Free Cougar's Victory by Moxie North Page A

could hear Cass mumbling under her breath. Something about not fair and no fun.
    “We’ll be fine, Effie. I’m a big boy and think I can handle your pint size best friend,” Dax encouraged.
    “Pint sized! I’ll have you know I’m five-foot-five in these shoes!”
    That was the last Effie heard as she made her way to the back as Spike gestured that she was up next.
    Getting comfortable in the chair and taking a few deep breaths, Effie found her zen place. It was the one that she was always seeking when she was stressed or scared, but could never find. Here sitting in the tattoo shop with a needle poking into her skin was like a sedative. Her endorphins were rolling through her and she was happily floating on the wave.
    Her brain wanted to decipher every detail of her day with Dax. But for some reason her heart was telling her brain to let it go. It had been nice, easy, frighteningly easy actually. Normally Effie was so worried about what people thought of her that she tried too hard and put up her brick wall, don’t give a crap attitude. With Dax, she didn’t feel the need. It was clear that he saw her for who she was, not who she was trying to be. Plus he didn’t push, didn’t dig. It was like his acceptance of her was forming quiet cracks in her armor. She felt good, calm, settled.
    An hour passed and before she knew it, Spike was nudging her out of her stupor saying he was done. Effie sat up and took the mirror Spike handed her. Turning away from the mirror she looked over her shoulder. The paw print was all black, the skin surrounding it red and inflamed. It was only one color but Spike was a master at shadowing. The paw print appeared three dimensional. The claws looked like they were digging into her skin without tearing through it. It was awesome.
    Cassie poked her head around the corner, “Is it done?”
    She came skipping over and started immediately ooohing and ahhing over it. Giving Spike a high-five, Cass seemed to approve.
    Dax was following behind her but stopped when his eyes zeroed in on her back. His brows furrowed and he looked shocked at first, then a little angry maybe? Or confused? Effie was having a hard time reading the different emotions skipping across his features.
    When he didn’t say anything Effie broke his stare by explaining, “I thought a commemorative tattoo of Tiger Mountain Winery would be appropriate. Get it?” She felt silly all of a sudden. What if he thought she was a crazy lady that was clinging to a client. Effie hadn’t considered that angle. Just that she’d be able to look at it and remember her first big account.
    “You don’t like it?” she asked quietly.
    Hearing the tremor in her voice, Dax’s eyes shot to hers and immediately softened. He was floored when he saw the paw on her shoulder. His cougar and him were both trying to come to terms with her sporting a brand of a big cat on her back. Clearly Effie had no idea, but to his cat and him, it was a sign. He didn’t want her to think he didn’t like it. He was just overwhelmed by the significance of it.
    “I like it a lot Effie,” he said honestly. Walking up to her, he cupped her cheek and kissed her softly. Not caring who was watching them.
    “Damn…”
    Effie heard Cass whisper behind them.
    “All right love birds, let me get this cleaned up and covered then you’re free to go,” Spike declared.
    After she was bandaged and taped up, Dax said goodnight to Cass and shook Spike’s hand. He led Effie to his car and before opening her door, he pushed her against it and kissed her hard and deep.
    Pulling back, he held her eyes when he said, “I really like that tattoo.”
    “I’m glad,” Effie whispered back.
    Dropping his head to hers, Dax sighed. “I really wanted to ask you to come home with me tonight, but I don’t want to rush you. Can I see you tomorrow?”
    Effie wasn’t sure if she should say she would be totally on board with the idea of spending the night with him. She was one hundred