by Stacy Gail
She locked her game face into place, while inside her interest went on-point. “I like hats, generally speaking. What’d you have in mind?”
“I like how you rocketed Skull and Bones Ink onto the big stage from out of nowhere. I know it was your doing, because Ice has been brutally honest about how he didn’t do shit to help you. Now, I want to be clear on this,” Payne added, holding up a hand. “I don’t want to do any reality TV bullshit. With all the high-strung personalities I’ve got under this roof, this fucking place would unravel in about a week if we had cameras putting everyone under the microscope. But I am interested in the little home movies you made and posted to your channel. They way you edited them with the side commentary made each clip a slice of genius.”
“You should know my YouTube channel is locked, in case you were hoping to reach those three million subscribers I once had,” she warned, bracing herself for his interest to wane. “The producers of our reality show wanted those three million people to get their fix from the TV show, so I was contractually obligated to lock the account. The old content is still there and viewable, but I can’t post new content onto that particular channel.”
“I’m glad that channel’s kaput, because it belonged to Skull and Bones. I want a channel that belongs solely to House Of Payne, and I want you to be in charge of it. Also,” he went on while her breath caught in excitement at the mere prospect, “Scout mentioned you had some new ideas on how to bring our brand into the hands of a wider audience. Let’s hear about that.”
“Oh, that.” Sunny shrugged, surprised Scout had taken note of something so trivial. “I just mentioned that since monthly subscription boxes are all the rage right now, if I were still at Skull and Bones Ink, I’d be putting one together to get our brand physically into the hands of our fans—fans that were scattered all over the world. That accessibility would’ve made them that much more hooked on our brand.”
“Right. How would you have done it?”
“First things first, of course. I would have focused on the product that we were most famous for—tattoos.”
“How do you get tattoos into the hands of, say, a fan living in Sydney, Australia?”
“It’s taken me a few months to figure out the logistics, but now that I understand how a subscription box’s supply chain works, it’s doable,” she said, getting excited about the idea despite trying to keep her game face on. “I would’ve had our best-selling tats made into temporary tattoos for the younger set, and high-quality transfers for the adults so that the tat could be inked onto anyone without those fans having to trek all the way to L.A. to get our artists’ work. Then I would have coordinated with my in-house artists to see if they were interested in offering up subscription box-only original artwork for the same purpose. Then I would’ve advertised the hell out of that, because tattoo enthusiasts—not to mention lovers of art in general—love the idea of original, exclusive artwork that the masses aren’t going to have. For the deluxe monthly boxes, I would have also thrown in merchandise, from T-shirts to mugs and water bottles, key chains and sunglasses—anything with the name of the studio on it to keep that brand front and center. And if you really wanted to go big,” she added, struck with a sudden thought, “as time went on, I think I would have even offered one month out of the yearly subscription where our subscribers would have gotten to choose a box filled with exclusive stuff from their favorite tattooist, maybe even an autograph or something. But that probably would’ve been available only to those who subscribed to the most expensive subscription box offered. It probably would’ve been a logistical nightmare if something like that had been offered on all subscription levels.”
Payne nodded slowly, never taking his eyes off her. “Okay.”
When he didn’t say anything more, her brow slowly rose. “Uh…okay?”
“Yeah, okay. I’m sold. What do you need to get this done?”
She blinked. “Wait. I didn’t say—”
“No, don’t say another word. This is going to happen, Sunny. You obviously have a gift from the fucking marketing gods with that brain of yours, because unless I’m very wrong, you came up with that exclusive tattooist box idea while you were sitting there just now. Am I right?”
Oops. “Was it that obvious?”
“What’s obvious is that you’re a living, breathing fountain of ideas, and that’s what I want. You know how to create buzz the same way I know how to create tats. That’s a diamond-rare gift in this world, so…” He huffed out a breath, looking vexed. “Look, I don’t know how to say this without sounding like I’m holding you fucking hostage, or whatever, but the fact is you’re not walking out of this office until you’ve agreed to put all that talent to work for the House. Whatever I have to do to make that shit happen, I’ll do it.”
“He might be a great tattooist, but he sucks at negotiation.” Grinning like a devil, Ice brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles while she sat there, stunned. “But that’s all good, right, Payne? Let’s find out what Sunny wants in order for her to work here, and I’ll enjoy watching you bend over backwards to give it to her. Let the games began.”
Chapter Thirteen
“I work for House Of Payne. I’m actually working for House Of Payne. The House Of Payne is where I, Sunny Fairfax, work.”
“That’s the gist of it.” With Sunny’s hand in his, Ice led the way out of Payne’s office. “If you say it often enough, is it going to seem more real?”
“I can’t imagine it ever being real. I studied House Of Payne,” she babbled on, telling him what he already knew. “Every day while I was trying to get Skull and Bones Ink into the spotlight, I studied everything about their business model. Sebastian Payne made his tattoo studio all about the art, but I always thought they could do so much more. Now I can do what I always thought should be done with their marketing, and… Oh, God. I think I’m going to hyperventilate.”
“No, you’re not.” Since she was being so cute, he had to stop and kiss her then and there. When he at last lifted his head, he was glad to see she was now breathless for a whole different reason. “Better?”
