Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Third Session Complications

Mira's hands shook as she set up her station. Not enough to affect her work, but enough that she noticed. Enough that Riley noticed too, judging by the smirk she'd been wearing all afternoon.

"Stop it," Mira said when Riley leaned against the doorframe, watching her arrange inks for the third time.

"Stop what?" Riley asked, all innocence.

"Looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you know something."

Riley's smirk widened. "Do I know something?"

Mira turned away, focusing on checking her tattoo machine. "Nothing to know."

"Really?" Riley crossed her arms. "So if I told you that a very attractive guy in a suit walked into some place I was at last weekend, then disappeared into the bathroom for twenty minutes, and came out looking like he'd just had the best time of his life, followed ten minutes later by a certain tattoo artist friend of mine who couldn't stop blushing... that wouldn't mean anything?"

Mira froze. "You saw?"

"Honey, half the bar saw you two leave together. You weren't exactly subtle." Riley lowered her voice. "And before you freak out, Derek already left for his date, so it's just us here."

"Nothing happened," Mira said automatically, then sighed at Riley's raised eyebrow. "Okay, something happened. But it was a one-time thing."

"Uh-huh. And that's why you're setting up for his appointment thirty minutes early? And why you changed shirts twice today?"

"I'm being professional."

"Is that what we're calling it now?"

Mira threw a clean paper towel at her. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Nope. I'm exactly where I want to be, front row for this show." Riley dodged the paper towel with a laugh. "Seriously though, are you okay? You know, with..." she gestured vaguely, "the rule-breaking?"

Mira hesitated. She wasn't okay. She'd spent the last week alternating between reliving every moment in that bathroom and panicking about seeing Hayden again. Between wanting more and knowing she should end it before it got complicated. Between desire and professionalism.

"I'm handling it," she said finally.

"Sure you are." Riley's voice softened. "Look, I'll make myself scarce when he gets here. Just... be careful, okay? Corporate guys like him - "

"He's not like that," Mira interrupted, surprising herself with her defensiveness. "He's different."

"That's what worries me." Riley pushed off the doorframe. "Anyway, he's here."

"What? He's not due for another twenty minutes."

Riley shrugged and smiled. "Guess he's as eager as you are."

Before Mira could respond, Riley disappeared down the hallway. Moments later, she heard the low rumble of Hayden's voice in the reception area. Her pulse quickened. She busied herself with final preparations, trying to look composed when she heard his footsteps approaching.

"You're early," she said without looking up.

"Meeting finished sooner than expected," Hayden replied from the doorway.

Mira finally turned to face him. He wore dark jeans and a simple blue button-down. His hair was slightly tousled, as if he'd been running his hands through it. The sight of him sent a flood of memories washing over her. His hands on her skin, his mouth on hers, the feel of him inside her.

"Am I interrupting your setup?" he asked, his eyes never leaving hers.

"No," she managed. "Just finishing up."

Hayden stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. The click seemed to echo in the suddenly too-small space.

"How've you been?" he asked, his voice casual but his eyes intense.

"Busy," Mira said, retreating to safer territory. "Exhibition prep, client work. You?"

"Distracted." One word, loaded with meaning. "I've been thinking about you."

Mira swallowed hard. "Hayden - "

"I know. Just tonight, that's what we said." He took a step closer. "But we both know it wasn't enough."

Mira forced herself to maintain professional distance. "You're here for your tattoo."

Hayden studied her face for a long moment, then nodded. "If that's what you want."

"It's why you made the appointment," she reminded him, gesturing to the chair. "Let's get started."

He held her gaze for another beat before relenting. He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the partially completed phoenix on his shoulder and back. Mira tried to look at it objectively, as a project rather than as art on the body of a man she'd been intimate with.

"It's healing well," she said, her professional eye taking over as she examined her work. "Ready for more color work today."

Hayden settled into the chair, facing the backrest so she could access his shoulder and back.

"How long will this session take?" he asked as she prepared her tools.

"Two hours, maybe three." Mira pulled her stool close. "We need to finish the color work and do any touch-ups."

The buzz of the tattoo machine filled the room as she began. For several minutes, Mira worked in silence, focusing on the task rather than the man. But eventually, Hayden spoke.

"I meant what I said. I've been thinking about you, Mira."

She paused briefly, then resumed her work. "Tattoos tend to stay on people's minds until they're finished."

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

Mira kept her eyes on her work, adding deep amber shading to the phoenix's wing. "We agreed, Hayden. Just that night."

"And you've been fine with that? Haven't thought about it since?"

She bit her lip, focusing on a particular section. "It doesn't matter what I've thought about."

"It matters to me."

Mira set the machine down and wiped excess ink from his skin, needing a moment.

"I can't do this again," she said quietly. "Not with a client."

"Because of what happened before? With that guy who stole your designs?"

Mira tensed. "That's not relevant."

"It is if it's why you're fighting this." Hayden shifted slightly, trying to look at her though the position made it difficult. "I'm not him, Mira."

