by Emery Jacobs
I tilt my head back and rest it against the door. My vision fuzzy due to the unshed tears, but I see him… towering over me like some kind of tattooed Greek God. He tilts his head to the right and his eyebrows furrow. My eyes regain their focus and my vision of him becomes much clearer.
Short brown hair that spikes just slightly in the front. His eyes are a rich golden brown—like whiskey. Narrow nose with a chiseled jaw line and full lips. He has just enough scruff to know he probably hasn’t shaved in three or four days. And he’s wearing a fitted white t-shirt that doesn’t leave much guessing for what he’s got going on underneath. Tattoos. And a lot of them, along with a broad chest and the biggest arms I’ve ever seen.
I pull my lip in between my teeth and bite down. My face is hot from embarrassment, but my anxiety has vanished. I place my hands on each side of my body to push myself up so I can get the hell out this occupied bathroom and away from this gorgeous guy standing just inches in front of me. Strong hands grip my waist, and he lifts me to my feet in one swift movement. I look away, praying he is going to walk out of here and end our little encounter.
“Did something happen? Did somebody hurt you? Are you sure you’re okay?” He’s spewing questions faster than I can wrap my mind around them. I refuse to tell a stranger why I would lock myself in a bathroom and then proceed to freak out.
Completely ignoring his question—I stare into his brown eyes before asking, “Have you been in here the entire time?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“The bathroom is in the back corner. This section up here is just a lounge or some shit like that.”
This is just great. My first experience with an extremely hot guy plays out like this. Ugh!
He doesn’t move, and his brown eyes remain focused on my blue ones. His breath is slow, even, and warm on my cheek. I drop my gaze to his mouth. And those full lips of his form a perfect lop-sided grin. Holy shit, he’s sexy.
I reach behind me and grip the doorknob, wanting like hell to get away from this forever-lasting moment of humiliation. Before I can search for the lock, he moves in closer, his body demanding me to stop what I’m doing and shift my eyes back to his. As if I’ve completely lost all self-control, I give him what he wants. My stare moves from watching his beautiful mouth to gazing into his golden brown eyes. He tilts his head and leans in.
Oh. My. God. I think he’s going to kiss me. Is it okay to kiss a complete stranger? Yes. No. I look away with hopes he will release me from his spell.
But his hand immediately finds my cheek and brings my gaze back to his before he says, “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” I whisper.
“Look away. Your eyes. Do I know you? How do you know Stone? Who are you here with?”
Why does he do this? Never just one question but multiples. How can I answer him when I can’t even remember the first one, much less the two or three that follow?
“No, you don’t know me,” because, trust me, I would never forget a guy who looks like a God.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
I flinch, not immediately realizing someone is pounding on the door directly behind my head. He drops his hand from my face, pulls his eyes from mine, and reaches around me to unlock the door. I take a couple of steps sideways to move out of his way so he can open the door. Then he walks past me—out of the room without saying another word.
Chapter 5
Jack
I push the door open entering Southern Stain, Houston’s premier tattoo parlor. The cool air punches me in the face as it does every day. It’s a subtle reminder that I’m still alive—doing what I am supposed to do. Art. On the greatest canvas of all…the human body.
The lobby is empty so I head down the hall toward my station to check my schedule. It’s Thursday, which equals the late shift for me. Not a bad gig considering Thursday night is ladies night at Jake’s, which is the bar next door. There are always at least half dozen hotties staggering in looking for a little attention. And that brings a smile to my face.
As I unlock the door to my station, the chime alerts me that someone is up front. I shove my keys in my pocket and make my way back to the lobby. I’m still wearing my smile in hopes of greeting my first client of the day, but that is quickly shot to shit when I see the tall blonde standing near the counter. After taking one good look at her pleading brown eyes, I was wishing like hell I’d thought twice before taking her home from the bar three weeks ago.
“Halle, what are you doing here?”
Nothing pisses me off more than for a hook up to try to manipulate her way into my life. I never bring anyone here because this place is my sanctuary. The only place I’m truly content. Southern Stain is my home, my livelihood, the place I function at my best. I don’t need some random chick that I’ve been fucking to show up here to tarnish it. But it never fails. Every. Damn. Time. I should know better, but I don’t. So, here I stand in the lobby once again with a chick I’ve fucked a handful of times staring at me. The gleam in her big brown eyes has faded, and I sense she’s about to shed a thousand tears. Please don’t cry. At least not here. Take that shit to your car.
“I wanted to stop by to say hi, and I was also just wondering why you left. You were gone when I woke up this morning.”
“I’m always gone. You know I never stay all night. And you also know that I don’t want you showing up here—this is where I work.” I have made a colossal mistake with this chick. And now’s the time to fix it. It’s gone on far too long, and with her showing up here today is all the proof I need. Cutting her loose and accepting my punishment is where this conversation is headed.
“I’ve just been thinking about how much we’ve been together over the past few weeks, and I’m kind of hoping you would change your mind about those silly rules you have.”
“We’ve been hooking up for three weeks, Halle—three.” I hold up three fingers so she’s not confused. “And it doesn’t matter if it were six weeks or six years. My rules don’t change. I think we went over this the first night. I don’t spend the night. And I don’t do whatever this is you think we’re doing. You have apparently mistaken our fucking for more than what it is.”
