Page 96 of Broken

“It’s your body, Calli. Your decision.”

Taking a breath, she holds both designs up and studies the intricacies of each one. “You drew both yourself.”

My brow arches and she lets out a small laugh. Of course I designed and drew them. “These are one-off pieces that will never be tattooed on anyone else.”

“What about the one I don’t choose?”

I shrug. “I designed them for your body.”

“How do you know they’ll fit?”

“Because I’ve been up close and personal with you more than once. And I pay attention.”

“This one scares me,” she points to the lotus. It is the bigger of the two. “And this one, I love the butterflies. Can you tell me what it will feel like?”

Switching into professional mode after discussing how I’ve had my hands on her body is hard. I’ve never tattooed a person I’ve been intimate with before. When I start talking, seeing how intently she listens so she can make an informed decision, it becomes easier.

This is where I excel. My work speaks for itself. My entire focus will be on this tattoo if she gets it. I move away and lean against the counter to give her some space.

After a long moment of studying both images, she holds up the lotus, surprising me.

“You sure?”

Calli nods. “If I’m going to get a tattoo, it should be something that speaks to me. And I’m drawn to this every time. It’s beautiful.”

“I had you in mind when I was drawing it. It had to be beautiful.”

She hides her grin for a few seconds, then beams the smile at me. “You’re not as tough as you make yourself out to be.”

“Don’t go making crazy statements,” I tell her. “I’ll work at being an even bigger asshole.”

She hums, though her smile stays fixed. “Can it be a little smaller?”

“The center piece can. I can even leave some of this out.” I point to the intricate pattern behind the flower. “I will need to extend these parts out though, to follow the flow of your body, but I can trim them too.”

She thinks for a moment. Then asks to take some of it out, which is fine. I designed it with that in the back of my mind. It will still be how I want it.

Decision made, I go into serious mode. Calli waits quietly as I rework the design. She only hesitates when I tell her to remove her top and bra and get comfortable. I take my time preparing the stencil, calming my shit down, knowing she is topless behind me.

I’m a professional artist, I can do this. Putting on my gloves, I turn to Calli, lying on the bed in her jeans. She’s watching me as my eyes roam over her body.

Fuck, this is gonna be harder than I thought. My dick lengthens and my mouth waters at the sight of her bare tits.

“I have something you can put beneath you and pull around to cover yourself.”

“I’m fine, although it’s a little cold in here.”

Get it together, asshole. I turn up the heat to make it warmer for her.

Calli never takes her eyes off me as I position the stencil, making sure it follows the curves of her body, ensuring it's central. My focus on doing a good job takes over, and the desire is pushed to the back of my mind.

This is important. She’s trusting me. I won’t fuck it up because I want to put my dick inside her.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Calli

It hurts. In fact, it’s so painful in some areas, I have to ask him to stop. Garrett is patient and understanding and gives me breaks when I need them. He even offers to stop, but I refuse.

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