Naked Love

by Jones, Lisa Renee

  However, that meant she had to get in a better mood before she got to work. Because not only did she have three tattoo sessions that day, she also started with a nose piercing appointment. So, now her day was jam-packed, and she just hoped she could handle it all.

  Knowing she needed to buck up, she changed her shirt, rolled her shoulders back, and told herself that she was an adult and could do this—no matter how much her pinky toe hurt.

  And with all of that, she also had to do her best not to think about where her relationship with Mace was headed. Because that would only activate her headache, and she truly did not have time for that today. She wasn’t just falling in love with him. She’d fallen head over heels in love with the man. And with the way he had warned her when they went on their non-date, and how he had included her in his evening with Daisy, she had a feeling things had changed once again. And though she was still nervous, it was an excited nervousness.

  But she would have to push all of that to the back of her mind and get to work. She was a freaking adult who owned a business, and she needed to get to work. She hated that she would be late at all, but sometimes, life got in the way of living.

  She made her way across the highway to MIT and parked in the parking lot next to Mace’s truck. The hairs on the back of her neck rose, and she looked out her side window and gasped.

  Shep and Mace were outside the shop, hands on their hips as they stared at the front of the building.

  Where someone had broken the Montgomery Ink Too sign into pieces.

  Her heart ached, and her hands shook as she took in the physical manifestation of what someone had been trying to do to her business, her second home, a piece of her heart all along: break it.

  Methodically, piece-by-piece, someone was trying to tear into what she’d put so much of her life, energy, money, and soul into. Someone had put hateful words where anyone could see. They hadn’t cared that children could walk by and see those words, and parents would be forced to have conversations that they might not be ready to have. Because it hadn’t just been curse words, it had been horrible, horrible things, which no woman should ever have to see. And now this…parents would always put those conversations in the same place in their mind as her shop. And she couldn’t blame them.

  They were in a well-respected, family-centric community. And between the new rumors of drugs and uncleanliness added to the destruction of property, she wasn’t sure how many more hits to the reputation of her shop, her people, and her soul she could take.

  “You’re better than this, Adrienne Montgomery.” Her voice filled her car, and she took a deep breath, knowing she needed to get through whatever pain was currently digging at her and be the boss she needed to be.

  When had she gone from a woman who immediately reacted, to one who needed a moment to get through the grief of what she might lose? She was done with this. Done.

  She got out of her car, slammed the door behind her, and stepped towards the shop. At a second glance, the damage didn’t look as bad as she had feared. Unless you looked directly at the sign and the subsequent debris on the ground below it, you couldn’t really tell that someone had tried to damage her place of business. But she knew, and this was the last fucking straw.

  Abby came out of her tea shop just then, a tray of to-go cups of what was most likely hot and delicious tea in her hands.

  “Adrienne, I’m so sorry.”

  At the sound of Abby’s voice, the two men standing in front of MIT turned around to look at her. Both had looks showing of a mix of anger and frustration, but they didn’t say anything to Adrienne right away. She wasn’t sure what was left to say other than cursing and something she probably shouldn’t voice it at all.

  “What happened?” she asked when she came up on the group.

  Abby handed out tea to everyone. And though Adrienne didn’t really want anything in her stomach right then and wasn’t sure she could handle it at all, she took the cup graciously. As she looked to the left before anyone else could answer, her sister was stomping toward them. Her coat was unbuttoned, she had flour in her hair, and looked like Adrienne felt—as if she were ready to kick ass and take names.

  Or, at least, that’s how she wanted to feel. She would just have to see if that actually happened.

  “We were inside, getting ready for the day since our appointments won’t be here for another fifteen minutes,” Shep began, “when we heard a loud noise, and the whole building shook. We don’t have those fucking cameras up yet, or I would’ve been able to see who actually threw something at the fucking building. But the cameras don’t go up until tomorrow because they were on backorder and the insurance wouldn’t let us get anything else.”

  “Is anyone hurt?” Adrienne asked, trying to take in the situation. Both men shook their heads. “So, that means someone threw something at the sign in broad daylight when people were actually working? What kind of balls do these people have?” She threw her hands up into the air and growled. “If it wasn’t for the fact that I put almost everything I have into the shop, I would just say fuck it and find a new place. What the hell is wrong with people? Why can’t they just let us live and work in peace?”

  She hadn’t realized she had shouted that until Mace put his hand on the back of her head and lowered his forehead to hers.

  “Breathe, Addi. We called the cops, and they’re on their way. We’re not going to let this entitled, lowlife scum get away with whatever the hell they think they’re doing. We are not going to let them win. The cops will just have to actually take us seriously and do some goddamn detective work to figure out who the hell has it out for MIT. Because it’s not just a couple of coincidences anymore. This is beyond vandalism and some petty calls. Someone could’ve gotten hurt. I almost brought Daisy into the shop, and she could’ve been walking outside when they threw whatever this was at us. We are going to figure it out. All of it. There’s no quitting, Addi. You know as well as I do that Knights and Montgomerys never quit.” Then he kissed her right on the mouth in front of her brother, her sister, and her new friend.

