The Tattoo Artist (La Petite Mort #1)

14. Chapter 14

fourteen

Quinn

L ater That Day

Sophie parked the car outside the tattoo shop, and we both exited the car and made our way inside. I couldn’t get my mind off what happened last night with Mr. Walsh. The same woman from when I drew on Alexander was at the reception desk, looking at me. I looked down at her name tag and saw her name was Cora. Cora wore a tight vest top that revealed and spilled her breasts. She had on a choker around her neck and a longer necklace that dangled down to her breast. She had tattoos on both her arms. I wasn’t surprised since she did work in a tattoo shop.

“Hey Cora, is Alexander ready to tattoo my back?” Sophie said, all happy, and chuckled. Cora nodded her head and pointed to the room down the hall. My eyes made contact with Cora’s, and if looks could kill, I’d be dead. She glared at me with daggers in her eyes. What the hell was wrong with her? It didn’t take me long to follow Sophie into the narrow hallway. Sophie reached the door and pushed it open. I looked up, and Alexander’s eyes locked with mine instantly.

“Ready to make my back look sexy?” She joked, wiggling her eyebrows. I laughed at her antics.

“And you know what they say about back tattoos,” she added.

I settled in the corner of the room like I did last time I was here with Sophie. I had to adjust my skirt since this one was longer than all my other ones. Sophie was instructed to lie on the tattoo chair. She wore a backless top, which gave Alexander easy access.I kept my eyes on Alexander and watched him put on a pair of latex gloves and clean the spot where he would be tattooing her.

Touching her.

I couldn’t help but feel envious, which was bizarre because I had no feelings for him. Well, that was not entirely true. I certainly had sexual ones, but I had no other feelings. He started to transfer the design onto her back.I glanced up at the exact moment he began to rub on top of the stencil paper to transfer the tattoo; at that moment, I was unable to deal with the jealousy I was feeling inside me.But I heard the machine turn on before I could act on this feeling. I looked anywhere but in his direction. Come on, Quinn, he probably got tons of women coming to him all the time. I didn't blame them for wanting Alexander.

He was absolutely beautiful.

And the things you felt when his hands touched you.

They provoked sin and pleasure.

He probably touched women all day, every day, and I hated this feeling. “I thought this would be more painful,” Sophie whispered with a strain. I smiled a little, happy that she was feeling a little pain. “I guess you have a high pain tolerance,” I said, feeling remorse after what I was feeling.

“So, how was your dinner with Owen and his family,” she asked me. I took a second or two to answer her. What I wanted to tell her was that I saw Deimos again. He proved he was real, and he kissed me. But that wasn't what I told her. She would think I was really going crazy. I must have lost my damn mind.

“Dinner was boring, but something happened, Sophie. Mr. Walsh was acting creepy—” Alexander continued his work, but I knew he was listening because he hesitated briefly.

“What do you mean? I know the guy gives off creepy vibes, but what did he do?”

“My lip was bleeding, and Mr. Walsh tells me. I went into the kitchen to clean my lip, and he followed me and started saying and acting all touchy.” I paused to catch my breath and my thoughts. “He was telling me how grown and beautiful I had grown up to be. I tried to leave, but he stopped me and sniffed my neck.” I could feel Alexander's eyes on me as they burned through me. I looked up at him. ‘Alexander, stop.’ I mouthed, and he stopped staring at me, but not before he asked me.

“Did he do anything? Did he touch you?” He questioned, his voice was deadly. I shook my head.No, he didn't touch me but the things he said to me about my arousal had my skin crawling.

“No, I felt uncomfortable, but nothing to worry about.”Alexander continued his work. I bit down on my lip, hiding the fact that I feared the worst, especially after what he said. The machine stopped, and I shook my head to rid myself of those fears.

A few hours passed, and I looked up just in time to watch Alexander wipe the ink off her back with a wet cloth before patching it up with some bandage wrap explicitly used for tattoos.Sophie looked at her new tattoo, and I could tell she loved it because of the gasp that slipped from her lips.

