The art of the moment

Ace just suggested I go with him downtown to see his artwork, and Clara walks into the room returning from her smoke break and sits next to me with a grin on her face once she sees that I'm actually drinking and letting loose.

"Hey guys, am I interrupting something?” She says reaching over and taking Ace's beer bottle and downing it.

"Hey that was mine you egg. Give it back." He says grabbing the bottle, and she laughs. I admire how cute they are as twins.

"And if you must know, I'm taking Heather downtown to see my artwork." She shakes her head.

"No you're not Hansel. You've been drinking." She says standing up and placing her hand on her hips.

"This is my first beer, I'm totally fine Clara." She sighs then looks between Ace and me.

"You better have her back soon, and safely Hansel."

"Okay mom." He responds and takes my hand to help me off the pool table.

"Bye, Clara," I say as he leads me out of the room and she gives me a wink. Oh that little sneak.

"Wait. You're going to need a jacket give me a sec." He walks back into the rec room and comes out with a denim jacket.

"Put this on." I take the jacket and slide it on. It fits nicely on me and he seems to notice, as his eyes scan me.

"Damn, you wear it better than I do."

"Thanks," I say in a small voice and I mentally kick myself for it.

Soon were are standing in front of his sports bike, and he is about to put a helmet over my head.

"Woah, Woah. I didn't think we would be going on that." I tell him suddenly nervous.

"Listen Heather. I know you have no reason to trust me since you barely know me, but you trust my sister, and my sister trusts me so..."

I sigh. "Okay, but I've never been on a motorcycle." He smiles warmly as he slides the helmet over my head.

"Okay, the first thing to know... When I dip my body to any side you must dip your body with mine."

"Are we still talking about riding a motorcycle?" I ask and he laughs, flashing me those beautiful set of teeth.

"Yes we are, and it's very important that you do that, or I might lose balance of the bike. Also make sure to not let go of me for any reason."

I nod. "What if I need to itch my nose?" He chuckles.

"You're cute, Heather, and to answer your question, just tap my arm three times to make me pull over." I blush at his compliment and nod.

"Great let's go." He puts his helmet on and swings a leg over his bike, and I do the same and wrap my arms around him. Oh gosh I didn't realize how intimate this would feel. He smells amazing, like expensive cologne, and dove soap.

"Slide your visor down Heather, and hang on." I slide it down and quickly hold onto him again. Through his leather jacket I can feel just how hard his muscles are, and I try not to let my mind go to those dangerous places.

He starts up the bike, and it roars to life. I can feel my heart beating faster, and my breathing quickening, as he pulls away from the driveway and onto the road. He starts off slowly then he drives like a bat out of hell, once he reaches the highway. There are barely any cars on the road but that doesn't calm my nerves. I clutch harder on to him, and close my eyes. Once my eyes are closed I begin to enjoy the ride. It feels like I'm flying with no given direction. Like I'm a bird that has been released from its cage. He pulls off the highway and slows down at a red light.

"How are you doing back there Heather?"

"I'm actually pretty great." He nods.

"Good. I felt you hold on really tight and I got concerned."

He sounds very sincere, and it warms me up.

"How fast were you going?"

"190 mph."

"190? Ace!" I smack his arm.

"Is that too fast? I'm sorry but I hate riding her slowly."

I giggle at the stupid dirty joke that crosses my mind. I'm sure that was intentional.

"That's what he said," I say and his laughter sounds beautiful and feels nice against me.

"Oh Heather, we're got to get along just fine." That's what I'm afraid of...

The light turns green and he speeds off again this time not as fast as before, and soon he is pulling into the Ace tattoos parking lot. I get off of the bike and feel my legs shaking in weakness. He gets off quickly and holds me up. His arms wrapped around me as I regain strength in my legs.

"I've got you. That usually happens if you have been riding for a long time, or if it's your first time." I simply enjoy being in his arms that I forget to tell him I'm feeling okay.

"I'm okay now Ace, thank you." He pulls away arching an eyebrow.

"You're sure? You won't pass out on me like they do in soap operas, will ya?"

I shake my head no, and he nods as he grabs my hand and pulls me to the front door. The touch sends a jolt of electricity through me, and he releases my hand to unlock the door.

The red neon tattoo sign reflects over his body making him look red and dangerous. What is wrong with me? I never liked bad boys, I have always liked safe, good boys, the ones you find at church, with a white button- up, and dress pants. But then again... a "good boy" broke my heart.