“Um. Yes.” When she licked her lips as if to capture his taste, he thought he might fucking lose it. “And no. Now all I’m thinking about is kissing you when I should be focusing on…something. Oh God,” she said again and looked to the ceiling. “I don’t even know what I should be focusing on.”
“What you’re going to do is calm the hell down. Then you’re going to take some time to write up a resignation letter that the Lennigs will appreciate because they’re good people, and then you’re going to get to know the basics around here so you can hit the ground running. By this time next month, you’ll be running the joint.”
“Running the joint, huh?” It was amazing, how she could smile in a way that made him feel like that smile was created solely for him. “I think Scout and Payne will have something to say about that.”
“They know genius when they see it. That’s why you’re here.”
“I don’t know about that, or what their expectations are. But, oh, I’ve got so many ideas for boosting the House’s online and global presence that I can barely wait to begin.”
“Did I hear you right? Did you say you can’t wait to begin to work here at the House?” Coming out of her office located near the head of the stairs, Scout aimed right for them, beaming and looking happier than Ice had ever seen her.
“We just finished up the meeting with Payne,” Sunny said, then grinned when Scout’s phone jangled. “That’ll probably be Payne, letting you know about the contracts that need to be drawn up. He said he’d send you an email.”
“Score.” Ignoring the phone, Scout hugged Sunny hard before backing away to smile hugely at them both. “Okay, I can now admit something I’ve been holding back for a long time. Ice, when we first signed you on, I told Payne straight-up I was hoping you came as a package deal with Sunny, and that somehow we could bring her onboard along with you. It took you a wh
ile, but what matters is that we all got there in the end. Hallelujah,” she added with a laugh before turning to catch her call. “Don’t go too far, you two. We’re not done yet.”
“It’s nice to know you’re wanted.” Ice couldn’t seem to stop smiling at the dumbfounded look on Sunny’s face. When she was this fucking adorable, it was almost impossible to keep his hands to himself. “It’s not that hard to believe Scout’s a fangirl when it comes to you. She knows better than anyone how hard it is, keeping a tattoo studio running smoothly. By nature, tattooists are a bunch of self-centered, prima donna snowflakes who freak out if our art isn’t lauded every few seconds.”
“You’re not like that.” Turning to face him, she lowered her voice so that only he could hear. “I’ll admit, I’ve not always known which way you were going to jump, but you’ve never been arrogant about all the successes you’ve had in life.”
“That’s because I haven’t been successful.”
She blinked. “What?”
“There’s only one goal in my life that matters, and I haven’t achieved it yet. Not yet, anyway. That means I’m not a success.” Still smiling, he leaned down to threaten her lips with his. “Go on, Sunny. Ask me what my one goal in life is. I dare you.”
As he watched, those velvety brown eyes darkened the same way they did when he was inside her. “Ice—”
“Okay, we’re good to go.” Shattering the spell with her bright tone, Scout came over and all but dragged Sunny away from him. “I’ve got something to show you. It’s not much to look at yet but don’t worry, we can twist Payne’s arm to get him to cough up the cash to pay for whatever finishing-out and interior design you want. I kid you not, whatever you want. If you want a fucking pony, I’ll find a way to get if for you so you’ll never even think about leaving.”
“Payne’s already promised Sunny her own private office space in the negotiations.” As irritated as he was with Scout’s crap timing, Ice couldn’t help but chuckle. Despite Payne’s assertions that he’d do whatever it took to get Sunny onboard, it had taken some serious haggling before both Payne and Sunny were happy. “She’s getting her own parking space, too.”
Scout paused with her hand on the handle of a blank-faced door. “No way. I don’t even have my own parking space.”
“You should do something about that.” Sunny smiled so brightly it brought Ice’s chuckle out full-force. “I got him nice and tenderized for you. Go in for the kill while the getting’s good.”
“Poor Payne, having the two of you under one roof.” Ice shook his head in sympathy for the man in question. “You two teaming up is like the physical embodiment of the perfect storm. He’ll never win another argument for the remainder of his life.”
“Payne and I never argue. I just point out those rare occasions when he’s wrong and keep at him until he realizes it. Remember that,” she added sagely to Sunny. “It’s the only way to survive around here.”
Sunny popped a thumbs-up. “Got it.”
“Excellent. Now for the big reveal.” With a flourish, Scout threw the door open. “You might have to use your imagination here, but that’s okay. Picture all the crap cleaned out of here, a new coat of paint to brighten things up and your choice of office furniture. Add all that up and what have you got? Heaven, that’s what.”
Sunny stepped in, eyes wide. “Oh, wow. It’s perfect.”
Ice wasn’t so sure about that. It was clearly a large storage room that housed shelves of tattooing equipment, from bottles of green soap and gauze pads, to bigger, bulkier equipment like old workstations, clothing racks from the gift shop, outdated or broken tattooing tables, and for some reason a multi-functional Nautilus workout station. An entire set of shelves full of old tattoo books—samples of tattoo designs held in clear plastic sleeves—was right next to the door, crowding the entrance and making him feel vaguely claustrophobic. But Sunny, who was deeper inside the room, spun around in a dizzy burst of energy.
