Chapter Eleven
TOMI
Time to Say Goodbye
I’ve dreaded this day for so fucking long. I fought as hard as I could but with my landlord, Jacob, selling the shop out from under me, and Alex Scott coming in with his goons to demolish this place, my hands are tied. Other than chaining myself to the front door naked in protest, there’s no way out of this now.
Hope & Faith Ink is closing its doors for the final time today, and there’s not a damn thing I can do to stop it. The idea cripples me every time I let it sink in, but right at this moment, I’m Saran wrapping a long-term customer’s forearm. She just happens to be my very last client too. Her tattoo is ironically inscribed with c’est la vie .
“There you go, Izzy. Remember your aftercare. If you have any questions, message me on Instagram. I want to thank you for being an amazing customer and using Hope & Faith Ink. Your loyalty here has been our honor.”
Izzy, with her long, black hair and bright red lipstick, not to mention countless piercings in her ears and face, holds me with her blue, misty eyes. “Tomi, I’m gonna miss you guys so damn much. I have no idea where the hell I’m gonna get tattoos of this quality now…” Her mind is far away. “Maybe this will be my last one.”
I glance at her skin, almost completely covered in ink. Where could she possibly find any room to have any more? With a woman like Izzy, ink is an addiction. This won’t be her last. But I’m miserable I won’t be her tattooist any longer. “Never say never, Izzy. Thanks again… for everything.”
She leans over giving me a brief hug, then she picks up her black leather handbag encrusted with studs and walks over to Gigi at the cashier’s desk. I glance at Jana and Hogtie, who appear to be as miserable as I am. The muted sound of the door closing and our final customer leaving sends a somber mood throughout the entire place. Jana wraps her arm around my shoulders as I glance around my shop.
My home away from home.
The place where my second family works with me every single day.
I swallow the lump forming in my throat. If I’m not careful, at any second, I’m going to break out into a fit of some sort of hysteria as I take in all the memories of my parents helping me build this place into the amazing marvel it’s become.
Suddenly, a loud pop echoes through the room. We all swing our heads to the rear of the shop to Skins, who’s walking in with a bottle of champagne. Bubbles flow over the top from the burst cork. “Time to celebrate, fuckers!” Skins calls while grabbing a few plastic cups from under the bench on his way.
I can’t help but snort, but it’s not filled with humor, it’s more about what he’s said. I need to celebrate the times we’ve shared together. This family is a strong unit. We work so well together, but I’ve let them down.
We’re all going our separate ways. Skins is finishing his apprenticeship at another shop. Hogtie’s going to work out of his garage. Jana’s moving to another tattoo studio, and Gigi’s going into tattooing makeup while also working on nipple reconstruction for breast cancer survivors.
We’re a diverse bunch—that’s what made this studio such a great place. Anything you wanted done, we could cater to. This is just a crappy situation. I’m so damn angry at Alex Scott for tearing this area to shreds, and in the process, taking out a perfectly functioning business and hardworking people with it.
If I ever meet him in person, I swear to God, I’m gonna punch him right in his stupid-ass face.
Skins walks over and hands me a cup of champagne, and I take it with a half-smile. “I just want to thank you all…. for everything you’ve ever done for me and this place. I couldn’t have asked for a better crew and support. You guys are simply fucking amazing. If I could do anything to keep this place open and have you here with me, you know I would.” I grit my teeth. “I’m sorry, but I’ve failed you guys.”
Everyone’s faces scrunch up.
“You didn’t fail us, Tom-Tom, asshole Scott did,” Skins blurts, then takes a long drink of his champagne.
I exhale as Jana, Gigi, and Hogtie all nod in agreement. “Yeah, you’re right.” I have a sip of my champagne, taking another glance around my shop.
This is it.
The end of an era.
I’m devastated these people I call my family have to leave here too.
“Fuck Alex Scott!” Gigi hollers, making me almost spit out the champagne.
Everyone else chuckles.
I giggle as I raise my cup. They all raise theirs in a cheer while champagne spills over the top and runs down my hand. “Yeah, fuck Alex Scott!” I bellow.
We all laugh, then take a giant drink.
I turn and spot Xander walking toward us, but he’s a little hesitant.
