STORY 2: AFTER HOURS AT VERMILLION

Chapter 1: The Kitchen Window

The kitchen smelled like burnt sugar and vanilla. Cosima wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, leaving a streak of chocolate. Midnight, and she was still here, trying to get the ganache right. Too thick. Again.

Through the window, she could see the tattoo parlor next door. Still lit up. Rev was in there, bent over someone’s back, dark hair falling across her face.

Cosima had been watching her for four months. Couldn’t help it. Every time she glanced out the window, there Rev was. Laughing with clients. Sketching designs. Moving with that easy confidence Cosima wished she had.

Sometimes Rev would look up. Their eyes would meet through the glass. Rev would smile, slow and knowing, and Cosima would look away too fast, her face hot.

Tonight, Rev caught her staring again. Raised an eyebrow. Mouthed something that looked like “still working?”

Cosima nodded, embarrassed.

Rev grinned and went back to her client.

Cosima forced herself to focus. The ganache was cooling now, finally the right texture. She piped it onto the tarts, hands steady despite her racing heart. When she finished, she had six perfect desserts and no one to give them to.

She looked at the tattoo parlor again.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she boxed up two tarts and walked next door.

**Chapter 2: Crossing the Street**

The bell chimed when she pushed open the door. The shop smelled like antiseptic and ink and something sweet. Incense, maybe.

“We’re closed,” Rev called from the back room.

“I brought tarts.”

Rev appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a towel. She wore ripped jeans and a tank top that showed off the ink covering her arms. Flowers and geometric patterns and things Cosima wanted to trace with her fingers.

“The pastry chef,” Rev said, her voice low and warm. “Finally.”

“Finally?”

“I’ve been waiting for you to come over for months.” Rev walked closer, her eyes moving over Cosima’s face. “Figured you were shy.”

“I’m not shy.”

“No?” Rev smiled. “Then why are you blushing?”

Cosima’s face burned hotter. “I’m not.”

“You are.” Rev reached out, tucked a strand of hair behind Cosima’s ear. Her fingers were warm. Calloused. “It’s cute.”

Cosima couldn’t breathe. Rev was so close she could see the gold flecks in her brown eyes. Could smell her perfume, something dark and spicy.

“The tarts,” Cosima managed.

“Right.” Rev took the box, opened it. “Jesus. These look amazing.”

“They’re champagne raspberry. I was testing a new recipe.”

Rev picked one up, bit into it. Her eyes closed. She made a sound in her throat that went straight between Cosima’s legs.

“That’s obscene,” Rev said. “That’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Rev licked cream from her thumb. Cosima watched, transfixed. “You’re incredibly talented.”

“So are you. Your work is beautiful.”

“You’ve been watching.”

It wasn’t a question. Cosima didn’t deny it.

“I have a confession,” Rev said, setting down the tart. “I’ve been watching you too. Every night, there you are in your kitchen. Covered in flour. Frowning at whatever you’re making like it personally offended you.”

“I don’t frown.”

“You absolutely frown.” Rev stepped closer. “It’s adorable.”

Cosima’s back hit the counter. She hadn’t realized she’d been backing up.

“I should go,” she said, even though she didn’t want to.

“Why?”

“Because if I stay, I’m going to do something stupid.”

“Like what?”

“Like kiss you.”

Rev’s smile turned wicked. “Who says that would be stupid?”

**Chapter 3: The First Mark**

Cosima’s heart hammered against her ribs. “I’ve never done this before.”

“Done what?”

“This. Women. Any of it.”

Rev’s expression softened. “Hey. That’s okay. We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.”

“I’m ready.” The words came out too fast, too desperate. “I’ve been ready for months. I just didn’t know how to…”

“How to what?”

“How to tell you I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Rev inhaled sharply. “You can’t just say things like that.”

“Why not?”

“Because it makes me want to ruin you.”

The words sent heat pooling low in Cosima’s belly. “Maybe I want to be ruined.”

Rev groaned. “You’re killing me.”

“Then do something about it.”

Rev moved fast. One hand cupped Cosima’s face, the other gripped her hip. She paused, her mouth an inch away.

“Tell me if you want me to stop,” she whispered.

“Don’t stop.”

