Tattoo on My Heart

Summary:  Gabi brings Colt with her to tail Kaneko to make Logan jealous, but she gets more than she bargained for.

Things between Gabi and Logan have been better since their heart to heart talk, but she can tell he’s still trying to keep her at arm’s length. This may be harder  to do now that she’s living in the loft with him, however, Gabi still gets the sense he’s trying to make it clear they aren’t together, offering to sleep on the couch so she can have the bed. But Gabi knows there’s still a strong pull between them, and Logan may just need a little push to realize what he’s missing.

Gabi tells herself she’s not just ruthlessly trying to use Colt to get what she wants because she truly is starting to have some feelings for him too, adding confusion to this whole mess of a situation. Colt still runs more cold than hot when others are around, but he surprisingly hasn’t objected to her sticking around so long as she committed to being a part of things. If Logan is putting the brakes on their relationship, is it really so wrong to see where things might go with Colt? She thinks not, so when they choose to tail Kaneko when he makes the big drop, Gabi decides to bring Colt along.

Obviously a logical choice, Gabi bringing Colt doesn’t raise too many eyebrows, but Logan’s disappointment is written across his face. Is it because he wants to be a part of it or because he wants to be with her? Gabi doesn’t know for sure, but she thinks her efforts are working.

—–

Colt sits down in the grass and Gabi follows. “Are you sure you’re okay, Colt?” she asks after the exchange with the Brotherhood has not gone as planned. Kaneko has already driven off, leaving only Colt and Gabi behind.

Colt scowls. “Yeah, I’m just ready to teach those assholes they’ve fucked with the wrong crew.”

Gabi places a hand on Colt’s shoulder. “You know, you don’t have to act so tough all the time. It’s okay to have feelings and admit you are worried.”

“I told you before, I’m not scared,” Colt growls as he ducks out from under her touch. “Pop has worked too hard go let these dickheads mess things up for him. I just need to help come up with a plan, and he’ll see I was made for this too.”

Gabi wants to say Kaneko probably just wants what’s best for Colt and not a life of crime, but she’s one to talk. In her own quest for self-discovery, she’s doing everything she can to escape the sheltered life her father wants for her. They can both deal with their daddy issues later, but she’s made a choice now and she needs to see it through. “Well then, like I said l, I’m all in.”

Gabi can almost make out a hint of a smile on Colt’s lips. “You know, kid, I thought you’d be running home the moment shit got real, but look at you now. If someone would have told me when I met you that in a matter of weeks you’d become a tattooed car thief like the rest of them, I would would have laughed in their face. You continue to surprise me, Gabi.”

When he puts it that way, she’s not sure if its something she should be proud of, but this is probably the closest he’s come to a compliment yet, and his comment brings another question to mind. “Speaking of my tattoo…Everyone else seemed to love it, but I’m curious to know what you think. Were you holding back some smart-ass comment to spare my feelings?”

“Come on, Gabi. I think you know me well enough by now to know that I wouldn’t pass up the chance to give you a hard time if I wanted to. To be honest, I didn’t really get a good look it.” Colt sweeps her hair off her left shoulder and delicately slips the thin strap of her tank top down just enough so the feather is in full view. Her heartbeat quickens as he traces a finger around the perimeter of the freshly inked design sending goosebumps across her skin. “I was far too distracted by the rest of the view.”

Colt’s gaze drops down across her body, and it’s like he’s set her on fire, Gabi remembering that he saw her standing in the shop half naked. She can’t help but look away to compose herself as she pulls the strap of her shirt back up. ”So…you still didn’t tell me what you think of the tattoo,” she states flatly, trying to shift the conversation back for her own self-preservation.

Colt chuckles. “You are a persistent one, aren’t you? It’s very….you. And I mean that in a good way. It’s cool that you put some thought into the meaning behind it so you won’t regret it later. Now if you would have done something stupid like a whole sleeve tattoo, I would have never let you live that down.”