My body alights, and all the hairs on my skin stand on end as warmth floods through me. He makes me feel alive, even when I’m in the shittiest of situations. Xander strolls over to me, a slow smile creeping on his face. Jana nudges me as I place my cup on the cashier’s desk, then walk across to meet him. His body relaxes as I approach, his hand reaches out to take mine instantly. A tingle shoots up my arm to my heart, giving it a little kick-start.
“I wanted to check how you were doing. Tonight is huge for you.”
I lean up on my toes, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks, you have no idea how hard this is.”
He grimaces, but it’s only a fraction. “I have some idea. I’m sorry, Tomi.”
My brows knit together as I chuckle. “It’s not your fault. You have nothing to be sorry for, Xander. But you being here definitely helps.”
He tenses, doing that wincing thing again. I’m not sure what it’s about, but I know I need to feel him, so I tighten my grip on his hand and start walking.
Xander leans into my ear. “And where are we going?”
Smirking, I pull him past everyone. They’re chatting amongst themselves, not paying attention as we pass. “There’s something I’ve always wanted to do here.”
The corners of his lips turn up as he follows me into the supply closet in the back, and I close the door behind us. I turn around and wrap my arms around his neck, gazing into his eyes. They light up as he suddenly realizes my intentions. Leaning up on my toes, I press my lips to his while his hands snake around my waist, holding me. My lips tingle while his tongue dances with mine.
Xander pushes me back against the shelves, hard. I “oomph” into his mouth as the shelves rattle, and a couple of ink bottles fall to the floor at my feet in our mad moment, but luckily don’t break. My hands tangle in his hair before his run under my shirt, his smooth, warm fingers caressing the small of my back. We kiss frantically against the shelves while his fingers grip my skin.
My clit throbs with desire—Xander makes me so needy for him. If the guys weren’t out in the other room, I would definitely take this further. But I know I can’t, I need to slow down because as much as I want, no, need Xander right now, I have to cool this down.
I slow the frantic kiss. He senses and pulls back, his forehead resting against mine as we pant for breath. His eyes staring into mine, so full of lust, I want to say screw it all and drop my panties right here.
Xander licks his lips, his hand coming up to gently caress my cheek. “How are you… really?”
I close my eyes, taking a much-needed breath. “This is fucking shit… I hate the world right now.” I open my eyes to see him watching me with a sympathetic frown. “But it is what it is. And all I can do is wait and see how this all pans out. What kills me… is I just don’t know how Levi is going to take all this.” I shrug out of his grip and start to pace the confined space. “You saw how he was at the zoo. I mean, I’m not expecting that every day, but I do know he’s not going to be the same when he’s thrown this far out of his routine.”
Xander sinks in on himself, the move not comforting me at all. It only shows me I’m right. Levi isn’t going to get through this transition okay.
Xander strides up to me, taking my hand. “I know this is hard, but Tomi, you’re so strong. You’re fierce. And as for Levi, you take such good care of him. You have your specialists to turn to if he needs it. Levi knows you love him and only want what’s best for him. He’ll get through this, just like you will.”
“Yeah, but at what cost? What trauma is this shit going to have on Levi? Will he fight his way through it? What if I can’t find a job quickly enough? What if I can’t pay the mortgage on the house?” My eyes widen when the realization strikes. “Fuck, what if I lose the house? The house my family lived in, Xander? The memories of my parents and Kaylie. I can’t do that. I can’t lose that house, not for Levi or me.” I pace harder and faster, anger coursing through me.
Xander tries to pull me in, but I resist, yanking away from his grip.
“I need to go and see this Alex Scott. Give him a piece of my mind. Walk right into his office and punch him in his fucking nutsack.”
Xander gulps, placing his hands on my shoulders to stop me from pacing. “Tomi, you’re angry. I get it. Trust me. Nut-punching Alex won’t do you any good. It won’t make you feel better. And it absolutely won’t get you your shop back. Just take a breath, and let’s go out there to celebrate your last night with your friends.”
I chew on the side of my cheek. “Fine… but I still want to punch him right where it hurts.”
He chuckles. “Noted. C’mon, let’s get you another drink.”
Greta is watching over Levi at home while Xander and the rest of us sit around the shop laughing and having a great time. The shop might be closed for business, but for these last few moments, it’s still full of life.
