Strawberry Kisses

Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five.

"Done. Done. Done. Done." Cathryn muttered as the countdown ends. She made him turn around to see if she had made a mistake, or if any of the crystals are about to fall off.

Four. Three. Two.

Cathryn made all the finishing touches, checked if the ink was well dried, and just her luck, the emcee announced that the runway is going to start.

One.

"Hands up." The staff said on the microphone. "All the artists have to get outside now. Leave your registration number at your model. Good luck contestants and congratulations for a job well done."

All of them clapped. Cathryn looked around, checking at other people's works. All of them had a distinct style to show their artistic creativity. Six tattoo arts stood out for Cathryn including hers, of course. As any other artist would say, love your own. They have the same tastes.

The Henna Tattoo Contest had two categories. One was Black and White Henna and the other was Colored. Cathryn chose the colored since Black and White was too stiff, too boring, too limited. She grinned widely, determined to win this.

Cathryn did everything in just forty minutes even if she arrived late. She was so good at time management and she worked fast.

Cathryn's attention went back to the blond guy in front of him. She stopped herself from gaping and resorted to fangirling inside her mind instead.

He looked badass with those dragon tattoos on his tanned body. She wondered if he was tanned down there too.

Shit. Where did this kind of lustful thoughts come from?

This is Edward's fault.

He didn't smile, didn't flirt, and just stared back at her, crossing his arms. They watched each other intensely. Uncomfortable tension was in the air. Cathryn was the first who broke the eye contact and cleared her throat.

"Remember, I need a wig," She told him to lighten the mood.

Him? Why did she keep referring to something else other than his name?

Oh, shit, they have been together for more than an hour now and she didn't even bother asking his name. Stupid Cat. She should ask. But that would be awkward.

Maybe, later.

"Don't worry I'd buy you the prettiest wig if ever I failed to get first prize."

He interrupted her thoughts and she scowled at him.

Failed to get the prize?

Didn't he trust her art and himself? Was he deliberately insulting the two of them?

"Be confident. You're hot with dragon tattoos and you've also got a pretty face. I didn't catch you for anything. So aim for the first. I believe in you." Cathryn insisted.

His eyes widened at her compliments as if he hadn't expected them.

"Oh, so you painted me with dragons. I'll check them closely after this." He grinned wickedly, probably preening in masculine satisfaction.

"After you win," Cathryn added.

"After I win." He agreed, his caramel eyes twinkling.

"You have to win this. You're the only one who can." Cathryn repeated as she picked his shirt from the ground and handed it to him. She pointed to the exit where the artists were falling in line as they signed some sort of logbook. "I need to go now. I'll come back later."

"For the prize." He finished.

"Yep. For the prize." Cathryn repeated as unwelcome panic seized her mind.

Anxiety is like four walls closing in on her brain, pressuring her, and it made her claustrophobic.

Will her wish come true if she were to repeat it over and over? Positive thinking. Wasn't she assuming too much? Overconfident much? What if they fail and she got depressed? What if she didn't get the money? What about her hair as a sacrifice to trap him into debt? Did she miscalculate things? What if--

Oh shit. Now Cathryn was stressed about it, her head spinning like a carousel.

Snap out of it, Cat! She closed her eyes and shook her head, summoning calm. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.

A large hand gently circled her wrist.

"Are you okay, Red?" He asked and Cathryn looked up at him, concern etched on his features. "You look like you're about to faint."

"I'm------"

There wasn't time to finish her sentence. He leaned over her, his hand clasping her chin and angling her face close to his. Immediately, he swooped in, his tongue plunging past her teeth into her mouth. His flavor was sweet and hot, brandishing her tongue.

Cathryn could smell him, a wildness into the scent of saltwater and rain mixed with her strawberry scent. A wildness that teased her nose, heated her body.

He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer, every muscle pressed against her was hard velvet-covered steel. Desire pumped through her as their kiss continued, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Oh shit! What the fuck was she doing?

Cathryn tried to pull back, just a little, needing some time to calm down but he wouldn't let her. He thrust his tongue deeper, harder.

"I hope this will distract you for a while. You are thinking too loud." He panted. How did he know? "If I win this, will you be mine for tonight?"

"No. We had a deal, remember?" Even as Cathryn spoke, she was biting at his lips unconsciously, trying to draw him back to her mouth to take what she wanted.

Oh my god. Did she seem like a depraved little bitch to him? Ugh, she can't help herself. He's a temptation incarnate.

"How about a reward?" He plunged his tongue back inside her mouth. Before she let out a moan and embarrass herself, she pushed at his chest.

"No. The deal is a deal. No sex, hotel room, and a king-sized bed."

"I'll ask for kisses." He rasped, his voice guttural.

"Kisses?"

"Everywhere and every time I want them. It's not part of the deal, right?" He smirked.

Oh, the nerve of him!

The fucker found a loophole and Cathryn was caught like a fly in the trap.

'Kisses with him?' Uh-oh. That is dangerous, an uncharted territory.

"Getting arrogant, aren't you? We'll talk about it if you managed to get what I want." Cathryn said cryptically.

The guy was so full of himself but she hoped it will give him some motivation.

He reached out and as she backed away from him and out of his grasp, he was looking at her like she was prey. And that devilish smile of his.

'Ohmygod. I'm outta here.'

"Give me a good luck kiss."

Cathryn stuttered. "You already claimed it. A while ago."

Asshole. Handsome asshole. Hot asshole. Stop thinking about him!

At first, he acted as if he hadn't heard her and stepped closer. Then a muscle ticked in his jaw, he stopped and his arm fell to his side.

"Your good luck kiss was okay, but not satisfying enough for me." He commented as he licked his lips, briefly closing his eyes and savoring.

Oh god, stop it. Stop him from distracting her!

"Your mouth tastes like strawberry milk." He muttered and he shook his head as if trying to wake from a dream. " I want more of that." He smiled lazily, his eyes were pure amber fire. "Later."

"Not going to happen, loverboy," Cathryn said.

She would not swoon. She would not swoon. She would not swoon.

"Okay, we'll talk about this later." He turned his back on her as if he was a king simply dismissing a peasant. "I'm going to collect those kisses. Soon. Whether you like it or... oh, I think you will like it."