by Hazel Gower
The needle left my skin, and I wondered if I’d said the right thing. “How do you know David?” He wiped my skin.
I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “He’s a friend of my brother Trever. They went to uni together. My brother attempted an art class, and they met there. Trever told me he did the class to vary his horizon with a different flavor of women.” I made a gagging noise, unable to help myself.
Braydon’s chuckle had me growling. It wasn’t funny. My brother was a womanizing arsehole. The funny thing was, if a guy ever acted towards me like my brothers did with other women, they’d kick his arse. Trever, my youngest brother, was the worst. At twenty-five, he was still young enough to play the field, or so he constantly told me. Argh, gross. My oldest brother Andrew, who was thirty, and my middle brother, Nathan, twenty-eight, were pretty much the same, just more discreet about their actions.
“How do you think they’d feel about what you did?”
“I don’t care. I don’t even want to think about them.” I shivered, and not in a good way. They would not be happy with what I’d done, and I just bet if Trever found out what David did to help, he’d throttle him.
“You don’t miss them? I know you’re pretty close.”
“Ha, I don’t even miss them a little. I’m thankful they’re too busy to visit.” Well, they did get me to do things for them still, like washing, cooking, and stuff, but they didn’t have time to hang out. I was good with that, though. I sighed. “I do miss my parents, but at least I’m only a couple of hours away. That’s not so bad, and I love my grandparents. What about you, do you have any brothers? Sisters? You get on with your parents? I think I remember meeting a brother.”
“I have two brothers, Mark, who is the baby at twenty-six, and Rodger, who’s thirty in a month. My parents, Emily and Peter, own a huge cattle farm and my brothers work on that. Farming wasn’t for me, though.”
Interesting. I didn’t know both his brothers worked on his parents’ farm. I knew they had a farm, but not what type. “Do you see them over Christmas?” He always seemed to be home when we’d come down on Boxing Day to visit my grandparents. Unless he stayed Christmas night and was back by the time we got there around lunch, but I doubted that. His car was out in front, or I could hear music coming from his house.
“Nah. I’m old enough now that Christmas isn’t really anything special.”
I couldn’t hold back my gasp. I loved Christmas. It was my favorite time of the year. I got to bake, and everyone came together, with my brothers always on their best behavior. Santa always came, even though we’d outgrown the idea. Still, last year he came and left me and all my brothers one present each. “What! How can you say that? Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I bake a bunch of yummy food. Wait until you try my Christmas cookies. Oh, or my chocolate cake. I will admit I don’t like Christmas cake. Not a fan, but everything else, I love. My dad and brothers do our house up with lights and all sorts of decorations. I’m hoping I can do something with my grandparents’ place.”
I don’t know how long I babbled on and on about Christmas, and what I did and how much I loved it, but it must have been a while, because Braydon interrupted me with, “We’ll be done in five or so minutes. You’ve been a champ.”
“Oh, great. Sorry I’ve been talking your ear off.”
“Don’t be. I love the sound of your sweet voice.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, I could listen to you talk all day.”
My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest at his words. My smile stretched wide. He wiped my shoulders. “Thank you. Maybe I should look into being a telemarketer or,” I giggled, “a phone sex operator for a job.”
Braydon growled low and deep. “You will not be a phone sex operator.” He came around to face me. “If you need a job, you can work here.” His blue eyes were so dark at the moment that I reached out and stroked his cheek. At my touch, they lightened.
“What kind of job would I do here? Would you really want me after what we did?” This was the time of truth. His answers would either break me or have me dancing for joy. I held my breath and ignored the churning in my stomach.
“You could be the receptionist. I need a new one since I just fired the other one.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over mine. “Of course, I want you. If you’re willing to have me, I’ll have you every night.” I let out my breath on a giggle and my stomach settled.
“I could give the job a try. I don’t know how good I’ll be, though.”
“Angel, you couldn’t be any worse than the guy we just had. It’s not that hard, just answer the phone, book appointments, help keep the place clean.”