I’ll need to come in to pack everything up before I’m evicted completely. But for now? Now we’re closed for clients, and it leaves a dramatic sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I may be laughing and having fun with my colleagues, but a piece of me has died today. Like a little piece of Mom and Dad went away all over again. I would never have had this shop if it weren’t for them. Now, I won’t have it at all, and when it’s gone, another piece of them goes right with it.
It’s getting late. I only had a couple of drinks, and that was hours ago. We’ve had pizza and soda since then, but I’m feeling like maybe we need to call it a night.
Thing is…
Once we leave, then it’s official.
This place is actually closed.
Silence falls on us as we all must think the same thing.
Skins glances up at the ink splash clock on the wall. We all follow his line of sight—it’s nearing ten o’clock. I need to message Greta. The woman is a saint. Staying with Levi while I work late. I have no idea what I’d do without her. Thank God, Levi loves her so much, and thank God my parents were wise enough to cater for Levi so well in their will.
“It’s time to call it, Tomi,” Skins mutters, his voice low and somber.
I stand. Everyone follows my lead as we all walk around to gather our things. I pick up my bag, and we all step as a team for the final time to the door of Hope & Faith Ink. They file out one by one, Xander walks out before me, leaving me the last one to exit. I take one last glance around the shop, a sense of dread flooding through my veins. I switch off the lights, sending my shop into darkness for the final time. I turn to the sign around to ‘closed’ and shut the door, locking it. Taking a deep breath, I place my hand on the door, just taking it in before closing my eyes with a heavy sigh.
I’ll be back.
I need to clean it out.
But this feels so damn final.
Although I might cry, I can hardly contain my fiery rage.
My shop’s going to be demolished, and it’s all because of Alex Scott.
He’s faceless.
A man I’ve never met.
A man who has singlehandedly ruined my life.
The man who’s taken my livelihood away from me.
All I know is karma always finds its victim. I don’t know what or how, but I believe somehow, karma will be swift and vicious for Alex Scott. I have to believe that. I just hope I’ll be around to find out what the hell that karma will be.
Pulling my hand away from the door, I turn around to see my tattoo family staring at me.
“It’s been lit, Tom-Tom,” Skins cheers.
The corners of my lips turn upward.
“Yeah, Tomi, thank you for taking a chance on me.” Jana sniffles, wiping under her eye.
“I’m gonna miss this gang,” Gigi adds.
I glance at Hogtie, my manager, and a man of few words. “I fucking love ya, chick. If you ever need anything, you call me.”
I race forward at the same time they all do, and we join together in a group hug. Arms go everywhere as Xander chuckles behind us. I relish in this moment—my tattoo family and me for the final time.
“Well, enough of this sappy shit. I have a bird to pick up at a bar,” Skins calls.
We all burst out laughing as we break apart, and I take one last glance at my team while Skins strolls off down the pavement. Gigi waves, taking off in the same direction as Skins. Hogtie winks at me then crosses the road.
Jana sighs. “I’m always here for you. Any time you need me. I’m your girl, okay?”
I lean in, hugging her again. I know this won’t be the last time I see Jana. We’re too good of friends to let this be it.
She pulls back, winks at Xander, then heads off, leaving Xander and me in front of my store.
Only it’s not mine anymore.
Xander wraps his arms around my waist. “Hey, I know you’re supposed to be getting back to Levi tonight, but Greta can take care of him. You’ve had a big day. You deserve a night to yourself.”
Raising my eyebrow, I stare at him. “What does that mean?”
He steadies his shoulders. “Stay at my place.” It’s not a question, more of a statement.
I’ve never seen his place. Hell, it’s taken a fair bit for Xander to open up to me, so for him to be showing me his place means he must want to take our relationship further.
I beam.
Today has been all doom and gloom, and now there’s a beacon of light in this shitty darkness.
“I don’t have any nightclothes,” I tease.
He grins. “You won’t need any.”
“Or a toothbrush.”
“Use mine.”
I scrunch up my nose. “That’s poor dental hygiene practice right there, Xander.”
He laughs, pulling me in. I squeal as he gazes into my eyes. “Stay with me?”
I soften at his almost-begging tone. “I gotta check with Greta first.”
