Body, Ink, and Soul (9 page)

''Ty, can I ask you a question?'' My voice came out louder than I expected. Bekka looked straight at me - knowing I was up to something,that I had a plan and I had questions, lots of questions. Who was Levi? Where was he from? I had to know as much information as I could. He was intriguing, but also frustrating. We shared a love/hate type of connection, without the love. I hoped Tyler could confirm my belief that Levi was no good, and then I could just forget about him and concentrate on Tristan.

''Yeah. Sure,'' he frowned.

''Who’s Levi? Where’s he from? What's his story?'' I blurted out.

''That’s more like three questions, Nix. Why are you asking? He’s just a good friend of mine,'' Tyler replied, nonchalantly.

“Why haven’t I seen him before he turned up last week?'' I pressed.

''He crashes here at night. He just came back to Seattle. He was on the East Coast for a few months and he doesn't have a place here anymore, so I offered him a bed.''

''What about the lawyer thing?''

''It’s not my story to tell, Nix.'' He patted my shoulder gently. ''Ask him - he won't bite.''

Damn it! There was something there, something Levi apparently wanted to keep hidden, and I didn't like it. Why would someone spend all those years in law school, if the subject didn't interest him to begin with? Becoming a lawyer wasn't easy, as it required long hours spent studying. I’d once thought about going to law school, so I knew it was no laughing matter. It was definitely not something you got into, not unless you were sure you wanted to do it.

Tyler and Bekka left me to my thoughts, working through the why’s and how’s. Despite my concerns, I was feeling mellow and my thinking was slowed down. Obviously the side effects of JB - it was messing with my ability to think logically. Just as I saw Levi walking into the club, with his dishevelled brown hair, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist. I stiffened automatically, wondering who the hell it was, but I still couldn’t stop staring at ink boy. He glanced up and our eyes locked. My beat increased in tempo. Levi had my brain scrambled – as much as I wanted to stay away from him, I also wanted to get to know him better. I wanted to learn what those tatts on his arms signified. I wanted to know why he was back in town. I wanted to know why he wasn’t practising law. Everything about him had me curious and wanting more.

''That's a very short skirt you have on tonight, Nix.'' Tristan murmured in my ear, before feather kissing my neck. I looked away from Levi, my cheeks heating and my body reacting to Tristan’s nearness.

''You scared me,'' I admitted.

''Your skin is so soft,'' he whispered. I turned around to look at him - he sounded different. ''You are so beautiful tonight, baby.''

''Are you drunk?'' I asked, with a giggle. I hadn't known him for very long and I’d never seen him like this before. ''You’re kind of cute.''

He smiled a lopsided grin. ''I had a few drinks before I came here. So yes, it’s a possibility.'' He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. I nibbled on his bottom lip and he pulled me closer, devouring my mouth. He’d never kissed me in such an unrestrained manner before. My entire body lit up with excitement. He pulled back, offering me a smile. ''Do you want to dance with me?''

''I would love to,” I breathed.

He led the way through the crowds to the dance floor. The sexual tension between us was so strong, more powerful than ever. His hands slid from my hips to the side of my breast and down to the small of my back. We laughed, kissed repeatedly, and smiled. We didn't do much talking, our bodies were in control, doing all the communicating for us.

For the first time in months, I let myself go. I enjoyed myself, letting my walls down. I knew him – even if it was just a little, I knew him enough to feel safe. We danced until the DJ put on a rock song and then went straight to the bar and ordered another round of shots. Jim Beam and Tequila - I knew better than mixing alcohol, but I wanted to have a good time.

I spotted Levi sitting at the end of the bar. When our eyes met, he saluted me with his hand, holding a bottle of beer. I nodded back. I remembered that I wanted to talk to him, but with Tristan’s cologne all over me, I didn't care anymore. I turned to Tristan, who’d taken his second shot, and he kissed me again. I could taste the tequila and lemon on his tongue. He kept his arms around my waist, one of his hands settled on my behind. It made me feel like I was his, that he wanted me and me alone. We were inseparable - repeatedly kissing with our tongues colliding, seeking out one another. His hands roamed across my body, touching my revealed skin. This had never happened to me before, and it should have been nerve wracking. I’d always thought of myself as a timid person, shy and not prone to public displays. Tonight was special, I didn’t care what other people though and he made me feel special.

