your nerves and my smart mouth will annoy you. You’ll resent the things you think you like now, and we’ll grow to hate each other.” The last thing I wanted was to admit to all of this out on a crowded city street, but the hope he had was contagious and it made me forget.

Davis looked down at me, heart in his eyes. Looking sad and apologetic at the same time. “You really believe that?”

I nodded. “I do. I’ve never been able to make any relationships work, Davis.”

“Bullshit,” he challenged, refusing to release me when I try to tug free. “You have a relationship with Trish. Vivi and Maddie, hell even Aunt Mae. Mason. Me.”

“Now.”

“That’s how relationships work, Magenta. They don’t work out with most of the people in the world until you find the friends, the family, that one person who gets you, who understands you and who loves you for exactly who you are. Smart ass and all.” His lips quirked into a smile, but I could see the seriousness in his gaze. “Then those people stick. Look at your brother, none of his relationships worked out before. Until Trish.”

“Okay, yeah but-,”

“Same thing with Vivi and Nash from what I hear. Zeke and Maddie too. Plus every other couple in the world. Got anymore excuses?”

Nope. I had none. Dammit.

“I didn’t think so. Come on, I heard there’s a place where we can get grownup slushies. With booze.” Without another word or any further pressure, Davis wrapped an arm around me and pulled me along.

It was the best date of my life. We walked around the city, stopping along the way to buy souvenirs, get drinks and snacks. Art. We talked and laughed, dipped into shaded corners to make out, and we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.

To me, it felt a lot like love.

God, I hoped I was wrong.