I turn the gun off.
Randy's sigh shakes his entire body.
"Did it hurt?" I ask.
"Nah."
Bullshit. He thrashed and blubbered with the best of them. It's a solid rule—the tougher the guy, the harder he cries.
He goes to push himself up.
"Stay," I say. "Gotta clean you up."
"Can't the cute chick at the counter do it?"
"Which one?"
"They're both hot."
True. Leighton is a certified babe. Back when she tended bar at Rock Bottom, I spent a lot of nights flirting with her. But once I got her a job here, and we actually became friends, my head threw up this road block.
I couldn't see her as a potential fuck.
Then she confessed her undying love for Ryan, and I drew a hard line in the sand. No way I step on my brother's turf. I have some standards.
Now, Chloe…
Fuck, the pint-sized firecracker still revs my engine. I'm not sure what it is—the perky tits, the black panties, the don't fuck with me smile…
Shit. I'm getting distracted.
I drag my gaze from the counter. Look back to Randy. "You need to work on your game."
"Do I?"
"Girl's don't want to hear that anyone will do. You gotta make them feel special."
"Guess you'd know."
That I do.
Randy pushes himself onto his elbows. He looks up at me expectantly, like I'm holding the keys to the castle. "So. The guy begged you to fuck his girlfriend."
I grab the aftercare lotion. Squeeze it onto my gloved fingers. "She was smoking hot. I'd had a few. It seemed like a good idea."
"Yeah?"
I start at his shoulders and work my way down. "We go to their place. He's got this chair set up to watch. I figure I should pay it forward, help the guy live out his fantasies."
"That a policy of yours?"
I look back to the counter. Chloe is staring at me.
There's something in her dark eyes.
The usual mix of I want you and I hate you.
It stirs something inside me. Just like when we were kids.
She challenges me. To be a better version of myself. To be more of myself. To just be more.
Nobody expects more from me.
I'm a good time, a nice tattoo, a wicked story.
But Chloe…
She saw something in me. She still does. It's hard to explain. She hates me because I'm the court jester. But she sticks around because she believes I'm more than that.
"Dean?" Randy asks.
"Yeah." I shake my head. Push my thoughts away. Chloe is working here. Not for long—Ryan and I are gonna have a talk about this—but for now. That means I need to get my head in gear. "Of course."
"What was your fantasy?"
"You gotta seduce me a little more before you get that." I pour more lotion. Slather it down his back as I pick up my story. "We started. She was purring. She laid back on the bed and looked up at me like I was the only thing she wanted. Like she wanted something deep inside me. She had these dark eyes. They were usually on fire with frustration."
"You knew her?"
Fuck.
What the hell is wrong with me? Chloe isn't distracting me.
We fucked seven years ago.
Now, we're coworkers.
Soon, we're ex-coworkers.
End of story.
End of this story. I'm not about to replay the night I took Chloe's virginity. Not for Randy.
Maybe tonight, when I'm alone.
No, definitely tonight. Multiple times.
I shift back to bullshit mode. "Yeah. We got going. But as soon as I was inside of her, her boyfriend freaked. He pulled me off her. Threatened to kill me." I grab plastic wrap and get to work on Randy's backpiece. "I ran out of there in nothing but a condom."
"No way."
"Way. The girlfriend was kind enough to toss my jeans and shoes out the window. My phone landed on the concrete. Shattered."
He laughs. "How often does that happen?"
I shrug.
"Anything ever upset you?"
"Yeah." I make my voice dead serious. "Clients ignoring their aftercare routine."
"That's the one thing?"
"Worst thing in the world." I finish wrapping him up. Stand. "Keep it bandaged for a few hours. Wash with warm water and soap. Lots of A&D after. Don't cover it again. And no open water for three weeks."
"If I don't?"
"You'll disappoint me. What's worse?"
Randy laughs. Not cause I'm hilarious—I am, but that's irrelevant. It's the thrill of new ink. Guys think I'm their best friend. Women want to fuck me.
Not that I need help getting laid.
I'm tall, built, inked, charming. I have no trouble finding women to take home.
It's a good routine.
I make them laugh.
Make them come.
Get them screaming my name.
Then I say goodbye and I do it all over again the next day.
No muss, no fuss, no one gets hurt.
No women stick in my head and refuse to get out.
Randy bounces to the counter on cloud nine. He's still shirtless and he's without reservations about it.
I'm not afraid of pointing out a good-looking man. Randy's handsome, but there's more of him to love. When we started, he was embarrassed by his extra padding.
Not anymore.
I've seen it a million times. Someone comes in insecure about their stomach, back, thighs, arms, whatever.
They leave proud.
A little ink and someone's trouble spot becomes their favorite body part.
It feels good, helping people like that.
Not that I'd admit it to any of the guys here.
Certainly not to Leighton.
Or Chloe.
Leighton nudges her.
Chloe moves forward. Offers Randy a smile. "Can I see the whole thing?"
"Fuck yeah." He smiles. Spins to show off his back.
