Page 39

THIRTY-EIGHT

PARANOIA

NOTE TO SELF—FROM FIRST TO LAST

DOMINIC

T he soft hum of the tattoo gun resonates in my ears as I glide it across the client’s skin, deliberately avoiding the bare, hardened nipple just inches away. Normally, I’d be tempted by someone like her, but my thoughts are consumed by Calista, who stays at the forefront of my mind.

With each jagged scrape of the needle, the girl in the chair lets out a playful moan, nibbling on her lip as a pained hiss escapes her throat.

“Do you want me to stop?” I ask, directing my focus solely on her face, determined to ignore her exposed chest.

“Oh, no. Please keep going,” she giggles, locking her gaze with mine, as if attempting to spark something between us.

To her credit, she’s doing everything right, but I’m no longer interested in picking up random girls like I used to. Still, she doesn’t need to know that.

Each time the bell above the front door jingles, my heart skips a beat, paranoia clutches my throat, and my gloved hands grow clammy with the feat of my father walking in. His visit is imminent, and with the buzzing rumors about his knowledge of Calista’s return, I’m bracing myself for the moment he steps through the door and turns my fucking world upside down.

Then, the bell rings again, and the door swings open with a gust from the wind outside. I glance up and catch sight of Cali as she saunters into my shop; her platinum hair is elegantly styled into two French braids, cascading over her shoulders and stopping just below her perky tits. Unlike her typical all-black look, she wears a pretty blue dress that hugs her curves perfectly, with the hem teasingly short, just inches below her ass. A snug black leather jacket adorns her arms but remains unzipped, drawing attention to the ample cleavage peeking from the neckline of her dress. I can’t help but let my eyes drift over her body, noting the crisp white knee-high socks she’s sporting and the pair of sleek blue Vans that compliment her dress beautifully.

“What are you doing here?” I ask with a smile playing across my lips, finishing the tattoo as quickly as I can but still making sure I do it right.

She sits down in the chair by my desk, flashing a pretty grin that dances along her glossy lips. “I wanted to get a tattoo,” she says, and I look at her with a slight expression of shock on my face.

“I’m almost done here, so if you don’t mind waiting, I’ll take you as soon as I finish.”

“Oh, of course, I don’t mind waiting.” Cali winks, crossing her legs but making a point to tease me subtly in the process.

A huff of annoyance escapes my client’s mouth, letting me know that she’s pissed off and feeling threatened. Trying not to let Calista’s presence distract me, I focus on the tattoo, satisfied with the final outcome when I finally do turn off the gun and set it on the tray.

Once she leaves, it’s just Cali and I alone in the shop, but the paranoia poisoning my mind still lingers, threatening to derail our time alone together.

I get up and lock the door, flipping the sign to closed.

Turning around, Cali is right in front of me, her jacket discarded on the chair she was sitting on. Biting her lip with her pretty eyes narrowed, she reaches out and grabs the waistband of my jeans, giving me a slight tug that pulls me against her body.

“I’ve missed you, Dom,” she admits in a sultry voice, her blue eyes sparkling in the shop’s lighting. “I hate not being able to stay with you guys.”

I nod, agreeing with the current living situation that we’ve agreed to, all to protect her from our fathers, who are getting closer and closer every day.

“I know, me too, but this is the only way we can keep you safe, at least for now.” I wrap my arms around her, pulling her in for a hug, my eyes catching the first snowflakes of the season as they cascade from the sky and blanket the city in a layer of glistening white.

As Cali nestles into my embrace, the warmth of her body against mine chases away the chill from the window. I can feel the tension that built up from the day slowly melting into the background, the feat that had wrapped tight in my gut giving way to the familiar thrill of her presence.

“Can we just forget everything for a second?” she murmurs, looking up at me with those irresistible eyes that always draw me in.

There’s vulnerability hidden in her smile—a flicker of longing that sends a wave of protectiveness washing over me.

“Believe me, it sounds tempting,” I reply, my voice low and grainy with unspent desire. “But we can’t.”

But even as I say it, the weight of our reality presses on my shoulders. I can’t afford to let my guard down—not now, not when I know that our fathers would tear us apart without even blinking if they had the chance. A playful pout forms on her lips, and she leans in just enough that I can feel her breath against my skin, intoxicating and sweet like the promise of a forbidden kiss.

“You’re no fun, you know that?” she teases, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear and giving me that same trademark smirk that always makes my heart race.

“No, wait,” I say, almost losing my train of thought as I regain my composure. “You don’t know what I’d do if I had the chance to be with you right now and what might happen if I let my defenses down.”

Cali, always bold and fearless, takes my hesitation as a challenge. In an impulsive flurry, she steps closer, pressing her body against mine again, her hands sliding up my chest to my shoulders.