Gabi laughs nervously. “That would have been really dumb considering it was a spur of the moment decision. Who gets a full sleeve as their first tattoo?” She’s definitely not going to tell him she briefly considered it when she saw a pretty design while she was sifting through pictures on Google trying to decide what she wanted. “So, you think we should head back now? It’s getting late.”

Colt looks out over the city lights. “I’m not really feeling like going back yet, and I’m kind of starving. Want to grab some food with me?”

“Only if it’s something terribly greasy and unhealthy. I’m craving something artery clogging.” Gabi laughs.

“I almost hate to say this, but you are making me like you more and more. How about In-and-Out Burger?”  Colt suggests.

“Sold!” Gabi replies but then a thought of Logan waiting back at the loft flits across her mind. “I’m just going to text Logan and let him know I’ll be back late…You know, he just might be wondering since I’m staying in the loft with him.” She didn’t have to say this out loud and she’s not quite sure why she did. Logan is the one she’s testing, not Colt.

Colt’s expression hardens slightly. “You don’t need permission from me.” He stands up and offers a hand to Gabi before they get in the car and drive off.

Gabi gets a text back from Logan that just says “OK”, so she’s not sure how to read that. Colt seems fine the rest of the night, making small talk, but their conversations don’t go much deeper than surface level. Gabi orders a double-double, fries and a vanilla milkshake, and Colt is thoroughly impressed when she eats it all.

Everything is dark back at the shop when they arrive. They quietly shut the doors to Gabi’s car, and she drifts slowly towards the stairs to the loft, somewhat waiting to see if Colt’s going to say anything more. She’s just about to give up when Colt stops her. “Gabi, wait…”

Gabi turns around to find Colt standing much closer than she anticipated. “Oh!” He steadies her arms before she crashes into him. She says nothing more and waits.

“I just wanted to say, I have no idea what’s going on between you and Logan, and honestly it’s none of my business, but I don’t want to ignore what’s going on here.”

“And what exactly do you think is going on?” she challenges. She’s not going to give anything more until she knows what Colt is offering.

“I know how you feel about me Gabi. I noticed how you stare at my lips a second too long when I talk as you bite your own.” He puts a hand over her tattoo. “I felt your heart pounding when I touched you here, just like it is now. I want to hear you say it.”

“Say what?” She asks, still hesitant to play his game, but she doesn’t shy away this time, locking her eyes on his smoldering gaze.

“Tell me what you want,Gabi,” Colt demands.

He has her now. She’s too weak to hold out, brave enough to give in. “I want you to kiss me,” she breathes just loud enough for Colt to hear.

In an instant, Colt pulls Gabi flush against him, and his lips come down hard on hers like he’s been waiting all night or even longer than that. She parts hers, their tongues colliding as one of Colts hands glides down the small of her back. She closes her eyes and takes everything in – the feel of the heat radiating off his firm body, the taste of chocolate milkshake still on his lips, the smell of cologne mixed with leather – until she finally breaks the kiss, gasping for air.

Colt smirks triumphantly. “I thought so.” He kisses her once again, softer and sweeter this time. “Goodnight, Gabi.”

“Goodnight.” She barely manages to squeak out, still a bit stunned by what just occurred. She runs up the stairs without looking back but slows when she remembers what she’s heading into. She’s not sure how to face Logan immediately after kissing Colt, but once she steps inside she’s relieved to see she doesn’t have to. Logan is sleeping in his bed, which he had promised to leave open for her. She supposes that answers the question of how he felt about her staying out with Colt.

Gabi tiptoes around as she gets ready for bed, but Logan rolls over just as she’s about to climb on the couch.

“Hey, Gabi” he says groggily, his eyes only half open.”You can sleep up here with my if you want.

Gabi is taken aback, as this is the exact opposite reaction of what she expected. But it’s what she wanted, what she was hoping to accomplish by going out with Colt, isn’t it? She gets in bed with Logan and backs up against him. He scoots in closer, draping an arm over her and falls asleep again in seconds. It feels nice, it feels safe, but she’s not so sure that’s enough because it’s not Logan she’s thinking of as she waits for sleep to come.