Chapter 4 #2
Somehow, in the course of a day, he’d gone from standing to the side, being near her but not with her, to dating her. He didn’t know if they had a label, but it was at least a new step in a direction he wasn’t sure he’d ever be ready for.
Sloane stood up and ran a hand over his head, noting he’d need to shave again soon. He liked the feel of the air on his bald head, so he kept it shaved. He’d done it in basic training and hadn’t stopped since. It didn’t seem to bother Hailey, so he’d keep it.
Today, he had to go to work and act like nothing happened in front of the others.
Sure, they’d heard her storm into his section, but they’d at least pretended not to listen.
He didn’t want them to give Hailey or him shit.
All the while, he’d want to ask her what was going on and scream that he’d kissed her at the top of his lungs.
If he weren’t sure of his age, and the fact that he was nearing forty, he would have thought he was some damn teenage boy getting to kiss his first crush.
Hailey was his first for a lot of things, though, so maybe that made sense.
His first friend he’d fallen for. The first woman that he knew would be nothing but serious after getting out of the service.
His first…just his first chance at Hailey.
By the time he made it to Montgomery Ink, his head ached from too many thoughts and lack of coffee. He hadn’t made any at home, and he wasn’t sure if he should go into Taboo and get some from Hailey. Seriously, it was like he was a teenager again.
When he had the time, he should just go over there for coffee and see her.
Things had changed, but they hadn’t. And once he remembered that, everything would be okay. At least he hoped so.
Sloane stretched his back as he took a seat at his station.
He had three appointments that day—two smaller ones that he could get done in less than an hour each—and another one that would take most of the afternoon.
That one he knew had to be perfect. Not that any of his work was less than perfect, but the one that afternoon had to be better than the rest.
While each of the artists at Montgomery Ink did all kinds of work, they each had some specialties they were known for.
Sloane had become known for his remembrance pieces.
Those who had lost someone in the service came to him.
He’d done ink remembering fallen soldiers—men, women, and dogs—as well as those who wanted to remember their branch in general.
Today he was doing an eagle for someone and wanted to make sure he got the feathers just right. The bird would look as if it were taking off; its wings stretched back, legs bent.
He hated and loved doing these all at the same time.
Maybe, just maybe, if he could help others, he’d rid himself of the stain of blood on his hands.
Only he knew that wasn’t an option. He’d be tainted until the day he died—and he refused to let that time be short.
The men who had fallen by his side deserved far more than what they’d received, and Sloane refused to give up when they hadn’t had a chance.
He let out a shuddering breath, pushing the memories back. It usually wasn’t this bad, but for some reason, he couldn’t quite get out of this funk.
Of course, he knew the reason, and she was just a wall away, working and probably smiling. Giving in to temptation had done something to him, broken down the barriers that had held the panic at bay.
“So…what happened last night?” Maya asked. He lifted his head to see her leaning against the table in his station, her pierced brow raised.
He leaned back and folded his arms over his chest. Rather than answer, he just stared at her.
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not going to answer me, are you?”
He remained silent.
She threw up her hands. “Fine. But if you hurt her, I’ll kick your ass. Oh, and if she hurts you, I’ll kick her ass. I’m an equal opportunity ass kicker.”
Sloane smiled then. “I’ve always admired that about you.”
Maya flipped him off then went back to her station, leaving Sloane alone with his thoughts.
When he had the time, he should just go over there for coffee and see her.
He didn’t like not knowing what to say—hence why most people thought he was the silent type.
He only spoke when it was important and he knew the words.
This was important. But he didn’t know the words.
So, instead of going next door and seeing her like he wanted to, he stayed put and waited for his first client. He’d go over there eventually. He couldn’t hide from her.
And that’s what scared him.
The day thankfully passed quickly, and he stood up, rolling his neck to try and get the crick out.
His stomach grumbled and he cursed himself.
Somehow, he’d gone through most of the day without eating anything except the protein bar he’d found in his desk.
Who knew how old that thing was. In the past, Callie might have gone and gotten the crew lunch, but now that she was a full-time artist and not an apprentice, she was just far too busy.
