500 Days (10 page)

I felt a shock run down my entire arm. He
smiled, satisfied that just for one second he affected me in a way
that no one ever has. I didn’t know how he knew he did, but the
victory smile said he could feel it. I ripped my hand away and I
could see he was trying to hide his laugh. Not able to meet his
eyes, I looked down to his chest, and that’s when I spotted it. A
tattoo of a heart with ivy wrapped around it and poking through,
piercing the heart. “When did you get that?”

He looked down at his chest and his smile
fell. He took a step back and it seemed almost painful for him to
answer. “Sometime last year,” he said, unable to look at me.

“
Jesus Alex,” Jasper said,
startling me.

“
What?” I growled, looking
at him. He pointed to the mess on his desk. “Oh, sorry, I couldn’t
find the picture.”

He pulled open a drawer and took out a
drawing pad. “It’s the last one,” he said, tapping the book.

“
Thanks,” I said and left
without another word.

“
Sorry, my sister can be a
real pain in the ass,” Jasper said.

“
I heard that,” I called
over my shoulder.

“
Good, take the hint.” I
narrowed my eyes even though he couldn’t see me. I was just about
to go back in the break room when I changed my mind. I tiptoed back
down the hall and stopped just close enough so I could hear their
conversation.

“
Alex is your
sister?”

“
Yeah man, sorry about
that.”

“
No it’s fine. You know
Declan then?”

Jasper laughed. “Yeah, I know Declan. Why,
you got a thing for her?” I heard the buzzer stop moving.

“
No,” he laughed. “My
buddy Colt does though. I’ve known Declan since freshman year of
college, but only recently met Alex.”

“
Lucky you,” Jasper said.
I was just about to comment, but then stopped myself. They didn’t
know I was out here listening. The buzzing started again and Colby
stepped out of the break room. I quickly made my way down the hall
acting as if I just came out of Jasper’s room.

“
Got it,” I said a little
breathless. He took me into the empty work station to take a look
at it. I flipped the book open to the back. Jasper had outdone
himself. The sketch was beautiful. There were four very intricate
lilies stretched across the page with swirling stems and leaves
connecting them all. It was perfect.

“
This is pretty big. You
sure you want it?” I gave Colby a small smile. “Right, big isn’t an
issue for you.” I blushed. Colby gave me my first tattoo which just
so happened to cover both my sides and wrapped around my lower back
and down the front, teetering close to my bikini line. “Okay, so
question is now, where do you want it?”

I hadn’t really thought that part through
yet. I was so determined to have Jasper give me a tattoo that I
never came to the conclusion of where I would put it. The one I
already had took up a good part of my skin. “What do you think?” He
looked at me, making my insides turn to mush.

“
Take off your shirt and
turn around.” I looked at him wide eyed. “I need to see where
there’s room.” He got up and closed the door. I took off my t-shirt
and sat down in the chair. Colby smoothed his hand over my skin
making me want to crumble under his touch. “I’m gonna do a quick
sketch and see if you like the placement.”

“
Okay,” I said, unable to
form any other word. Colby got to work right away. There was a
mirror on the door and to the right of me. I could see Colby’s
reflection and the serious look on his face as he worked. The
intensity on his face made me want him that much more. I’ve slept
with him twice, but something about sitting here with my shirt off
while he drew on my back seemed ten times more intimate than us
actually being together. I closed eyes and relished his soft touch
as he worked the marker across my upper back. I gripped the arm
rest of the chair, afraid I was going to lose it.

“
You okay?”

“
Yeah, just
tickles.”

“
I’m almost
done.”

I wanted to say don’t rush. I could do this
forever, but I was afraid to tell him how much this was turning me
on. I wasn’t sure yet if the incident in the truck was a drunken
mistake or not and my heart couldn’t take it if it was. I preferred
to live in denial at the moment.

When he was done, he handed me a mirror so I
could check it out. I stood up and turned around. “Wow Colby,
that’s going to look great.”

