Broken Scars

by J. M. Walker

  Lucas rolled his eyes.

  I snickered.

  Once he cleaned her up, she left the shop with her friend, going on and on about their new tattoos and how badass they were.

  “What did you tattoo on them? Flowers or butterflies?” I laughed.

  “The one wanted a lily.” He pulled the gloves off and threw them in a nearby trashcan. “And the other wanted a skull with a rose which I would have gladly done but her friend talked her out of it. So she got a Chinese symbol instead.” He shook his head. “I tried telling her the symbol didn’t mean what she thought it meant but she wouldn’t listen to me. She said Google told her it was right. Yeah, because the internet is always right.” He rolled his eyes.

  “You knew what it meant?” I asked, shocked that he would even know such a thing.

  “Yeah.” Lucas stood from the stool and nodded. “What she wanted done didn’t actually translate into anything. So she technically just has a bunch of lines on her body.” He shrugged. “But who am I to judge?”

  “You would think people would educate themselves first,” I said, watching him.

  “She Googled it. That’s enough apparently.” He grunted. “I tried telling her. Even her friend told her to listen to me, but she wanted it ‘cause it was pretty.”

  “So, a lily, huh?”

  He met my gaze, his mouth pulling up into a smirk. “Yeah.”

  “I like lilies,” I told him.

  “So do I.” He winked.

  I grinned. “Do you now?”

  He chuckled coming toward me. “I do.”

  “They smell good too.” I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. God, he was tall. So damn tall.

  He smirked. “I bet they do.”

  “I don’t think they would taste too good though.” My brows narrowed.

  A sly grin spread on his face. “I bet I know a lily that would taste good.”

  My stomach tumbled at the innuendo. “Interesting.”

  He glanced over my head, a deep frown settling between his dark brows.

  I followed his gaze, looking out the window and found a woman sitting in a car, staring our way. “Is she a friend of yours?”

  “No.” Lucas headed behind the counter. “She’s the mom of one of the girls I just tattooed.”

  “She wanted a little piece of the Lucas action?”

  He laughed. “Something like that.”

  I walked to the counter, finding him working on the same crossword puzzle my grandmother was doing earlier. “You like crosswords?”

  “I do.” He picked up the pencil laying on the paper. “It’s the only reason I get the paper anymore.”

  “Now that everything’s online,” I added.

  “Exactly.”

  I leaned over the counter opposite him. “I can give you the answers,” I offered, looking up at him then.

  “Did you do this one already, Lily Pad?”

  My body heated. God, that nickname. “No. My grandma was working on it this morning, but this is the first time I’m seeing it.” I tapped the paper. “Eight across is voluptuous.”

  “What? Oh.” He looked down at where my finger was pointing. “I guess it is.” He wrote it in. “How did you find me?”

  “What do you mean?” I knew what he meant but there was no way I was giving in that easily. I didn’t know him. I may have been attracted to him, but I also wasn’t stupid.

  “Online. You cracked my firewalls. How?”

  “Ten down is—”

  “Lily,” he barked.

  I looked up, licking my lips. “What?”

  His nostrils flared, his gaze following the swipe of my tongue as it slid across my bottom lip. “Answer the damn question,” he demanded, his voice husky.

  I leaned back, crossing my arms under my chest. “Ask me nicely.”

  His jaw clenched. “Lily.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Ask me nicely, Lucas.”

  “Fuck.” He inhaled a sharp breath. “How did you crack my firewalls?”

  “That’s not asking me nicely, but I really have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t even know what firewalls are.” Although the words leaving my mouth were all a lie, I didn’t move my gaze from his.

  He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re good, Lily Pad. You’re really good.”

  “What?” I batted my eyelashes innocently. “I really have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Right.” He went back to work on the crossword puzzle. “What are you doing here?” he asked a moment later.