That sounded easy enough. “Okay. When do you want me? I can start tomorrow?”
“I want you all the time.” I laughed and shook my head. He dramatically rolled his eyes. “Okay, your tattoos are done. How about you have a look, and I’ll clean everything and then come and cover them up. We’ll go get something to eat, and if you feel good and don’t have any tenderness, we’ll talk about what time tomorrow you can start.”
“Sounds good.” I eased off the chair and went straight to the mirror. Braydon came over to me with another mirror and positioned it so I could see my tattoos. They looked beyond amazing, the angel was cute in a white gown with a golden halo and gold added to its wings. The devil was perfect. He was a dark red with a curling tail, black horns, wings, and a fork. They were just how I imagined. Turning to him, I threw myself at him, uncaring that my breasts were out still and the shirt was at my waist.
“Fuck. You throw yourself against me like that, and I’ll forget about food and take you again.”
Gazing up at him, I grinned. “I like the sound of that. How about I help you clean up and then we can get out of here and get take out and go back to your place?” I batted my lashes, hoping I looked enticing.
His forehead came to rest against mine. “You, my little angel, are perfect. Let me cover your tattoos, so we can tidy up and leave.”
My heart soared, and I knew I was on the way to having Braydon just the way I wanted. I would get what I wanted for Christmas and maybe even become Mrs. Frost.
* * * *
Braydon
I was being an arsehole, but this morning instead of waking to my beautiful angel Ashlyn, the pillow beside me was cold. What the hell. Why had she left? We’d come back last night, and after eating, I’d run a bath and Ashlyn had soaked in my huge tub. When she’d come out, I’d devoured her pussy until she begged me to fuck her again. I did, and we spent the night exploring each other’s bodies. At an ungodly hour, just before the sun started to rise, we fell asleep. At least I’d thought we both fell asleep—obviously, it was just me instead.
My alarm had gone off at ten-thirty, and I’d been shocked and a little pissed she wasn’t there. To make matters worse, I had been too caught up in her to get her mobile number, so I had no way of contacting her, and I didn’t know how she’d feel about me going over to her grandparents’ house looking for her. So here I was coming into work, hoping David had her number. David had come into work this morning all cheery and fucking smiling. He winked at me, and I just knew he thought I would be in a good mood, and yeah, I would have been, if I’d woken up to Ashlyn.
Reluctant to ask him and have him ask more questions I growled, “I need Ashlyn’s number. I offered her a job.”
“You do realize she wasn’t here for a job?” David raised his brow and the smirk he gave me had me taking a calming breath in so I didn’t punch the expression off his face.
“Just shut the fuck up and give me her number.”
He chuckled, and I clenched my fist.
“Doesn’t she live next door to you?”
“Give me the fucking number, David, before I—”
I was interrupted by the sweetest sound that had my anger
draining. “Hi. I hope I’m not too late. I forgot to set my alarm. Hopefully, the boss won’t fire me on my first day.” Her giggle soothed me, and I turned to see her standing at the entry. She looked gorgeous, her hair in a messy bun, and fresh-faced with only glossy lips. There was no sign that she’d had only a couple of hours of sleep. She wore a simple black peasant skirt and a bright pink tank top. She was cute, and not what people would expect when they came into my tattoo shop.
I went and gathered her into my embrace. I didn’t care that we had an audience. Tilting her chin up, I leaned down and captured her lips. It took her a moment before she responded, then her mouth opened, letting me in, and her arms circled my waist.
“Well, it looks my work here is done. You don’t owe me anything, Ashlyn. Getting him off my back and having him not be a wanker is payment enough.”
David’s smug voice had me easing away from her and shooting him a glare. “Don’t you have a client coming any minute?”
“Yup, don’t know how he’d feel about getting a free show, too.” David winked. “It could be a new draw card for us.” He wiggled his eyebrows and smirked.
“Go fucking make sure you’re ready.”