"It's not just that." She picked up her machine again, resuming work on the deep reds at the wing tips. "It's about professionalism. About separating work and... other things."

"Then fire me as a client."

Mira's hand stilled. "What?"

"Find someone else to finish the tattoo. Derek, maybe."

"You want me to give away my work?" Mira couldn't keep the offense from her voice. "This is my design, my creation. I don't hand off my art."

"Then we have a problem." Hayden's voice hardened slightly. "Because I want more than just one night, Mira. And if that means finding another artist to finish this, I will."

Anger flared in her chest. "That's not fair."

"None of this is fair." The muscles in his back tensed under her hands. "It's not fair that I can't stop thinking about you. It's not fair that I want to kiss you every time I see you. And it's sure as hell not fair that some asshole in your past is keeping you from taking a chance on something that could be good."

Mira set the machine down again, harder than necessary. "You don't get to make this about Max."

"Then what is it about? Really?"

"It's about boundaries," Mira said, her voice rising slightly. "I can't risk my professional reputation for someone I barely know."

Hayden turned fully this time, facing her despite the awkward angle. "Is that really all I am to you? Just a client?"

The hurt in his eyes made her chest tighten. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

Mira stood abruptly, needing space. She walked to the sink, washing her hands even though they didn't need it. "I barely know you."

"Then get to know me," Hayden said, his voice softening. "Outside the studio. Not as client and artist."

"It's not that simple."

"It could be." He stood now too, careful to keep the plastic covering over the fresh ink. "We can work it out. If you want to."

Mira turned back to face him, her heart racing. "And if it goes badly? If things get complicated? Then I'm stuck seeing you in my studio, trying to finish this piece while dealing with...whatever mess we made."

"Or it could be good," Hayden countered, stepping closer. "It could be really good, Mira."

He was too close now. Close enough that all she had to do was sway forward and her lips would be on his.

"We should finish your tattoo," she said, her voice not quite steady.

Hayden didn't move. "You've thought about me too, haven't you?"

Mira swallowed. "Hayden - "

"That night has been on replay in my head all week," he said, his voice low and intimate. "I want more of that. More of you."

"Stop," she whispered, but there was no force behind it.

"I can't stop thinking about you," he admitted, his voice dropping lower. "How you felt, how you tasted."

Heat flooded through her body at his words, memories of his mouth between her thighs making her knees weak.

"We're in the studio," she protested weakly.

"I know." His hand came up to brush a strand of hair from her face, fingers lingering on her cheek. "Breaking all your rules, aren't I?"

"Yes."

"Tell me to stop."

Mira knew she should. This was exactly what she'd promised herself wouldn't happen again. But the words wouldn't come. Instead, she found herself swaying closer, drawn to him like a magnet.

"This is a mistake," she whispered, even as her hands came up to rest on his chest.

"Maybe," he agreed, his other hand settling on her waist. "But I'm willing to risk it if you are."

The door to the studio swung open without warning. Mira jumped back from Hayden, putting several feet between them just as Derek appeared in the doorway.

"Hey, forgot my - " Derek stopped mid-sentence, taking in the scene before him. Hayden shirtless, Mira flushed, tension thick in the air. "Uh, sorry to interrupt."

"You're not interrupting," Mira said quickly. "We were just taking a break."

Derek's eyes flicked between them, one eyebrow raised. "Right. I just need to grab my sketchbook." He moved to a drawer near the door, watching them from the corner of his eye. "Don't mind me."

Mira busied herself arranging tools that didn't need arranging. Hayden returned to the chair, sitting with more composure than she felt.

"Found it," Derek announced, holding up a black notebook. "I'll leave you to your...break." He paused at the door. "But maybe keep the door open? Studio policy and all."

Mira shot him a look that could have melted steel. Derek just grinned and disappeared, leaving the door pointedly ajar.

Silence stretched between them for several seconds before Hayden broke it.

"Studio policy?"

"He's messing with me," Mira muttered, embarrassment washing over her. "Derek's known me too long."

"Does he know about...?"

"No. But he suspects something." Mira returned to her stool, pulling on fresh gloves. "Let's just finish your tattoo."

Hayden turned back around, presenting his back to her once more. The phoenix stared at her, half-finished, wings spread in flight. Like her, caught between grounded safety and soaring risk.

"For what it's worth," Hayden said as she picked up her machine, "I meant what I said. About finding another artist if that's what you want."

The thought of someone else finishing her work made Mira's stomach clench. But the alternative...

"Let me think about it," she said finally, the buzz of the machine filling the room once more.

They worked in silence for a while, Mira focusing on the color work that required her full attention. But her mind kept drifting to Hayden's words, to what he was offering. To what might have happened if Derek hadn't walked in.

"You're tensing up," she noted after about thirty minutes, feeling the muscles in his shoulder tighten beneath her hands.

