Rick realized that Josie was tugging at his shirt buttons, her kisses growing wild. He knew she wanted to feel skin on skin as much as he did, but it was a moment he also dreaded, because the instant the shirt came off the kissing would stop. He was sure of it. There wasnt a woman in the world who wouldnt be shockedif not outright horrifiedby the tattoo on his torso.

He gave her bottom a friendly pat and put his hands on her shoulders, slowly pushing her away. Josie let out a mewl of protest when their lips parted, then she reached for the buttons on Ricks shirt again.

He sighed, knowing the moment was unavoidable. He allowed her fingers to pop one button at a time. The cotton of his shirt slowly opened, revealing everything he had been and everything he still was. /Oh./ Thats all Josie said as the image was revealed. She stayed silent as she shoved the shirt off his shoulders, untucked it from his pants, and threw it to the floor. For a long moment, she studied the image permanently imbedded in his skin, saying nothing. Eventually, she raised her wide eyes to his. /Holy freakin shit,/ she whispered, her gaze darting from the tattoo to Ricks eyes and back again, several times. She let out a long breath of air and her shoulders fell.

I thought this might ruin the mood, Rick said, fully stretching out on the bed, arms at his sides, giving her a complete view. There was no point in trying to minimize the impact. He lay still, letting her study him. I guess its a little late to be asking, but are you okay with tattoos?

Josie bit her lip the way she did whenever she was carefully choosing her words. I knew you had a tattoo, of course, she said quietly. A little bit of it shows above whatever shirt youre wearing. And I thought it looked interesting, but I just… well… I had no idea…

Rick smiled sadly. Remember that globe-trotting past I mentioned?

Josie nodded.

This is a little souvenir I picked up in Asia. It started in India, continued in Sri Lanka, and got its finishing touches in Thailand.

A small frown wrinkled Josies brow. Its incredible, really. The colors.

Its so complex. But its kind of, I dont know, intense. Maybe even intimidating.

Youre quite good with words, Josie. But I think youre trying to be kind.

Its just plain scaryyou can say it.

When she looked up at him again, Rick saw clean, simple understanding in her eyes. Again, no judgment. No sense of condemnation. And certainly no fear. We all do things we wish we hadnt, she said softly. Im sure if Id ever been anywhere more exotic than Petaluma Id probably have done something wild, too.

Rick laughed. My wild Josie, he said tenderly, reaching for her hand.

Her fingers felt soft and small cradled in his. I just dont want to scare you away.

You havent, she replied immediately. She brushed the curls from her face.

Rick believed her. There was something reassuring about the steadiness in her lovely gray eyes. The thing is, I wouldnt want to get rid of it now even if I could, he said. Its a reminder of lessons learned, I guess. And Ive done a lot of research on the symbols over the years, and I realize its like a road map of my life. I think those tattoo artists knew more about my destiny than I did.

But your accident Josie said haltingly. I can see the scars on your arms, but there arent any marks on your tattoo.

Rick laughed. Funny how that worked out.

Without a word, Josie crossed her arms over her waist and pulled off her shirt. Next she unhooked her bra at its front closure, displaying a pair of full, pink breasts. With the same calm sense of purpose, she reached forward and undid the fly of Ricks pants, then pulled them low on his hips. It was a move Rick knew would expose every small detail of the tattoo.

Slowly, Josie crawled across the bed, all that silky firm flesh for him to gaze upon, and climbed over him. She gently lay down on her side, put her head on his stomach, and, with her fingers, traced the journey of the two winged serpents as they snaked their way up the left-center of his body, a passage through a map of the seven prime chakras, the energy centers of the human body.

She caressed the elaborate lotus symbols that marked each chakra, her touch curious and respectful. She brushed her fingers along the length of the serpents bodies, the lighter one representing his spirit and the darker one his psyche. She laid her hand on the two sets of dripping fangs.

Rick wondered if someday hed be able to share the entire tale with Josie, the story of how the battle of his inner serpents had nearly killed him.

Josie, he whispered, his hands stroking her soft curls.

Yes? She didnt look up at him. Her fingers continued their expedition up and down. They brushed his skin from the first chakra at the edge of his pubic hair up to the seventh chakra just above his left collarbonea journey that took her from the most base to the most evolved elements of the self. He felt himself growing hard again. There was something so maddeningly innocent about this woman. She was smart and intuitive, but she was kind. Hopeful. It was like all the worlds harsh bullshit hadnt ripped away her innocence. And though he wasnt quite sure how shed remained that way into her thirties, he was drawn to that quality, perhaps more than anything else about her. He wanted to be near her goodness. He wanted some of that for himself. He wanted /her/ for himself.

Youre a very special woman, Josephine Sheehan.

He felt her hair tickle his hip as she nodded. Youre special, too, she said. Then she laid her cheek against his belly and gently kissed him, right on his second chakra. I want to make love to you, Rick. Right now.

His breath went shallow. He buried his fingers in her curls. I want that more than anything, but Josie raised her eyes. Yes?

Only if youre ready.

She laughed. She pulled herself up along the side of his body, giggling and kissing along the way. When her eyes were level with his she hovered over him. She put her lips on his and gave him a kiss so hot and sweet he feared hed explode before he even got inside her. He wasnt exactly used to this.

I want to show you how ready I am, she said, flashing a wicked grin as she threw her leg over his belly. Touch me and see.

Rick slid his hand between their bodies, the need in him so fierce he worried he couldnt stop now even if she told him to. His fingers grazed over the curls at the opening to her pussy, and he let them dip inside, ever so gently. Instantly, his fingers were covered in her honey.

Rick closed his eyes and savored the power of that sensation. He had a woman, naked, wet, wanting him. And he wanted her more than anything hed ever wanted in his life. He tried to steady his breath as he moved his fingers along the luscious, wet opening.

Suddenly, his mind reeled with memories. Sex from his pastraw and hard and wild, usually with women he barely knew and always with women he didnt love. How would he be with Josie? Could he let himself go without returning to all that ugliness? Could he trust himself? He wanted to make love /with/ Josie, not do something /to/ her, and he wasnt sure he was capable.

She obviously sensed his hesitation. I promise Ill be gentle with you, she whispered, kissing him again. When Rick opened his eyes and saw that she was perfectly serious, he laughed.

Uh… he said, his fingers still playing in her slickness. Thats not exactly what Im worried about.

She frowned. Youre worried?

He nodded. Its just that its been so long and I want you so badly, that Im afraid Ill Rick shook his head. Josie, Im scared that Ill rip you apart, eat you alive. I was never the most sensitive lover in the world.

Ive had more experience with fucking than loving, if you know what I mean.

She smiled.

And then theres that seven years of deprivation to consider.