Chapter 14
We ended the day with a thruple acting-out elaborate Samp;M role play. The pictures were so sexy I almost needed to take five during the shoot to cool off. When I finished putting away the whips and chains from the last session, I found Haley taking down the backdrops.
“Hales, you can head out and continue to make nice with Adam.” It wasn’t that I didn’t want her to stay, but my brain was too cloudy, and I had promised Shanny I would try to meet her tonight.
“Oh, I’m going to more than make nice. I have a different kind of surprise for him. But I’ll finish my job first.” She winked, and I wasn’t sure when she crossed to this level of sauciness. Maybe the last shoot did something to her, too.
“On that note, let’s wrap this up quickly.” I wanted her to leave here while she was rearing and ready.
It only took thirty minutes to have the studio presentable, and that was fine with me. Tomorrow was an editing day, and I didn’t have clients scheduled. So, hopefully, I could enjoy tonight and clear my head.
“All right. What do you say we get out of here?” I wasn’t really asking as I was already setting the alarm to leave.
“Okay. I can finish all this in the morning.” Haley wasn’t happy with the lackluster clean-up, but she didn’t argue.
After we left the studio, we went in opposite directions. As I walked to Double Shift, I texted Shanny.
Me: On my way!
Shannon: Sounds good, but change of plans.
Me: Still meeting at the bar?
Shannon: Yep. I’m already here! She gave me a winky face emoji.
As I walked into Double Shift, I saw Shannon alone at the bar. I grabbed the seat next to her and sat down.
“Hey, what’s the change of plans?” I waved to the bartender to get a drink.
“The girl I was supposed to meet canceled. So, I guess I’ll look around here.” She shrugged as she took a drink from her straw until she slurped the bottom of the glass.
“Are you okay?” Something seemed off.
“Do you ever wonder if there’s something more to life?” She was getting existential. It might have been the alcohol talking, but I understood the sentiment.
“Like more than hooking up?” The bartender brought me a drink, and I took a sip.
“Yeah. What are we doing? It’s like I’m going through the motions, but I’m not living.”
“All right, we need to get out of our heads and do something exciting?”
“That sounds good to me. What did you have in mind?” She perked up, and I loved seeing her smile.
“What if we get tattoos? You always wanted one. So…”
“Umm… that seems like something Young Shannon would’ve done. Adult Shannon thinks that might hurt, and it’s permanent.”
I gave her a playful nudge to the ribs. “Adult Shannon, huh? Is that the same Shannon who, two weeks ago, almost burned her eyebrows off by trying to take a flaming shot?”
“To be fair, that wasn’t my fault. I didn’t know you were supposed to blow it out first. Not to mention, I was super drunk at the time.” We both laughed at her antics.
“Right. But I have to say, drinking fire seems like it would hurt way more than a little needle. Come on. Even if you don’t get one, at least come with me?”
“All right, all right. I’m saying no to the tattoo but yes to the going with you part. Whats got you so excited about this right now, anyway?”
I shrugged, not really wanting to get into the reason. “This idea popped into my head today, and it’s begging to get out. I can be like a dog with a bone sometimes.”
“I hate to tell you this, but you’re like that all the time. Let me settle up my tab, and we can walk over. Do you have to have an appointment?”
“Usually I do, but I figured I’d see if Toni had any openings, and if she did, I’d take it as a sign that it was meant to be. If not, sleep on it.”
“You and your signs. If I didnt love you so much, I’d probably say you’re nuttier than a fruitcake. Well… I do say that, but I still love you.” She laughed and blew me a kiss as we each paid the bartender so we could leave.
The tattoo shop was only a few blocks away from the bar. We opened the door to Altered Skin, and I spotted Toni right off. Her half-shaved head and purple hair were conspicuous, but she pulled it off. It complemented her eyebrow, nose, and lip rings. She was badass and also the best tattooist around. When she looked up, I waved, and she motioned me to her station.
“Girl, what brings you in tonight? And who’s this fresh meat?” She gave Shannon an appraising look, and I’d say Shanny was digging it. My eyes darted back and forth between the two of them, and they didn’t even seem to notice I was still there.
I cleared my throat, and Shannon was blushing as she turned her head toward me. I gave her a shit-eating grin as I went to answer Toni’s question. It was unusual to see Shanny flustered, especially around someone more age-appropriate.
“I was going to see if you had any openings tonight. I realize it’s last minute, and I can make an appointment for another time if you’re booked. But I had this idea floating around, and I want to bring it into existence.”
“I had a cancelation, so it’s perfect timing. What did you want to get? Do you have a picture or something?”
“No, I don’t have a picture. But could you draw it if I describe it to you?”
“Is that a real question? Not to sound cocky or anything, but these make magic happen.” She wiggled her fingers, staring directly into Shannon’s eyes with a presumptuous smile.
Shanny appeared hot and bothered by Tonis attention, and it was nice to see her in better spirits from earlier. Even if she wasn’t getting a tattoo, it seemed like she was getting something from this visit.
“Well, why don’t you start talking? I’ll sketch, and then you can review it, and we can make changes as we go?” Toni said, finally focusing on me.
“So, can you draw anything?” Shannon asked as she batted her eyelashes in Toni’s direction like a smitten kitten.
Now, I had to hold back my shock. I’d never seen her this way before, but it seemed to be exactly what she needed.
Toni took a step closer and placed her hand on the small of Shannon’s back before she said in a low voice, “I like to think I can do everything. Stick around afterward, and I’d happily show you some of my best work.”
I was pretty sure I saw Shannon’s knees buckle. Apparently, I was a good wingwoman without even trying. But it was time to get down to business, and they could continue ogling each other later.
“Well… do you want me to start now?” I urged their flirt session along.
“You got it.” Toni winked. “Do you mind waiting in the lobby?” She nodded to Shannon.
“Oh, sure.” Shannon appeared hurt.
“I’m sorry, babe. But there is no way I can get work done with you around.” Toni’s compliment put the blush right back on Shannon’s cheeks.
“You’re a sweet talker.” Shanny fluttered, then gave me a quick hug and a longing glance at Toni before heading to the couch.
While Shannon was out of earshot, Toni leaned in. “What’s her story?”
“You’d be stupid not to get to know her.” I wasn’t super close with Toni, but she seemed like a good person, and if she could make Shanny love-struck, I wanted them to have a chance.
“There’s something different about her. She gives me goosies.”
I laughed because they both had it bad. Toni didn’t look like the type to say “goosies.” But sometimes people bring out different sides of us.
“But let’s get down to business, yeah?” Toni shook her arms out and grabbed her sketchpad.
I did my best to describe my vision and hoped to make it a reality. Toni took in everything I said, and she also had some cool ideas to add. Once she sketched it out, I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
This image was calling out to me for some reason, and I was ready to memorialize it on my body forever.