“Slow down.” I laughed. “It's fine. I'm sure Owen, and I can find something fun to do.”
“I'm sure you can.” She winked.
“THIS WASN'T EXACTLY what I had in mind when I said we had the day to ourselves, Unicorn.” Owen said, as he pulled the clothing from the dryer at the laundromat.
“Just be glad it was only one load.” I said, checking to make sure that we didn't leave anything behind. “If it were Morgan's clothing bag we'd be here for an entire week.”
He laughed, before tossing the bag over his shoulder, and gesturing towards the door.
“After you.”
“Such a gentleman.” I smirked, before brushing past him so that I could open the door for him.
When we reached the truck, and the laundry was safely tossed into the back we found ourselves with nothing left to do.
“We could grab dinner?” Owen offered.
I turned towards him then, my eyes instantly drawn to the tattoo sleeves covering his arms.
“I want to get a tattoo.” I blurted out.
“You do?” He asked, arching a brow. “I thought it wouldn't fit with your 'image?'”
“I'll just have to get it somewhere that no one will see it then.”
“No one but the man giving you the tattoo.”
I rolled my eyes. “They're professionals. I'm sure they see naked women almost daily.”
“Alright, Unicorn. Let's get you a tattoo.”
I grinned, as I watched Owen do a quick search on his cell for a tattoo parlor. I thought I'd be nervous, but I was feeling the complete opposite. I was excited. I could already feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins. I was finally doing something for me, because I wanted it, and it was a feeling I couldn't describe.
“Looks like there's a reputable shop about twenty minutes from here.”
“Just tell me which way to go.”
He chuckled, as I pulled out onto the road. “Do you even know what you want?”
“I think I do.” I said, matter of factly.
“Well don't leave me hanging.”
“I want a bird cage with the door open, and the bird flying free.”
“Why?”
“It's a representation. I'm finally free, and I don't intend on being caged again.”
“A woman like you should never be caged, Ronnie.” He said, reaching for my hand.
I felt his thumb brush over mine, and I couldn't help but smile. It had been a long time since I'd truly felt happy, and the more time I spent with Owen, the happier I felt. We spent the rest of the drive to the tattoo parlor in comfortable silence. The radio played country music in the background, and Owen held my hand the entire way.
When we pulled into the small shop, there were only two other cars in the lot. Upon further inspection a neon sign lit in red, sat just above the door frame. It read 'Capone's Ink,' and had two more neon signs on either side of the door. The one on the left was lit up, and read 'open,' while the other said 'closed.'
“Are you sure about this?” Owen asked, as we climbed out of the truck, and approached the door.
“Absolutely.” I said reaching for the door handle, and stepping inside.
When the bell rang announcing our arrival, a tall red head with tattoos covering nearly every inch of bare skin came around the corner to greet us. She smiled kindly, and reached her hand out to Owen to introduce herself. Of course she'd think we were here because of him.
“What can I help you with today.”
“Actually.” Owen said, placing his hands on my shoulders from behind. “We're here to pop her cherry.”
My eyes grew wide, and the woman behind the counter laughed.
“Well I'd be happy to be her first.” She winked, before turning her attention onto me. “I'm Gia.”
“Ronnie.”
“We don't usually take walk ins, but I just had a cancellation. Depending on what you're looking for, I'm sure we can work something out.”
I told her what I wanted, and after sitting with her for a few minutes she came up with a rough sketch. She also showed me a few that were pre-drawn from other artists. She said she wouldn't draw them because she liked to use her own work, but it gave me a few ideas for the cage design.
In the end, I wound up with a design that I was really happy with. She said it should only take two hours, and since I didn't want any color it wouldn't take as long to heal either. Owen, and I followed her back to a room then, and I sat down on the dental style chair in the center of the room. Owen grabbed a chair from the other side, and brought it over to sit beside me.
“Are you her boyfriend?” Gia asked, as she began to get her tools ready.
“No.” He said. “We uh, we're just-”
“We're sleeping together.” I answered for him. He may not be my boyfriend, but it didn't mean that I wanted Gia all over him either.
“What she said.” He answered, before looking at me, and biting back a smile.
I shrugged innocently, and he shook his head.
“Can't say that I blame you, girl.” Gia said, before scooting towards me on her stool. “Is it like, an exclusive thing? Or-”
“It is.” Owen answered this time, and hearing those two words fall from his lips was like winning the lottery.
“Message received.” Gia said before putting a pair of gloves on, and getting down to business. “You said you wanted it on your rib cage, right?”
“Yes.”
“OK. You can either take your shirt off, or just lift it up. Totally up to you.”
“When in Rome.” I said before sitting up, and lifting my shirt over my head.
I laid back in the chair, and watched as Gia transferred the sketch onto my skin. Her hands were steady, and she had a laser focus. Despite the fact that she hit on Owen, I kind of liked her. When she finished with the transfer, she asked me to stand so that I could look in the mirror. She wanted to make
