Chapter 11
I took them from him, my brows lifting. They were both insanely good, which wasn’t surprising. Xander was one of the best artists here, and when he went all in on a design, it showed. The first was a delicate, geometric snake, its body forming sharp angles, almost like shattered glass. The second was a small, Intricately detailed dagger, its blade wrapped in inky black vines. Both minimalistic, both clean, both effortlessly cool.
“Damn,” I muttered. “No wonder you’re struggling.”
“Right?” He sighed, crossing his arms. “Client told me to pick anything “cool,” but I can’t decide. I’m too skilled for my own good I fear.”
I scoffed but kept staring at them, tilting my head one way, then the other. “Honestly? I don’t know. They’re both solid as hell.”
Xander groaned. “Useless.”
“Sorry,” I smirked.
He took the sketches back, flipping them between his fingers. “Guess I’ll flip a coin or something.”
Before he could tum, an idea sparked in my head.
“Wait,” I said, standing. “What if you tattoo the one you don’t pick on me?”
He stopped mid–step, glancing over his shoulder. A slow grin spread across his face. “You serious?”
“Dead serious,” I said. “I love them both, and I’ve been meaning to get some new ink anyway.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’re not as tatted up as you should be, considering where we work.
He wasn’t wrong. I had some scattered pieces, a delicate crescent moon on my wrist, a stylized raven on my ribs, and a few smaller pieces hidden beneath my clothes. But I wasn’t covered in ink like some of the other artists here. Not yet, anyway
“Yeah, yeah.” I waved him off. Now’s the perfect time to add another one.
He chuckled. “Wiright. When do you wanna do it?”
“When’s your next client?”
“Not till this evening
I grinned. “Perfect. Let’s do it now. No time like the present.
He let out a laugh, shaking his head. “Damn, you don’t mess around.”
“Never have, never will,” I smirked. He just grinned wider, already heading to set up. “Alright, let’s ink you up, badass,”
His booth was set up in its usual organized chaos, his tattoo machine and ink bottles lined up neatly, his gloves already on as he checked his station. E plopped down in the chair, rolling my shoulders as he glanced up at me.
“Lunch is on you, by the way,” he announced, smirking.
I scoffed. “Oh, really? And why’s that?”
*Because I’m about to bless your body with my art, and that deserves compensation.”
Addy, who had been lingering nearby, rolled her eyes. T’ll go get something while you two continue whatever this is.”
“Get me a burger, I told her. And don’t cheap out on the fries.”
She gave me a mock salate before getting Xander’s order as well and heading out, leaving me with Xander, who was now watching me expectantly.
Wright, where do you want it?” he asked, holding up the design we’d settled on.
I thought about it for a second, then pointed at my chest, just above my left boob. “Right here. My babies need some attention.”
He shorted, shaking his head. “Damn, layla, give a guy a warning before you start talking like that.”
1/2
I smirked. “Please, we both know I’m your only exception.”
“Tragic but true.” He sighed dramatically.
Ever since he’d turned me down, we’d developed a kind of flirty hanter, it was the only way I was able to live down my shame. Zig was out of town for a couple of days, so apart from us, the shop was empty, I leaned back, slowly pulling my top over my head and tossing it to the side, it hadn’t warranted a bra so I hadn’t worn one. Be gentle with me, Xan… it’s been a while.” I said before winking at him.
He laughed and rolled his eyes, grabbing a sheet and draping it over me before snapping his gloves tighter. “Behave and lie there like a good girl, or I’m secretly switching to the ugliest design in my portfolio.”
I was about to fire back with something equally snarky when I saw him pause. His hands stilled, his head turning toward the entrance. His expression shifted, smoothing into something unreadable.
“Hey, welcome,” he said casually. “You got an appointment, or
Silence.
The air in the room shifted, thickened. The hair on the back of my neck stood up.
And then, suddenly, my heart rate spiked.
A scent hit me, something deep, familiar, masculine. Leather and expensive cologne.
1 sat up abruptly, clutching the sheet to my chest as I turned toward the entrance,
And then i saw him,
Adam Crest, because who else would it fucking be.
He stood just inside the doorway, his broad frame cutting an imposing Figure against the dim lighting of the shop. His sharp grey eyes were locked onto me, dark and burning with something raw and furious.
I’d seen him pissed before. Hell, I’d seen him pissed just last night.
But this? This was different.
This was lethal. And all I could think in that moment was…Here we go again!