He leans in, planting a chaste kiss on my nose. “Check on Levi. If it’s all good, I want you to myself tonight, Tomi.”
Smiling, I pull back and remove my cell from my pocket, sending a quick text to Greta and waiting for her reply. The ding comes back soon after with her answer, and I turn to Xander. “It’s all good. She can stay with Levi tonight. I’m all yours.”
His face alights, and it comes from deep inside of him. It ignites his eyes, spreading a gorgeous glow across every inch of his features. “Follow me home in your car, I’ll lead the way.” He leans in quickly, pecking my lips, and it feels like there’s been a weight lifted from his shoulders. I have no idea what the hell’s running through his mind as he heads toward his ride.
He hops on, pulling his helmet over his head. I stride toward my mini, get in, and follow him. I have to admit seeing him wearing a leather jacket and riding that bike does things to me. How the hell I’m meant to concentrate on the drive to his place with him in front of me like this, I have no idea. He pulls out onto the street, and I follow. What does tonight have in store for us? Suddenly, this night isn’t so bleak after all.
After a little trip through the city, he pulls into a high-rise apartment complex, one of the more expensive ones in the city. My curiosity piques as I follow him. I had no idea Xander was rich. But I continue to follow as he pulls into a specific parking space. He then signals for me to park next to him. It’s like some sort of premium parking right next to the elevator.
My mind starts to tick over. I guess I don’t know much about Xander . With the clothing he wears, I never pictured he’d live in a place like this. This is expensive. And Xander has always been a jeans and tank top kinda guy. He doesn’t scream gazillionaire to me.
I’m so confused right now.
I hop out of my car and walk over to him with a raised brow as Xander slides off his bike, leaving his helmet on his seat.
“You live here?”
He grimaces. “Yeah, I know it’s not what you were expecting.”
“You can say that again,” I snort.
Xander grabs my hand, and then edges me toward the elevator. He pushes the button and turns to me with a hint of something in his eyes, either hesitation or something else. I can’t quite pinpoint the emotions running through him right now. I go to speak, but the elevator opens, so we walk in. He pushes the unmarked button after using a proximity card. It dings, then the elevator starts moving. Jerking my head back, I glance at him as he wraps his arm around my waist like he’s terrified I might run away.
What the fuck is going on?
The elevator keeps going and going. The dizzying heights have me questioning what freaking level Xander lives on.
The doors suddenly open to an entryway.
My head spins. I turn to Xander, but he ushers me toward the small lobby.
I know exactly what this is—the entrance to a fucking penthouse apartment.
We arrive at two giant marble doors, and I dig my heels into the floor, grinding us to a halt. “What the fuck’s going on? This is a penthouse apartment.”
He tilts his head. “It is.”
I scoff. “I knew you worked in your family business, but you wear ripped jeans and tank tops. They don’t scream this kind of wealth, Xander.”
He reaches past me, sending an electric current straight through me. He holds a card to a scanner on the keypad that opens the doors, and he gestures for me to head inside. “Let’s go in, and we can talk about everything in a more comfortable environment.”
Flaring my nostrils, I turn, sliding past him through the doors into a vast open-plan apartment. The cool marble floors gleam under the soft glow of recessed lighting, and towering floor-to-ceiling windows reveal a breathtaking night sky dusted with stars. To the left, a grand staircase of dark wood spirals upward, a crystal chandelier cascading down its center, scattering fragments of light across the room. A long dining table, fit for extravagant dinner parties, rests in an alcove, its polished surface reflecting the ambient glow. Beyond that, a spacious living area boasts pristine white sofas that look almost too perfect to sit on. The kitchen? I haven’t the slightest clue where it is. Right now, all I can do is stand in silent awe, swallowed whole by the sheer opulence surrounding me.
It doesn’t suit the man I know—the Xander standing behind me right now.
I’m so out of place, like I need to tiptoe around everything in case I make a mark on the damn floor or break something.
It’s flashy as shit and not my scene in the slightest.
Fucking hell! Maybe I don’t know Xander at all.
I glance at him. He senses my apprehension as he takes my hand and leads me toward the living area. It’s a little more comfortable here but still majorly swanky, and then he gestures for me to sit.