Chloe's gaze fixes on his ink. She studies it the way she studies art. Her eyes go wide as she traces the design in the air. "Amazing." Her eyes meet mine. They flare with something I can't place, then they're back on Randy. "Dean does great work."
"The best."
Leighton hands Chloe a receipt.
Chloe leans forward to offer it to Randy. Her tits spill over her tight tank top. The top of her bra peeks out.
All black.
Like the night we were together.
Like every fucking day of high school.
She catches me staring. Shoots me that trademarked Chloe I want to kill you look.
Randy hands over his credit card.
She forces a smile as she swipes it. Hands back the receipt. Motions to the tip line.
Leighton jumps in. "It really is amazing." She bats her eyelashes. Presses her arms into her tits for maximum cleavage. She has the flirting for tips thing down, pat.
Chloe…
She's more confused.
Even so, Randy leaves thirty percent.
I get his aftercare kit, walk him out, say goodbye with a high five.
Pull the goddamn shades down.
"Thank you," Leighton calls from the counter. She leans in to whisper something to Chloe.
Chloe whispers back.
Leighton's blue-green eyes fix on mine. She shoots me a watch yourself look then turns to Chloe. "Do you do yoga?"
Her eyes stay on mine. "No…"
"You should start. Tattooing kills your back. Ryan is like an old man." She twirls a purple strand around her pointer finger. It's her signature gesture. She thinks about Ryan, she plays with her hair.
"I heard that, baby," he calls from his suite.
She blows him a kiss.
He holds up his free hand to catch it.
She giggles.
They're so gaga it hurts. But I'm happy for them. Hell, I never thought I'd see my brother in love again.
&nb
sp; It took forever for them to figure it out. They were idiots. Needed a lot of help. Help they fought.
But they're here.
Finally.
"Giving her flirting tips, Leigh?" I ask.
"What's with Dean and calling people by nicknames they don't like?" Chloe asks.
"He thinks it's cute." Leighton brushes her short hair behind her ear. "He thinks he's adorable."
"You suggesting otherwise?" I ask.
Leighton and Chloe share a hell yes look.
Leighton laughs. "I like you already. Too bad we won't work together much."
My eyes fix on Chloe. "Flirting for tips is Leighton's thing, but I don't see that working for you."
Chloe folds her arms over her chest.
"You're here to apprentice, aren't you?" I ask.
"Yeah." She bites her lip.
"Talk about the ink. Make them feel special. Important. Guys want attention from pretty girls. It's a fact of life."
Leighton nods. "It does work."
"What do you know about flirting with guys?" Chloe asks.
"Do what I gotta do." I wink.
She fights a smile.
Fuck, that smile. It lights up her dark eyes. It softens her brow. It convinces me there's some part of her that actually likes me.
What is it about Chloe?
She's the only girl who's ever pressed my buttons.
"I can take you out tonight. Teach you everything I know."
"I'm good." She unfurls her arms. Brings a hand to the counter. "But thanks."
"Suit yourself." I shrug.
Leighton moves out from behind the counter. She passes me with a shoulder bump. "Fuck with her, and I'll cut you."
I chuckle. I love when Leighton gives me shit. I love that she's already looking out for the new girl. That kind of solidarity is hard to find.
Even if it's gonna make it harder to talk Ryan of out un-hiring Chloe.
I should go back to my suite. Prep.
But I don't.
I move to the counter. "You like it here so far?"
Chloe gives me a long once-over. "I like most things about Inked Hearts."
"Ryan is the worst, isn't he?"
She just barely smiles. "Close."
"I missed this."
"This?"
"You."
She stares into my eyes, picking apart my intentions.
"Never thought I'd see you again. Figured you'd be in grad school by now."
"That was the plan."
"But?"
"Life happened."
It tends to do that. But Chloe was hardcore about school. Straight As, AP classes, all work and no play. "You in school now?"
"No. I graduated with a studio art degree a while ago. Then… I decided life was too short not to go after what I want."
"What do you want?"
"Hmm. I'm here apprenticing. Whatever could I want?"
"Leighton says she's here for the view."
"Uh-huh."
I pull my t-shirt up my stomach. Pat my abs. "This is what she means."
Chloe rolls her eyes. "I want to do tattoos."
It suits her—she's always been that all black, counterculture type. But it's still weird to think about. We used to compete for our art teacher's attention.
"Ryan swore he'd never take an apprentice." I lean in to whisper. "How'd you convince him?"
"He hasn't. He said I have to convince one of you to do it. Or all of you to share me." She presses her lips together. "Don't even."
"What? Suggest it would be dirty hot if all four of us shared you."
"Yeah, something like that."
"Fuck. That would be dirty hot. For you."
She shakes her head. "Not interested."
"You sure? You haven't seen Walker or Brendon since high school."
"Still sure."
"I'll introduce you tomorrow. See if that changes your mind."
She stares into my eyes, picking me apart. Finally, she nods. "That's it. You convinced me. Should we all go to the backroom now?"
"Yeah." I laugh. "You first."
"No. You first."
"Uh-uh. I have a strict policy. Ladies first."
"Is that right?"
I nod.
She catches herself smiling. Shakes it off.
