The Man Who Saved Me

Slowly, she let her eyes drift back up to the tattoo and had to feel grudging respect for Luna. She might be a flirt who flirted with all the wrong people – people Shonali wanted to flirt with – but the woman was indisputably an artist.

“Wow,” said Shonali.

“That’s nice, but yours is better,” said Ricky and held up the mirror.

Shonali nearly did a double take.

Was that really her back?

It was the perfect size, of course, as they had discussed.

And it was perfect in every other way, too. It was more than she could’ve hoped for.

“Wow,” said Shonali, again, feeling a bit speechless.

“Good enough,” declared Ricky.

Shonali turned to him, wondering how she could thank him.

“Ricky, that’s incredible. I only wish I hadn’t gotten it on my back now, because I can’t look at it all the time!”

Ricky chuckled, delighted.

“Best compliment I’ve gotten in a while, I think. Now, why don’t you go on and change into something that will leave your shoulders bare? Carlos asked you to bring something like that, didn’t he?”

She nodded.

She had brought a halter neck baby doll dress that she knew would look incredible on her, as it always did, and she was even gladder of that now. It was a deep green with green abstract print, she had always loved it.

Too bad she’d have to wear a scarf and a jacket. It was too cold to go out in just that.

She might have risked it, but Adam seemed like the kind of man who would point out that she was exhibiting a distinct lack of common sense.

She couldn’t help glancing at Adam again as she got up.

She turned and gave him an excellent view of her back.

“What do you think?” she asked.

“It suits you,” he replied.

She looked at him, surprised.

“But you don’t know me,” she pointed out.

“I will,” he said, and there was something in the quiet confidence of his voice that made her believe him.

Or was that just because she wanted to believe him?

Shonali found herself being whisked away to the mirrors, and she admired the tattoo properly.

It really was perfect. It was everything she had been hoping for.

She wasn’t sure if she could expect her life to change now that she got a tattoo. Maybe she was silly to think that a symbol could have that much impact on her life.

But hadn’t things already changed for the better? She had met the man she’d wanted to meet for years now. What were the odds?

Maybe it was a sign.

Maybe it was time she started really believing in signs again.

She was thoughtful as she changed and came back out again.

Ricky launched into a long speech about caring for her tattoo, and taking care of herself. She found herself zoning out a bit, and got scolded by Ricky for it.

But since Carlos was expected to take care of her, she got off easy.

When it was Adam’s turn, Shonali turned around and felt the breath get knocked out of her.

Oh man.

He hadn’t put on his shirt, and boy, he was spectacular.

She wasn’t sure if he went to the gym or had some kind of hobby that needed him to keep in shape or if he hefted very heavy patients and supplies around all the time, but man, he was sculpted!

She had to swallow, because she was close to literally drooling.

To her great relief and disappointment, Adam turned around and showed her his back.

Maybe his back was even better than his front, thought Shonali, as her eyes took in his broad shoulders and that strong torso tapering to narrow hips.

She could wrap her legs around him and ride him.

Shonali nearly whimpered. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so driven by such potent fantasies.

Everything she’d thought she’d felt for Fred seemed to fly out of her.

And yet, strangely, even that reminder of Fred was enough to keep her from losing her head altogether.

“It looks wonderful. You were an angel to me. You might not have given me wings, but you gave me back my life. You helped me ride again. That’s as good as giving me back my wings,” said Shonali, and every word was sincere and from the depth of her heart.

Adam turned to her, and didn’t look embarrassed.

“I’m glad you think so. I’m glad it worked out fine,” said Adam, and was interrupted by Ricky and Luna double-teaming him with details.

Adam wasn’t so lucky when his eyes glazed over.

Ricky scolded him far more firmly, pointing out that Adam was a doctor and should know better than to ignore post-procedure care.

By the time Ricky was done, and they made their payments, Adam and Shonali both felt dazed.

It was a shock when they stepped outside and saw that the sun was shining so brightly.

“Wow, the day changed,” said Shonali.

Adam smiled and nodded.

“It’s the perfect day for an ice cream, don’t you think?”

Shonali looked at him, her eyes glowing. She could text a colleague, probably Linda, and get her shift covered, as long as she returned the favor soon.

“If you’re buying, any day is the perfect day for ice cream,” agreed Shonali, making Adam laugh.

“I know a place,” he said.

“So do I,” responded Shonali.

“My place first,” demanded Adam.

Shonali shrugged.

It made no difference to her. She was glad to be able to spend more time with him.

“Wait, damn! I forgot, I need to take a photo of the tattoo. I need to send it to Carlos and Malia.”

Adam did as she hoped he would.

“Well, if you take off your jacket for a moment, I could take a photo and send it to you,” suggested Adam.

Shonali grinned and nodded, taking off her jacket and trying not to shiver.

She knew she looked great, with her curves emphasized perfectly.

She turned around slowly and bundled her hair up in a bun that left wispy trails to frame her face.

When he took the photo, of course, she had to give him her number.

That hadn’t quite been her plan, but she didn’t mind that.

“So, Ricky talked about this Carlos a lot,” said Adam as they walked towards what looked like a park.

She hadn’t even known that there was a park there.

She hoped that she’d soon get the promised ice cream.

“Yeah, Ricky and he go way back. They’re really good friends. Malia, Carlos and I are pretty tight.”

Adam’s next question sounded casual, but Shonali had her ears pricked. She knew they were anything but casual.

“Is Carlos your boyfriend?”

Shonali matched the casual tone.

“Oh, no. I’m single. Carlos is one of my closest friends. So is Malia. Carlos has a lot of tattoos. He was a bit affronted that I refused to get one so far, really. Malia is a lot more sensible. But she is very open-minded.”

Adam nodded.

Soon, they were at the park, and Shonali saw that there was definitely an ice cream guy there.

“Chocolate, with lots of fudge sauce,” requested Shonali.

“Make that two,” said Adam, and soon handed her one.

She noticed that he’d given the guy a pretty good tip, too.

She was beginning to like Adam more and more.

“So, Shonali, you still ride bikes?” asked Adam, finally, when they settled down on a bench to eat the ice cream.

Shonali smiled and licked the ice cream beginning to drip down her cone. She saw the way Adam looked at her, and she licked a bit off the corner of her lips, too.

She wasn’t the only one turned on, thought Shonali.

“Not all that much. But I do ride, still, yeah. I’ve been considering doing a cross-country trip or something, but Carlos and I own a shop together. We refurbish and sometimes build bikes. We have a lot of classics. Do you like bikes?”

Adam seemed to tear his eyes away from her lips with difficulty.

“I like them, but I’m sure I don’t know nearly enough about them to impress you,” said Adam.

Shonali smiled.

“Well, why don’t we grab lunch – a very late lunch – and I can tell you some more about them. If you’ve got the rest of the day free, we could go back by the shop in the evening and you can see it.”

Adam hesitated only for a moment.

“Deal,” said Adam, and Shonali’s smile widened.

Deal, all right!