Page 91 of All Your Firsts

“But it’s so warm and cozy in here.”

“I guess I’ll tattoo someone else today, then.”

In an instant, her beautiful emerald eyes open. “I’m in a very vulnerable state. Don’t mess with me, Vic.”

“Never. Get ready and we’ll head to the shop.”

With a burst of joy, she springs to her feet and starts dancing around the room. I haven’t seen happy Rosie in so long.

“You know what you want?”

“Ah, yeah,” she says as she runs to her room and comes back with a paper. I look at the mostly simple design. A blooming lotus flower with birds ascending from the pinnacle and some kind of symbol at the bottom.

“What’s this?”

“A unalome.”

“A what?”

“It’s a symbol of enlightenment.”

“Meaning?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Then why add it?”

“Just because...”

I raise an eyebrow for her to continue.

“It’s a reminder that I’m the one who holds the reins of my fate and existence. My destiny shall not be decided by anyone other than myself. A unalome.”

“I like that. Maybe I’ll get one, too.”

“I don’t think you have any room to add it.”

“There’s one place I can think of...”

Her cheeks instantly go red as she looks at my crotch.

“I was talking about my leg. Get your mind outta the gutter, princess,” I say with a grin.

“You sure you want this on your ribs?” I ask as we walk into my shop.

“Yep.”

It’s going to hurt like a motherfucker, especially for her first tattoo.

“Can I tweak a few things?”

Her eyes light up. “I was hoping you would.”

I motion for Rosie to stand in front of me while I sit on my leather stool. I grab her hips, my fingers running along her exposed silky skin, before angling her to the side so I have better access to the area I plan to tattoo.

Blood rushes in my ears as I think about my hands being on her for different reasons.

My hands linger on her hips for a second longer than necessary before slowly brushing away, leaving chills in their wake, which makes a small smirk appear on the side of my lips.

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