Dex: Castle Ink #1

by Amy Davies

  The taxi pulls up outside and the driver jumps out. He runs around the car and opens my door for me. Offering me a hand, he helps me out of the car.

  "Thank you.” I hand him the money for the fare and he bids me a goodbye before driving off. I smile up at the big lettering above the studio windows; the bold black font against the stark white background. Dex had the design in his head for years until his dream became his reality and he made the huge jump to open his own studio with Jay. I push the door open and walk in, noticing the bell above the door no longer tinkles. Thank fucking Christ, I hated that thing. But I hate what I am seeing before me more.

  Dex is leaning against the wall, ankles crossed. He has one hand tucked into the front pocket of his jeans. He looks sexy as hell, but it is the fucking slut that is touching him that is killing the sexual need. He does nothing to brush off her touch, he is smiling at her as she touches his forearm, tracing the tattoos there. The smile is inviting and it hurts my heart to see it. That smile is normally reserved for me.

  I look down at myself and check out my dungarees. They stretch over my baby bump, I have rolled up the legs, so they come just above my ankles, and I have on my black Converse. I look back towards the girl and Dex and see that her jeans are painted on, and her boobs are spilling out of her t-shirt. She looks sexier than me. I am a fucking beached whale. I am never this insecure about my looks, but this baby is doing a number on me.

  I walk up to them and watch every move they both make. My stomach is churning and is ready to expel the chicken pasta dish I had for lunch. My fists curl and uncurl in anger, disappointment and hurt. My heart is literally breaking apart. After everything that was said over the last few months, he is willing to chuck it all away because I needed time away from his bossy arse. If this is how he is going to react after we fight, then he is not worth the heartache.

  “Didn’t take you long did it, Dex?” I ask, as I stop behind the girl. She spins around and looks down at me. She chuckles and backs up against Dex’s chest. He takes a step back, but that single act is a little too late. “A bit late for that move, don’t you think?” I say. His eyes stay on mine, hurt, frustration and regret shines back at me.

  “Two days,” is all he says.

  “Do you mind, we were having a conversation. Now scurry on away and let me talk this fine piece of man into tattooing me, somewhere where only he will see.” She turns her head and winks at him.

  “Well, I can see that you are very busy, so why don’t I scurry along and go find a man that truly appreciates me for me. One that won’t turn around and walk into the first pair of open legs of a willing woman, that isn’t his girlfriend.” With that, I walk towards the front door, my heart beating wildly in my chest. Tears threaten to fall but I will myself to hold them back until I am alone.

  “Addy,” I hear Dex calling me. I don’t stop. I hurry along the road, having no bloody clue where I am going. “Addy, for sucks sake. STOP!” he yells at me. My feet stick to the pavement, like someone just threw some tar down on the floor to stop me. I don’t turn around to face him. My nose burns with the sensation of tears building.

  I will not cry in front of him.

  I will not cry in front of him.

  I feel him come up behind me, but I stand my ground and keep my eyes on the floor. This man makes me feel every emotion. He has always had the ability to make me feel things that I hate feeling. I am so fucking mad at him, but at the same time I want to turn around and hug him to me. I have missed him.

  I feel his hand touch my hips and I flinch from the touch, his hands drop like I have burned him. I regret the action, but it is too late to come back from it now. I have always hated him touching me after I have seen him touch another woman. I step away from him and finally build up the courage to turn and face him. The pain is clear as day on his handsome face. Regret slams into me. I close my eyes, trying to block out his face but it is impossible. My heart aches for the pain that I have put on his face.

  “Two days.” He repeats his earlier words. I know that my actions hurt him and pissed him off at the same time but, Jesus Christ, he pissed me off too.

  “Yeah. Two days. I had to, Dex. You were taking over everything in my life and I couldn't breathe. I told you to back off. I asked you so many times to leave me to move back home when I was ready. I needed to wrap my head around moving home with you. BH holds some painful memories for me, Dex, but you being the bossy prick that you are, pushed.”

