Chapter 20
Chapter
Twenty
SUTTON
I wake up a few hours later feeling like death.
There’s no other way to describe it. If I didn’t have to start my life over again , I would sleep for the next three days.
Ink’s bed is surprisingly comfortable. The mattress just kind of contorts to your body in the softest way.
And not in a ‘it’s twenty years old and no longer has any support’ type of way.
The spot Ink was in on the bed before I was dead to the world is now empty. Rolling over, I can feel that it’s still warm. Sticking my nose into his pillow, I take a deep inhale. I can’t help but snuggle in a little deeper, basking in the tobacco vanilla scent.
I hear a toilet flush seconds before the bathroom door opens and a shirtless Ink comes strutting through.
I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to.
The beautiful swirls of ink cover his entire chest and abdomen.
A skull with a helmet and the words Dirty Devils directly underneath that expands across his chest is staring back me, just begging to be traced.
I’ve never seen a man with so many tattoos before.
Zach didn’t have any, and obviously, I don’t either.
Everything about Ink’s life was beneath Zach.
It’s kind of ironic that I left a version of hell where Zach is my devil to end up in my own version of paradise with a devil that will pick me up off the floor when I’m at my worst.
All devils aren’t created equal.
“Sleep good?” Ink asks. The smirk toying at the corner of his lips tells me that he knows I was staring.
Busted.
The familiar heat returns to my cheeks. “Yeah. I feel like I could sleep for days.”
“So sleep.” He says it as if it’s the most obvious solution in the world. “I told you that you’re safe here.”
My heart warms at him, thinking that’s why I’m not sleeping more. He wouldn’t have to tell me that. It’s blatantly obvious Ink isn’t the type of man that would let a random person storm into his space. Shop or this place.
“I have too much I need to do to just lie in bed all day.”
“Told you I’ll talk to Evan about a place for you to stay. What else is there?”
What else is there?
“A lot of stuff,” I slowly reply. “I need to go to work because I can’t afford to miss any more days with… with my money being gone.”
“You need to start cluein’ in, darlin’. I told you I would take care of it.”
“You’re not replacing the advance you already gave me. I don’t want to be any more in debt than I already am.” Something tells me that owing a man like Ink is a dangerous game.
“Consider it a bonus.”
I grit my teeth. Talking to him is one of the most frustrating things sometimes. “You’re making me feel like a charity case.”
“The only reason it feels like a charity case is because you refuse to accept any help. There’s at least six hands reaching out waitin’ for you to grab on.” Ink fires back as he drops his dirty clothes that he brought out of the bathroom on the floor in the corner of his room.
“I’m not used to accepting help, and it’s freaking embarrassing that your friends saw me like that.
” And you. You’re the one I’m most embarrassed about.
But I don’t say that. Instead, I throw myself back on the bed, my head bouncing on the pillow as I stare up at the ceiling like it’s going to give me all the answers.
The bed dips, and the ceiling is replaced with Ink’s face looming over me.
He places a fist into the mattress on each side of my head.
I can’t help it that my attention moves from his face to his arms. All that ink wrapped around all that muscle is hard to look away from.
Just as I’m making my way down his arm, studying the tattoos he has, one looking like the same sign that’s hanging outside of Black Raven Ink on his forearm, I notice deep, red scratches that look newly scabbed over.
Before I realize what I’m doing, my fingers are lightly tracing the long scratches that line his arm, my gut sinking the farther I go up.
“Is that from me?” I whisper so quietly I’m not sure if he heard me, but I don’t have the guts to repeat myself either.
I know the answer before it’s out of his mouth.
“Yes.” Ink gives it to me straight, no tiptoeing around.
I close my eyes.
I want nothing more than for this comfy bed to swallow me up and never let me out.
I know I shouldn’t be embarrassed because I couldn’t help it.
Zach will always be a trigger for me and him showing up…
triggered me. But that doesn’t stop the feeling.
It’s the same feeling I imagine you would get after getting so drunk and not remembering what happened.
I wouldn’t know from personal experience because I’ve never been drunk, but it’s what seems to happen in all the movies.
“Hey.” Ink’s rough hand cups my jaw, making me open my eyes to find his bright blue ones staring back. “Don’t worry about it.”