He got up and stood in front of me. He
reached around with his one hand pointing to the flower on the
right. “This one here, if you want, we can pull down a little and
bring the stems down around here.” He dragged his finger all along
my back and down to my side sending shivers all through me. “We can
bring some of this up here.” His fingers moved to my neck. “And
then move this a little here.” And then traveled back down to my
other side. My hands were shaking so bad I thought I would drop the
mirror. I wasn’t even looking anymore. My eyes were closed as I was
engulfed in the wonderful sensation as his fingertips danced across
my skin. “Alex,” he whispered.

I opened my eyes and he was now facing me
with his eyes staring down into mine. I blushed, embarrassed. He
took the mirror from my hand and placed it on the desk. I tucked a
lose piece of my ponytail behind my ear. He slid his hand behind my
neck and then suddenly he was kissing me. I fell into his chest and
threw my arms over his shoulders. He pulled me tighter to him and I
let out a small gasp. Okay, so the night in the truck – not a one
night drunken thing.

Colby pressed his mouth harder against mine.
I opened a little wider giving him access to explore. When he
slipped his tongue inside my mouth I let out a tiny moan making him
press himself harder against me. God he was sexy and such a good
kisser. His hands slid down to my behind and squeezed before he
lifted me up off the floor. I wrapped my legs around his hips as he
turned me around and laid me back on the chair. His lips traveled
down my jaw, neck and then back up to my lips. A sudden knock on
the door startled us both. Colby jumped up.

“
Colby, your client is
here.”

Colby cleared his throat. “Alright, thanks
Jeanette.” Neither of us said a word. I don’t think either knew
exactly what just happened.

When I was sure Jeanette was no longer
standing by the door, I got up, and went to put my shirt back on.
“Oh, hey, you want me to wash that off for you?”

“
No it’s fine. I can do it
at home. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I made a quick exit for the door,
but Colby stopped me.

He turned me around to face him and gave the
softest and sweetest kiss ever. “See you tomorrow,” he smiled.

I opened the door, but before I closed it I
turned back around. “Hey Colby,” He looked up at me. “I’m glad your
home, even if it is for only a little while.”

“
Me too…and you never
know
,
I might
extend my visit.” On that, I left. I had no words and could not
unscrew the smile from my face. I was on cloud nine right now and
nothing could ruin my good mood.

I walked out to the front to ask Jeanette to
put me in Colby’s book for tomorrow. While I waited for her to pull
up his book I heard Jasper come out of his room with his client and
wished she would hurry this up so I could get out of here before
they reached the front. “Jeanette will set you up with your next
appointment.”

“
Alright, thanks man.” He
shook Jasper’s hand and then leaned on the desk next to
me.

“
Alex, before I forget,
Jack wanted me to tell you dinner’s at my house
tonight.”

“
Thanks for the heads up,
Jas,” I said sarcastically.

“
Hey, don’t be a bitch. I
told you, didn’t I?” I rolled my eyes. I guess I should be lucky he
told me at all. He walked back to his work station leaving me alone
with Jeanette and his client.

“
You and your brother get
along well, I take it?” I ignored him.

“
Okay Alex, I have you all
set up for tomorrow.”

“
Thanks Jeanette.” I
turned to leave but this creep was blocking me.

“
You getting a tattoo?” I
crossed my arms over my chest, not giving him the obvious answer.
“You know if you need someone to hold your hand for you, I’m free
tomorrow.”

“
I’m good but thanks.” I
left after that. I could only tolerate so much of this guy for one
day and currently my quota was full.

“
Okay Casper, how does two
weeks sound?” Jeanette asked him as I pushed open the door. I took
a quick look before I stepped out. I saw him look over his shoulder
at me and smile. Damn it. I stomped out and over to my car. I just
had to look. Good mood gone.

When I got home I slammed my purse down on
the counter, anger building. “What’s got your panties in a bunch?”
Declan said, scaring me. She was sitting in the recliner holding
one of her latest cheesy romance novels.