  “Is it so fucking wrong that I want you at home with me”?

  “No it’s not, Dex.” I sigh. “Dex, you know I don’t like being told what to do. So when you push me, I push back harder. You are overwhelming me sometimes. I needed those two days away. Yes, it was to punish you a little, because you didn’t listen to me. You never do.”

  “Yes I do. It’s just that you are a stubborn bitch and refuse to let me in all the way. If you loved me like you say you do, then you would move home with me, now.” His words are like a slap to the face. First the ‘bitch’ comment and then the ‘if you loved me’. What a fucking prick. I stare at him, my mouth opening and closing. The words running through my head not making it out of my mouth to give this twat of a man a piece of my mind. The words he just said sinks in when he sees the look on my face. He steps forward and I take one back. I shake my head at him and hurt flashes across his face.

  “I will go and stay with Lauren tonight. I need some time to think.”

  “No, you are coming home with me. We need to talk. I have just had to spend the last two-fucking-days without you next to me. I am not doing it again.”

  “See, you aren’t listening to me, again. Fucking hell, Dex. Just listen to me. I need time to think.”

  “No you don’t. Let me get my car keys and we will go home now.” He turns to walk away but my words stop him in his tracks.

  “Do you know how much you hurt me in there?” I point to Castle Ink. “Seeing you let that girl touch you. Seeing you smile my smile at her. I would never let another man touch me while we were together, Dex. But you. You couldn’t fucking wait to have another woman’s hands on you. So what, we had a fucking fight. Does that give you the right to go and shag any girl you want? Is this how our relationship is going to go? Because if it is, I want no bloody part of it.” We stare at each other, and I now feel the tears running down my face. When did I start crying? Well bloody hell.

  “I always listen to you, I just like to push you a little. You would have never moved back home with me unless I did it for you. And don’t lie to my face and tell me, yes, you would have.”

  “I would have, Dex.” He just shakes his head at me. I sigh, exhausted from today's shit.

  “As for the girl in there… She was touching me. I was being polite by not causing a scene in the studio.”

  “So when I go out and some random lad touches my arm, I can let him touch me and not make a scene. Good to know, Dex, I will remember that the next time some bloke touches me,” I say smugly.

  “Do not even go there, Addy.”

  “Why?”

  “You belong to me and only me, Addy.”

  “That’s funny, because I thought that went both ways. But you seemed perfectly happy to let some skank touch you. And you were more than happy to tattoo her, ‘where no other man will ever see’,” I say mimicking the girl’s voice.

  “Jesus - fuck.” He runs his hands through his hair, making his arm muscles tighten and look sexy as fuck. My core clenches; treacherous bitch that she is. It’s these pregnancy hormones, that is my excuse and I am sticking to it. I look towards the studio window and see the bitch standing there with her arms crossed under her fake tits and a smirk on her face. My stomach rolls again at the thought her touching Dex. I bring my gaze back to Dex.

  “I’m going to go. You have a skank to tattoo. I will have Lauren or Joe come and pick me up.” I pull out my phone to text Lauren. I hear Dex mutter ‘fuck’ under his breath. I look up and just see him looking away from Castle Ink.r />
  “No.” He snatches my phone out of my hand.

  “Dex. Give it back. I am way too bloody tired to fight with you anymore. This baby is going to be here before we know it and I need all the sleep I can get.”

  “Baby, you loved sleep before you got preggers, so don’t use my baby as an excuse.” I would normally smile at his reply, but I don’t. I swear mini Castle is sucking all of the energy out of me. How can women do this more than once? They are my heroes, I tell you.

  “Please, let me go home. I want to power nap for an hour… or twelve,” I whine. Dex steps forward and wraps his arms around me; I don’t stop him this time. He is using my tiredness to his advantage. He steers me towards the door of Castle Ink, but my steps falter. I don’t want to go in there where she is waiting for him. I shake my head, but Dex keeps pulling me with him. He is way stronger than me so I don’t stand a chance against this tattooed beast of a man. Dex shoves the door open and the girl’s face brightens when he walks in behind me. She completely overlooks me, but that is okay with me; I don’t want her skanky eyes looking at me. Without looking at her, he pushes me forward towards his room.