“Sure thing, boss.” He chuckled. “Nice seeing you, Ashlyn. I’m glad you’re joining the team. Cash is in the zone finishing a sleeve; otherwise, I’m sure he would come out and say hi. Steve doesn’t start today until after lunch, you’ll meet him then. Aiden has Saturdays off, but you’ll see him tomorrow. Just yell my name if you need me.” He laughed and was lucky he went to his station.
I turned back to Ashlyn and lowered my voice. “Why did you leave?”
The pretty pink she turned only made her more beautiful. “I needed clothes and sleep. I’m sorry I’m late.”
My shoulders dropped and I looked behind me to see David staring, and Cash, who had been working, paused and stared at us too. Grabbing her arm, I took her out to the reception area. “It’s okay. Next time, don’t leave. I want you to get some clothes and have them at my place, so you have things to wear.”
Her gaze widened and her mouth opened and closed a couple of times before she just nodded.
“Good. Now work. We open at ten on weekdays, and twelve-thirty on Saturday and Sunday. I don’t open Monday or Tuesday. Your job is to answer the phone and book appointments. Now, I know you don’t know how long it takes to do a tattoo, so ask. If you are unsure of anything, ask. After a while, you’ll get the feel of things and know rough time estimates. Cleaning. After every client, you should wipe down the chairs and table tops with disinfectant. The artists will help if you’re busy, and they will clean up their own equipment. Lastly, if you’re here at closing time, you’ll sweep the floors and wash them. If we get busy, you’ll do a coffee run or food. Understand?”
“Sounds easy enough. I’ll ask if I don’t understand.” She nodded.
I wanted to talk to her more, but I didn’t know how much longer I had. I felt terrible for just giving her a rush explanation of her duties, but my first appointment was already a little late. I knew the guy, and he was never on time. “I’m sorry to throw you in the deep end, but with you being late, my first appointment should be here any minute. I know you can do this. I trust you.”
Her beaming smile had me leaning down to give her a quick kiss. I pointed to the computer and quickly showed her the basics, but she pushed me away. “This is easy. I’ve used programs like this before. I’ve helped Andrew at his shop when he’s been busy. It doesn’t look much different to his mechanic shop one. Dad’s is similar but his looks fancy, so I can work this. I’ll be fine. If you need to go and do anything to get ready, I’m good here. I’ll come ask if I need help. Promise.”
She couldn’t be more perfect if she tried. Needing one more taste, I pasted my lips to hers and devoured her. This time, the door opening had me pulling back and smiling as I see the lust-filled eyes she gazed at me with. “This should take me about three hours or so, but come see me if you need anything.”
She nodded, and I turned to see my client. “Hi, Glen. Be with you in a minute.”
“Take your time. I would if I was spending time with that pretty lady.”
Ashlyn giggled and pushed at my chest. “Go. I’m fine.” She smiled at Glen and the idiot almost melted, then he straightened, and a goofy smile spread over him.
Shaking my head, I left Ashlyn. She was going to be trouble. I was looking forward to it, though.
Ashlyn
The weekend flew by. My new job as receptionist was easy enough. I’d gone home earlier than Braydon on both Saturday and Sunday. I’d wanted to check on my grandparents and make sure they knew where to find me if I was needed. I’d left in such a rush to get to the bus on Saturday, I’d almost choked when I downed two pain meds for my aching body as I ran to the bus stop. I was glad a couple of hours later that I had shoved extra into my purse, but by late dinner time Saturday afternoon, I was so very tired, not to mention the pain pills didn’t seem to be cutting it. I’d been walking a little funny Saturday morning, but by the afternoon I was bowlegged. Sex felt amazing. I just didn’t think I was supposed to lose my v-card and have a marathon of sex the same night.
