I’ve gotten used to being in the spotlight at Waverly, but only time will tell if it’s adequately prepared me for the NHL. The one thing I know for sure is that I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for Coach. He’s been like a father to me, and I’m not sure I’ll ever have the means to pay him back for all he’s given me over the years.
“Oh!”
The pained yelp slices through my thoughts like a blade, and my eyes snap open. “How you doing over there, Tink?”
“Why do you keep calling me that?” she asks through what sounds like gritted teeth.
“Because you never told me your name, and you remind me of Tinkerbell.” I smirk. “Be glad I didn’t win the bet, or you’d be getting that fairy permanently tattooed on your body.”
She laughs, but it sounds forced.
Keep her talking. It’ll distract her from the pain.
“What made you choose the birds?”
She’s quiet for so long, I’m not sure she heard me. I’m about to ask again when she finally speaks.
“It’s probably stupid, but I just finished my master’s degree and I figured it would be a reminder to take flight. To not let anything hold me back as I start the next chapter of my life.”
Her answer is…surprisingly deep. Especially since she had no intention of getting a tattoo before we walked through the door.
“It’s not stupid at all.” I lift my head to look at her. “I actually think it sounds pretty awesome. Congrats on the new degree.”
“Thanks.” She grins. “I guess you’ll have to come up with a creative meaning for your tattoo later.”
“Or maybe I’ll keep it simple and say a beautiful woman chose it for me.”
She ducks her chin, seemingly embarrassed by the compliment, and we lapse into silence.
Despite starting after me, Tink is done first. She lifts her hair to show me the tattoo, which is on the back of her neck, just below the hairline.
“Excellent choice.” The art is simple and elegant.Classic. “It suits you.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” She stares at her reflection in the mirror. “And no one will see it unless I want them to.”
“If that was the goal, you could’ve just gotten it on your ass like me.”
It probably would’ve hurt less, too.
She straightens. “That reminds me. You said your tattoo would be covered 95 percent of the time. What about the other 5 percent? Are you a nudist or something?”
I should explain, give her a rational answer. But I don’t want rational. I want passion and heat and Tink screaming my name as she shatters beneath me.
“Come back to my hotel room and find out.”
She bites her lip, and what I wouldn’t give to know what she’s thinking.
Probably that she can’t believe you just propositioned her in front of two strangers.
The tattoo artists seem unfazed. I doubt it’s the first time they’ve witnessed such a thing.
Tink’s gaze darts to Eric. “You may feel differently when you see your new tattoo.”
No way. I want this girl too much to be dissuaded by ink. Besides, I may not know her well, but I know that whatever design she picked will be tasteful.
Or, as tasteful as art can be when it’s inked on your ass.
Finally, the tattoo gun falls silent. Anticipation creeps up my spine, and an eternity passes while Eric cleans up his work. When he finally hands me a mirror and tells me to check out my new ink, I’m beyond ready.