Much to my disgust, the karaoke machine was started up. The first contestant to reach the stage was a tall, thin redhead. The club went quiet as we waited for the song to start. The girl looked nervous and I didn't know what to expect, whether she could even sing. The music started and I groaned inwardly - it was one of those songs with the high notes which no one could ever hope to reach. I kept my fingers crossed that she could do the song justice, but I knew it was unlikely.

Tristan watched her singing her heart out and, to my surprise, he seemed to enjoy it. He applauded when she sang the last lyrics of the song. I downed my two last shots of JB, in hopes that the headache this girl had just given me would go away.

Unfortunately, I started to feel dizzy instead. I’d had a lot to drink and I closed my eyes, concentrating on not falling over. The floor felt like it was made of marshmallow, and the vibration of the loud music was jarring. I grabbed hold of a table and breathed in slowly again, feeling better after a few seconds. Bekka ran over to me and pulled me onto the dance floor. I didn't have time to say anything to Tristan, he just watched me disappear into the crowds. I felt torn – while I wanted to be with him, I also wanted to enjoy my night with Bekka and Val. That was, after all, the whole point of the night.

Val was already dancing in the middle of the floor. We were dancing to a mix of Rihanna and Jay Z and I soon realized they had as much alcohol in their systems as I did. There was no doubt about it, this was going to be a long and fun night.

Bekka was wearing a grin so wide, it touched her eyes. ''I think this is it, girls! I'm pretty sure that Tyler and I are... together,'' she squealed.

I knew it already, but to hear her confirm they’d made a move towards each other made me smile. I squeezed her in my arms, ''I’m so happy for you, Bekka,” I said, trying to stay steady on my feet.

''What's up with you and Tristan? You’re really letting go tonight!'' Val shouted over the music.

''I am. I don't know what we are, but we’re having a good time.'' I searched for him by the bar. He was sitting on a bench with the red haired singer at his side. They were just talking, I thought. At least, I certainly hoped so.

I shook the depressing thought away and danced with my friends again. I had never had so much fun in my life. I felt free, with nothing to inhibit my fun. My arms were up in the air, my hips moving seductively, and I was at ease with my body. It felt really good to let go of all my worries and just live.

The strong arms I liked very much came around my waist again and the soft lips I craved so much ran up and down the tender skin on my neck. I placed my hand over Tristan’s and leaned toward him to meet his lips.

''I have to go, baby,'' he said, slipping one of his hands down my skirt. The touch of his skin against mine shattered me. I hadn't expected it and the erotic touch made my heart pound against my ribcage. He cupped my behind with his hand. ''You are so sexy, Phoenix. I want you,'' he whispered. I stiffened as I processed what he wanted from me through an alcohol-affected brain. He’d taken me by surprise. I wanted him, too - but not yet. We weren't nearly ready to move our relationship to the next level.

“I don’t think tonight is a good night. I had too much to drink and I actually want to remember my night with you when I wake up in the morning.”

''I’ll text you tomorrow, baby.'' His words sent shivers skittering across my body. He gave me a chaste kiss, pinched my butt cheek and left me standing in the middle of the dance floor wanting more. Val and Bekka both stared at me in disbelief, and I felt my cheeks heat. Had I missed the opportunity by not going with him? I was afraid I’d ruined it. I tried to find him in the crowd, but he was already gone.

I walked to a nearby table and sat down, relieving the ache and exhaustion in my wobbly legs. I watched the crowds dancing and having a good time, and I was in utter despair. My bubble of happiness had burst - I should have gone with him! He was what I wanted and I knew it. I could still smell him on my skin, and with the help of my imagination, I could still feel his hands all over me.

Bekka and Val joined me at the table, both of them covered in a light sheen of sweat. Bekka offered to get us something to drink and she went over to the bar to order while Val settled on a chair next to me.

''Nix... Be careful with that guy. I don't want you to be angry with me, but geez, girl! You were really going for it. It was almost too much, like take-it-to-your-bedroom kind of too much.''

''Yeah, well... He’s really sweet.''

