(mature content)

I see the lady out and close the shop. What's her name again? Oh, Kayla! I have just finished the outline of her tattoo and it's too much that she needs a break and will return tomorrow or a few days later.

With my back leaning against the door, I look down at my bulge. This is not the first time it has happened. Last time, it happened when Kayla showed me where she wanted the tattoo and I ran my fingers over it.

There is something about the smoothness of her skin that triggers my urge to ink it. Somewhere in the middle of that feeling, I realized that I have this thing here. This has never happened with any other customers, but I doubt that she arouses me. It's more like the idea of tattooing that skin makes me react this way.

I slip into the section that she was just in and sit at the exact stool where I was tattooing her a moment ago.

"Mmm!" I couldn't keep the sound in as I think of that's smooth silky skin.

I remember the feeling when the needle was making its way on that skin and run a hand up and down my shaft.

What would I do if I have more chances with that skin than just a small tattoo? Cover it with my most beautiful art? Plan what to put all over it so it would be a masterpiece?

No, it could be easily spoiled if I don't treat it with care. Too many tattoos would cover up the natural pureness of that heavenly canvas, turn it mediocre, even hideous.

Hideous... I have never thought of the same thing when tattooing Brad or anyone else. Maybe it's because Kayla's skin is a masterpiece itself...

Kayla has done a good job preserving it up until now. It is something worth worshipping.

I explode in my hand.

After making sure that everything is spotless in the way it should be, I leave the shop and go straight to the pub downtown. This is my usual place to wind down with Brad.

"Hey, man!" Brad greets me with an 'I'm-already-tipsy' tone.

I settle down on the barstool, immediately reminded of the stool in the parlor.

"One beer for me, please."

"How was the baby girl when you actually started tattooing her? Did she faint?"

"Close to. I just finished the outline because of that."

"Then I should celebrate that I will get more chances to leave early."

Baby girl, huh? I take a big gulp of my beer. My mind has wandered back to the baby-like skin. For the first time, Brad has come up with a good nickname, a close one.

I feel a smack on my shoulder and turn to Brad.

"What gives you that, man?"

I follow his gaze, look down, and catch a growing boner.

"Seems to me that you're not Asexual, just waiting for the right one."

"The right one or the right thing?" I mumble under my breath.

"What? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

"I do have a libido, you know, just don't feel any sexual attraction to anyone."

"OK, OK! No need to burn me alive."

~*~

Throughout Kayla's following appointments, I never try anything to confirm who or which gives me the reactions. Is it her, her skin, or tattooing her that arouses my interest? I have no idea.

It becomes a pattern that I focus solely on my work, Kayla tries to stay conscious, and I deal with my arousal after she has left.

Today is her last appointment. Kayla and her perfect skin will be out of my life forever.

"There we go!" I say as I finish my work.

Kayla seems to be startled by the sudden sound.

"Phew! Wow! OK! So, it's done."

Her expression shows relief. I should be happy for her, and for myself as a job is done, but I just feel heavy.

"Do you want to try it out?"

"Yes, yes! That would be lovely."

The audio is short, but it makes her eyes watery. Soon enough, tears fall out, but she is too immersed to notice.

The tingling sensation on my fingertips catches me by surprise. I just wiped her tears. But, man, the touch of her face is even more heavenly than her arm. A particular part of me starts swelling. I clear my throat and try to act normal.

"You know about the aftercare already, but I have to say it. Please treat your tattoo with delicacy, or else it will be ruined. Your skin will be ruined."

"I'll be careful with it."

"Just being careful is not enough. You have to..."

"I know." Kayla cuts me off.

She probably thinking I'm some kind of psycho. She just doesn't know how precious her skin is. To me, it's an invaluable treasure.

"I'll make sure it will be treated properly."

I know where this is going. She's going to pay, say goodbye, and be gone forever. I don't want that. I have to stop it... somehow.

"I guess this is it. Thank you for being very patient with me. Oh, please send my appreciation to Brad also. I know he has to leave early because of me."

She pauses for a bit, but I can't come up with anything to say.

"Goodbye, Clint! Have a nice weekend."

On impulse, I grab her at the elbow as she is turning away. What should I say now?

"Kayla! I... I thought that..."

She looks at me, searching for a clue and, man, she is good at it. I have to avert my gaze to avoid her finding out some truths I didn't even know about.

There is only one normal way to keep her around. I have to try my luck, then. "I never thought I could be interested in someone, but... Do you have any plans after this?"

She, dumbfounded, shakes her head slightly.

"Good. Let's go out for dinner, shall we? My treat."

.

.

.

I take her out for dinner, then a drink at a small pub. We talk about casual things, from which I have learnt that she is a very cool girl.

This is actually the first time I fully take in her appearance. She has a fluffy long black hair that highlights the beauty of her skin and a pair of very mesmerizing eyes. She is gorgeous and she is aware of it.

When the night is about to draw to an end, she changes her tone.

"Let's be honest, Clint! It's not me you're interested in, right?"

Guess that I'm too terrible an actor because she caught me red-handed.

"What makes you say that?"

"Pure intuition," she answers with no hesitation. She must have one hell of an intuition.

"And I thought something I did gave it away."

"Partially, yeah."

I was holding back a little as I'm not quite sure of how I feel towards everything — my body's reaction whenever I touch her, the urge to worship her skin, the need of seeing her again, and herself. I've been trying to act like I'm completely interested but she must have picked up on my confusion.

"You are sharp." And smart.

"Thank you." She takes the compliment with confidence.

"Now you've really got my attention."

I down my drink in one go to gather the courage, to be honest.

"I don't know how to name this yet, but I do feel some kind of attraction towards you. Say, Kayla, are you willing to give it a go with me?"

A smile blooms on her face, bright and mischievous. "Then there's something you should know first. I'm a gray ace."