  Thea did an odd clap before she acted as if she were angry and folded her arms over her chest. Abby smiled as if she’d never seen anything so sweet. While Shep didn’t look surprised in the slightest. Apparently, Shea or someone had already spilled the beans, and she honestly didn’t care right then. They had far more important matters to worry about than wondering who knew that she and Mace were together. Namely, the two cops who were just pulling into the parking lot. And considering that she’d seen both of these guys before when they came for the graffiti incident, she had a feeling things might just be a little different this time. At least, she hoped to hell they would be.

  Adrienne pulled away from Mace, not because of any looks she may get, but because she needed to remain calm and professional if they were to get any answers as to who thought it was okay to destroy property and screw with MIT. The sad part was, when the cops left, she would have to call her insurance agency, and she already had the number in her most recent calls. The fact that she was practically on a first-name basis with her agent just angered her even more. And she had a bad feeling that without a full report or an actual answer as to why this was happening, her rates would increase. She didn’t know how long it would take for her to even replace the sign. She had loved the damn thing, had designed it with her brother and cousins to mimic the one on the original shop up in Denver but with a touch of originality that showed a part of the family down in Colorado Springs. It wasn’t as if they couldn’t just ask the builder to make another one using the design they already had as a template, but that wasn’t the point. It was the principle—for all of this.

  By the time the police left, and she and her brother had gotten off the phone with the insurance agent, they had already swept up the debris on the sidewalk so people could easily and safely walk by and into the shop. Their loyal clients who already had appointments for the day showed up and were ready for their tattoos, even with the damag
e to the outside of the building. They didn’t care that the place didn’t look as nice as it should have. They only cared about who worked inside and what they provided. The thing was, she knew that wouldn’t be the case for every single person. A lot of their initial new business was people seeing their sign—when it was whole—from N. Academy Blvd. and either walking in to see what they could get or making appointments by looking them up. It wouldn’t be until much later that they had to rely on that part of their business plan.

  As it was, she knew they were already starting to lose money from all of the previous things that had happened. And though they weren’t going into the red or having financial issues, it was setting her back on her five-year plan when it came to the shop as a whole.

  “Why do you look like you’re ready to either bang your head against the wall in front of you or hit the nearest person who comes up behind you. Be aware that I’m asking this a good punching distance away from you, just in case you decide follow through with the latter.”

  Mace’s voice brought Adrienne out of her thoughts, and she turned to see him studying her. His client must have been on her break because he had been working nonstop since they cleaned up the mess outside. Ryan had even shown up to help them put a tarp over the sign once their insurance company said it was okay for them to do so. At the moment, the other man was drawing up a temporary sign to put on top of the tarp. They all knew that wouldn’t last long though because it was winter in Colorado and there was bound to be some snow. But for now, everybody was doing his or her part, trying to act as if nothing was wrong and everything would be okay. But from the looks on the officers’ faces as they had explained to them what had happened, she didn’t know if that would be the case. At least not anytime soon. They had no answers, only more problems. And it was bugging her to no end to feel as though she had no control over the situation.

  “Addi?”

  “I hate this. I seriously hate this. And I know throwing a tantrum and saying that I hate it does nothing except for annoying everybody and just getting me angrier. I’m just so frustrated.” She kept her voice down because she didn’t want the two clients in the building to hear her complain, but she knew she needed to get a hold of herself and just calm down. But her heart hadn’t stopped racing since she’d first pulled into the parking lot, and the feeling that she couldn’t do anything to help her situation just made it all worse.

  Mace nodded, running a hand over her cheek. “I get it, Addi. I didn’t like how the officers looked when they left either. But we’re not going to back down.”

  Shep came over then and hugged her. “We’re still doing what we love, little sister. And that counts for a lot more than what we let it sometimes.”

  Ryan came up then, finishing the circle. “We’re a team, remember? Fuck the rest of those guys and whatever they think they can do to us.”

  Adrienne couldn’t help but laugh at Ryan’s tone. He’d just screamed at her, and though she could still see some of the worry in his eyes, with her guys around her, she had a feeling they could do just about anything.

  “We’re not going to let these people stop us. We’re good about thinking who it could be, and we’re going to make them pay.” She winced. “Well, you know, legally. Not like a pirate or anything.”

  Mace smiled. “You know, I kind of like the idea of you as a pirate.”

  Shep groaned while Ryan laughed. “Just because I’m okay with the two of you dating, doesn’t mean I need to see it or hear about it or think about what the hell you might mean about her as a pirate and… God, I really don’t even want to finish that thought process.”

  Mace laughed while Adrienne shook her head. “No walking the plank here.”

  She closed her eyes, letting out a groan. “Okay, now that we’re joking about…whatever the hell we’re joking about, I guess this means we’re okay?”

  “We’re not giving up, if that’s what you mean,” Ryan answered.

  “Hell no, we’re not giving up,” Shep said, frowning. “We’re going to figure it out, and we’ll give good ink in the middle of it.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Mace said. “We’re not giving up,” he repeated Shep’s words. “We’re not going to let them win. But we’re going to be safe about it. And speaking of working, my client’s almost back so I should go back to my booth.”

