1. Chapter 1 #2
“Are you sure you don’t want to show me? Or are they hidden somewhere more private?” I know he’s teasing, and I should ignore him, but what I can’t ignore is the way his words roll off his tongue so smoothly.
“I’m not showing you anything. And yes, they’re in places you’ll never get to see.” I hook my arm through Sally’s and tug her toward the shop. “Come on, let’s get a tattoo.” I throw the final word over my shoulder.
I march away from the annoying man and into the tattoo shop. My heart is beating so fast. Flustered, I place a hand on my chest and take a deep breath to settle it down.
“What was that about?” Sally asks, her eyes creasing with amusement.
I shake my head. “I have no idea. He annoyed me.” And at the same time, turned me on. I’m so confused. She stares at me like I’ve grown two heads and doesn’t recognize me. I don’t blame her. “Let’s get out of here,” I say before she can say anything else.
“We’re not getting a tattoo?” she asks. Now she looks as confused as I feel.
Before I can tell her that I only said I was getting one because of the man’s remarks, the door opens and he glides in from the street.
My heart kicks back up, thumping in my chest. He’s even more attractive under the bright lights of the shop, highlighting the small lines fanning around his eyes and a sprinkling of gray in the stubble of his beard.
He must be mid to late thirties. Too old for me.
Why would I think that? He’s not for me at all.
“Are you following me?” I ask, slightly annoyed, yet a flicker of excitement runs through me.
“I’m here for the same thing you are.” He nods toward the counter. “There’s a book filled with pretty butterflies and roses for you to choose,” he says with a slight mocking tone.
My jaw clenches. “That’s not what I want at all,” I lie. If I were to get a tattoo, that’s exactly what I would’ve chosen.
He cocks an eyebrow like he doesn’t believe me. What is it about this man that makes me want to get a full sleeve just to prove him wrong?
A woman steps out from behind a red velvet curtain.
Her straight, shiny black hair reaches her backside.
She’s wearing an oversized t-shirt with an eagle graphic on it, over faded denim ripped jeans and chunky brown boots.
Her arms are covered with tattoos, and I spot a small blue butterfly behind her ear.
I want to turn to the man and point out that even this cool-looking woman has a butterfly tattoo.
Like he knows what I’m thinking, he says, “She makes it look badass.”
I pull a face at him. “Like I couldn’t?”
“Honestly. No.” At the bluntness of his tone, heat flares in my cheeks.
I want to think of a witty comeback that would shut him up, but I’m not a quick thinker, so my mouth only opens and closes with no words coming out.
“You’re back again so soon?” the woman says, smiling at him.
“What can I say?” he replies with a small grin. “I love your work.”
“Good answer. You know I’m the best,” she says with a playful tone as she pokes his shoulder with her finger. Then she glances mine and Sally’s way. “What can I do for you, ladies?”
“We want to get a tattoo,” Sally answers quickly, like she thinks I’m going to change my mind. I desperately want to run out, yet the dare shining from the man’s eyes keeps me from leaving.
“Do you have any idea what you’d like?” She glances between Sally and I.
“I’d like a dragonfly,” Sally says confidently. She must have already given it some thought.
I nibble on my bottom lip. “I’m not sure. Can I have a look at some options?” If I waste time looking at designs, hopefully he’ll go in first, and I can get the hell out of here. I’ll never see him again, so, I don’t have to prove anything.
“Sure. We have books on the counter.” She points to the one I’d already spotted.
“I thought you were at the charity event tonight. It’s amazing how you’re raising money for children and young people healing from trauma. I sent a donation,” the tattoo artist says to the man.
“It’s tomorrow night. And thank you for your donation. Every dollar counts.”
“No. problem. How’s the foundation going?” She picks up a book from a shelf behind her and rests it next to the one on the counter. “These have some cool designs in them,” she says.
“It’s early days yet, but we’ve raised enough money to get dozens of kids into therapy. It’s amazing the difference it’s already making.” I hear pride in his voice.
“That’s wonderful.”
I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but with them standing so close, I can’t help but overhear their conversation. So, he’s good looking and has a good heart. He’s not just a jerk.
At the counter, my hands tremble as I open the book. Dozens of intricate designs fill the pages. While Sally is gushing enthusiastically over everything she’s looking at, I’m trying to find the smallest design in the book. Am I really going to go through with it?
“After you get your tattoo, you need to send a photo to Jeremy. You know how much he hates them.” Sally snickers.
Thank goodness that relationship is over.