“You should get a tattoo,” Sophie said .

Our eyes made contact as she looked at me from the mirror. “I—I um… I don’t think so,” I stuttered.Sophie turned around to face me, giving me her full attention. Her hands are on her hips. “No, you will not do this, Quinn. What happened to wanting to experience things?Plus, you can always get one in a place your parents would never see. How much do I owe you, Alexander?” She grabbed her purse and took out quite a few hundred-pound notes.

“Five hundred and fifty quid.” She handed Alexander six hundred-pound notes and told him to keep the change. I couldn’t afford to get a tattoo, especially not here, where they charge a hefty amount.

“I can’t afford it. Sophie, I have expenses, plus I’m helping my parents and trying to save for college.” I said, praying to God she would let it go.

“I could do it for free,” his deep voice said. He had no idea that with just his voice, he could ignite the fire inside me as if he knew I wanted to do some filthy things with him. I imagined having his hands on my body as I begged him to make me cum with his mouth, his fingers, and his cock. I didn't think I had it in me. Filthy words. Even filthier, sinful deeds. And I fucking liked it but before I had a chance to process what my body was feeling, my eyes locked with his green ones. Suddenly, my mind flashed back to when I saw Deimos. Alexander stared at me the same way as Deimos did that night he kissed me. Sophie’s eyes widened, and she nodded her head.

‘Experience things,’ she mouthed, heading for the door. “I’m going to go. My stomach is growling, so I’m getting something to eat before I get hangry. Quinn, get the damn tattoo,” Sophie said just before she slipped out of the room, leaving me alone with Alexander.

I sighed.

Was I shitting bricks? Yes, but I was thrilled. I wanted to feel his hands on me. I couldn’t even get mad at Sophie for leaving me here. Because even though she preached that I should stay away from Alexander, she was also the same person who encouraged me to masturbate to him or have him tattoo me. Bloody hell, she probably would have encouraged me to ride him like a damn branco.

“Okay, I want one here,” I explained, getting the courage to do this. I pointed to the valley between my breasts. “I want a butterfly, but I want a sword through the middle for the body,” I said. Alexander’s gaze followed my finger as I showed him where I wanted it. His breathing hitched. He swallowed hard as his Adam’s apple bobbed.

“I’ll go get Cora to do it for you,” he said, stepping past me; I grabbed onto his arms, stopping him from advancing even further. Looking up at him, he glanced down at me and then to where my hand held him. Our height difference was immaculate.

“I want you, Alexander. I want you to tattoo the same butterfly you have,” I said as my fingers slid down to his hand, and I brushed my thumb on top of his tattoo. Alexander’s gaze dropped to where my thumb was rubbing his tattoo.

“You do know this means you have to take off your shirt and your bra,” he said, his voice husky with desire. I shrugged my shoulders as if I didn't mind.

Holy Fuck!

Where am I getting all this newfound confidence from?

“I trust you,” I whispered, looking up at him. There was so much tension between us; I knew he could feel it, too. He nodded his head and ordered me to lay on the bed. As I made my way over there, Alexander slipped on new gloves and cleaned his station. My hand went down to remove my shirt, and I tried to unclip the button on the back with no luck. I was forced to ask him for help. Unable to unclip it, I made my way over to Alexander. “Can you…Um…Help me, please?” I whispered.

He stood from his chair, and I turned around so that he could undo the button. He was standing behind me with the mirror in front of us. I could see all his actions. His expressions. He brushed my hair to the side, and his fingers caressed my back. I breathed in as his fingers unclipped the buttons I had on this shirt. Once they were undone, the shirt was loose enough to pull over my head, but I didn't dare move. This was a bad idea. I should have gone for my leg or ankle or even my hand.