Autumn, Griffin Montgomery’s woman, worked up front most days, but today had been her day off.
That meant he’d been forced to get his own food and hadn’t had the time between clients.
“Go get food or go home,” Austin said from his station.
Sloane looked over at his friend. “What?”
“You haven’t eaten today, and that’s fucking stupid in our line of work. You don’t have any clients on the docket and the walk-ins aren’t that bad today. Maya, Callie, and I can handle the influx.”
Sloane ran a hand down the back of his neck. “We need more artists.”
Austin nodded. “I’m putting out my feelers for someone who can be here for as many hours as we are. Or maybe I can get another apprentice.”
There were four other artists that worked there on partial shifts, but they weren’t full time since they either lived too far away or had other jobs. What they needed was another full timer.
“If I hear anything, I’ll let you know,” Sloane added.
“Good. Now go next door, see your woman, and get some food. Head home and take her with you. Or at least make her go home. She’s been here as long as you have I bet.”
His woman.
He sure loved the sound of that. But was it the truth? Was she his? They hadn’t truly discussed what they were doing, other than that they were taking it one moment at a time. The fact she’d bared her secrets to him had meant more than anything.
Sloane nodded at his boss, then the others, before cleaning up his station. After, he headed into Taboo through the side door and stopped two feet in.
She was magnificent.
Her teeth bit into her lip as she fought not to laugh at whatever Sierra, Austin’s wife, had said. She had flour on her apron, but other than that, she looked pristine—not like a woman who had probably been on her feet for a full shift.
He’d always known she was strong, but now that he knew the truth, he saw the depth of that strength. He was a big man—big hands, large chest—just big. He could break her if he weren’t careful.
He could break her with more than his strength, he knew. The fragility that slid under the surface of her skin wasn’t easy to see, but he saw it. She could be the strongest woman in the world and still carry that.
He couldn’t hurt her.
But he just might.
She turned to him then and smiled, though there was wariness in her eyes.
It made sense, after all. He hadn’t come by for coffee and this was the first time they’d seen each other since he’d left her house the night before.
He wasn’t sure if he should go to her, kiss her senseless, then carry her out of the building over his shoulder, or stay here and watch her from afar.
He stuck his hands in his pockets and let his smile rise just a little so she would know he liked seeing her.
Sierra looked between them and smiled like the Grinch at Christmas. She all but rubbed her hands together in glee. Of course, he only saw this out of the corner of his eye, as the rest of his attention was on the blonde in front of him—the blonde he wanted in his arms.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey.”
Sierra clapped her hands together, this time in truth, and slid off her stool.
“Hi, Sloane. I’m going to head to Harry and Marie’s to pick up the kids.
” She grinned. “They wanted time with the grandbabies today. Hailey was just telling me she was done for the day since her closing crew is here. Perfect timing.”
She waved and said her good-byes before she headed through the door to Montgomery Ink, presumably to kiss her husband on her way out.
That left Sloane and Hailey awkwardly standing in front of one another in silence.
Hailey cleared her throat. “Uh, yeah, I was about to get off.”
He wanted to get her off.
Jesus, his mind needed to stay out of the gutter.
From the way her cheeks blushed, her mind had gone there, too. Interesting.
“Want to get something to eat?” he asked. His stomach rumbled then. Loudly. He winced. “Apparently, I really need to eat.”
She smiled then and waved at the counter. “Let me get you some stew. It’s the kind you like. I’ll get a bowl, too.”
He met her gaze. “Can we take it to go?”
She studied his face for a moment then nodded. “That I can do. Where are we going?” She bit her lip again, this time her gaze traveling down his body, slowly.
“Your place,” he whispered, and she sucked in a shaky breath.
“Oh. Okay.” She looked up again and licked her lips. “We can do that.” She turned back to the kitchen, and he swallowed hard.
He didn’t know what they would do once they got there, but he couldn’t wait to find out. She came back quickly, her jacket on and a large bag in her hands. He took it from her, their hands brushing.
They both sucked in a breath, and he had to smile. “I’ll follow you,” he said softly before leaning down to brush a kiss against her lips.