''Just be careful, okay?'' She looked at me, her eyes full of concern.

I nodded and tried to hide my embarrassment. She was right – I’d had too much to drink and it had blurred my judgement. I didn't have any regret about Tristan, but she had a point. It wasn't my normal behaviour and I realized it, regardless of the many shots I’d had. Bekka returned quickly with Levi following behind her, and they both had their hands full. I didn't know what to say to Levi -the tattoo appointment hadn't exactly ended on a good note. At first, I tried to ignore him, but he’d brought me a glass of water and a single shot of bourbon, so I had to offer my thanks. I started with the shot, letting the liquor linger in my mouth.

Everybody around the table remained quiet and I wasn’t sure why. Was it because of Levi? Or my behaviour? I took the ice cold water and downed it quickly, probably too quickly given how drunk I was. I thought I was going to be sick, but I kept calm and the nausea settled down.

''What are you doing here?'' I asked Levi, my eyes focused on the empty glass.

''Tyler invited me, so here I am.'' His tone caught me off guard. He obviously wasn't mad anymore, so I looked up and met his eyes. ''And I wanted to say I’m sorry about earlier. I was an ass and you didn't deserve it.''

''Apology accepted. I’m sorry, too. I gave you the cold shoulder and that wasn’t nice... but it doesn't mean we’re friends,'' I warned him with a wink.

''Don't worry about it, it’ll come. You’ll get to know me eventually,'' he said confidently.

Yeah, because he was suddenly always around and always trying to talk to me.

He smiled and when Bekka and Val did, too, it felt like all the tension dissipated.

''What do you girls think about singing a little karaoke?'' Levi suggested suddenly.

I burst into laughter. ''No way. I'm out.''

Bekka and Val tried hard to convince me, but I wasn't going up there to sing some lame song in front of a drunken crowd.

''What are you afraid of? '' Levi asked.

''I'm not afraid of anything. I just don't feel the need to go up there and pretend I'm someone else.''

''You’re scared,'' he announced, in what was obviously a challenge.

''Shut up! I am not.''

''She actually can sing. You’d be surprised,”' Val told Levi. If looks could kill, Val would be on the floor, murdered by my cold glare. Instead, she met my eyes and laughed in my face.

''So... go... show me how good you are. Impress me,'' he dared, stretching his tattooed arms over his head. His lips turned up in a cocky smile, confident he was getting to me.

''You are such an ass!'' I spewed, the carotid artery hammering in my neck and temple. I didn't know if it was because of the quantity of JB I’d drunk, or his challenge, but I was pissed off. He was trying to provoke me, pushing me out of my comfort zone and I didn’t appreciate it.

''I thought you were braver than that,'' he continued with a smile. It was a smile which had me speechless, he was absolutely stunning. Again I warned myself not to get involved with him, and I scowled.

''You and I - we are
never
going to be friends.'' I got up and walked through the crowd, grabbing someone’s shot and throwing it back in a gulp. The cinnamon taste of the Goldschlager exploded in my mouth, spurring me on. I jumped onto the stage and picked a song. I went for a rock song by Incubus, wondering absently why they always had old stuff in karaoke.

I wished I had my guitar, so I could hide behind it. I removed the microphone from the stand and walked across the stage. Despite my brave words, I realized I wasn't just nervous - I was scared out of my mind! At that precise moment, I understood why most people participating in karaoke were drunk. It was obviously easier to make a fool of yourself if you were pissed. I’d had a lot to drink, but I wasn't completely out of control yet. I’d come up here to prove a point to Levi, and I had to nail the song. Incubus used to be my favorite band back in the day, and I remembered all the lyrics to their songs.

When the music started, I marched to the centre of the stage. Everyone was staring, probably wondering how badly I was going to sing. Bekka and Val thought I was talented, but they were my friends, maybe they were just being nice. These people were strangers and it made my stomach turn upside down to think of singing in front of them and how they would react if I sucked. My hand trembled as I clutched the microphone and I had to take a deep breath to calm down. My game plan was to simply pretend I was home with the girls, sitting on the couch. It was the only way to make it through this ordeal.

Val, Bekka and Levi were standing right in front of the stage. The girls were my biggest fans and Levi, well, he was looking at me uncertainly.