Braydon had taken me back to my house between appointments. He kept apologizing and telling me not to come in on Sunday. To relax and rest. His gaze had held so much guilt that I worried he wouldn’t touch me again. I didn’t hear or see him that night or Sunday morning. I felt better by Sunday, but wasn’t a hundred percent. I made it to the bus and as I sat for the forty-minute ride, I wondered if I could convince my parents to buy me a car. My parents had really well-paying jobs, but they believed their children shouldn’t be spoilt and they shouldn’t have everything handed to them. They were a firm believer that children should learn how to manage money. I had hoped I’d be able to get a ride with Braydon, but with the way he looked when he dropped me off, I wasn’t sure he would go near me again.
When I’d arrived at work on Sunday, he’d told me to go home. I didn’t and told him I was fine and wasn’t going anywhere. There were no sweet kisses or hugs this time. He stayed well away from me, and didn’t even touch me when he drove me home later that night. I was walking almost normal and only my pussy ached by afternoon. I tried to reassure him I was fine, but anytime I walked anywhere and he was around, you couldn’t miss his wince, or his foul mouth that would make a trucker blush. Men were so confusing. I’d thought with Braydon being older, he wouldn’t be so bad. I’d gotten mixed signals. Saturday morning when I’d come in, he’d been all over me and seemed upset I’d left him. By Sunday night when he dropped me off, I felt like old news. I now knew how the women my brothers saw felt.
Monday was one of Braydon’s days off, and as I lay in bed, I wondered if I should go over and see him, or leave him for a while. All my plans seemed so far away now. I needed to get my mind on something else. The following day was the first of December, and I always put up all my Christmas things on the first, but I needed something fun and distracting to do before that. I debated calling a friend to see if she wanted to go out, but a lot of my friends had gotten jobs so they could afford Christmas. Decorating it was.
I felt good. The ache was mostly gone, only my pussy ached a little. I stayed longer in the shower and washed my hair. Even though it was early, it was a scorcher already, and I knew by afternoon the air-conditioning would be blasting. If I was going to decorate, I needed to do it before it became too hot. Lena got off work at three, and maybe we could go to the beach. I put on my pink and purple hibiscus bikini and slipped on denim shorts and a short crop top.
Leaving my room, I found my grandparents still in the kitchen, my granddad almost done reading his paper and my grandma baking up a storm. “Do you need help, Grandma?” She shook her head. “I was going to go in the garage and get out the Christmas things and start decorating, but I can help you first.”
“Good idea, Honey.” Sh
e came over and kissed my cheek before turning to her husband. “Grant, did you hear Ashlyn? She wants to get the Christmas decorations. You go and help her.”
“No, I can do it by myself.”
Granddad put his paper down with a huff. “Nonsense. I’m not letting my only grandbaby girl go out and sort through the stuff in the garage to try and find all the Christmas things. I’ll come help.”
I laughed at his outrage. My granddad was a softy, and I had him wrapped around my little finger. He had always told me since the moment he laid eyes on me, he knew I was going to be trouble. I knew I was his favorite. My grandparents had wanted more children, but when my father was born, Grandma had a complication and they had to take out her ovaries. They’d told me they thought about adopting, but decided to devote their time to raising one amazing child. My dad was pretty awesome, if I did say so myself. My grandparents love my brothers, but I was the only girl. I’ve always been spoiled by them—it was another reason why I happily moved here. I loved them, so if my plan with their hunky neighbor never worked out, I would be hurt and heartbroken, but I would survive because I had my amazing grandparents around.
An hour later, I was glad my granddad had come with me. I hadn’t known how bad their garage was—it was just filled with junk. As we sifted through, I tried to get him to throw some out. “This box is filled with old clothes. I’m sure they’re from the seventies.” I held up an off-color orange suit.
“No way, baby girl. You never know when you’ll need something.”
“Ha, argh, Granddad, I highly doubt there will ever be a time when you need to wear this again. I don’t even think you’d fit into it.”
He snatched it from me. “This is still in mint condition.” He held the suit up against himself, and I burst into hysterics. Grandma must have heard us and come out, because a moment later, I heard a musical peal of laughter behind me. I loved my grandmother’s laugh. I think it’s one of my favorite things in the world. It’s so full and light and just makes you want a hug.