  “I came to say hi.” I headed back to the door. “It was nice seeing you, Lucas.” I didn’t wait for him to respond and left the shop. I really had no idea what in the hell I was doing but either way, and maybe I was dumb for it but it was exciting. I enjoyed flirting with him and keeping him on his toes. I had been with countless men only to get hurt in the process. I refused to throw myself at them anymore so instead, I would make Lucas come crawling to me.

  I had a feeling that I would eventually tell Lucas that I did in fact use my hacking skills to find out information on him, but I needed to know if I could trust him first.

  A black SUV drove past me, slowed, turned around, and came back toward me.

  My stomach twisted. Leaning against the wall, I crossed my arms under my chest and pretended to check out my nails.

  The vehicle stopped in front of me, the door opening and closing a moment later. “Lily.”

  I dropped my hand, staring up at Killian. “What do you want?”

  “I want to explain,” he said, coming toward me.

  I scoffed. “I don’t want to hear it, Killian. You’re married, and you were dating me. There’s nothing to explain. It’s over.”

  “Please, Lily,” he pleaded. His gaze darted back and forth. “Let me try. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for hurting you. I never meant for that to happen.”

  I pushed away from the wall and went to walk past him when he stopped in front of me. I frowned. “Killian.”

  “I swear I didn’t.” He reached out for me and before I could dodge his touch, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against him. “I’m sorry, baby,” he mumbled into the crook of my neck.

  My heart started racing, my stomach tumbling at the desperation rolling off of him in waves. I tried pushing away from him, but his hold tightened.

  “Please let me explain.”

  “Explain what, Killian? How you’re married but still dated me? God, we had sex.” Even though I didn’t know about his wife, it still didn’t make me feel any better.

  His shoulders were slumped, bags had formed under his eyes. “I really didn’t mean for that to happen.”

  I met his stare head on, crossing my arms under my chest. “You never meant to be married and fuck me at the same time?”

  “What?” He scowled. “No, baby. Please.” He cupped my cheek. “I am sorry.”

  In the beginning, I would have done anything for the attention he was currently giving me. But now, knowing that he was married and never told me, his apologies meant nothing.

  I shoved out of his grip, heading back in the direction of Lucas’s shop.

  “I know where you live, Lily.”

  I stopped suddenly, glaring at him over my shoulder. “Are you threatening me?”

  A dark shadow passed over Killian’s face. He blew out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his neck. “Listen, I like you. I like this. I need you.”

  I laughed. “You sure as hell have a funny way of showing it, Killian.” I went to walk away when I found Lucas coming toward us. “Lucas,” I whispered.

  “You threatening her?” he demanded, grabbing my upper arm and pulling me behind him.

  “You need to mind your own business. Lily and I were just talking.” Killian stared hard at Lucas, a deep frown settling between his brows.

  Lucas peered down at me. “Did he threaten you?”

  I looked between them both. Two men who came into my lives at very different
times. I sighed. “No. It’s fine.” Even though it was a threat, I didn’t need this man beating the shit out of Killian. Knowing how he was FBI and all, he would get off and Lucas would probably get thrown behind bars. I didn’t need that on my conscience.

  “Lily,” Killian said gently.

  “It’s over,” I told him and started walking away. This time he didn’t follow.

  “You good, Lily?” Lucas asked, coming up beside me.

  “Yeah. Fine and fucking dandy,” I mumbled.

  “I don’t have any appointments until this evening,” Lucas said, stopping at the door to his shop. “Did you want to have a coffee? With me?”

  “Really?” I asked, wondering what I was getting myself into but liking it just the same.

  “Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks reddening a tinge.

  “Okay.” I smiled up at him. “I would love to.”

  Lucas

  WE WALKED BACK TO my shop in a comfortable silence. I wasn’t sure who the fucker was that approached Lily but after she left, like a creeper, I watched her walk away and then I saw him. I had memorized his license plate and would search him later that night. Add to the fact that I was sure Lily could find out anything she wanted on the guy as well and we were set. She just wouldn’t admit it, but I knew she was good with a computer. Hell, she found me with no issues.