Alexander’s hands moved down, making their way up and underneath my shirt, and slowly, he raised my shirt inch by inch. I didn’t dare stop him. All I could do was watch him as I raised my hands in the air so that he could remove my shirt without any issues, leaving me in only my bra. My hands instantly dropped and covered my chest the best I could. My front was fully displayed, and my breasts spilled from my bra. Alexander held my gaze captive from the mirror, but I knew he was taking in my physique.My waist was smaller than my hips, and my chest was on the larger side of things. I sent a silent thank you to the Gods above since I wore my lovely black bra. I giggled, thinking about the panties I wore, which were cotton underwear that said the days of the week.

I couldn’t help the naughty smile that appeared at the thought of what it would have been like if I were wearing one of those Victoria's Secret bras and revealing underwear, like a thong, maybe even a lacey one.

Alexander continued to examine me in the mirror, his fingers caressing the back of my bra, and suddenly, I felt him pull the clasp open. I looked down to the floor as I felt my bra loosen.I noticed Alexander shift, “Go ahead and lay down on the bed, and use your hands to cover your breasts,” he whispered, bending down to reach my ear. A shiver ran down my spine at the feeling of his hot breath by my ear. I nodded my head and walked toward the bed. I adjusted myself. Looking up at the ceiling, I slipped my bra off and covered my nipples with my hands.He handed me some sort of cover-up to help me cover my body somewhat. I pressed my hand on top of it for extra support.

He settled down onto the chair and grabbed a pen before resting his hand on my stomach. I gasped from his touch on my skin. He pushed my hands further up before he began to draw the butterfly. “Is it going to hurt?” I looked up at him as he covered my view of the ceiling with his shoulders. “It can, but it all depends on the person," he said. His words did nothing to calm me down.

His hands on my skin made my skin shiver. If I had known his touch would do this to my body, I would have done it sooner. Thank you, Sophie. His eyes made contact with mine occasionally, but I looked away. I watched him click the lid of the pen back on, and my heart beat furiously against my chest. I heard the machine turn on, and I swallowed. “Are you ready?”

I bit my lower lip and nodded my head.Alexander dipped the needle into the ink, and just before the needle made contact with my skin, I freaked out.

“Wait! No, no, I can’t do this.” I said, shaking my head just before sitting up, making sure that one of my arms was covering both my breasts as the other one held Alexander’s hand, keeping it locked in place. I stared at him, and a smile tugged on his lips. “Yes, you can. You're strong, little butterfly.”

“But it’s going to hurt.”

“You can squeeze my arm if you want, and I promise you if it gets too much, I’ll stop. You say the word. Okay?”

“Promise Alexander?” My brows furrowed with fear, his free hand pushed a fallen lock of my hair behind my ear. His thumb brushed the side of my jaw and I couldn't help but lean into his touch. He stared at me with a serious look etched on his face before he whispered,

“I promise, mou Angelos,” he mumbled.

Butterflies swarmed my stomach at his nickname for me because, for some reason, this one called to me. I nodded my head and laid back down on the bed. The machine started once again, and I grabbed onto Alexander's arm. Unable to get a good grip because of the size of his biceps. He laid a hand on my stomach, and then I felt the stabbing of the needle into my skin as he started.

I was getting a tattoo.

I closed my eyes, trying to keep myself from panicking again. Watching him work so close to me made me feel some way. His side profile was absolutely breathtaking. His jawline could kill, and his eyes were soul-crushing. He moved up an inch or two, and it began to hurt a little more, causing me to squeeze harder as I tightened my grip around his bicep.He didn't stop. He continued to work because he knew I could handle it. “Alexander, distract me. Please,” I whispered out in pain.

It didn't take him long to answer. “What do you want me to do, Princess?” He said, looking at me for a second or two, and then he returned to focusing on his work.I chuckled.

“I don’t know. Talk to me. Tell me something interesting—do something, please.” I bit my lip in pain, and he stopped instantly as he watched a tear fall from my eyes. He wiped the fallen tear that had stained my cheek. “Shhh, I know it hurts, but I promise you the result will be worth the pain. How about you talk about anything you want? I’m all ears.” He cooed.

