Inked Armour

17 HAYDEN

I pulled into the Tiffany’s parking lot. I hadn’t bought Tenley a real Christmas present and I was running out of time. I’d picked up a few small things, but nothing that told her how I felt about her without actually saying it. Lisa had sent me here to rectify that. I had no idea what I was supposed to buy, but according to Lisa, I couldn’t go wrong with Tiffany’s, so here I was. Forty-five minutes before my next client’s appointment.

I should have planned the trip out better. I was in work wear: jeans, my Inked Armor button-down, and worn-in boots. At least my jacket wasn’t too bad because it was black. I hoped it was unremarkable enough that I didn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

Normally I didn’t care, but this was important and I didn’t want to fuck up Tenley’s present. It was our first Christmas together and I wanted to create new memories. Good ones that might help ease the pain of her loss. After all these years I still had a hard time around the holidays, and I was hoping now that I had Tenley, things would be better.

Locking up my car, I headed for the front entrance. Several of the cars I passed were of the luxury variety. Lots of douche mobiles, a sweet Lexus, and one very sleek Audi. I opened the door of the elegant store, prepared to be tossed out, but the place was so busy my arrival went almost unnoticed. The store was full of well-dressed businessmen on the same mission as me.

One of the girls behind the counter glanced my way, gave me a quick once-over, and smiled. Her attention was drawn away as a balding man approached. Her smile widened as he addressed her, and she unlocked a small window behind the counter to retrieve a tray of diamond bracelets. Judging by his attire, he was ready to drop a boatload of money.

I shoved my hands in my pockets, wishing I’d had the fore-thought to change. Even dress pants instead of jeans would have helped give me a better chance at decent service. I tried not to draw attention to myself as I browsed. All I wanted to do was buy something and get the hell out of here.

I stopped in front of a case of engagement rings. I’d seen Tenley’s in pictures, and the rock was a behemoth. I couldn’t imagine her picking something like that out. She was more subtle than that. Not that I should be thinking about it; her first experience with the whole engagement thing had been pretty fucking traumatic. There was no way either of us wanted that—not now. Maybe not ever.

I hadn’t even told Tenley I was in love with her. I almost had yesterday morning, when I finally got inside her again. Talk about a revelation. It had been the most intense sex I’d ever had in my life, and not just because of the physical release. It went way deeper than that. Tenley and I connected on a different level and I wanted to be with her like that again.

Waiting that long had been stupid, though. Last night she was so sore afterward that I ended up soaking in the tub with her for an hour. We had a naked make-out session that got a little messy on my end. I shook my head, pushing away thoughts of Tenley naked. My dick was already responding, and I had to will it to retreat with mental threats of castration.

I checked out the next case and grinned as I spotted the perfect gift, sparkling in its plush little box. I noted movement in my peripheral vision and looked over to see the girl who’d smiled at me standing about three feet away.

“Hi, I’m Francine. Can I help you find something?”

Even her name made me feel inferior, which was absurd. I could afford to shop in a store like Tiffany’s. It was others’ automatic assumption that I couldn’t, based on my appearance, that made me avoid places like this.

I looked around the store. All the other sales reps, most of whom were female, were waiting on suits. One man stood behind the counter, interacting with no one. He was dressed differently from those working the floor. He had to be her boss. His hands were clasped behind his back and he stared at her intently. What a douche. She must have drawn the short straw and been told to wait on me. I smiled.

“I’d like to get this for my girlfriend.” I pointed at the little cupcake pendant. “I love cupcakes, and, uh . . . she makes the best cupcakes ever, so I figure it’s fitting, yeah?”

I hoped if I kept talking, she’d start to look more comfortable.

Francine smiled. “That sounds perfect, and quite thoughtful. Would you like her to wear it as a necklace or a bracelet?”

“Uhhhh—”

I ran a hand through my hair, flustered. I had an affinity for Tenley’s neck; I spent a lot of time with my face buried in it. Most nights my lips were pressed against it, and sometimes I liked to nibble. Would a necklace interfere with my ability to nuzzle? I was being ridiculous. I could take it off if it bothered me.