He unlocks the door and pushes it open. He motions me inside and flicks the lights on as I walk past the door. This place looks like him if that makes sense. The place has a dark edge to it, but it is also kind of inviting, with all of the artwork hanged up on the walls. The first painting I set my eyes on, is a man holding back a pack of wolves. Its oil paint and smells fresh, like he painted it recently.

"The alfa,” I mumble to myself and he stands next to me.

"Yeah I painted this a few days ago, Cameron gave me the Idea."

“It's beautiful, and looks so realistic,” I comment as I run my fingers along the side of the wooden frame that also feels hand carved.

"Thank you, you wanna see my tattoo illustrations?" He asks me eagerly like a kid who can't wait to show his parents something. It's adorable and I smile up at him in answer.

"It's over here." He pulls me to a red leather sofa, and I sit in front of his portfolio on the coffee table, while he sits next to me. I grab the binder and its heavy as I place it on my lap and open it. The first drawing is of a bleeding rose. It's perfectly drawn.

"Why is the rose bleeding?"

"It's a representation of someone beautiful being hurt. It's a long story, I might tell you in the future." Interesting, I wonder if it's about an ex or something. As I'm flipping through the many pages, I've noticed something.

"You love surreal art don't you, Ace?" Most of his paintings look beautiful but out of this world. Things you wouldn't normally see in real life.

"Yes I do. I do all kinds of art but surreal art is my favorite." I chuckle and shake my head.

"What?" He asks and pulls some hair out of my face to read my expression. The gesture makes me blush bright red, and I can only hope my foundation is covering most of it. My heart picks up but I try to ignore it.

"It's just that, surrealism is my favorite form of art as well, and this stuff is incredible."

"What do you like about surrealism, Heather? I'm curious." I look at him now and his eyes look at me curiously.

"I... um.. I love to try and figure out what the painting is trying to portray. The mood of it, the deeper meaning, you know? I could mean something different to everyone."

"I see, so then tell me what this drawing portrays."

He flips to a page with a woman sitting down on the moon with a collar around her neck, next to a man who is looking at her with so much love. Her hands are on her lap, and her posture is very straight. I gulp, and if it's any possible my face heats up even more.

"Tell me what you see here Heather." His voice sounds tempting and slightly husky. I stutter on my words a little.

"Uh...I um...well.." He chuckles.

“Take your time Heather, I just wanna put your skills to the test.” I gain courage at that.

"It's about a woman who is submitting to a man she loves. She is giving him her control instead of letting go of it. That's what the collar represents." He hums as if impressed or shocked. I dare to look at him and he is blushing slightly, while looking at me with fire in his eyes.

"What do you think the moon represents Heather?" He looks down to my lips for a split second before looking back into my eyes.

"It... it represents how high he makes her feel, and how high she makes him feel. They are clearly in love, but not in the traditional way. It's really quite beautiful.” He shakes his head in disbelief.

"Oh my God." He mumbles to himself looking down.

"What? Was I wrong?" I ask him unsure.

"No no, you were right, it's just... nothing nevermind.” He flips the page, and I laugh at the drawing of a pigeon with a dolphin head on it.

"I can't even begin to explain what this means," I say looking up at him in question.

"Oh, I was most likely high when I drew that, honestly." He chuckles and takes the portfolio from me placing it on the table.

“Come, I want to show you a surreal painting I've been working on. It's not finished but I want your input."

I follow him through the hallway down the shop and he pulls me into one of the tattooing rooms. The room smells as clean as a doctor's office, and then I see it. A huge 6 foot by 8-foot oil painting of a snowy,

Mountainous landscape and a small house on top of a mountain. Everything looks normal except for the sky being made of magma dripping down onto the landscape.

"Holy cow!" I gasp as I walk closer to the painting and I hear him chuckle.

"Ace! This is incredible. It reminds me of Salvador Dali and the way he melts his clocks. Except this is just taking my breath away."

He stands next to me not looking at the painting but looking at me. Like an artist would at a blank canvas. He shakes his head.

"You are something else, cupcake.” I look away from the painting and see his amused smile.

"Cupcake?" He nods.

"Yes, cupcake. You are as sweet as they get Heather. That nickname fits you perfectly."

"Oh." I chuckle.

"I guess so, but why do they call you Ace of spades?" He shrugs. "I'm pretty good at winning sports and games, so I got that nickname at a young age by Cameron. It just stuck with me."

"That's interesting," I say actually meaning it.

"You're interesting, now let's get you back to the party before my sister starts calling me like crazy." He says as he leads me back out.