When I do, the sofa is soft, almost too soft. I’ve never felt anything so fucking comfortable in my life. This thing must have cost the blood of a virgin or something to maintain this kind of luxury. He stands in front of me. I see his mind ticking over too, but he appears calm, the calmest I’ve seen him all night—again, like a weight has lifted from his shoulders.
“I know you have questions—”
“Yeah, like, what the fuck is going on here, Xander?”
He takes in a deep breath and then expels. It’s like he’s going to say something, but then he pauses. “There’s so much to tell you.”
I snicker. “Yeah, I can see that.”
“But, it can wait for now,” he murmurs as his eyes glaze over, hooding with lust. “I can’t tell you how good it is to finally be sharing another piece of me with you, Tomi.” He bends down, his eyes on mine as his hand slides in behind my head to grab hold of my hair. He tugs my head back, pulling my face up to meet him as I gasp. His lips capture mine. Sparks erupt inside my body. I love it when he’s rough with me.
My hands slide up under his leather jacket, pulling it down over his shoulders. He lets it fall to the floor as my hands reach up under his tank top, lifting it over his head. It cascades to the floor as he slides in, pushing me back on the sofa, his body pressing down on top of mine as our tongues collide frantically. My legs wrap around his waist as he grinds into my pussy. My clit is throbbing so damn hard I can hardly contain myself.
He kisses me so full of need, so full of lust, that I find it difficult to breathe. We rock together, grinding against each other like a couple of horny teenagers.
Desperation fills me.
I need to feel him—I want him so bad I don’t even care about all the other stuff around me right now.
My hands move in between us, and I fumble for his belt. He shifts his weight to allow me to undo it, and I rip open his fly, then yank his jeans over his ass.
We’re both panting for frantic breaths as he shifts his weight enough for me to grab my jeans and work them down, then slide them off one leg. The tip of his cock sits on my stomach. I can’t wait. I simply need him, so I yank my panties to the side as I edge him closer to me. He agrees with the quick pace as I angle him to my opening.
He wastes no time thrusting inside of me. We both moan out loud at the delightful friction it causes. It’s good to be vocal and express our emotions because, at my place, we can’t do that. But here, we’re free to say whatever we want or moan as loud as we like.
He thrusts deeper, hitting that spot just right, exactly like he knows how to.
I throw my head back in utter content. “God, yes,” I moan as he thrusts into me.
Powerfully.
Deeply.
Satisfyingly.
He fills me so perfectly.
It’s like we’re made for each other in every way possible.
My body tingles all over as he kisses my neck, his teeth grazing my skin as he forcefully thrusts inside of me. The energy surging through the room is palpable. It’s flowing through us, igniting the room, and I’m burning with fire. There’s no denying that what Xander and I have is more than just an attraction—our connection isn’t just physical. Sure, that’s part of it, but when we join like this, the bond is solid.
We’re meant to be together.
I can feel it right down to the very essence of me.
He thrusts again, the cushions of the sofa dipping like soft sponges as we rock together. Xander means so much to me, and as such, my body reacts to him like he’s my lifeline. He drives again, so hard and fast it sends a shockwave through my very core, making my back arch off the sofa. My fingers clench into his back as I dig into his skin. My breathing is rushed and harsh while I pant ferociously to catch my breath. My skin riddles in a fine mist of sweat before flashing lights start to dance behind my eyes. He thrusts again, and it’s all I need for him to send me over the edge.
Fireworks explode like the Fourth of July, sending a wave of pleasure over me.
“Xander, God, yes,” I blurt out as my pussy clamps around his cock.
His muscles tense when he stills, his balls pulling up as his hot cum explodes inside of me. We pant as his body collapses on top of mine. He supports his weight, but only slightly before his head sits in the nook of my shoulder.
“Jesus, Tomi, you kill me.” He slowly shifts to lie on the inside of the sofa beside me, and I smile, thinking that we’re going to cuddle.
“In a good way, I hope?” I murmur as he slides in, wrapping his arm over my stomach.
“Oh yeah, in the best possible way.” He leans in, gently kissing my shoulder. I slowly close my eyes, relaxing and taking in this moment.
One thing I quickly realize and know for sure—if we’re going to keep having bareback sex, I need to get my contraception in working order and fast.