He switched the machine on and continued to tattoo the butterfly onto my skin. “I want to experience new things. My parents, as you know, are Catholic, and they’re stricter than Fort Knox,” I mumbled. He looked at me with a smirk plastered on his lips. “You do know getting a tattoo is a sin, Princess.” I nodded. Of course, I knew my parents hated tattoos, and Leviticus 19:28 warned against them.

“I know, but I always wanted one. And now look at me, getting a tattoo by a man who has also touched my body.” Alexander chuckled.

“I’m going to guess a man has never touched you?” He asked me.

A man has touched me. Deimos .

I licked my lips before answering. “Once,” I confessed. “You’re the second man ever to touch me at all.” His eyes met mine, and I could see something in them.

Jealousy.

“You’re also the second one to see me half-naked,” I blurted out. His eyes turned darker for some reason. His pupils dilated, covering the green in his eyes, and all that was left was darkness. I slapped myself mentally for saying that to him. He looked away and focused back on the butterfly on my skin.

“Καλ?τερα να με?νει? ?τσι," he whispered out through gritted teeth. ( " It better stay that way." ) Καλ?τερα να με?νει? ?τσι,I repeated in my head, doing my best to remember that phrase so that I could check what it meant later.

“Where are you from?”

“Greece, a small island called Hydra,” he answered. His hair was falling over his forehead, and my hands suddenly had a mind of their own as I pushed his curls back in place. His hair was soft, just like I imagined it would be. He closed his eyes again, opening them once more when I gently tugged on his hair.

“I don’t let my clients touch me, Princess,” he whispered.

“Oh. I’m sorry,” I apologized .

He stopped me just as I was about to pull my hand away. “But you can,” I blushed a deep red as I felt my cheeks getting warmer. The pain I had felt earlier had disappeared completely and in its place, a dull ache appeared between my legs. Was it possible to have a pain kink?

After a few more hours, he stopped the machine and moved it to the side. He stood up and grabbed a wipe to clean off the excess ink from the butterfly and the sword. He slid the wet wipe over the tattoo gently. “Okay, it's all done. Have a look.” I stood up immediately, making my way over to the mirror to examine the tattoo.

I stood in front of the mirror, admiring the butterfly that was now proudly displayed on me. It took me a second to realize that I was completely bare, no longer covering myself since I must have dropped the cover-up he gave me. I saw Alexander standing beside the mirror, leaning against the wall as he watched my reaction.

The butterfly was beautiful, and the sword had so much detail that it reminded me of a medieval dagger. I reached for Alexander's hand and placed it over my left breast. I stared at both my tattoo and his hand and compared both butterflies.

He drew it.

The same butterfly was now on me.

I turned around quickly to face him. “I have to pay you, Alexander. This is too much.”

“You don’t have to pay me,” he reached to the side, grabbed a transparent film, and crouched down. My gaze followed his every move as he pressed the film over my tattoo and pressed onto it gently so that it could stick. I smiled, and my fingers grazed his jaw. What was I doing? What was this that I was feeling?

“I love it, Alexander. Thank you,” I said to him, meaning every word.He gave me a soft smile in return. “You’re welcome,” he replied. I turned away, feeling rejected by the thought of other women having this same tattoo. I was sure every girl here probably walked with his tattoo on their skin, regardless of what it was. He stood up from the crouched position and lifted my jaw so I could look into his eyes.

“No one else has this same tattoo except you, Princess. I’ve rejected every single person who has ever asked,” he confessed.

It was almost like Alexander could read my mind, my insecurities, my doubts, my fears, and my body.

My heart bloomed with his words, and once again, I felt butterflies. “Have you eaten?” I asked him. A Cheshire smile spread across his lips before he leaned down to reach my lips, teasing them. He whispered, “Not what I want to eat.” He licked his lips.

The desire inside me grew stronger. I wanted him to kiss me, but nothing happened. Too chicken shit I moved away from him needing the space between us before I did something I might regret.

“We can go to this place downtown. They sell the best Chinese food. It's on me since you won’t let me pay you for the tattoo.” I said, grabbing my bra and shirt.

"Okay."