Rev kissed her. Soft at first, testing. Then deeper when Cosima melted against her. Her tongue traced Cosima’s bottom lip and Cosima opened, let her in. The kiss tasted like raspberries and champagne and want.

Cosima grabbed Rev’s shirt, pulling her closer. Their bodies pressed together and she could feel Rev’s breasts against hers, Rev’s thigh between her legs. She’d never felt anything this good.

Rev pulled back, breathing hard. “I have an idea.”

“What?”

“You said you’ve been wanting a tattoo.”

Cosima blinked, trying to make her brain work. “How did you know that?”

“You stare at my flash designs every time you walk past. Especially the little dessert ones.”

It was true. Cosima had been eyeing a tiny whisk for weeks.

“I’m scared it’ll hurt,” Cosima admitted.

“It will.” Rev’s thumb stroked her cheek. “But I’ll make it good. Promise.”

“Now?”

“Why not? Shop’s closed. Just us.” Rev’s eyes were dark. “Unless you’d rather go home.”

Cosima should go home. Should leave before this went further. Instead she heard herself say, “Where do you want to put it?”

Rev’s smile was pure sin. “Where do you want it?”

“I don’t know. Somewhere I can hide it if I need to.”

“Ribs,” Rev said immediately. “Or hip. Both are good spots for a first timer.”

“Which hurts less?”

“Neither. But I’ll be gentle.” Rev’s hand slid to Cosima’s waist. “And if it gets too much, we stop. Okay?”

Cosima nodded, not trusting her voice.

Rev led her to the back room. The chair was leather, adjustable. Medical-looking equipment sat on a tray. The whole setup should have been clinical. Instead it felt intimate. Private.

“Shirt off,” Rev said. “You can leave your bra on if you want.”

Cosima’s hands shook as she pulled off her chef’s coat, then her t-shirt. The sports bra underneath was nothing special, but the way Rev looked at her made her feel beautiful.

“Lie down on your side,” Rev said, her voice rougher now.

Cosima did. The leather was cool against her skin. Rev adjusted the chair, then stood over her, studying.

“I’m going to touch you,” Rev said. “To mark where the tattoo goes. That okay?”

“Yes.”

Rev’s fingers traced along Cosima’s ribs, just below her bra. Goosebumps erupted across Cosima’s skin.

“Here,” Rev murmured. “Small. Delicate. Like you.”

“I’m not delicate.”

“No?” Rev’s hand spread across her ribs, thumb brushing the underside of her breast through the fabric. “You’re shaking.”

“That’s not fear.”

Rev’s breath hitched. “What is it?”

“You know what it is.”

Rev leaned down, her mouth close to Cosima’s ear. “Tell me anyway.”

“I want you to touch me.”

“I am touching you.”

“More. I want more.”

**Chapter 4: After the Needle**

Rev made a sound, half laugh, half groan. “You’re going to be the death of me.” She pulled back, professional again. “Let me prep you first.”

She cleaned the spot with something cold that smelled sharp. Then she stenciled on the design. A tiny whisk, exactly what Cosima had been dreaming about.

“Perfect,” Cosima whispered.

“Yeah?” Rev’s hand rested on her hip. “Ready?”

“Yes.”

The buzz of the machine made Cosima flinch. Rev’s free hand pressed down, steadying her.

“Breathe,” Rev said.

The first touch of the needle burned. Sharp and bright. Cosima gasped.

“Too much?”

“No. Keep going.”

Rev worked slowly, carefully. The pain was constant, a drag and burn that made Cosima’s eyes water. But Rev’s hand stayed on her hip, warm and grounding.

“You’re doing so good,” Rev murmured. “So brave.”

The praise made Cosima’s chest tight. She focused on Rev’s face. The concentration there. The way her tongue peeked out between her lips.

“Does it always hurt this much?” Cosima asked.

“Ribs are sensitive.” Rev wiped away excess ink. “But you’re taking it beautifully.”

Cosima bit her lip against a whimper. The pain was mixing with something else now. Something that felt too good.

Rev noticed. Her hand on Cosima’s hip tightened. “You okay?”

“I don’t know.” Cosima’s voice came out breathy. “It hurts but it also…”

“Feels good?”

“Yes.”

Rev’s pupils dilated. She bent back over the tattoo, but her hand slid higher on Cosima’s hip. Not quite inappropriate. Almost.