“This is amazing! Look at that window. Post-industrial, but with that transom arch that makes it so gothic I can’t even handle it.”
“It’s not a great view, which is why neither Payne nor I chose this space for an office,” Scout said apologetically, glancing at the window that took up most of the wall at the far end of the room. “That workout monstrosity was here when we moved in, so for all I know it’s taken root to the floor by now. And I’m sure you’ll want to get rid of the pea-green color of the walls. I can’t even imagine why anyone would create that color of paint in the first place. Just pick out your palette and furniture, and I promise in a month you’ll have your new home away from home.”
Sunny couldn’t seem to stop smiling as she came to rest near an old tattooing table spotlighted by a dust-filled sunbeam. “Trust me, Scout. This is already so much better than a cubicle.”
“It definitely will be better, with a little TLC.” Scout’s phone went off again, immediately followed by an overhead page for her name. “Shit, duty calls. You’ve taken the day off from your other work, right?” she added, heading for the door. “When you’re ready, come find me and I can walk you through our computer system. Oh, and maybe I can teach you the scheduling program too, and introduce you around to all our tattooists… Ugh, I just can’t freaking wait to get you familiarized with everything.”
“I think Scout’s going to do her damnedest to get you working here today rather than wait out your two weeks.” Making sure the door was closed behind Scout, Ice turned and slowly made his way toward Sunny, who still stood in her golden sunbeam. “She’s definitely happy you’re here. But she could never be as happy as I am.”
“Really?” Sunny’s attention wandered around the room, clearly picturing how she wanted her personal space to be. “Why are you happy about my working at the House?”
“Wherever I am, that’s where I need you to be.”
Her attention snapped back to him so hard it was a wonder it didn’t make a sound. Then heated awareness flashed like fire in her eyes, and like magic the need began to boil in his blood. “I’m sorry.” She shifted to face him while he kept closing in on her, step by measured step. “I don’t think I heard you right. Did you just say need?”
“Nothing wrong with your hearing, Sunny day. But there are times when I wonder about your comprehension.”
That earned him a patented Sunny frown. “My comprehension?”
“Yeah, but I’m a fair man. I understand where your head goes when it comes to me, and that understanding has made me very patient. But even my patience has a limit.” At last he walked into her sunbeam. The warmth of it on his skin was nothing compared to the heat generated whenever they were this close, and he took a moment to savor the sizzle. “Deep down, you know exactly why I need you to be wherever I am.”
She eased back, her butt coming up against the old tattooing table. “Because you’re used to having me around?”
“Wrong.” Slowly he raised a hand to toy with the first button of her blouse before slipping it free. “Try again.”
“You…” A second button got worked free, right over her heart. It was pounding so hard he could see the fluttering of fabric with every beat. Fuck, that was hot. “Because you know we make a good team in the world of ink?”
“The world of ink’s got nothing to do with it, though we do make a good team. The best.” The third button came free and he was down to the waistline of her pants. Without hesitation he went to work on that as well, then dug out a condom from his wallet before things got too far. “Being half-right for an answer doesn’t count. Try again.”
Her breath trembled. If he lived to be a hundred, he’d never tire of that sound. “You…”
“Don’t be shy, baby,” he murmured, handing her the condom. She knew what to do with it. “Keep going.”
“You need to have me wherever you are because…you want me.”
“There’s a difference between need and want.” Without fanfare, he pushed both her pants and underwear down past the swell
of her hips, then hiked her up onto the table so he could get rid of every stitch below her waist. “I chose my words carefully. Don’t make me repeat myself again.”
“Ice.” Her hands automatically flew to his shoulders to steady herself, and she shot a nervous look over his shoulder. “Someone could come in…”
“I locked the door.” He took her hands and pressed them to his belt, watching her all the while. There was something there—some barrier he hadn’t yet breached—that kept part of her from giving in to what he needed her to accept. He could see it in her eyes, guarding something she refused to let him touch. No fucking way was he putting up with that. “You heard what I said, Sunny. Wherever I am, that’s where I need you to be. Be brave, because I’m not giving you another option. Tell me why that is.”
“Because you need me.” To his surprise, she put the condom packet in her mouth, freeing her hands to work on his belt and the fastenings of his jeans. Then she was rolling the condom in place, stroking him as she did, and he took profound pleasure in her obvious eagerness. “Just like I need you right now.”
“Right now’s got nothing to do with it, but that’ll do for starters.” With the beat of his heart pulsing hard and fast from the base of his cock to the darkened crown, he shoved his jeans and boxer-briefs out of the way. “Look at me, Sunny. I want to look into those baby browns while I’m filling you.”
Her shuddering breath was better than any aphrodisiac. “Lordy, the things you say.”
“Words are nothing compared to what I feel. What you make me feel. When you look at me like you are now, I get so hot I could catch the whole damn world on fire.” He slid the blood-darkened head of his dick along her cleft, and his breath hissed out when he found she was slick with wet heat. “You’re so hot, baby. You’re the one who’s trying to catch me on fire, aren’t you? God, you feel so good.”