Music, Ink, and Love (3 page)

She burst in laughter. “No, baby. No sex. We’re in Vegas. Come on, get dressed. There is so much to see.” She kept her bottom lip between her teeth. She didn’t even realize how freaking hot she looked.

“Okay, get off me before I change my mind.” I had to stay clear of her until I had at least my boxers and jeans on. Of course, it took over fifteen minutes to find my boxers. This could have ended badly, but I kept my brain at the right place and got dressed.

“Will you hold my hand, Rock Star?” Even though we had just spent hours naked and cuddling, I still needed to touch her, claim her.

She answered me with a beautiful smile and slid her fingers into mine. Together, we walked out of the room with no mention of her father. I still had question, but I knew that she would talk to me about it when she was ready.

The lights were blinding, the Strip alive at sunset. It wasn’t the first time that I had been here, but it still impressed me. I felt alive with all the people walking down the street, the city noise and the colorful lights on the different hotels. This place brought all the craziness of life; parties, shows, weddings.

“You do realize that you have that huge smirk on your face, right?” Nix laughed at my side.

I chuckled, I actually had no clue. My mind had cleared out all the anxiety I had toward her father, I was just living the moment. “I do? Now that explains the cramps in my cheeks.”  She elbowed me in the ribs and I yelped loudly.

“Are you hungry, smartass?”

“Yeah, but I don’t feel like sitting for an hour. Do hamburgers and French fries sound good to you?” My fast-food addiction had to stop, but not in Vegas, come on. I wanted to show her around and not waste a freaking hour in a restaurant.

“A cheeseburger will seal the deal.” She kissed my cheek.

How did I get so lucky? A girl who’s not afraid to eat and doesn’t mind doing things simply. “You’re the best, baby. Come on, I know where to go.”

There was one place where Kyle and I would stop by every time we came here and I had to share that place with her. She shared a lot of her life with me. Her apartment, her friends, her family history, the club... I wanted to show her my spot. Nothing major, just an old fast food restaurant with a great variety of burgers.

I hadn’t talked to Kyle since leaving the convention. “Do you mind if I give Kyle a call? I have no idea where he’s at.”

“No, not at all. Why don’t you ask him to join us for dinner?” She suggested and she was right.

Leaving him alone in Vegas sucked. We came here for work but Kyle was like a brother to me and I had ditched him enough already.

“Hey, man, where are you?”

“I’m on my way to the hotel, why?” He sounded tired, maybe bored. I felt bad.

“Do you want to grab something to eat with us?” The tone of my voice was hopeful, I wanted him to join us. We always had fun together.

“The burger place?” I couldn’t see him but I knew he was smiling now. It was our ‘thing’ here in Vegas.

“You got that right.”

“I’ll meet you there, Romeo.”

“Shut up.” I would never see the end of Kyle’s teasing. Getting married had never been in the cards for me. The idea started to make sense when I met Nix and my whole fucking world changed. Not that I used to be a player but I never had issues with dating. I knew I had charm and I had no problem using it to get what I wanted. I even did it to Nix and it worked, although it took more time before she finally gave in. Thanks to Bekka for letting me move in or I think I would still be running after her. Nix knew she liked me, but she had that mentally imprinted in her. I squeezed her hand and pulled her into my arms before entering the restaurant. We kissed, holding each other, and it felt great, at peace.

“Okay, kiddos, I’m here now. Stop with the kissing and shit. I’m not watching porn again tonight.” Kyles joked as he walked up on us.

We all laughed and Nix flushed a bright cherry red.

S
unday was uneventful compared to Saturday. All three of us had an early breakfast down at the hotel's restaurant, and then we went back to the convention for the last day.

Nix didn't say it, but I could sense how nervous she was. Brian was going to be there and, as she had told me in the shower this morning, she didn't know how to approach him. She wasn’t excited to see him again, just curious. I had to give her that, if the situation was reversed, I would have wanted to know more. No matter what her decision would be, my place was right next to hers.

“Morning, guys. Morning, Phoenix.” Brian greeted us as we arrived. I squeezed Nix’s hand to let her know I was in this with her.

“Good morning, Brian.” Her voice sounded anxious, not entirely certain how to handle this.

We got to our kiosk and the first visitors started to walk by.  The coffee finally kicked in half an hour later. I had to get my head together. We all stayed up way too late last night, after Nix dragged us to the Tao night club and forced us to dance. At first, I wished we had stayed in our hotel room, but then, after a few shots, I started having fun and Kyle too. He met a girl and he seemed to really get along with her,
if you know what I mean
. For us, Nix and I, we dirty danced under the red chandelier and it felt good to have a good time with her. She smiled, she laughed, we kissed... everything I needed. The DJ’s music resonated through my whole body. His beats and combinations of songs topped all the DJs I had even seen live.

The sun peeked through the horizon when we finally reached the hotel. Our clothes were drenched in sweat. Kyle and I went our separate ways while he said goodbye to the girl, or maybe he invited her back to his room. Though, I didn’t really want to know. We showered quickly and passed out within two minutes of cuddling. We got a few hours of sleep but nothing near what we needed.

I rubbed my eyes, forcing them to wake up and stay open. Nix gave me my schedule and it turned out, I had another free hour before my next appointment. I contemplated going back to bed for the hour, but that would piss Kyle off and I really had no need to deal with an angry Kyle. I stayed sitting at my station with Nix by my side.

“Do you have enough time for an impromptu tattoo?” She asked, shy and her eyes looking at me in a languorous way.

“What do you have in mind?”

“Levi.” My name sounded erotic coming out of her mouth.

“Yeah, baby, what do you want?”

She repeated. “Levi.” Her finger rubbed on the inside of her wrist.

