Rebelling Into Forever (Titan Racing #2)

Prologue

Riggs

“Looks good.” I twist to see the reflection of the stencil on my calf in the full-length mirror on the wall.

Stone, my tattoo artist, nods. “Ready?”

“Let’s do it.” I lie face down on his tattoo table, trying to get comfortable.

Stone’s one of the most talented tattoo artists in the nation. It’s the reason I chose him to do my leg piece. We’ve been working on a hip to ankle tattoo over the course of several sessions. My calf is all that remains. I’m hoping we can finish in one session.

With only the buzz of the needle and Stone’s playlist, I drift off into a meditation. It’s times like these that I like to take inventory of my life. Things are good. I love my job and just landed another endorsement.

“Stone?” The soft voice pulls me out of my daydream.

I look up and see the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, which is saying something because I just finished a commercial with the actress Jenna Page. Where Jenna is a sexpot, much like her character in the movie Bait, this woman has a girl-next-door innocence about her.

Stone stops inking me and sets his tattoo gun on the table beside me. “What’s up, Zoe?”

She frowns. “Mom wanted me to bring you our leftovers from lunch. She’s worried you haven’t eaten today.”

Stone chuckles. “She’s always worrying about me.”

“Do you want to take a break so you can eat?” I ask, hoping he does because I want to learn more about his friend.

“You don’t mind?” His stomach growls as if weighing in on the subject as well.

“Hell, no. I don’t want you passing out on me during my tattoo.”

He chuckles. “I’ll be just a sec.”

“Take your time.” We’ve been at this for over an hour, and my calf is starting to burn.

“Thanks,” Stone tells Zoe, taking the to-go container from her. “You headed out?”

Zoe nods. “I need to get to the library before it closes.”

He holds up the container. “Thanks again. I’ll see you this weekend.”

Judging from that display, the two of them are close, but there’s an awkwardness that suggests their relationship is completely platonic. “How do you know Stone?” I have to know if it’s safe to get her number. Especially since her mom is feeding him. The last thing I want is to piss off my tattoo artist who I’ve come to think of as a friend after so many sessions.

“He’s married to my mom.” There goes asking her out. Daughters, even if they’re step, are off limits to friends.

My eyes widen in surprise. “Your mom is Jules?”

She nods.

Stone told me his wife was older, but she has to be older than me to have a daughter this age. I’m guessing Zoe is closer to Stone’s age which is around twenty-seven or older even.

She stares at me expectantly.

“Oh, right.” I hop off the table, extending my hand. “I’m Riggs.”

She blushes when our hands touch. Does she feel the same zing of excitement I do? Too bad I can’t ask out my tattoo artist’s stepdaughter. That might piss him off, and it’s never a good idea to upset the guy who’s permanently inking your skin.

“I bet it’s nice having a kickass tattoo artist in the family.” I try not to cringe at that. It must be obvious I’m just talking to get her to stay longer.

She shrugs. “I wouldn’t know. I don’t have any tattoos.”

My dick threatens to make itself known through the thin fabric of my sports shorts at the thought of her smooth, unmarred skin. I love women with ink, but there’s something to be said for an untouched canvas.

“You look familiar,” she says, cocking her head to the side, studying my face.

“I used to race motocross back in the day.” I don’t elaborate because everything will change the second she knows how successful and famous I am.

She frowns. “Hmm. I don’t think that’s it.” She shakes her head, flicking her hand. “Anyway, I guess I should go. It was nice meeting you, Riggs.” The way she says my name sounds like foreplay.

I take her hand in mine again just to touch her once more. “You too, Zoe.” I try to say her name the same way she said mine.

By the way she licks her lips, I can tell she’s just as affected by me as I am by her. Good.

Stone steps into the room, breaking the moment. “You’re still here?”

“She was keeping me company while I waited,” I answer for her.

He nods. “Will I see you at dinner Friday?”

Zoe smiles. “Yeah, I can’t wait to see Jeremy.”

“Her brother is coming home from college for the weekend,” he explains.

I smile. “My daughter’s a junior at TCU. Even though she’s close, I don’t see her much. I miss her like crazy.”

Zoe’s eyes widen. “You have a daughter in college?”

“Crazy, right? I don’t feel like I’m old enough. Kids grow up so fast.”

“You don’t look old enough either,” Zoe says. “I thought you were still in your twenties.”

I scoff. There’s no way I look that young. I might be able to pass for my early thirties on a good day, but definitely not in my twenties.

Stone cuts his eyes at her. He must realize we’re vibing a bit. “You better get going so I can get back to work.” His voice is firm with warning.

She nods. “See you this weekend.” Then she flashes me a gorgeous smile. “Nice meeting you, Riggs.”

“You too.” Before I do something dumb like chase her down and beg her to go on a date with me, I lie down on the table. I can’t ask Stone’s stepdaughter out. I have to keep telling myself that as he finishes my ink.

Plus, it’s not like I’ll ever see Zoe again.