“I’m not afraid of what might happen. I’m only afraid of what I might miss if I don’t take the chance.” Her voice softens, becoming serious, and I can see genuine sincerity in her deep blue eyes—a mix of vulnerability and fire that awakens something deep within me.

I can’t ignore the way her words twist my insides, urging me to lean in to let the world outside fade away along with the paranoia.

I run my fingers through my hair, frustrated yet tempted. “It’s not that simple, Cali. They’re coming after us—after you—and we need to be alert so they don’t catch us off guard.”

I search for the right words to express how much I want her, how much I want to throw caution to the wind and lose myself in this moment, but my instincts scream for caution.

“Maybe it can be,” she responds softly. “Maybe all we need is one night—one night to forget about everything else.” Her eyes twinkle with a confidence that could sway oceans, and I can’t help but get sucked deeper into her orbit.

I want to say yes and let the world slip away. I want to pull her close and forget the fears that haunt us. I want to drown in her laughter and the warmth of her touch. But I’m fucking afraid, paranoid of being found out and having her ripped away from me when I just got her fucking back.

“You said you want a tattoo, right?”

She nods, still clinging to my jeans, refusing to let go of me. “I do.”

“Alright then, let’s go to the back so you can tell me what you want.” I wink, trying to flirt with her, but I’m not sure how it comes off.

I was never good at flirting, but Cali deserves all of the perks that love comes along with. She never got to experience what most of us did growing up, so I’m trying my hardest to give her everything I can.

Back in my office, Cali lies on her stomach in the chair, her dress lifted over her ass, exposing the smooth flesh gracing her lower back. Giving me a devious look, she props her elbow up, resting her face in the palm of her hand.

“Isn’t this a gorgeous sight?” I point out, my eyes drawn to her supple ass and tiny black thong she’s wearing. “I take it you want something.”

“On my lower back,” she wiggles her brows, watching as I gather all the materials I need.

“You sure you want to lie down? Or would you rather sit up and bend forward?” I ask, pulling on a pair of black latex gloves, anxious to feel her body tremble beneath me as I draw a masterpiece on her delicate skin.

“Hmm, how about you sit in the chair and I sit on your lap with my back to you?” she suggests, smirking as if she has something in mind.

“Get the fuck up, Pretty Eyes,” I demand, using the very first nickname that I ever gave her.

A hint of realization flashes in her eyes, and a small, genuine smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she eagerly gets up so I can sit down.

Never having done a tattoo like this before, nervousness rushes through me, fearing I might fuck it up if I become too distracted. But I’m willing to give it a shot anyway.

I sit in the chair and pat my lap, desperate for her to sit so I can feel her juicy ass over my dick. She sits, keeping her dress pulled up past her hips, slightly leaning forward with her elbows on the chair to support her weight.

Fuck, the site I'm subjected to has my dick growing beneath her, and the overwhelming need to be inside her is stronger than it's been in a while.

"So, what am I doing?" I ask, my eyes glued to her ass.

"Surprise me," is all she says, looking back at me over her shoulder with a wink. "You're already hard, Dom," she points out, giggling with a gleam of mischief clouding her eyes.

"What can I say? When you're sitting like this on my lap, it's fucking impossible not to be." I bite my lip, suppressing the urge to drop everything I'm doing just to slide inside of her.

Slightly lifting her hips, she reaches under her ass and swiftly unzips my pants, pulling my dick out with one hand. Pushing her lacy thong to the side, she aligns my dick with her entrance and slowly slides down my shaft, wiggling her hips to ease me in fully. Once seated inside her snug pussy, she puts an arch in her back and looks at me again over her shoulder, winking playfully.

"Go ahead, Dominic," she moans. "Tattoo me while I ride you. Let's see how good of an artist you really are."

Accepting the challenge, I turn on the gun, my eyes rolling back as she gently rocks back and forth, my cock burrowed between her tight, wet walls.

"You're fucking crazy," I laugh, putting the inked needles to her skin.

"No, Dom, I'm fucking psychotic." Her hands grip my knees, and she holds on tight, feeling the instant burn from the needles digging into her skin.

"Little Psycho is right; definitely fits you one hundred percent." My voice comes out strained as she rides me, making sure to take it nice and slow so I'm still able to tattoo her without fucking up.

But even as I concentrate on keeping the needle steady, the electric thrill coursing through me with every slide of her body against mine threatens to break my focus. She’s pushing me to my limits, each slow grind igniting a fire within that somehow mixes with the undeniable urge to create my art.

I trace the design that pops into my head—the name Little Psycho on top of a horizontal knife with blood dripping down her skin—across her lower back, my hand steady despite the temptation of the heat radiating off her skin.

“You’re going to need to hold still, Cali,” I murmur, my breath uneven as she shifts on my lap, her movements driving me nearly wild.

“C’mon, Dom,” she teases, her voice sultry and low. “You’re the artist here. Let’s see just how talented you are under pressure.”