  “Dex, are we going to do my tattoo today, babe? I can go and wait in your room for you.”

  Dex stops walking behind me, he hooks his fingers into the belt loops on my dungarees to stop my path. Pulling me gently back to him, he hooks his arm around my waist. He looks at the girl and then at me. He smiles down at me before lowering his head and he takes my lips in a bruising kiss. His tongue delves into my mouth, tasting every inch of my gums. He pulls his head back and winks at me. My breath literally goes with him. He looks at the girl and smirks.

  “Sorry, I will get Luke to get you sorted. I need to take my girl home and get my fill before our baby girl arrives.”

  “So what was that before? You flirted with me; you made it sound like we were going to hook up later.” I pat Dex’s chest and smile at him and then offer the skank my most sugary smile ever and say.

  “Sorry, it was a total lapse of judgement on his part. Believe me it won’t happen again,” I wink at her and pull Dex to the back of Castle Ink. Laughter fills my ears but I just smile to myself and keep walking, pulling my man with me. I walk into Dex's room and wait for him to close the door behind him. I turn to face him and put my hands on my hips, and glare at him. The nice girl act can stop now.

  "Just so we are clear, Mr Castle. You ever and I mean ever let another woman touch you again. I will take Lauren up on her threat and have her cut off your cock and balls. I am perfectly happy with this baby being an only child. You hear me?" I say, cocking my eyebrow. He steps closer but I stop him. "Do. You. Get. Me?" I repeat. He stares at me and nods his head. Then slowly, a cocky smirk appears in his face.

  "My girl is scary as shit when she is threatening me. Sexy as fuck, though. But since I love my cock and balls, I will listen to her. I need to father more babies with her."

  "You just remember what I said and we will be fine," I state and sit down. My back is killing me. I know he didn't do anything major but I still didn't want to see it.

  Finishing up the bloke’s tattoo on his back, my own back aches but his ink will look epic. He’s having a big arse back piece done. He has two Samurai in fighting stances, one on either side of his back, with wind and leaves blowing around them. This is the last of four sittings that we have done. This man is a fucking legend if you ask me. I tap him on shoulder to get his attention.

  “You feeling okay? Do you need a break?”

  “Yeah, man, that would be cool. How much more to get done?” I do a quick glance over his back and guesstimate.

  “I would say another hour. That good with you?”

  “This is your work, fella. I just lay here for you to play with.” He winks at me. I chuckle and pull my gloves off. Phillip stands and picks his phone up from the little table beside his chair.

  “Fuck off, man. Go and have a smoke, then we can finish this beast off,” I tell him. He nods his head and walks towards the back door that leads to where everyone goes for their smoke break. I walk over to the sink and quickly wash my hands. Once I dry them I stretch my back, it clicks in a million places, like I am a hundred years old. The t-shirt I am wearing is one that Addy bought for me. It says ‘Best three minutes of your life’. She loves getting these shirts made for me. I walk to the front of the studio to see Luke. The man has been working like crazy here the last few months, trying to build up his clients. He brought a few with him and the ladies love him. It is a plus side to having him here, plus Jay is a total fucking flirt with the women.

  “Sup, dude?” I ask him. I stretch again and someone wolf whistles at me. I snap my body back into place and see Addy walking through the door. Her smile makes my heart skip a beat like a girl at a One Direction concert. I lean on the desk and watch as she slightly waddles over to me. The past week, she has really started to waddle, when her baby bump seemed to grow overnight. We are due to have another scan next week to check the size of the baby again.

  “Hey, baby.” I open my arms and move my stance wider so she can get closer to me; her belly touching me before any other part of her body. I wrap my arms around her and hold her to me. She winches a little but smiles at me. I lean in and kiss her, tasting her cherry lip gloss. Our tongues touch and play and the studio fades away. There is only us here in this moment. Addy pulls away and winces again.