“Can we look at chains and bracelets before I make a decision?”

“Of course.” She unlocked the case and lifted out the pendant. “This retails at just under eleven hundred dollars,” she said softly. “We have other options if you’d like to have a look at those, as well.”

She was trying to save me embarrassment in case I couldn’t afford it. I was amazed something so small could cost that much money, but it wasn’t going to stop me from buying it.

“That’s fine.”

She looked relieved that I wasn’t pissed off or offended. She led me to the counter where the bracelets and chains were and pulled out two trays with a plethora of options. I shrugged and she gave me a sympathetic smile.

“May I suggest a necklace? It’s typically how this pendant is worn.”

“That sounds good.” I nodded enthusiastically, glad she knew what she was doing.

“Would you prefer something delicate, or something more like this?” She held up a heavy linked chain.

Decisions about jewelry should be a lot simpler. Apparently I was wrong. I shed my coat and shoved my sleeves up, because I was starting to sweat. Her eyes gravitated to my wrists and up my forearms. I almost pushed my sleeves back down to cover the ink, but figured it was pointless. I shouldn’t care.

“She’s petite.” I sized up Francine. They were about the same height, but Tenley was narrower, with more curves. “Kind of like you? And she’s not into flash.”

“Ah, so delicate would more appropriate?”

“That sounds good, yeah.”

We settled on a platinum chain that seemed too thin to withstand any manhandling. Francine threaded the pendant on the chain and put it into a black necklace box, which fit perfectly into one of those little, blue Tiffany & Co. boxes. Then she wrapped it in blue paper, finishing it off with a white ribbon tied into a little bow. She put it in one of those froufrou bags and tied that with more white ribbon.

I was dropping a bundle, but I didn’t care. Money hadn’t been an issue since my parents’ deaths, and Tenley deserved something pretty. Plus I felt good about having gone out and got it for her myself, without any help apart from Lisa’s advice on where to go.

Francine rang me up and I handed over my credit card. The transaction went through and I signed for it, putting the receipt in my wallet.

“If you have any problems, please don’t hesitate to bring it back in,” she said as she passed the dainty blue bag over.

“Right. Thanks.” I nodded dumbly, not sure what could go wrong with a necklace. “I just hope she likes it.”

“I’m sure she’ll love it. She’s a lucky girl.”

“I don’t know about that, but thanks for all the help.”

Francine smiled warmly. “It was my pleasure.”

It was a standard response, but for some reason, I believed she meant it.

I was late getting back to work and my client was there. Being late usually stressed me out, but things were laid-back at the shop this afternoon because after today, we closed for the holidays. My waiting client was my last.

“Nice of you to show up on time,” Lisa snarked as I walked through the door. Her tune changed as soon as she saw the bag hanging from my finger. “Oooooh, you found something! Let me see!”

“Later. My client is waiting.”

Only special clients were scheduled today, and Amy was one of the few. The shop was buzzing with excitement. Lisa had decorated the place in pale blues, silver, and black. Cookies and mulled cider were on the counter, along with cupcakes Tenley must have dropped off. They were topped with fluffy, white icing and sprinkled with little silver candies. I grabbed one on my way by and peeled the wrapper back, exposing the delicious cake.

“You want one?” I asked Amy, and motioned to the cupcakes. “My girlfriend makes them. They’re awesome.”

“I’ve already had two. I probably shouldn’t have another.” She picked up her mug of cider and followed me into the private room.

Once Amy and I went over the part of the tattoo we were going to shade, I left her to undress and put on the smock for cover. Lisa practically pounced on me when I came back out. If I’d been thinking, I would have left the little bag in the private room. Instead, it was still hanging off my finger. I passed it over.

I was all antsy as she opened it and pulled out the small Tiffany’s box. She started untying the bow.

“Wait! What are you doing? I won’t be able to rewrap that.” I reached over to snatch it from her, but she put a hand up to stop me.