At that moment, I finally got what she wanted. She was asking me to tattoo my name on the inside of her wrist. Really? God damn it. My one and only rule. Was I about to break it?

“I... I... don’t tattoo boyfriend or girlfriend names, Nix. I’ve declined so many clients before.”

“Are you really declining me?” Her eyebrow crooked. “Do you fear I’ll regret it? Are we together or not?”

Fuck, I needed a time out. My brain was way too mushy to think it through. My fiancée, the woman I asked to marry me, wanted me to ink her permanently with my name. Fuck! What was I supposed to say?

“Okay.”
What? Did that come out of my mouth?
I was having a moment, battling against my head and heart. The fact that she asked me to mark her with my name totally turned me on and proved to me her love, but it went against my one and only rule.

“Good, because I would have asked Kyle to do it.”

I laughed out loud. “He wouldn’t have done it, trust me.”

She pouted, upset. Damn, was she cute?

“Are you sure about this? You already have Angel on your bicep, it’s enough.” I paused and looked at her, but her eyes stared at me, ordering me to change my mind. It was a lost cause. “How big do you want it? What kind of font are you thinking about?”

“Big enough, right here.” She pointed her wrist. “And I want an old school font.”

I sighed. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” I got my machine out of my case. “Can you get the equipment ready while I sketch something quickly?”

“Lev, don’t be like that. We’re forever, you and me.” Her lips touched my temple. “And besides, you should be happy.”

“Why?” Why would I be happy?

“Because I’m sure as hell no guy will ever try to flirt with me with your name inked on my skin.”

“I’m starting to like the idea now.” I smirked.

T
his moment had to be painful for Nix. Her face voided all her emotions, but I knew her better than that. Her last moment with Brian had sent her mind into turmoil, I didn’t want to think about the aftermath. Her heart and soul broke right before my eyes. Her fingers kept playing with her ring, my ring. As much as she wished she could, she couldn’t hide how nervous she felt.

“You have my number, call me to let me know when you want to visit and I’ll take care of everything.”

“I will.” She responded. “Thank you, for the invite.”

“Sure, I spent most of my life wondering and questioning myself about you. I want to get to know you. It may not feel like it now, but we’re family.”

“I know. It’s a lot to take in. I’m... I don’t know what to think, but I’ll make sure to call you in the next couple of days.” A hint of a smile appeared on her face and that said a lot. She released my hand to shake his. He took her in a quick embrace, startling her.

“Thank you, Levi, for taking care of my girl. I hope you’ll join her in San Francisco.”

“I’ll be there.” We shook hands and it went well. My brain finally understood that Nix was mine and that he was just her father. Obviously, she didn’t intend to leave me.
Fuck, Levi, you are such a pussy cat.

Our equipment packed and our luggage ready to go, the time had come to say goodbye. We had a plane to catch in the next hour. I didn't want to rush Phoenix, but scheduling another flight would be a pain in the ass.

Kyle left us three alone, waiting by the exit door. His iPhone seemed to entertain him just enough, probably trying to reach the next level of Candy Crush. One thing I couldn't understand about the guy, he had an addiction for meaningless games.

“Okay, babe, we can go now.” She startled me while I was concentrating on Kyle.

“Are you ready?” She nodded.

Brian and his guys took their bags and left while Nix just stared at him leaving. King B had changed over the weekend. His distress over finding Nix had been obvious. The poor man needed to get his shit together. I wouldn't like to be in his shoes, so many things must be going on in his mind. One thing was certain, history wouldn't repeat itself. If Nix was to announce she was pregnant, I would never leave her alone. Being a father had to be one of the greatest joys in life. His life must have been filled with pain and regret.

I took care of most of the luggage so I couldn't gage Nix's reaction. I feared that she was about to faint or break down. This trip completely ruined my plan of having a bit of romance surrounding my proposal. Instead, it got hit by a life changing moment and a night in one of the trendiest nightclubs in the country, I had to admit that I freaking loved my girl dancing with me in such a provocative way. I had to make a plan to make up for it. Maybe a small engagement party.

“I'll get the taxi.” The sound of her voice sounded weak and raspy. The tears probably threatened to escape and as usual, Nix had to fight against them.

When I reached the front of the hotel, Nix was talking to a cab driver through the open window.

“Is she okay?” Kyle asked.

“I don't know, probably not.”

“I can get a different taxi if you want.”

He offered me more space, but I didn't think it would make a difference. She would cry whether Kyle was with us or not. Their friendship was kind of like a brother-sister relationship, she didn’t feel the need to hide anything from him.

“It’s cool, man. Don't worry about it.”

“How can I not?” He mumbled behind me.

The driver opened the trunk and we filled it with our luggage. Damn, those things were too heavy.

Nix sat in the back seat, I joined her while K took the front seat. Softly, my hand caressed her knee and thigh. She pressed both of her thighs together and sighed.

“My heart's going to run for the hills, explode, or stop. I’m telling you, Angel, I don’t know what to feel. Instead of just feeling, I’m scared and worried that I might feel too much. I’ve lost my mom and Carlson, I know how it feels. I don’t know Brian much, but what if I lose him too?”

“You know why we have a rib cage, babe?” She nodded, her eyes tearing up. “It’s to protect our heart and keep it caged. Stop thinking about how you should feel. Just let your heart guide you. It won’t go anywhere and it won’t stop.”
Seriously, when did you get so cheesy? Love will do that to you.
I smiled at my thoughts.

“Why does it sound so easy when it comes from you?”

I pulled her to me and kissed her hair. All I desired was for her to get through this without too much damage. “I know you’re strong, Nix. You just need to focus on the right thing right now.”

“I know, babe, I know. I want to go to San Francisco though. It’ll be good for me to see where he comes from and what his life looks like, you know?”