Cleaning up my space, I take all the necessary steps to make sure everything is properly disinfected. I never leave before I’ve completed this process. The ramifications of skipping a step could be life altering. There’s a stringent process you have to go through to procure a license to open a tattoo studio. I had to be trained on bloodborne pathogens and how to prevent them from spreading. I take every aspect of owning my own business seriously. Cleanliness, customer service and satisfaction - one isn’t more important than the other.

Flipping off the lights, I shut the door and head out to the front of the studio, waving as I pass Sean on the way. “I’m outta here, man.”

“Go have some fun with, Elle.” He wiggles his eyebrows up and down. “I’ll lock up when I’m done.”

“Sounds good on all counts. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

* * *

My palms are damp as I approach Kyle and Janny’s front door. I’m excited to see Elle. Last night when I was lying in bed replaying our time together, I sent her a text.

Me: Sweet dreams, beautiful.

I was relieved when it didn’t take more than a minute for her to reply.

Elle: If I dream of you, they’re sure to be sweet.

I didn’t have time to text or call her today and now I’m a little anxious about seeing her. Will things be awkward again - or will she be happy to see me? Either is possible and with the way our interactions have gone for the past six months, I’m afraid to hope for the best.

Pushing the door open, I step inside. Hearing some female voices coming from the kitchen area, I head in that direction. I’m pleasantly surprised when I find the object of my affection and Janny busily working, preparing the food.

My steps are silent as I sneak up behind Elle. She shrieks when my arms wrap around her waist and my lips move into the curve of her neck. Chuckling against her skin, my mouth moves to the bottom of her ear. “Hi.”

She tips her head, allowing me to trail kisses down the side of her neck. “Mm, you scared me, but this makes up for it.” Her hands rub over the top of mine where they’re clasped around her waist.

“I missed you,” I whisper in her ear.

She spins around in my arms, hands sliding up my chest to curl over the top of my shoulders. “I missed you, more.” Her tongue slicks over her bottom lip and I have to fight with every bit of strength I can summon to resist the urge to devour her. I want to strip her naked, sit her on the counter and eat her pussy for hours, but now is not the time or place.

Eyes locked on one another, we stare, frozen in the desire we’re struggling with. Both of us know the slightest motion might propel us beyond the edge of reason.

“Wow, this is new and exciting,” Janny interrupts, snapping both of us out of our heated stare off. “How long has this been going on?”

Our heads snap in her direction. The huge smile on her face has Elle and I both returning it.

Glancing down at the watch fastened around my wrist, I say, “about fourteen hours.”

“Oh, wow,” is her only reply as she picks up a tray of appetizers and hurries from the room.

“Yep, wow,” Elle says with a wink aimed at me.

Leaning forward, I brush my lips over hers. They taste so sweet, I do it once more. “I really did miss you. My bed was lonely last night.” My hands move to the counter, one on each side, caging her in.

“Your bed didn’t have to be lonely. That was your own fault,” she fires back at me, shaking her head.

“My bed’s going to continue to be lonely for the time being,” I inform her.

“Who are you trying to convince? Me or you?” She gestures between us with her index finger before placing it in the center of my chest and trailing it straight down to the top of my cargo shorts. My dick reacts immediately. She owns him completely and the rest of me too, but it’s too soon for her to know.

Swallowing over the lump of desire in my throat, I order myself to calm down. Catching her hand, I raise it to my lips, kissing the tips of her fingers. “What do you say we head outside and join the rest of the party?”

She rolls her eyes.

“Isn’t this where you’d tell me I’m a boy scout?” I joke.

She twists her lips like she’s carefully choosing her words. “Have I told you I’ve always had a thing for boy scouts? It started with Kent James in third grade, then it was Barry Wilson in fourth grade and the list goes on and on.”

“No, you never told me. So that means when you were calling me a boy scout you were really saying you were crazy about me?”

Her teeth press into her bottom lip as she nods, staring up at me with wide brown eyes.

I trail my index finger slowly along the V-shaped neckline of her dress. “I never told you this, but I was a boy scout and I’m really good at tying knots.”

“You already showed me how creative you can be tying a bow tie.”