  Once we reached my shop, I opened the door for her and locked it up again after she stepped over the threshold. My next appointment wasn’t for a few hours and I hardly got any walk-ins during the day so locking the door would hopefully help Lily feel better.

  “You don’t have to lock the door,” Lily said, heading to the coffee machine I kept on the back counter. “He won’t be back.”

  “Who is he?” I asked, joining her.

  “Killian Hayes. FBI. Lethal and shady as fuck.” She shrugged. “I only slept with him a few times and he’s been on my ass ever since. And not in the sexy way either.”

  A hint of jealousy erupted through me. Well that was something I had never felt before. I barely knew her and if she was as good with computers as I thought she was, there was no way I could trust her. Not yet at least.

  “He’s a douche canoe but I can’t seem to get rid of him.” She sighed, pouring two cups of coffee before handing me one. “The sex wasn’t even that good.”

  “I can get rid of him if you want.” I took a sip of the steaming liquid, needing to get my mind off of sex and Lily.

  “Somehow, I don’t think you’re kidding,” she said, staring at me over the rim of her mug.

  “I’m not.” I knew people. A lot of people. Most owed me favors anyway after helping them get the information they were looking for.

  “As much as I appreciate that, it’s been innocent. So far anyway.” Lily placed her mug on the counter, jumped up onto it, and continued drinking her coffee. “He will have to cope, because it’s over. He’ll get a clue soon, I’m sure.”

  I leaned against the wall, finding that I liked this. Her in my home. Even though she hadn’t seen the part I actually lived in yet. But I liked seeing her there. It had been a long time since I’d felt this comfortable with a woman. Even though I wasn’t sure I could trust her, I still enjoyed this.

  Lily swung her legs back and forth. It reminded me of a child. Carefree and innocent. But something told me that Lily was not innocent. Not at fucking all.

  “So, Lucas, tell me about yourself.”

  I hesitated. “What would you like to know?”

  “Hmm…” She placed her mug on the counter beside her. “You probably get asked this all the time but what was your first tattoo?”

  I closed the distance between us.

  Her breath caught, her eyes widening just a touch.

  I lifted my shirt, pointing to a small rose on my hip. “This one.”

  She looked down. “Really?”

  “I got it when I was a kid.” The memory of roses invading my childhood, tried slithering into my mind. But I shook my head, forcing that constant nightmare to the back of my mind. “It was ugly at first but once I learned how to tattoo, I fixed it up myself.”

  “You did?” she asked, her lips parting.

  I nodded, pulling my shirt down. Being this close to her, I could see that the freckles on her nose, spread to her cheeks. I could also see a brown speck in her right green eye. It was a tiny flaw in a perfect beauty. My heart picked up speed. A little closer and I could kiss her. A little more and I could have her in my arms and press her up against the wall. A little more and I—

  “That’s impressive.” She jumped off the counter. “I don’t have any tattoos or piercings. As much as I like them, I could never figure out what to tattoo on me.”

  “It’s a big decision.” I blew out a slow breath, thankful she put some distance between us before I showed her exactly what it was that I wanted to do to her.

  Hacker, Lucas. She’s a damn hacker.

  “Yeah. I guess it is.” Something flashed behind her eyes but before I could question it, it disappeared. “Well…” She pulled her phone from her bag. “I should go.”

  “Do you have plans?” I asked, taking a step toward her until I stood close enough to touch her. Not that it was any of my business, but I found that I wanted to get to know her. To find out what made her tick. What her interests were. How she hacked into my personal information. What made her fucking moan. My dick pushed against the fly of my jeans.

  I wanted to trust her.

  “Well…no.” Her cheeks reddened. “Don’t you have appointments coming up?”

  In a quick move, I grabbed her wrist.

  She gasped, her pupils dilating.