  “Baby, what’s wrong? Are you and the baby okay?” She looks around the studio and then back to me. I feel her body tense up and then relax after a minute or two. I wait for her to tell me what is wrong, to stop the million fucking things running around my head.

  “It’s time, honey,” she says. “You need to get Jay and Liam. Baby Castle is coming.”

  “Oh fuck. Umm. Luke. JAY,” I scream. My heart is pounding. It will break through my chest at any fucking moment. I run to the back of the studio and pick up my wallet and phone. I run back through the studio and out to my car. My mind is racing. Will the baby be okay? She is two weeks early. We were due to have a scan next week, to check her size. How will Addy cope with the pain? I jam the keys in the ignition and start the car. I put the car into first gear and then hear a tap at the window. I turn my head and see Addy standing there smiling at me. I blanch at seeing her. I push the button to open the window.

  “Why the fuck are you out there? You should be in here with me and on our way to the hospital. Our baby is coming for fucks sake.” I throw the door open and run around to help her into the car.

  “Oh, I know she is coming, Dex. I can feel the bloody contractions. Baby, slow down. It will take time, Dex. My waters haven’t broken yet. Labour can take hours.” I shut her door and run around and jump back into my seat. I start to pull away from the studio when I see Jay running out and running towards his car. Panic clear on his face, it matches mine. I drive to the hospital in a blur. Addy strokes my leg the entire time, calming me like I am the one that is in labour and feeling excruciating pain every few minutes. She is handling the contractions like a champ - I think. Like I said it is mostly a blur.

  I park the car and dart around to help my girl out. Her feet hit the floor first and she stands up. No sooner has she leaned in to kiss me when there is a gushing noise from below us.

  “Fuck. What the hell is that?” I screech like a fucking girl. Water fills the little dent in the road beneath our feet. Addy chuckles at my response.

  “My waters broke, babe. Calm down. Now come on, let’s get upstairs.” My feet decide that they don’t want to function right now. I stare down at my feet, taking in the discolouration of the liquid there. My heart is going crazy in my chest, beating fast like a pack of Wildebeest doing a stampede. My skin is buzzing from the excitement and nerves clash throughout my body. The soft touch on my cheek makes me lift my gaze from the floor, to Addy’s eyes; the love and adoration clearly shining through.

  “We will be fine, babe. Our daughter is excited to meet us. I am excited to meet her and introdu
ce her to our family. I know you are going to be a bad arse daddy to her. You will protect her something fierce. You will be scaring the boys away who want to date her. She will be loved by us both, until we take our last breath.” Her words make my heart swell with love for her. I love her with all of my heart, but she just took every ounce of Dex Castle I had to offer. I lean in and kiss her gently on the lips. A contraction hits and she pulls her face away from me and leans down, gripping my t-shirt in her fists. Her body almost doubles over in pain and it kills me that I can’t do anything to take the pain away.

  “If you didn’t want me to kiss you, all you had to do was say so. You didn’t have to fake a contraction.” I wink at her and she mutters ‘arsehole’ under her breath. “Okay, let’s get you upstairs and get this show on the road. I need to meet my daughter.”

  “We will be fine, Dex,” she says again. I nod and kiss the side of her head.

  We make it up to the maternity ward and there is a midwife waiting for us. She smiles at Addy and helps her into a wheelchair. I follow behind like a lost puppy, having no clue what to do or say. I watch as my girl has painful contraction after painful contraction. We get put into a room and the midwife helps Addy onto the bed. I drop her bag next to the bed and walk over to her. The midwife is pottering around, asking questions, getting wires all ready and set up.

  “Okay, Addy, how long ago did your water break?”

  “About five minutes ago. I got out of the car and they went. Luckily I wasn’t in the car, I think Dex would have well and truly had a fit.” The two women chuckle. I stay stoic, yeah, she is fucking lucky that all that messy liquid shit wasn’t in my car. I have heard that it stinks to high heaven. Addy winks at me and I smile back.