Cheaters (completed)

Chapter Three

Chapter Three
Nervous, I'm laying down on the tattoo chair about to get a black and grey rose inked on my hip. Not a huge one but I would say the size of an apple. Agreeing with my crazy idea, Travis is adding some ink on his chest. Already decorated by a multitude of colors, it seems like he is getting a geometric tattoo.
"Well, I never expected a tattoo today." For the second time today, Travis is shirtless and he's a good sight.
"See, that's where you messed up. You shouldn't have had any expectations to start with." His eyes meets mine, looking flabbergasted. Busted. He had expectations with me. "Remember that I'm still engaged."
"To a fool." Loud and clear, his voice resonates between the walls.
"Travis, are you serious?" He keeps being meant about it and it is getting on my nerve.
My tattoo artist chuckles under his breath.
"Like hell I am. You know what I think about your situation."
To that, I don't say anything back. I do know what he thinks and I don't feel like hearing it again today. I've heard it enough.
It has been such a long day, hasn't it? Traveling here, meeting Travis, dinner etc... The tattoo alone is stressful enough for one day. I love the idea of keeping a design on my skin forever but the process is always stressful for me.
I close my eyes while Stix starts the tattoo. The pain is never fun but that's part of the process. My trip here wouldn't be complete without some fresh ink.
The first few minutes are the worst but then, it's like a dentist appointment. It sucks, it isn't pleasant but I can deal with it. At least, tattoos don't leave a bad taste in my mouth.
From time to time, I watch Travis who seems to be reading some article on his phone. He winces too. His tattoo looks more painful than mine. The area near the nipple is sensitive, I heard.
"Are you doing okay? Do you need a break?" Stix asks. "I have the shading left to do."
"I'm all good. You can continue." I could have asked for a break but I want it done sooner than later.
"Women are tough as hell. Tougher than men sometimes." Stix adds.
"We are because we have to deal with men." I laugh, Stix too and Travis joins us after few seconds.
"She is something else that girl, trust me," Travis said to Stix and Adam, his artist.
My face flushes, I can feel the heat spread on my cheeks. So, I'm something else. I guess it's a good thing. Perhaps, Travis finds me mysterious or intriguing. Somehow, it makes things a lot more fun for me. That man is something else too.
"Well, she has good tolerance for pain. It says a lot about a person in my opinion."
Really? I wonder why he thinks that. He is right though, I feel like I'm a strong woman. Of course, I need to work on a few things like my relationship with Justin but I have a great job, I do well in most aspects of my life.
Moving away from home in Vermont was tough but I wouldn't have my life or my success in my small village. My parents come to visit when they have a chance and same for me. We share a tight bond, it's just that I'm living a few hours away. Nothing major. Moving away changed me, I became stronger. This is what a big city like New York City can do to a country girl.
"Almost done." Stix murmurs as he wipes the extra ink off my skin. I love when he does that. It feels cool and I welcome that feeling.
"That feels so good."
"What? This?" He does it again. In a slow movement, he rubs the cool wipe over my flesh.
I giggle. "Yeah, it calms the burning."
"Don't let me down, sweetheart, I'm almost done."
Chucking, I close my eyes and let him work. "Don't worry. I won't, I can't wait to see the piece of art."
After few minutes of silence, Stix gets me out of my bubble. "So I take it you aren't a local." Is it that obvious?
"I'm from New York. Vegas happens to be where the company I work for decided to do their week-long seminar."
"Well, you're going to have a blast." He cleans the tattoo again and I welcome the feeling.
"I'm here so it's a good start." I still want to go out after this. Of course, I have opted for a bigger tattoo than what I had planned on when I walked in here but it's still early and I can enjoy the night a little bit more. With or without Travis. He might be tired of running. I smile.
"All done Ms. Willow. If I could have more customers like you, I would be the happiest motherfucker in the industry." He holds my hand as I try to stand up from his chair to take a look at my new ink in the mirror. It is pretty cool if I say so myself. I love it. Out of joy, I give Stix a big hug.