  Turning her wrist toward me, I glanced at her phone. “I still have an hour.”

  “Oh.” She licked her lips. “What do you want to do for an hour?”

  “Tell me how you found me,” I demanded, backing her up until she hit the edge of the counter.

  “We’re back to that again?”

  “Tell me.” I pushed my waist against hers.

  A breathless gasp escaped her, her eyes fluttering closed.

  Yeah, sweet girl. I feel it too. “Tell me, Lily Pad.” I pushed into her harder. Knowing she could feel the length of my cock pressing against her lower stomach, I tightened my hold on her wrist. Brushing my thumb along her pulse point, my mouth pulled up at the corner as her heart raced.

  “I was curious,” she finally said.

  “I don’t give a shit why, Lily. I want to know how.” No one had ever been able to crack my firewalls before.

  “I clicked a couple of buttons and hoped for the best.” She pulled her hand from my grip and pushed me back until I hit the edge of the other counter. She may have been small but damn she was strong. “And I don’t appreciate you manhandling me.” Although she said those words, the flush in her cheeks told a different story. “So if you have a question, ask politely or I’ll tell my grandma and she’ll kick your ass.”

  I laughed. “Seriously?”

  She shrugged, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes. “It usually works. She’s scary.”

  “I’ve dealt with a lot of women in my time, but a little old lady is definitely not one of them.”

  “Well, she may be old but she’s definitely not little.” Lily giggled. “I’m the short one. Everyone else is tall.”

  “I like your height.” It would be perfect for when she was kneeling in front of me. My dick leaked at that thought.

  “Hmm…” Lily placed her hand against my chest. “I couldn’t find a lot of information anyway. Just your business, the website that was designed for it, and that’s about it. Why would you have that shit on the dark web anyway?”

  I shrugged. “I have no reason for any of the shit I put on the dark web. I go there to play, to find people that would pay to have me research shit for them.”

  Her brows narrowed. “So people contact you if they need something found out and they pay you for it?”

  I
nodded.

  “Huh…” Her gaze dropped to my mouth. “Interesting.”

  “Lily.” My heart thumped. It had been a long time since I’d felt the warm touch of a woman.

  “Your heart’s racing,” she murmured, meeting my gaze.

  I pulled her toward me. “So is yours.” I gave her wrist a gentle nip. “Careful, Lily Pad. I bite.”

  Her breath caught. “What if that’s what I want?”

  I paused. “What?”

  She gave her shoulders a small shrug. “What if I like biting, spanking…” She grazed her other hand down my abs. “…whipping.”

  Fuck. I pushed away from her, blowing out slow and even breaths. “Woman, you can’t say shit like that to a man you just met. You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’m capable of. And there’s no way in hell that either of us can trust each other. Not with the shit we are capable of doing with a computer.”

  “Semantics.” She shrugged. “You touched me first. You pushed your hard body up against me, Lucas,” she reminded me.

  “That was a mistake.” I turned away from her and adjusted myself.

  “Right.” Lily laughed. “I’ll see you later, Lucas.”

  The sound of the door chiming brought my attention around.

  Who the hell was she and why the fuck did I just let her leave?

  Lily

  I DIDN’T NORMALLY GO for walks. You could never be too safe and all but after leaving Lucas’s shop and teasing him the way I did, I needed to clear my head. I was comfortable in my own skin and knew my way around a man’s body but there was something about him that made me strive for more. He seemed shocked at my words. I liked a little kink with my sex. I wasn’t sure if he was shocked because it wasn’t his thing, or if he was shocked because it was his thing and he wasn’t expecting it to be mine. Either way, I wanted to find out.

  But duty called, and I needed to leave. He had appointments anyway.

  “Lily.”

  I spun around and smiled as Toby Hicks walked toward me. He ran the local AA meetings at a nearby church on Tuesdays and Fridays, so I wasn’t overly surprised to see him in the area. “Hi, Toby.”