“Don’t worry, I will.” She unwrapped the paper carefully and opened the blue box, lifting the black lid. She stared at the cupcake charm resting on the black velvet.

“It’s stupid, isn’t it?” I asked, suddenly unsure of my choice.

“No, it’s not stupid. It’s perfect. She’s going to love it.”

I gave myself an internal pat on the back. Score one for Stryker. If only the rest of the holidays could be this easy to manage.

Tenley’s irritated cursing distracted me from the task of choosing between a gray button-down and an electric-blue one.

“What’s up, kitten?” I called from inside my closet.

“I need help. The zipper’s stuck.”

I stuck my head out. Tenley was standing in front of the mirror, neck craning as she tried to get the zipper past her waist. Her ink was mostly on display, as was the lacy bra-and-panty set she’d been parading around in for the last twenty minutes. It was the reason I’d disappeared inside the closet. We’d already had sex twice last night. Tenley had been needy and aggressive, which meant if we went another round this morning, I risked putting her out of commission or making us late for the holiday celebration at Cassie’s. Or later, since we were supposed to be there in fifteen minutes and it took at least that long to get there from here.

I came up behind her and swept a few stray hairs over her shoulder so they wouldn’t get caught in the zipper. Tenley let go and the dress slipped down. I could see the thick lace band of her panties and then the soft, perfect swell of her ass. My dick got excited and I mentally told it to back off.

Tenley was out of sorts this morning for obvious reasons. I remembered what the holidays without my parents had been like the first couple of years. I had coped with ink and drugs.

“We could start on the color next week if you want,” I suggested as I backed the stuck zipper down.

“Really?”

“Yeah. There’s no reason not to. We can work from the shoulders down.”

“That sounds good. I’ve missed being in your chair.”

I looked up at her reflection in the mirror. The chair had been the first place where we’d honestly connected with each other on more than a physical level. It was the bond that came from artist and client. Except ours went far deeper. “Me, too.”

I was careful not to snag the lace overlay as I zipped her up. For all her undercurrents of rebellion, Tenley liked girlie dresses, which I liked, too. It made the ink and the steel underneath that much sexier. Her dress was so pale, the blush of pink was almost white. It was strapless, highlighting her still-too-prominent collarbones, but she’d gained a little weight since her return, as had I. I expected the holidays would help add to the softness in her curves, thanks to the barrage of baked goods she made.

I pressed my lips to her shoulder, and because I couldn’t help myself, I kept moving toward her neck. Tenley tilted her head to give me better access. Leaning against my chest, her hand came up and curled around my shoulder. I trailed kisses to the hollow under her ear.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, that sultry voice making it hard to stop.

I stepped back so she didn’t feel the raging hard-on that threatened to make us later than we already were.

Tenley’s bottom lip jutted out in a pout. “Where are you going?”

“To get dressed.”

“Oh?” Her eyes moved down my bare chest and stopped below my waist. “Maybe you need some help with that.”

“I think I’ve got it covered.”

Tenley followed me into the closet anyway, and it took a lot longer to get dressed than I’d anticipated. Tenley’s version of being helpful included trying to persuade me to let her take care of the problem behind the fly of my pants. Eventually she gave up and picked a shirt and tie to go with my black dress pants.

She took her time as she buttoned the shirt, starting at the bottom and working her way up, covering the ink as she went. When she was done, she offered to tuck it in. I declined. She sighed, picked up the pin-up-girl tie, and slid it under the collar around my neck.

“You know how to tie a tie?”

She nodded and bit her lip in concentration as she began a double Windsor knot. “My dad taught me when I was twelve. I was better at it than he was. He used to have me preknot all his ties so he could slip them over his head rather than fiddle with them. Connor was just as bad—” She shook her head. “Sorry.”

His name was like an electric shock, she spoke of him so rarely. Her hands shook as she pulled the knot tight. Her palm smoothed down the front and I caught it, bringing it to my lips to kiss her knuckles.

“I know today is going to be hard for you. You can talk about him if you want to. It won’t upset me.” He couldn’t come back and take her away. But his memory could incite guilt, eating away at her and making it difficult for her to be open with me.