"Wow, I think you're happy." He hugs me back.
"Yes, if you weren't so far from New York, I would only work with you. You did exactly what I had in mind. Thank you." The tattoo is breathtaking. The lines are perfect, straight. The shading makes it look real. Stix has a lot of talent.
"Well, it'll give you a reason to come back. I'm worth the trip, aren't I?"
I hesitate a little in a playful way. "Yeah, I guess I can say that."
"Okay, I'll clean it up and wrap it for the night. Do you know how to do the aftercare?"
I nod but he explains it anyway. As he does, I feel eyes on me. Turning toward Travis I see him looking at me, fixing me with his stare. A small frown appears on my forehead wondering why he is watching me with so much intensity. When his eyes meet mine, a smile appears on his face. My attention drifts back to Stix as it should be.
"I heal fast and without complication."
"Great." Stix applies a thick layer of ointment before covering the tattoo with a square bandage. "If you ever need a touch-up, I might go to the tattoo convention in New York in the fall. We could arrange something while I'm there."
"Oh yeah, definitely. Does the offer apply if I want more ink?" Well, it doesn't cost me anything to ask.
"Well, yeah, I guess the offer stands for a new tattoo as well." He slips my top back over my tattoo and sits back in his chair. "All done, Ms. Willow."
"Thank you, Stix, you are the best."
"Stop or you're going to give him a big head," Adam adds from behind. "As his roommate, I could suffer from this if you keep complimenting him."
Laughter comes out of my mouth. "Well, he's got talent. What else am I supposed to say?"
"See? I've got talent, Adam."
They keep the playful comments going while I'm the one staring down at Travis. His abs contract as the needle pierces the skin near his nipple. That must hurt like hell. I wouldn't do this. He's tough and has amazing abs.
Justin is a gym addict, defining and working on his muscles is his passion. I prefer a more natural approach like Travis. He's intriguing. Ugh! I should not even think about this. What is wrong with me? I've never ever been tempted by another man, why now?
***
After taking care of my bill, I wait for Travis outside. I think about running away again but Travis will find me regardless. He's already proved me how good he is at finding me.
"Okay, so what's next?" He asks stepping outside.
What's next? Dancing the rest of the night away and maybe having a few shots would be great. "Are you thirsty?"
He shrugs. "Not particularly. Why?"
"I can hear the shots calling my name. Anything to numb the burning pain on my hip."
The surprise on his face is hard to hide. "Shots? You do realize we have to be up early tomorrow?"
"Yes. So what? I'm in Vegas now. I don't know if I'll ever be back. The way I see it, I might as well take advantage of what the city has to offer." Now I'm talking. This is what I want to do, he can come with me or I'll go on my own. That's all there is to it.
"I think we're going to get in trouble."
We walk to the closest club. It's huge and the music is loud. The place is so crowded, I don't think we'll reach the bar anytime soon.
"Dance with me," I yell over the music.
"Dance? I thought you were thirsty?"
I roll my eyes. "It can wait."
Heading deeper into the crowd, arms lock around my waist. "Okay, okay. We're good here. I feel like I'm going to suffocate." Travis doesn't like masses of people, I guess. This is how a club is, crowded.
"Dance with me." It isn't a question. It sounds more like an order. Travis doesn't make me wait, we start dancing like we have danced together forever.
The heat is striking but I don't care. The music and perfect mood have me lost into a rhythm and the swaying of my hips. It doesn't take more than few seconds for his hands to be on me and body glued to mine. I now realize I might have started a game I won't be able to stop and Justin won't like the end of it. Breathing to calm myself, I try to keep up with the dancing as if nothing has crossed my mind.
"It's just dancing, sweetheart," Travis says with his lips touching the lobe of my ear. A wave of goosebumps covers my skin. "Take it easy."
I nod and shake the feeling away. As far as I'm concerned, we're dancing. That's all. I shouldn't worry about dancing. It doesn't mean anything. This is Las Vegas and I want to enjoy every second of my trip besides the workshops. I mean, I have to attend them but let's be honest, it won't be much fun. It's a work thing.
