Beck wasn’t sure he could automatically reconcile himself to the fact that men might be jacking off later while thinking about what Lucy looked like right now. But he understood that could happen every day, anytime a guy got a look at Lucy, nude or not.
Beck scrutinized the crowd and noticed that the men mostly just stood and watched. They weren’t acting like horny animals with their tongues hanging out or embarrassing her by saying suggestive things. They were mostly just appreciative, it seemed. A couple of them clapped when Lucy stood and Beck caught a glimpse of her shy smile as she turned for the artist and he made some small touch-ups and then sent her on her way.
The gazes of several in the crowd followed her and Beck and Patrick both temporarily lost the ability to speak as the mass parted for her and he got a good look. One of the men made a vocal avowal of appreciation.
Justin put his hand on Beck’s shoulder. “Beck, listen to me quick. You make her feel good about herself or I have a feeling she’ll show you a new meaning for the phrase ‘See You at the Pole.’”
“Huh?”
“You recall that there are poles set up for pole-dancing on the parade loop? Charity told me that Lucy told her that was her next stop if you said one cross word to her. Word to the wise. Start kissing major fucking ass or your night is gonna go long and not in a good way.”
Beck grinned as he watched her approach and said, “That won’t be hard at all, my friend.”
Patrick agreed quickly. “Uh-huh.”
Lucy was painted to look like a silvery mermaid. Delicate iridescent white and silver scales shimmered in the lights. The scales spread upward from her bellybutton in delicate swirls and cupped her full, perfect breasts before continuing up her sides and twirling artfully around her shoulders. The artist had also painted the design on her mid- to lower-back, beneath the fall of her hair. The design included flourishes that crept up her throat and curled in whimsical wisps along her jawline and cheeks.
Lucy went right to them, a smile on her face but uncertainty showing in her eyes. Beck was sad that he was responsible for that. She reached out and Patrick took her hands and twirled her around so they could see the whole design.
Beck gulped audibly, feeling like his heart was in his throat.
Patrick made an appreciative sound and then said, “You look like something out of a fantasy. A sexy little mermaid.” Lucy made a soft sound of delight and accepted his kiss when Patrick leaned toward her. The kiss went on for a good minute until several of their friends murmured teasingly.
When Patrick released her lips, Lucy was blushing clear down to her body paint. She gave Beck a guarded glance. She looked like she was struggling as much as he was.
Beck felt unworthy to pull her into his arms. “Could I talk to you? Privately?”
Lucy chewed her lips for a second and shook her head. “You humiliated me in public earlier. Anything you want to say can be said in front of the same people.” She didn’t look angry but she sure looked serious.
Crow tastes really fucking bad right now but losing her would be a hell of a lot worse.
A sincere gesture was called for and Beck hoped like hell he wasn’t making the wrong call as he went down on one knee and then the other, there in the grass on the side of the walkway. People stared as he reached for her hands. He didn’t care. When she placed them in his, he kissed her hands and looked up at her. “What I did—what I said before—it was wrong, Lucy. I put my ego above your needs and I apologize. You look just…beautiful and I’m so sorry I hurt you, sweetness.”
Her eyes filled with tears and he rose and quickly brushed them from her cheeks.
“I don’t want your body paint ruined. Please don’t cry.”
“These are happy tears. I’m sorry what I did upset you. I h–heard you earlier.”
“Shh.” He put his finger to her lips. “What do you say I take you for a ride?”
Lucy’s face lit up until she was the only thing he could see and she nodded enthusiastically.
“Not before I get pictures!” Charity said happily as she took out her phone.
An hour later, after Beck and Patrick had taken turns riding with her around the parade circuit, they said good night to their friends.
Charity offered again to give Patrick a ride out to his truck in the rear parking lot. Because Patrick was fairly laid back and comfortable enough with his masculinity, he accepted the ride, after clarifying with Justin that he would at no time be grabbing hold of Charity. Several of their friends rode out to the parking lot with them before leaving on a midnight cruise around Lake Travis.
Lucy was happy to discover that Patrick had brought the ramp that Beck used to load his Harley into his truck. She looked pleased when they told her that they planned to ride in the truck with her between them.