The woman still despises me.
And I still love it.
I shift back to discussing work. "Ryan paying you?"
"You're a co-owner."
"And?"
"You don't keep track of that?"
I shake my head. I trust Ryan. Why take on extra work when he's got it covered?
"Yeah," she says. "Not much, but enough."
"You have a second job?"
She shakes her head. "I have a cheap place to stay."
"Nearby?"
"You're not invited."
"I wasn't asking."
"Not yet."
I can't help but smile.
Even after all this time, she knows me too fucking well.
Chapter Four
Dean
"What's with the fuck me eyes?" Ryan asks.
I feign ignorance. Ryan can chew me out if he wants, but I'm not going to make it easy for him.
"She's a good kid."
"Are you her dad?"
"You scare her off, I make you hurt."
"You won't hurt me."
"Try me."
I mime pushing my sleeves up my arms. Make fists. "Let's go. I'll snap you like a twig."
"You want pain, say it again." His voice perks to that tone he used when we were kids. It's a challenge, not a threat.
It's tempting. I've always wanted to fight Ryan. Must be some primal thing, needing to prove I can take my older brother. I've always been bigger. Stronger.
Still am.
But he's a karate expert now.
This is an actual challenge now.
Even so, I motion come at me.
He shakes his head you're ridiculous.
"You're right." I drop my fists. "Can't stand to see you lose in front of your girl."
"Please. She'll get off on watching."
"I'm gonna tell her you said that."
"Fuck off." He chuckles. His gaze shifts to Leighton.
She's sitting behind the counter, half her attention on her laptop, the other half on us.
Her tongue slides over her lips. Her chest heaves. Anticipation fills her blue-green eyes.
She wants a show.
I'm game to let Ryan win.
But he's past my bullshit.
He leans in close enough to whisper. "You didn't tell me you knew her in high school."
"You didn't ask my permission to hire her."
"Guess we're fair."
"You fall in love with the hot bartender I hire and I get guess we're fair?"
"Yeah."
How the hell can I explain this to my brother? He's not gonna take any of my bullshit reasons. The truth isn't an option. But there must be something. "Chloe—"
"Fuck. Really, Dean?"
"Really, what?"
"You fucked her?"
Not a subject he needs to know about. "She's not a good fit."
"She's the female version of me."
I can't exactly deny that.
"If she doesn't belong here, I don't belong here."
"Been meaning to tell you—"
"If you have a real reason why you don't want her here, I'm all ears."
That's the thing. I do want her here. I want her glaring at my antics. I want her fighting her smile. Laughing despite herself.
I want her on the counter.
Her jeans at her ankles.
Her tits in my hands.
Her cunt pulsing around me.
"You there?" he asks.
"No. Thinking about your girlfriend naked."
He rolls his eyes. He's having none of my shit.
"She—"
"Hates you."
"She hates what I represent."
>
His blue eyes stay serious. He studies my expression like his life depends on it. "She hates you."
I shrug. Maybe she did, once. But it's been forever. It's all water under the bridge.
"After seven years?" I ask.
"Apparently." He runs a hand through his wavy hair. He inherited Dad's wild hair. I've got Mom's straight dirty blond locks. Though hers come from a bottle these days. "You gonna tell me why she hates you?"
"There are so many reasons. Could be any of them."
He laughs. "True." He turns back to Leighton. "You have any insight into why Chloe hates Dean, baby?"
"Does she need one reason?" Leighton offers.
Ryan chuckles.
"I can see why you love her," I say.
His cheeks flame red, but he shakes it off. "She's gonna shadow you tomorrow."
Uh-uh. Chloe isn't following me around. Not in that tight black outfit she wears. Not with that short hair brushed behind her ears. Not if I have to keep it in my pants.
"Yeah," he says. "She is. You agreed. She's yours for the day."
"When did I agree?"
"You said I could hire anyone. I did."
"An apprentice?"
"You have an issue with her skills?"
"No." If she's half the artist she was in high school, she's better than any of us.
"Her attitude?"
That's a trap. "No."
"Her work ethic?"
"No."
"Then what's your issue?"
Fuck. He's right.
I can't take this from her. Even if it will make my life easier.
It's been an eternity.
This isn't high school
I'm not hung up on the girl who hates my guts.
I'm a grown adult.
I can work with Chloe without letting her get under my skin.
Better convince Ryan I don't actually care. "Will she really be mine?" I raise a brow.
"Don't."
"What if she's into it?"
"She's not. There's no fucking way Chloe wants anywhere near your dick."
I don't bother correcting him.
He takes a step backward. "Can I trust you with this?"
"Can you trust me with anything?"
He shakes his head fuck if I know. "I'll see you Wednesday."
"Until then." I nod my goodbye.
Watch him join Leighton at the counter.
He whispers something in her ear. She blushes.
He wraps his arm around her and whisks her to the door.
She waves on her way out.
It's just me and the machines.
I love the feel of Inked Hearts. The smell of rubbing alcohol. The red and pink string lights lining the walls. The framed art in the lobby.
Hating You, Loving You Page 3