Breathing evenly, I follow the music. My hips sway from right to left or in circles, my arms are up in the air while Travis's arms are locked behind my back. His hands unfold on the small of my back, Travis keeps me close to him. So much that my front is rubbing against his.
It's just dancing.
Leaning closer to me, toward my ear. "Are you thirsty now?" Travis asks.
"I am."
He takes my hand into his and leads the way to the bar. I'm pretty sure I can drink a whole beer in a single shot. Our little dancing session had me distracted and now I'm well on my way to be dehydrated.
"What do you want? A beer, or shots?"
That's a good question. I mean, shots are fun but I need water or something that will be more than a shot.
"A beer is fine. I'm thirsty."
He orders and pays for me. I could have paid for myself.
We wait a couple of minutes before getting our drinks. I keep dancing next to Travis. The music is so good here and everybody around us is having a good time. It's impossible not to move and follow the beat of the song.
"Hey, sweetheart here's your beer."
Thank God, it's here. "Thanks!" I grab the beer and empty half of it right away. "I'm so thirsty."
"I can see that." Travis laughs. "Do you want to find a place to sit?"
I refuse, shaking my head. "No, no. We're going back to dance." I'm on such a high. Earlier today was a little rough but now, I'm enjoying life.
Drinking the remaining of my beer, I'm feeling better but a little light headed. I head back toward the crowded dancefloor. At this point, I don't even know if Travis is following behind or not. Once I'm deep into the crowd, I lose myself into the music as if I was alone in my bedroom. I don't care who is around and looking. This is what freedom feels like.
"Sweetheart." Arms pull me out of my steps. "You're going to have to stop doing this." He kisses my neck. "Don't run away from me again."
I pull away enough to face him. "I wasn't," I chuckle.
"Willow," Travis says my name for no apparent reason.
"Travis."
My heart rate accelerates. This doesn't feel like just dancing. Travis is getting super close to my lips. I know what's about to happen and I'm not stopping any of it. He is going to kiss me and I don't even have the will to stop him.
I'm seconds away from becoming a cheater as well.
Still, I'm not stopping him.
"Willow, I'm going to kiss you now."
I know. Closing my eyes, I let it happen. I won't lie, I want it too.
Travis' lips are on mine. Soft and delicate. I can still push him away and run but I don't. My hand grabs his shirt, holding on to him. Kissing him back feels natural like this is what's meant to happen. The hand on my hip begins to slide lower to my behind pushing me on him. God... His other hand is cupping my cheek. I feel him everywhere on me. The smell and taste of bourbon coming out of his mouth are delectable. Travis is enveloping me on all sides and still, I'm not stopping him. I feel good. He feels good against me.
What is wrong with me? Stopping him is impossible but I can't stop thinking that I shouldn't be doing this and I keep kissing him anyway.
Sucking on my lip, I hear a deep chuckling sound coming from his throat. I want to ask what the matter is but I'm distracted by his teeth pulling at my lip. When Travis lets my lip go, he stands apart from me and watches me in awe.
"What?"
Travis brushes his hand over his face. "I was 100% sure you were going to stop me but you didn't. I'm surprised."
"I am too." Frowning at him, I now feel like crying and running away again. His remark kind of ruins it for me. "You've made me a cheater. I'm as bad as your ex-wife or my fiancé."
"No."
I release my hold on him. "I am. I let you kiss me and I've kissed you back. The worst part is that I loved it very much. This is so fucked up, Travis."
He refuses to let go of me. "I think there's more behind it."
We kissed, that's all. What more could there be? "I don't understand. Is this what you wanted from the start? To make me a cheater? I don't understand what your end game is here and I'm getting frustrated."
"Willow, stop. I'm attracted to you and I think it's obvious. Of course, I don't know you much but my plan isn't to ruin your life. If you want to be with him, be with him. Simple as that. I'm just saying that you could have a better life than one where you are always worried about when he's going to cheat again."
"As of tonight, I'm as bad as him."
"Stay with me tonight." He kisses me again and I let him.