I arch an eyebrow at the challenge. “Don’t blame me when your tattoo comes out like a toddler colored it if you can’t stay still.”

She throws her head back in laughter, sending chills down my spine. “Oh, trust me. I’m all in for the ride. Just don’t expect me to make it easy for you.”

I grit my teeth against the distraction, focusing on the needle gliding over her skin, but the sensation of her warmth enveloping me is overwhelming. Each slow roll of her hips makes me forget momentarily that we are in my shop—one that could invite far too many eyes if someone were to walk in.

Thank God I locked the doors so that wouldn't happen.

“Just like that,” she whispers as she leans forward slightly, giving me better access to her skin while still grinding on my cock.

The brush of her body against mine sends shockwaves through me, but I maintain my concentration, determined to make this moment perfect despite the chaos around us. Engrossed in the delicate curves of ink on her back, I can’t help but steal glances at her reflection in the nearby mirror. The way her hair cascades like spun gold against her flushed cheeks fills me with an overwhelming sense of admiration.

While a part of me craves to toss aside the tattoo gun and lose myself in her completely, the other part knows the stakes at play.

“Just hold on. You’re almost done.” I try to reassure myself more than her, letting the needle glide effortlessly across her skin.

Sweat coats my brow as she picks up the rhythm, her movements becoming bolder, as if trying to muster the courage to break free of the restraints we have put around ourselves.

“Does it hurt?” I ask, genuinely curious, even as I work the needle expertly.

"Only a little,” she lies, grinning with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “But honestly? This feels so fucking good." Her words send a jolt of exhilaration through me, ripping away any remnant of logical thought I’ve held onto in this reckless moment.

Just then, she decides to grind her hips down harder against me, and I’m forced to stifle a groan.

“Damn,” I rasp, my voice laced with pent-up desire. “You’re killing me, Pretty Eyes.”

“Not yet, but I’m getting there,” she counters, her breath hitching as I finish the last outline.

With each movement, I lean closer toward her, allowing the vanilla scent of her shampoo to envelop me; the soft braids in her hair caress my cheek lightly, intoxicating me. I focus on filling in the dripping blood, the small flicks of color glowing in my eyes as my hip tenses, my cock throbbing inside her.

“Just a little bit longer, Cali,” I coax, hoping desperately that a few more moments will be enough to keep us both in this bubble of heated bliss.

“Take your time,” she urges, adding playful thrusts that make my mind whirl and my resolve shimmer with doubt. “I’ve got nowhere to be... except for right here, with you.”

Her words slice through me, amplifying the fire that burns low in my gut. Every pass of the needle becomes more drawn out, not to prolong the tattoo but to savor this moment, the exhilarating thrill of forbidden intimacy swirling, enveloping us in something we’ve both desired for too long.

“Fuck... almost there...” I breathe heavily, my hands guiding the machine with precision, grounding myself in the task at hand while she rolls her wide hips and winds her body like a wave, pulling me under water alongside her.

The mixture of pain and pleasure pushes us both closer to the edge, the tattoo finishing before I have the chance to come.

“Done! It's a fucking masterpiece,” I finally declare, pulling away to admire my work—a shiny, bloody knife with the words 'Little Psycho' in dark red, the dripping blood looking as if its actually gliding down her back.

Cali turns around to face me, her eyes wide as she gazes at the intricate tattoo and then back into my eyes, a fire igniting in the depths of her pupils. “It’s beautiful, Dom.”

“Not as beautiful as you,” I retort, abandoning my resolve as I pull her in for a passionate kiss, our lips crashing together.

I set the tattoo gun down and use my hands to clasp around her waist, holding tightly. Without any sort of warning, I slam her down on my dick, feeling her fucking shatter, milking me with her slick release.

"Dom!" she gasps into my mouth, and I selfishly swallow her muffled words.

"Fuck, yeah. Come all over my dick, Pretty Eyes," I urge, feeling my balls tighten and my cock pulse inside her, on the cusp of coming myself.

I pull her back to my chest and hook my arm around her, preventing her from moving. She lies her head back onto my shoulder, her hands desperately grasping at my knees as she tries to find something to anchor herself to me. I thrust my hips, meeting her ass as she slams down on me again, breaking through my walls so fucking easily.

"Fuck," I groan, feeling a warm gush of cum jet into her, my body trembling from the chaotic orgasm that has my mind spinning in glee.

Sinking my teeth into the side of her neck, I drag my tongue along her skin and suck hard, leaving a dark red bite mark behind by the time I finally release her.

We come down together, shaking and spent, gasping for air as the shop begins to close in around us. Nothing seems to matter in this moment—not the fear of my father finding out, not the burn of her fresh tattoo, not even her parents out there hunting for her. Absolutely nothing fucking matters besides me and Cali, stuck together in a mix of sweat and cum, and there's nowhere else I'd rather fucking be.