“It’s not okay,” I whisper. My voice sounds ragged from the emotion drying in my throat. “Did I draw blood? Obviously I did if it scabbed over like this.”
“Would you believe me if I told you that I liked it?”
Anyone else, no, but him? Yeah, I can see that. In the short time I’ve known him, I’m getting the vibe. He lives a very different way of life than what I’m used to.
“So get over it.”
My nose scrunches up. “Get over it?”
“That’s what I said.”
“I marked you!” I shriek. “I’m not going to just get over that, Ink!”
“Do I look upset? No. So get the fuck over it. Like you said earlier, we have shit to do.”
Ink pushes off of the bed to finish getting ready, leaving me missing the safety net of heat and pressure that his body provides.
Wait, we?
After Ink finished getting ready, I followed suit in silence. It wasn’t an uncomfortable one, though. Just one that made me feel like we were both decompressing and getting lost in our thoughts from the events of the day before.
Both for different reasons, I’m sure.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sneaking quick little side glances at Ink. The man is an enigma. The way his muscles contort with every move he makes, I want to trace every tattoo and learn every little scar he’s earned.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he actually did pack up all of my stuff from the room. I changed into a pair of leggings and T-shirt. I know today is going to be uncomfortable all around, so I would rather have a comfy outfit on while it happens.
I need to thank Evan.
I barely remember her helping me, but Ink filled in some of the gaps which made me feel like I owe her more than I can repay her for right now. My I-owe-you list is going to be massive whenever I get out of what I’m hoping is my rock bottom.
The anxiety of thinking every one of Ink’s friends will be waiting for me to show my face sinks in a little deeper with every step I take down the stairs.
Once again, I’ve worked myself up for no reason because I don’t see a single soul in the living area. I don’t hear anyone either.
“I told you it would be alright,” Ink says from behind me as he rests his hand on my shoulder, steering me toward the kitchen.
My eyes narrow, wishing he could see me glaring at him.
There’s nothing more annoying than someone rubbing it in your face when they’re right.
Ink could tell I wanted to hide away in his room all day and never come out.
He once again told me to get over it and that no one here would care.
They all want to “fucking kill that motherfucker.”
His words, not mine.
Although I can’t say I would be sad if Zach just happened to up and disappear one day. Sometimes I wonder if that’s the only way I’ll truly ever feel one hundred percent safe and free of that whole situation.
“You hungry?” Ink asks as he opens the fridge. “Evan usually keeps this place pretty stocked.”
“She really takes care of you guys, doesn’t she?”
Ink snorts. “It’s more for Cain than anyone. She’s like that annoying sister I never had. Plus, she likes to eat.”
That sounds nice.
Being an only child as well, I always wondered what it would be like to have a sibling.
Someone else to go through life with that you know you could trust, no matter what.
Anytime I asked my parents why, my dad would snap at me for talking without being spoken to.
Looking back now, I think he didn’t want to have to worry about another person to control.
“Looks like there’s some shit left over from the party last night. You eat meat?” Ink asks as he takes out a few burger patties to warm up.
My stomach makes the loudest rumbling noise, answering for me right on cue, making Ink smile. I haven’t had meat in months because I didn’t want to waste the money on it.
Before long, I have a loaded burger and chips in front of me, with Ink pulling out my chair to sit down.
Every time this guy surprises me with manners I didn’t expect, I forget how to act.
“Just ‘cause I’m a biker doesn’t mean I can’t be a gentleman, darlin’.”
Shoot.
I insulted him and that’s the last thing I would want today. If you asked me two days ago, I’d say he deserved it for inserting himself in an area of my life where he had no business being, but now I’m thankful his nosey butt did.
In an instant reaction, my hand reaches out to rest on his forearm, my mind telling me to comfort him, to take away the hurt I just caused. “I didn’t mean it like that, Ink. I mean, I did and I didn’t. I didn’t expect you to do that, but I’m also not used to it, if that makes sense. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
He says that, but I can see the hurt still lingering on his face.
“Ink.”
He takes a bite of his food, his attention boring a hole into his plate as he refuses to look at me.
“Ink,” I try again.
He takes another bite. This time, a drop of mustard lands on the corner of his mouth.