The needle buzzed and dragged. Cosima arched into the pain, chasing it. Her breathing went ragged.

“Almost done,” Rev said, her voice strained. “Just a little more.”

Cosima was floating. The pain had turned into something warm and liquid. Every nerve was alive. When Rev’s hand shifted, her thumb brushing the bare skin of Cosima’s stomach, Cosima moaned.

Rev’s hand stilled. “Cosima.”

“Don’t stop.”

“The tattoo or…”

“Either. Both. Please.”

Rev set down the machine. Wiped the tattoo clean. Then she leaned in, her mouth hovering over Cosima’s.

“You sure about this?”

“I’ve never been more sure.”

Rev kissed her. Deep and hungry. Her hand slid up Cosima’s side, careful of the fresh ink. When her thumb brushed over Cosima’s bra, Cosima arched into the touch.

“Can I?” Rev asked, fingers at the band.

“Yes.”

Rev pushed the fabric up. Took Cosima’s breast in her hand, thumb circling the nipple. Cosima cried out.

“Sensitive,” Rev murmured against her mouth.

“Everything’s sensitive right now.”

“Good.” Rev’s mouth moved to her neck, sucking and biting. Her hand worked Cosima’s nipple until it was hard and aching. Then she bent down and took it in her mouth.

Cosima’s hands flew to Rev’s hair, holding her there. The wet heat of Rev’s tongue was perfect. The slight scrape of teeth made her whimper.

Rev switched sides, giving the other breast the same attention. Her free hand slid down Cosima’s stomach, stopping at the waistband of her jeans.

“Please,” Cosima gasped.

“Not yet.” Rev kissed her way back up. “I want to make you fall apart first.”

“I’m already falling apart.”

“Not enough.”

Rev’s hand moved to Cosima’s thigh. She stroked up and down, so close to where Cosima needed her but not quite touching. The tease was torture.

“Rev, please.”

“Tell me what you need.”

“Touch me. Properly.”

Rev’s smile was wicked. She popped the button on Cosima’s jeans, dragged down the zipper. Her hand slid inside, over Cosima’s underwear.

“Jesus,” Rev breathed. “You’re soaked.”

Cosima couldn’t even be embarrassed. She was too desperate. “I need you.”

“I know, baby. I’ve got you.”

Rev’s fingers slid under the fabric. Found her wet and ready. She circled slowly, learning Cosima’s body. When she found the right spot, Cosima’s hips bucked.

“There?”

“Yes, there. Please don’t stop.”

Rev didn’t. She worked Cosima with steady, perfect pressure. Her other hand came up to Cosima’s breast, rolling the nipple between her fingers. The double sensation was overwhelming.

“You’re so beautiful,” Rev murmured. “So perfect. I’ve wanted to touch you like this for so long.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I was waiting for you to be ready.”

“I’m ready now.”

“I can tell.” Rev’s fingers moved faster. “Can you come for me like this? Just from my hands?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never…”

“Never what?”

“Come with someone else.”

Rev’s eyes went dark. “Baby. I’m going to make you come so hard.”

She meant it. Her fingers worked magic, finding every spot that made Cosima gasp. The pressure built and built until Cosima was shaking.

“I’m close,” she panted.

“Let go. I’ve got you.”

Rev’s thumb found her clit at the same moment she bit down on Cosima’s neck. The combination sent Cosima over the edge. She came with a cry, her body going tight and then liquid.

Rev worked her through it, gentle now. When Cosima finally went limp, Rev withdrew her hand and brought her fingers to her mouth.

“Can I?” she asked.

Cosima nodded, fascinated.

Rev sucked her fingers clean, her eyes never leaving Cosima’s. “You taste incredible.”

Cosima pulled her down into a kiss, tasting herself on Rev’s tongue. It should have been strange. It wasn’t.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Rev rested her forehead against Cosima’s.

“So,” Rev said. “How do you feel about your first tattoo?”

Cosima laughed, breathless. “I think I need another one.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Maybe next week?”

Rev grinned. “I’ll clear my schedule.”

They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped around each other. The tattoo on Cosima’s ribs stung in the best way. A reminder of tonight. Of Rev’s hands on her skin. Of finally being brave enough to cross the street.

“Come home with me,” Rev whispered.

“I thought you’d never ask.“