  She leaned into him as he hugged her, and she couldn’t help but notice the way her brother narrowed his eyes even as his lips twitched into a smile. “Thanks,” she said to all of them. “I needed the pick-me-up.”

  “We’re not letting any of us stay in a funk,” Ryan said. “We’re in this together.”

  Shep went back to his booth, while Ryan went back to his to work on the temporary sign. She had to get back to work too since her client would be there in about ten minutes. She just needed to shake off her funk and be the Montgomery she was.

  Mace, on the other hand, hugged her close again and bent down to whisper, “Come over for dinner tonight with us. I think we could all use some time with good food and relaxation. What do you say?”

  She couldn’t help but smile at his words as she pulled back to look at his face. The fact that he was inviting her to hang out with him and Daisy was a…thing. She couldn’t explain it, but she knew that it wasn’t just him being her friend. It was him being a part of them.

  Yes, she was totally in love with Mace Knight, and for the first time, she thought that maybe, just maybe, that was okay.

  “Sounds perfect.”

  “Good.” He kissed her on the top of her head then went back to his booth where his client was getting back into the chair.

  Adrienne let out a deep breath then rolled her shoulders back and got to work. This whole thing was just an obstacle, just something in her path that she’d kick out of the way when she could.

  “Aunt Addi!” Daisy ran into her legs, and Adrienne laughed, this time far more prepared for the little torpedo of energy and love. “You’re here!”

  “Why don’t we go down a decibel or two, Daisy. I think the neighbors can hear you from here.” Mace had let Adrienne into the house and now stood beside her, a smile on his face behind his growing beard. He hadn’t been shaving daily like he used to, and Adrienne figured this was his winter beard. And since he put coconut oil in it every night, it felt like Heaven when he was between her legs, the scruff of it rubbing along the inner silk of her thighs.

  And that was enough of that train of thought.

  “Okay, Daddy.” Daisy bounced on her feet instead and pulled Adrienne into the living room. “Daddy made chicken bake for dinner. And he bought the crusty bread. You get to eat with us tonight.”

  Adrienne glanced over at Mace and smiled. “Chicken bake?”

  “It’s chicken and mushrooms with broccoli all mixed together with like a homemade chicken gravy thing and breadcrumbs on top. It was in my mom’s heart-healthy cookbook when I was growing up and was one of her favorite things to make. We don’t have a cookbook anymore but we have that recipe. I didn’t ask you what you wanted for dinner, but I figured since this is what I was making anyway, and I know what you like, this would be fine.”

  She smiled. “I remember this recipe. Your mom made it for us one day when we went over there for dinner and neither of us had any food in the house other than canned green beans. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some canned green beans with a little salt and pepper cooked a microwave, but I’m also not nineteen anymore.”

  “Thank heavens for that,” Mace said with a laugh. “You want something to drink?”

  “I can get it.”

  Mace shook his head and looked down to where Daisy was holding Adrienne’s hand. “I’ve got it. White wine okay?”

  “Perfect.”

  Mace went off to get her drink, and she went to sit next to Daisy on the couch. The little girl proceeded to tell her everything about her day and how she’d spent the afternoon with her grandma and grandpa and how she loved spending time with them. After everythi
ng the Knights had gone through when it came to getting custody of Daisy, Adrienne would forever be grateful that they all had this time with their precious little girl. She’d even had more time to get to know Daisy, and she had already fallen in love with her even more than she had when she had first held the screaming little infant in the soft blanket. Jeaniene had never been truly happy with Adrienne in Daisy’s life, but since the woman had practically abandoned her daughter for a so-called promotion that would apparently help them all in the end, Adrienne didn’t truly give a rat’s ass about what the other woman thought. That probably wasn’t the best way to think about Mace’s ex, but with everything else going on, she didn’t really care. She’d care the next day when she wasn’t sitting in her best-friend-slash-lover’s living room, talking with his sweet baby girl, about to eat what had to be some truly scrumptious food.

  By the time they had eaten and were piled on the couch to watch the latest viewing of Tangled, she was full, warm, happy, and once again comparing Mace to Flynn Ryder. She couldn’t help it, she had a crush on the Disney character something fierce, and that was just how Mace would have to take her. Imaginary characters and all.

  “Stay,” Mace whispered, a sleeping Daisy between them.

  Her eyes widened, and she looked over at him. Though they had been together for over a month now and were already discussing what to do for Thanksgiving and the rest of the holidays, because of Daisy, they hadn’t actually slept a full night together in the same bed. Let alone having her stay over at his place when his daughter was under the same roof. She wasn’t sure what it would mean in the long run, but once again, she knew it was the step.

  So when she nodded, and he smiled, she leaned over his sleeping daughter and kissed him full on the mouth.

  Later that night, they slept tangled under cool sheets and a warm, flannel comforter. They didn’t have sex, and he slept in his normal pajamas with her in an old T-shirt of his. But it had been singularly the most romantic and intimate night of her life.