Before he has a chance to wipe it away with a napkin, I take my thumb and get it all in one sweep.
Bringing my thumb to my lips, my tongue darts out, licking it clean.
A tiny moan escapes me as I taste the mix of vinegar, spices, and his salty skin.
Ink’s eyes are full of heat as he finally gives me his attention.
“Eat your food, bunny,” Ink rumbles as he rests a hand on my upper thigh.
Who am I to argue after that ?
I don’t know what came over me or who this girl is. Old Sutton would have never been caught dead doing that.
Maybe Ink is right. The new hair has brought out a new personality.
“I’m wounded, babe.” A man with shaggy sandy brown hair decked out in a leather cut with the Dirty Devils logo decorating it, Levi jeans, and a chain connecting to his wallet struts into the kitchen, breaking the Ink trance I was in and making me jump.
Ink’s hand squeezes my thigh but doesn’t leave it.
He has a frown playing on his lips, but his eyes are dancing.
“I’m sorry?” I ask, tilting my head in confusion.
“You’re all cozied up with this bone head when it’s my arm you should be on.” He winks before placing his hand dramatically over his heart. “You wound me.”
“Fuck off.” Ink shoots him a glare that has the hair standing up on the back of my neck.
The guy lets out a loud laugh as he pulls out a chair and joins us. It’s clear he’s enjoying this.
“Since my brother seems to have forgotten his manners, I’m Cyrus.” He beams a flirtatious smile.
I can’t help but snort at the irony.
Just moments ago, I was shocked he had any.
“Hi. I’m Sutton.” I smile.
“Oh, I know who you are.” He drops his tone lower, giving it a seductive edge.
A sound that can only be described as a growl is coming from Ink, making my eyes widen at him in alarm.
“Ignore him.” Cyrus waves his hand, unbothered by Ink’s outburst. “He’s a little testy lately, but I’m sure you knew that. ”
“A little testy?” I laugh. “Working with him has been like working with a bear. I was beginning to think he was born with a permanent scowl on his face.”
Ink huffs as he shoves the last of his burger into his mouth.
“What? You know I’m right.” I snicker.
Ink remains silent as he looks at me while slowly chewing the last bite. “I think I liked you better when you were afraid to talk to me,” he says after a long moment.
My jaw drops.
“I wasn’t afraid to talk to you!”
I totally was.
And honestly, I still am.
“Alright, alright, I get it, babe. Don’t need to rub it in my face, but I can tell when I’m out beat,” Cyrus says, sounding sad.
Wait, what?
“Oh no.” I rush out. “You’re not out beat for anything. There’s no competition.”
“The fuck?” Ink says at the same time a huge smile spreads across Cyrus’ face as he says, “Oh, really?”
Ink’s signature scowl is back, and it’s aiming right at me.
“What?”
“You know what.”
“If I did, I wouldn’t be asking.”
“Don’t play dumb. It’s not a good look on you.”
My head rears back as my nose scrunches up. Cyrus’ dancing eyes widen as he takes in the expression on my face.
Don’t play dumb?
“Well, excuse me if I don’t know what the heck is going on here.
The whole entire time I’ve known you, you’ve been a world class butthead.
If there was an award for it, your name would be on a gold plaque.
I’ve had a really bad two days and then you were being nice and it was weird, so please forgive me if I don’t understand what’s going on!
” I rant, getting louder and louder as I go on.
Both Cyrus and Ink have their mouths covered with their hands as their bodies silently shake.
Are they seriously laughing at me?
“Is something funny?” I ask, crossing my arms across my chest.
They both lose it. Their loud, booming laughter echoes throughout the kitchen and can probably be heard from upstairs .
“World class butthead?” Ink asks, both of them pausing for a moment before busting out laughing all over again.
“You can say asshole, babe,” Cyrus says in between catching his breath. “No one is going to rat you out to your mom.” He wipes the small tears that have formed in the corners of his eyes from laughing so hard. “Fuck, I needed that.”
“You’re both annoying,” I declare as I turn my attention back to my burger, deciding I’m done with them.
“Sorry for bein’ so annoying, bunny.” Ink laughs as he gently squeezes my upper thigh. “Eat.”
Cyrus is looking at Ink like he knows something I don’t.
I wonder what that’s all about.