Shattered Ties(48)

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It is.”

I smiled as I pulled away and started digging through my bag for the passport information. “Let’s get started on this.”

We spent the next few minutes filling out the papers. When the paperwork was done, I pulled my camera from my bag and motioned for him to stand against the far wall. “Go stand there, so I can take your picture.”

He did as I’d said, and I snapped a few pictures. When I had what I needed, I stepped closer and started taking more pictures.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“Sure you aren’t. Quit taking my picture,” he teased.

“You’re very photogenic.”

“I’m sure I am.” He moved away from the wall and pulled me tight against his chest. “Let me see the camera.”

I handed him the camera. There was no way I could tell him no when his body was tight against mine. I wrapped my arms around him as I closed my eyes. “This feels nice.”

When I heard the camera click, I opened my eyes back up. “I thought we were done with pictures.”

“You’re done taking pictures of me. Now, it’s my turn.” He held the camera away from us. “Now, smile.”

I grinned up at the camera as he took a few pictures of us together. I had no idea what to do with this side of him. It was a nice change from the guy who had always kept me at an arm’s length. I was quickly learning that there were several different layers to my Jesse, and he kept getting better as I peeled each one away.

“There. Now, we’re done with pictures.”

He handed the camera back to me. I took it from him and started looking through the pictures that he had snapped of us. It warmed my heart to see the two of us together, happy and smiling. I hadn’t felt this free in a long time.

There was just something about him that brought out the best in me, and I often wondered if I did the same with him.

“We look good together even though we’re just so different from each other,” I said.

“How so?”

I ran my hand across the bright ink designs running down his arm. “You look so wild with these while I look so plain and boring. I wish I had a tattoo.”

“You will never be plain or boring, and I could do a tattoo for you if you want. I mean, I would have to do it after hours at the shop since I’m not legally an artist, but I’m still good. I’ve done most of my own and Andy’s.

You just can’t tell anyone, or Rick could get in some serious trouble.”

“Really? That would be so cool! I’d just have to figure out where to put it, so I could hide it from my mom. And, of course, I wouldn’t tell anyone.” “I can think of a few places.” He stared down at my chest.

“Um, no. I’m not getting a tattoo on my boob.”

“Just a suggestion. Think about what you want and where you want me to put it, and I’ll draw something up.”

“I know what I want. I just don’t know where.”

“Tell me. The suspense is killing me.”

“I want the word freedom somewhere. I’m so sick of always being trapped by my mom.”

“Pull down your shorts a little bit.”

“Excuse me?” I asked. That wasn’t random or anything.

“Pull your shorts down a little bit. I want to see something.”

“I’m sure you do. I’m not pulling down my shorts with your mom in the other room.”

“I’m not going to molest you. I want to see if I could make it fit without it looking like shit.”

“Okay...” I pulled my shorts down a bit, feeling super awkward as I did so.

“That isn’t far enough. Here, let me,” Jesse said as he pulled them farther down.

I tried to yank them back up, but he grabbed my hands to stop me.

“Relax. I just want to look.”

I fidgeted as he inspected the area just below my hip bone.

“Hurry up,” I said.

He ran his finger across my hip bone, and I shivered at the touch.

“I can put it right here, and no one will ever see it unless you want someone to.”

“What about when I wear a bikini? I mean, we live in California after all.”

“I’ll put it so that it’s hidden, even when you’re wearing almost nothing.”

“When do you want to do it?” I asked, feeling excited.

“I can do it now if you want. Rick gave me the key and alarm code for the store last summer.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. You want to?”

“Sure.” I pulled my shorts back up. “I’ll drive us over.”

“Works for me. Let’s go.”

Jesse stopped to let his mom know that we were leaving. She gave him a disapproving look, but she said nothing. I all but ran to my car in excitement. I’d always wanted a tattoo, but I never thought I’d ever have the guts to get one. Being with Jesse was changing me. I wasn’t afraid to do what I wanted in life anymore. As long as he stayed by my side, I could handle anything.

“Where are you going?” a female voice called from behind us.

We turned to see Ally and Andy walking toward us.