"Hard not to," Hayden replied, his voice strained. "Your hands on me, but not the way I want them."

Heat rushed to Mira's face. "Hayden," she warned, glancing toward the open door.

"Just being honest." She could hear the smile in his voice. "Isn't that what you want? Honesty?"

"What I want is to finish your tattoo without complications."

"Too late for that." He shifted slightly, muscles flexing under her fingers. "We complicated things the moment you kissed me in the studio."

Mira couldn't argue with that. She worked quietly for another few minutes, adding the final touches to the phoenix's head. Sharp eyes that seemed to look right into her, challenging her.

"What exactly are you suggesting?" she asked finally, her curiosity getting the better of her. "If I considered... something between us?"

Hayden was quiet for a moment. "Dinner. A real one. My place or yours, no distractions. We talk, get to know each other outside this studio."

"Just dinner?"

"To start with," he clarified. "The attraction is there. But I want more than just physical."

Mira processed this as she worked, adding final highlights to the phoenix's wing tips. "And the tattoo?"

"We finish it first," Hayden said. "Complete this piece properly. Then whatever happens between us is separate."

It was a reasonable suggestion. More than reasonable.

"I need to think about it," Mira repeated, not ready to commit.

"Take all the time you need," Hayden said, though she could hear the disappointment in his voice.

They lapsed into silence again, the only sounds the buzz of the machine and their breathing. Mira lost herself in the work, adding the final touches to what was becoming one of her best pieces. Despite everything, or perhaps because of it, she'd poured more of herself into this tattoo than any in recent memory.

"Almost done," she said after another forty minutes.

She continued shading the areas where the phoenix emerged from mist, making sure the transition looked smooth. The piece was coming alive under her hands, becoming more than just another client tattoo.

"There," she said finally, setting down her machine. "Let me clean it up and take a look."

She wiped away excess ink and blood, revealing the progress. The phoenix was taking shape on Hayden's skin, caught in mid-flight, powerful and graceful. Still not complete, but getting closer.

"Can I see?" Hayden asked.

Mira positioned mirrors so he could view the work. Hayden stood, turning to get the full effect. For several moments, he said nothing, just stared at the reflection.

"Mira, this is..." He shook his head, seemingly at a loss for words. "It's incredible, even unfinished."

Pride swelled in her chest. "You like how it's coming along?"

"Like doesn't begin to cover it." He turned to face her, his expression full of wonder. "You're creating something beautiful. Something that means exactly what I wanted."

The sincerity in his voice touched something in her. This wasn't flattery or simple appreciation. He truly understood what she'd created for him.

"We'll need one more color session," she said, pulling her gaze away from his to focus on applying ointment. "Then a final check to make sure it's healing properly."

"And then?" Hayden asked softly.

Mira's hands paused on his skin. "And then you won't be my client anymore."

"Something to look forward to," Hayden said, his voice deepening.

Before Mira could respond, she heard the reception door open, followed by voices. Another client arriving early.

"I need to cover this," she said, reaching for the protective film. As she carefully applied it over the fresh ink, her fingers brushed his skin more than strictly necessary. A small indulgence she couldn't quite resist.

Hayden watched her face as she worked, the intensity of his gaze making her pulse race. "Dinner," he said quietly. "My place. After the final session."

Mira secured the last piece of film, her decision made somewhere between his honesty and the progress of her art. "Okay."

Surprise flashed across his face, followed by a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Really?"

"Really," Mira responded.

The sound of approaching footsteps made them both step back. Mira handed Hayden his shirt, their fingers brushing in the exchange.

"Take care of it," she said, professional mode sliding back into place. "Same aftercare as before. I'll see you in two weeks for the next color session."

"Two weeks," Hayden repeated, buttoning his shirt. He lowered his voice. "I'll be counting the days."

Riley appeared in the doorway. "Your four o'clock is here," she announced, eyes darting between them with undisguised curiosity.

"Thanks. I'll be right there." Mira turned to gather her supplies, needing a moment to compose herself.

Hayden nodded to Riley as he passed, then paused in the doorway. "Two weeks," he said again, this time with a promise in his voice that sent shivers down Mira's spine.

After he left, Riley swooped in like a vulture. "What's happening in two weeks?"

"His next session," Mira said, focusing on cleaning her station.

"And?"

Mira glanced up, knowing her face likely gave her away. "And we're having dinner after the final session."

Riley's squeal could probably be heard three blocks away. "I knew it! I knew you wouldn't be able to resist him!"

"It's just dinner," Mira protested, though she couldn't quite hide her smile.

"Honey, the way he looks at you? It's never just dinner." Riley leaned against the table. "So you're breaking your rule?"

"I'm... adapting it," Mira corrected. "He won't be my client anymore after the final session."

"Semantics, but I'll take it." Riley grinned. "This is good, Mira. You deserve someone who looks at you like that."

"It's one dinner," Mira reminded her, pushing down the flutter of excitement in her chest. "Let's not plan the wedding yet."