Chapter 60

Lilly


After the meeting, everyone left to go about their day. Tank and remained in the booth just holding each other. It is like since he found out I was using myself as bait he is afraid to let me go. Not that I mind being in his lap. There is nothing sexual about it, just comfort. For him or me or both I’m not sure. I don’t know how long we sat there before Tank said “ Lilly, I was going to try to surprise you with this but after some thought I decided it wouldn’t be a good idea.” I rub my hand under his kutte to his back. “ What is it, honey?”

He kisses my forehead “ I like it when you call me honey. And Nick. I like them both. It makes me smile.” I smile “If it makes you smile then I will make a point to call you it more often. You are even more handsome when you do. Now tell me about the surprise. I’m bubbling with curiosity.” Tank laughs “ Merigold has finished your mark tattoo.It turned out better than I expected. Not surprising since it is Merigold’s work. I would like to take you to my shop tonight to get it done if you are ready.” I can tell the poor guy is nervous. But I don’t understand why? Does he think I won’t accept his mark? Or is he worried I won’t like it? When he first told me that Merigold was helping him with it I was ecstatic. They both do wonderful work.

I do the only thing I can think of to settle his nerves. “ When can we go?” “ Now if you want. The shop is closed so it will just be the two of us.” he says. “ Then what are we waiting for?” I giggle. Tank stands still holding me and walks out of the club to the truck. He yells for Harley to load up and we are off. When we arrive Tank gets out of the truck after telling me to sit tight while he unlocks the door. He comes back and picks me up. I wanted to tell him to put me down so I could walk but I felt like being clingy for a minute. What? He is my ol’e man after all, I can be clingy for a few minutes. I don’t do it often so a minute or two won’t hurt.

He sets me down in a chair and locks the door again. He felt him sit in front of me “ Before I put you in the chair to work.Where would you like me to put your tattoo?” I think about it and since I have no clue as to how big it is or what it looks like I decide to put the choice in his hands. “ Honey, I trust you. This is your area of expertise. I leave it all to you.” He gave me a quick kiss and said “ Thank you for trusting me.” “ Anytime.” I said. And it was the truth. Unless he ever proved me wrong I would trust him. Tank helps me to a table it feels like and helps me sit down. “ I am going to put it high on your shoulder so it can be seen. I’m going to pull down your strap so it won’t be in the way.” He pauses for a second. “ Actually it would be better if you took your shirt off. Then I'm going to help you lay down on your stomach.”

I don’t question him about the shirt even though a small part of me wants to. I take my shirt off. He helps me lay down and puts my arm to my side. “ Nick, before you start can I ask a few questions?” “ Of course,” he says. “ First, is it going to hurt? Second, do you ask all of your clients to take their clothes off? And lastly, would you tell me about the design?” “ It may hurt. Think of it as a sunburn that will be gone by tomorrow. But I will talk you through every part of it. I promise and yes I will describe it to you as I do it. As for asking people to take their clothes off. I won’t lie to you. I have had to ask some clients to take something off from time to time. It depends on where they want the tattoo done. It is a mix of men and women and it is all strictly professional. I never looked at them as anything other than a canvas. A job. Except with you. I could have just pulled your strap down but I like seeing you without your shirt.This whole thing is very personal. And I will take in all your beauty.” He says.

“ Always the romantic, my Nick.” I giggle. “ Only for you. You are the only one I want to be romantic with.” Tank gets started first wiping my shoulder with a cleaner. Then he lays the pattern on my shoulder and rubs it in. “ Lilly, I’m going to start now with the outline. We are going to do it in black. Remember what I said about the burn. If it becomes too much you tell me and we will take a break.” Once I agree he starts tattooing. He is right about the burn. It isn’t too bad and I’m able to breathe through it. The whole time he is working he talks me through. Changing colors or working on a different part of the design he tells me everything. I am able to get the general idea of what it looks like. And it is beautiful.