Page 74 of Unexpected Adventures

Chapter Eighteen

I’m hesitant about what I’m about to say, but I get it out. “I’d like you to come with me to a tattoo studio.”

Shawn stops his progress to the bathroom to look at me. “A tattoo studio?”

“Yeah, you know, a place to get tattoos. I guess I should ask how you feel about tattoos, because I’m thinking of getting one. No, I know I’m getting one, and well, I guess I just want you to be okay with that.”

“Abby, breathe.” He chuckles. “If a tattoo is something you want, well then do it. You don’t need my permission.”

“Well, I’d hate to get something that would repulse you and make you never want to look at me again.” I laugh.

“Not possible.”

“Rachel suggested this artist I’m going to see.”

“Well then, I know you’ll be in good hands. She and Drake have some great ones. So, getting one tonight, are you?”

“No, I’m just going for a consult. Talk to her about what I want and where I want it.”

We resume our walk into the bathroom, and he turns on the water before finally disposing of the condom. “Sounds good. Before or after we eat? Because I’m starving.”

“Aren’t you always?” I tease. We enter the shower together, and although more fooling around would be wonderful, we quickly get ourselves clean and dry. As we’re dressing, he asks if I’ll provide him with any hints on my tattoo idea.

“It symbolizes something I love and enjoy, and also my ability to open myself up.”

“That could be any number of things. Any other hints?”

He finishes dressing and watches me dry my hair. He’s lost in thought, still unable to come up with any guesses.

I grin at him. “We’ve done it together, actually.”

“Well that really narrows it down, now doesn’t it?” He grins also. “Let’s see, that leaves sex, singing, more sex, stargazing, followed by more sex.” He’s counting off the activities on his fingers. “Oh, and let’s not forget paragliding. Seeing as the stargazing and paragliding were first time experiences, and the sex, well, I’ve already lost count…”

I toss a towel at him as he laughs, and I can’t help but blush. “Well I’m certainly not getting anything dealing withsextattooed on my body.”

“Why would you, when you’ve got me, the real deal, to cover your body whenever you desire?” He snuggles up behind me, wrapping his arms around me.

“Mmm, that I do.”

“So, that leaves something to do with singing.” He watches my grin in the mirror. “Or music, which I know you love. And since we’ve sung together…”

“Let me show you,” I eagerly say. I break away from him to grab my purse. I pull out a piece of paper, unfold it, and turn it toward him. “I had thoughts about this, looked up some pix, and kind of put this together.”

Shaun takes the paper in his hand and studies it before looking back at me. “It’s beautiful, Abby. It’s perfect.”

I’m absolutely delighted when I hear him say so, smiling like a loon.

“Where are you having it placed?”

“I’ve been debating on that—whether to have it across my shoulders, on my arm, or on my ribs.”

“Ooh, the ribs, I hear, are one of the most sensitive spots. Maybe not the best place for your first one.”

He hands the paper back to me, which I take and look longingly at. The picture is a wavy musical staff with a few musical notes. The end of the staff opens and the notes and lines become birds, flowers, and stars. There were several pictures I came across with a similar theme, so I tweaked and added and made it my own.

“That’s what I’ve heard also. What do you think? Where should I have it put?”

“Hmm, not easy to say, since it’ll be on your body, and you need to be happy with it.”

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