Enduring two months of lectures on what I should wear, what to read or watch, and basically how to live my life was two months too long.
Another man my father saw fit for me to marry.
The third unsuccessful match in one year.
A matchmaker my father does not make. Just because they go to church every Sunday doesn’t automatically make them good husband material.
One day I’d love to find the right man and get married.
Even have a couple of kids. I want to do it in my own time. Not have it forced on me.
“That’s not a bad idea. He’d deserve it.”
“I’m glad you dumped him. If you didn’t do it soon, I would’ve done it for you,” she says, flicking a page in the book.
I giggle. “What better way to get revenge on your ex than having another man’s name tattooed on your body?” Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dangerous’ voice washes over me.
Slowly, I turn, our bodies almost touching. I take a step back and press up against the counter. I tilt my face up, only to be met with those hard, steel-gray eyes again. The ones that shoot heat through my chest.
Sparks.
I should feel uncomfortable with the position I’m in. This is a stranger cramming into my personal space, yet my body practically melts into a puddle at his feet. “And what name should I get? Yours?” Of course, I’m joking.
With a deadpan expression, he says, “Yes.”
Oh! “You’re not serious, are you?”
“It’s the best revenge.” His face is so emotionless, I can’t tell if he’s joking.
“I’d be nuts to do such a thing.” He leans forward, placing a hand on the counter behind me. My pulse races at his nearness; the heat from his body is palpable.
“Why would I tattoo your name on my body? I don’t even know you. It’s a ridiculous thing to do.”
He shrugs a shoulder and pushes away. “Or it’s doing something spontaneous.” I want to feel relieved that he’s giving me some space, but is it wrong that I liked having him so close? So close I could see the flecks of silver around his pupils.
“Have you ever done something spontaneous, even if it’s ridiculous?”
I pull my shoulders back. “Of course I have. All the time.” I turn to Sally so she can back me up and keep my lie rolling.
Instead, she lifts her shoulders to her ears and pulls a face like she knows it’s not true.
Then she gives me a wicked smile. I gasp.
How dare my best friend not have my back?
It’s like she’s taking extreme pleasure in my discomfort.
Just wait until we get home. I’m ending our sixteen-year friendship.
We both know that would never happen. I love her too much.
I can still stop talking to her for a day though.
“Hmm-mmm,” he murmurs like he doesn’t believe me. “What’s something spontaneous you’ve done in the past year?”
“I don’t need to tell you anything.” I snap. Narrowing my eyes at him, I cross my arms over my chest. Because I can’t think of anything exciting to even lie about. This man is infuriating and grinding on my last nerve.
“So, nothing then.” He laughs mockingly. “Good luck getting your cutesy butterfly tattoo. That’s if you’re not too chicken.”
Anger boils under my skin. He turns to walk away. “Stop!” I place my hand on his arm. Muscles flex under my palm. He’s so hard and big, and I have to stop myself from caressing the length of it. He turns and glances at where I’m touching. When he looks back at me, heat smoulders in his eyes.
I swallow hard. He’s the complete opposite of my type and a lot older. Yet I can’t help but notice how gorgeous he is. I drop my hand. “If I do it, then you have to do it too.” Now it’s my turn to challenge him. See how he likes it.
“Sure. No problem.” He shrugs, like it’s no big deal to have a stranger’s name tattooed somewhere on their body.
That was easy. I was hoping he was all talk, and he’d drop this wacky idea. “What’s your name? If it’s something long, the deal is off.”
He pauses for a moment. My heart races. Then he says, “It’s Kade.”
“Really?” Did he pause because he was making one up?
His face hardens. “It’s the one given to me.”
“You’re going to get a tattoo too?” I confirm, or am I stalling?
“That’s why I’m here. Are you sure you’re going to get one?” he taunts.
“That’s why I’m here,” I mimic. I suck in a deep breath. Right. This is it. I’m getting my first tattoo. A man’s name, who I don’t know, will soon be branded on my skin. And mine on his. The night has turned wild. “My name is Daisy.”
“Good to know.”
Oh God, this is happening. “Where do you suggest I put it?”
He trails a finger along the side of my torso next to my breast. I suck in a breath, and my nipples harden. If I thought the way he looked at me zapped me with lightning, his light touch is like an explosion of fireworks.
Our eyes lock. “Right here.”
My chest heaves as his finger lingers.
“Who’s going first?” the woman interrupts, and for a moment, I forgot we weren’t the only people in the room.