“
Oh that stupid…never
mind, it’s not important.” I sat down on one of the stools to take
a breath. When that didn’t work I put my head down on my hands
wanting to scream.

“
Okay, who’s ass do I have
to kick and why?” She put down her book and turned the chair toward
me.

“
No one,” I mumbled into
my arms.

“
What?”

I lifted my head and rested it on my hand.
“No one.”

“
Alex, what are you not
telling me?” Declan always knew when I was holding something
back.

“
Just this stupid guy.”
Her eyes widened a bit, letting me know she was
interested.

She got up from the chair and joined me by
the island in the kitchen. “Details please.”

“
That idiot in Colton’s
band.”

“
Greyson? I figured after
you threw his ass in to a wall he would have left you
alone.”

“
It’s not
Greyson.”

“
Casper?” I nodded.
“Please don’t tell me you like Casper.” She scrunched her face
afraid of my answer.

“
Oh god no.” She wiped a
hand across her forehead relieved. “I saw him at Jas’s shop today
and he was getting work done.”

“
I didn’t know he went
there.”

“
Me either. Let’s just say
it was a not-so-pleasant surprise when I saw him.”

“
What did he say to
you?”

“
He didn’t know who I was
at first, but when he finally recognized me he became his oh so
charming self.”

“
Casper’s not that bad.” I
eyed her suspiciously. “No I haven’t slept with him, but I do know
him. He’s got a good heart. He’s just a little
misguided.”

“
A little
misguided…seriously? He’s like the Hugh Heffner of our generation.”
She rolled her eyes at me. “Oh god, please don’t tell me this is
the friend Colton picked for the blind date?”

“
I can assure
you Colton is a lot smarter than that and knows
better. Besides, Casper isn’t the dating type.”

“
Don’t I know
it.”

“
I mean it, no matter how
charming he may seem. Stay away from him.”

I eyed her suspiciously. “You do not need to
warn me away from that one. He is the last person on this earth
that I would date.”

“
Good. So did Jas have
your tattoo drawn yet?”

I smiled, thinking about Colby being the one
to do my tattoo. I told Declan all about how Jasper was too busy
and asked Colby to do it. Then I told her what happened when he
drew the tattoo on me. She smiled so big she looked like the
Cheshire cat. “Are you excited?” I nodded.

“
Oh, by the way, we’re
having dinner at Jas’s tonight. I’m gonna shower and wash the ink
off my back.” Declan sighed dreamily. I shoved her playfully,
almost knocking her off the stool. She frowned and I laughed all
the way to the bathroom. By the time I was done with my shower, I
had just enough time to get ready and make it to my brother’s
place.

It was Jack’s last night before he had to go
back. So we had dinner together. Jack just wanted to do something
relaxing. So we played some card games and then watched a movie. We
stayed at Jasper and Jaxson’s so we all could see him off tomorrow.
I was going to miss him so bad. He was only home for a short time,
but I was still glad he was home even if it wasn’t long.

“
Everything alright?” Jack
asked while Jaxson set up the movie.

“
Yeah, fine,
why?”

“
You just seem somewhere
else.”

“
Everything’s good,” I
smiled.

“
You know you can tell
me?”

“
Jack, I promise, it’s all
good.” He ruffled my hair and then got up to grab a drink. I
settled back into the couch and waited for the movie to
start.

My mind kept wandering
during the movie. First it was with Colby in the room when he was
kissing me, but for some reason Casper would pop into my head.
There was something about him that seemed so oddly familiar. I
racked my brain for what it was. I pictured his crazy faux hawk and
his intense blue-gray eyes. Next thing was the sleeve of tattoos
that ran down his right arm and up along his shoulder and across
his chest where it met the heart tattoo he had in the middle. The
way he smelled was so intoxicating – it was like a drug. I wanted
to be next to him so I could just smell his sweet musky scent. His
body and face were
something that were cut
right out of a magazine. His looks were perfect in every aspect of
the way. He was every girl’s dream guy on the surface, but
underneath he was nothing more than a user.