Her eyes remained on her feet. “I can’t. I’ll cry.”

“That’s okay. I have tissues.”

I pulled her into my arms and she snuggled in tight. Her slender body shook as she fought against the tide of emotion threatening to sweep her away. It had been like that the last couple of days. I’d find her standing in front of the tree, fingering an ornament with tears streaming down her face. She always wiped them away and brushed it off, but I knew what today would be like. So many years ago, I was in the same place.

When she pulled away, her focus stayed on the collar of my shirt. She adjusted the lapels and straightened my tie again, even though it didn’t need it. Her breathing was deep and even. When she finally looked up, her eyes were shiny with unshed tears and her smile was weak. She’d crack at some point today. It was inevitable.

“You look so”—she cocked her head to the side—“normal.”

“Is that bad?”

“Not at all. I like you dressed up. It’s sexy.” Her fingers skimmed the rings in my bottom lip and trailed down my throat, tracing the perimeter of the collar. “I know what’s under there. I know what you’re hiding, when other people don’t.” She stretched up on her tiptoes to kiss the corner of my mouth.

I totally understood. I loved that Tenley had my art on her back and it wasn’t on display for just anyone. It would rarely be seen in all of its intricate glory, and most of the time, only the top of the wings would show even in a strapless dress. Tenley’s delicate, little nose ring was the only visible sign of her inner self, but I knew better. And I liked that.

I turned my head and deepened the kiss. My hands went to her waist, and I barely resisted the urge to go lower and squeeze her ass. Now wasn’t a good time to start in on that kind of thing; her emotions were already so high. I reluctantly backed off.

“I want to give you a present before we go,” I said as a distraction, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind her ear.

That got a real smile out of her. “I have one I want to give you now, too.”

I followed her out to the living room. TK was rolling on the floor, batting around her catnip mouse. More gifts for her were coming tomorrow, such as the cupcake kitty bed. Tenley couldn’t get over how cute it was, or that I’d bought the damn thing. There had been a lot of laughter over that.

Some of the presents were packed in a tote box to take to Cassie’s, but quite a few were still under the tree. I dug around in the back, where I’d hidden the gift bag. Tenley dragged a large box out from under the tree and sat on the couch, propping the box against the coffee table.

“You go first.” I handed her the bag with the white, springy ribbon.

Her eyes widened. “This is from Tiffany’s.”

I wasn’t surprised she knew where the bag was from just by looking at it. It seemed to be a girl thing. Tenley reached inside and withdrew the small blue box. Removing the lid, she took out the black box inside. She looked at me, then opened it, inhaling with a soft gasp. “Oh, Hayden.”

“Do you like it?” I asked, unable to read her reaction.

“This is really”—she hesitated—“extravagant.”

“Isn’t that what the holidays are supposed to be about? It reminded me of you, so I wanted you to have it.”

The tears she’d been holding back since she woke up this morning slipped free, which wasn’t quite the reaction I’d been going for.

“If you don’t like it, I can take it back and get you something else.”

“No, no. It’s beautiful. Too much, but beautiful.”

“You’re sure you like it?”

“Absolutely.” She swiped the tears away with the back of her hand. “I love it,” she whispered.

With gentle fingers, she lifted the chain and cradled the tiny cupcake in her palm.

“Can I put it on for you?” I took the chain from her and unclasped it. Tenley lifted her hair and I carefully fastened it around her neck. Then I pressed a kiss against her nape.

Paired with the pale pink dress and her long, dark hair, the tiny cupcake looked perfect. I adjusted it, mostly to feel the warmth of her skin. I just wanted to be close to her.

“I don’t deserve this.” She touched the charm and looked up at me through wet lashes. Grabbing hold of my tie, she tugged me forward, kissing me with lips that quivered. “I don’t deserve you.”

“That’s not true,” I whispered, hating how pained she sounded. Wishing I could make it better, knowing I couldn’t. Today was going to hurt for both of us.