“I can’t wait to show you what I can do with some rope.” I wink.

“You’re such a tease. It’s not fair.” She grips the material of my black polo shirt with both hands before her palms smooth out the wrinkles.

Catching both her hands in mine, I step backward. “Come on. We need to join the party. I don’t want to be rude and ignore everyone.”

“Just so you know, I’m perfectly fine with ignoring everyone. I’d rather stay in here alone with you.”

“I feel the same, but it would be the wrong thing to do.”

“Do you always have to do the right thing?” she questions with a huff.

“I try to. Does it bother you?”

“Not really. It’s another thing about you that makes you too good for me.”

“Don’t say ridiculous things like that. I’m a regular guy, Elle. Don’t turn me into a hero or a white knight. I make mistakes like everyone else.”

“Not from where I’m standing.” She presses her lips together.

“Where is this coming from?” I ask, frowning.

She averts her gaze and doesn’t answer.

“Elle?” I prompt.

She blows out a large breath. “You deserve someone who’s a better person than me.”

“What are you talking about? You’re a nice person.”

She shakes her head, eyes still avoiding mine.

Capturing her chin between my thumb and index finger I force her to look at me. “I want you, Elle. That’s all. It’s simple. Not anyone else will do. There’s no substitute. You - only you.”

“You say this now, but it won’t take long for you to realize what I mean.”

“Stop insulting the woman I’m falling for. She’s beautiful on the inside and outside. Her biggest flaw is she can’t see the best in herself.” Pulling her into my arms, I caress a hand down the back of her hair. “But I’m going to change all that.”

She leans her cheek on my chest and inhales loudly. “I love the way you smell.”

“Are you trying to change the subject?”

“No, not at all. I wanted you to know. It makes me want to lick you all over.”

“Damn, Elle. You had to go and wake the beast,” I say, flexing my hips so she can feel my hard on. Though my words are teasing and light, I’m beginning to notice when she’s uncomfortable with the direction a conversation is going she’ll say something sexual. It’s a defense mechanism for her and something I’m going to have to be more cognizant of in the future. We’re not going to avoid topics because they’re difficult or uncomfortable to speak about. If we’re going to have a shot at a lasting relationship then nothing is off the table. Anything is fair game.

“Let’s go see what they’ve got to eat. I’m starving.” Tugging on her hand, I lead her through the dining room and out the back door to the spacious deck. As soon as our feet hit the pressure treated wood, all other conversation ceases - or at least that’s what it seems like.

Squeezing Elle’s hand in mine, I move forward toward the table Janny and Kyle are seated at. They both rise as we approach and Janny crashes into my chest with a squeal. “I’m so happy for you guys,” she tells me.

“Me too,” I reply, smiling. I pass her off to Elle and shake Kyle’s hand.

“It’s about time, dude. I’d almost given up hope it would ever happen.” He shakes his head.

“Yeah, yeah. We got together last night.”

“Nice. Better late than never I guess.”

I bump the fist he’s extending toward me. “Where’s Lily?” I ask, looking around.

“Kenna has her. She won’t let anyone else have a turn holding her. I see a baby in their future really soon.” He chuckles. “Derek won’t know what hit him. Sleepless nights, dirty diapers, no sex - it’s horrible and completely awesome at the same time.”

“I was going to say you don’t look too unhappy.”

“Nah, it’s so amazing we created this little angel. She looks so much like Janny, I can’t believe it.”

“You know you’re totally screwed when she’s a teenager. If she looks like her mom you’ll be scaring them all away.” I run a hand over my chin.

“I have no problem with that.” His smile is shark like.

“Good. You can always enlist the help of Derek and me.” I’m sure he can handle it himself. If anyone is up to the challenge, it’s Kyle. He’s so protective of Janny and it will only be worse with Lily.

“Lily is only a month old. We don’t need to worry about boyfriends yet.”

Elle slides her hand around my bicep and leans into me, pressing a tit against my arm. I swear I can feel the tip of her nipple through her dress. Everything about her is a turn on. I don’t think there’s anything I could learn that would drive me away. I’m hooked and there’s nowhere else I want to be.