I quickly changed into the outfit. Once I had it adjusted and my breasts covered, I offered, “You can turn around now.”

He spun and then smiled. “The way you wear clothes is such a gift.”

Again with the effortless compliments. This was why I was ruined for other guys. This quick, effervescent approval.

He adjusted the sleeves and then ran the back of his hand down my cheek. “Light makeup. They have an image they want me to paint your face for the shoot. We can work on that now because time will get away from us.”

He took my hand until I was seated in his bathroom at the vanity.

Austin fastened a drape around my shoulders and clipped it so my clothes would stay makeup-free. I waited while he set up his makeup workspace. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for Austin to help us with our makeup for cheer or dances. It was different that it was just he and I. He was alarmingly close to my face, stroking my skin with a sponge to get my foundation in place. Then eye makeup and lashes. Next, he did my cheeks and lips. He had transformed my face. He highlighted my cheekbones.

After applying an expensive curling wand to every chunk of hair I had, my big beachy waves were set with spray.

Just when I thought we were done, I remembered about his client's specific requests. Austin pulled a large, colorful, fake tattoo flower out of an overnight mailer. He mumble read the directions before prepping my skin with a light bit of alcohol.

Before I knew it, he had smoothed the design over the side of my face and held a warm, wet cloth over it. We waited a few beats before he carefully pulled it off.

I had no intentions of getting a face tattoo, but if I had to get one, this would be it. Austin secured a magnetic nose ring and a few ear cuffs for me before stepping back and helping me up. After removing the drape cloth, I had a look in the full-length mirror.

He put his hands on my shoulders. “Perfection.”

I went from his eyes in the mirror to mine. I gave myself a look over. I didn’t look different. Just edgy. The face tattoo highlighted my eye color and his makeup and the hair style made the blonde pop. The softness of the outfit was a great dichotomy. I smiled back at him.