I’m such a dick, but sometimes I have to be to end something that I should’ve never let happen in the first place. I don’t blame myself because I’m honest from the first night. Whether or not she listens and understands is completely up to her. I don’t spend the night. I don’t do any kind of relationship period. An occasional text for a potential hook up, but no daily texting. No hanging out at my place. And absolutely no showing up at Southern Stain. She knows the rules, but she has chosen not to follow them.
“What are you saying, Jack?”
“I’m saying you need to leave. This thing we had is over. It was over the minute you showed up and questioned me about our non-relationship. I’m not mad. I’m just done.”
“You know what? Fuck you. The sex isn’t even that great anyway. Or at least, it’s not for me.” She takes two steps toward me, and before I can grasp what is actually going down, my cheek takes the wrath of her open hand. What the hell? Sweet fucking Halle just slapped the shit out of me. I’ve seen Stone slapped by plenty of pissed off women but never have I been hit in the face by a small open hand. And damn, my cheek is burning and my jaw is tight. It hurt. She turns on her heels and storms out the front door.
“That was fucking great. I just wish I had walked up sooner so I could have witnessed the entire conversation and not just the hit.” I look over my shoulder to find Annie leaning against the wall smiling.
“Yeah, well, you didn’t miss much. The slap was the best part of the conversation.”
“I just finished up with Taylor when I heard your voice. I let him leave out of the side door because I didn’t want him to walk in on whatever you had going on. Figured it was—what’s her name again?”
“Halle, and no, you don’t know her. She was a mistake. She wasn’t able to handle the no relationship
part of our fucking. You know how you women are.” Annie laughs and walks back down the hall.
“Absolutely, all women are crazy. Fucking every night doesn’t equal a relationship. I don’t know what the hell she was thinking.” Her voice fades away as she enters her station and closes the door.
Rubbing my jaw, I head back down the hallway. The chime goes off again before I reach my destination. Now I’m pissed. It’s one thing to slap me and leave, but don’t come back for a repeat or to apologize because it’s not happening.
I trudge back toward the lobby, and as I round the corner, I say, “Look, Halle, I’m not in the mood for…”
Fuck. Me. It’s not Halle. Not even close. It’s freak-out girl from Stone’s party last week. She’s standing in the lobby looking directly at me. Fucking beautiful. Long black wavy hair with porcelain skin. Big full lips that are painted pink today, instead of the deep red from last week. And those eyes. So. Damn. Familiar. To the point of making me a little uncomfortable—which rarely ever happens. I shouldn’t stare, but I can’t look away.
“Hi. I guess you were expecting someone else?” she asks.
“What?”
“Halle. You thought I was some girl named Halle, right?”
“No. She just left and I thought it was her coming back, but it’s not—it’s you.” The girl with those haunting blue eyes… that I’ve thought about a hundred times over the last week.
“Yeah, it’s just me, Jovie.” Her mouth twists with uncertainty.
“Nice to meet you, Jovie. I’m Jack.”
“You work here?”
“Yes. What brings you in today? Maybe a tattoo or piercing?” She doesn’t appear to have any recollection of me or our time together in Stone’s bathroom—or maybe she does but doesn’t want to relive it. And I’m good with that.
“I’m thinking about a tattoo, but now that I know you guys do piercings too, I’ve decided that’s what I want.” She folds the small piece of paper in half that she’d been holding and tucks it in her bag. I assume that’s her tattoo design, but I’m not gonna pry. At least not yet.
“Let me get the paperwork for you to fill out, and we’ll get you that piercing.” I walk over to the counter and grab a clipboard and a pen. When I turn around, she is fidgeting with the strap on her purse. She’s nervous. Then why is she here? Most people walk in this place knowing and ready. They don’t even want to do the paperwork. But not this chick. She’s either very unsure of her decision or scared as shit. I only hope she doesn’t have another moment that has any resemblance to our last encounter.
I decide to lighten the mood a little so I ask, “Where do you want the piercing? Eyebrow, belly button, nipple, or…” I look below her waist, so she knows exactly what I’m asking. She takes the clipboard from me without saying a word. Her cheeks become a bright shade of red and her lips quiver. Shit. Maybe I made things worse, but at least I gave her something to think about.
A few seconds pass before lifts her head and looks directly at me.
“So, Jack, I’m actually considering having my nipples pierced. What do you think?” her face is overtaken by a smirk that’s cute as hell.
Didn’t expect that. Not. At. All. Thoughts of her without a shirt on immediately run through my mind. I’m a professional. Gorgeous half-naked women don’t affect me, at least not at work. I do this every day.
So, with a straight face, I take in a deep breath before saying, “That sounds great.
“I do actually have a question,” she says as she hands me her completed form.
“What?”
“Is there someone else here? That works here, of course. Like a female who could possibly do my piercing?”
What the hell? She’s screwing around with me. Nice move.
“Yeah, Annie’s here. I’ll check with her to see if she has time to take care of you today.” I turn and walk away—hoping like hell she doesn’t see the disappointment on my face. Fuck. My. Life.
Chapter 6
Jovie
This guy thinks he’s so damn cool. He’s handsome, arrogant, and I assume, an asshole judging from the hand print on his cheek. But for some strange reason, I find him attractive. Not just attractive, but really, really beautiful. He’s probably trouble, but what do I know about trouble? Considering I’m nineteen years old and have been sheltered from the real world my entire life. And now the first hot guy who comes along and triggers my girlie parts to go crazy has to be the same guy who saw me fall apart last week. I can only hope he doesn’t remember me.
“Hi. I’m Annie. Jack told me you were interested in having your nipples pierced.” I look toward the counter to find a petite girl with long black hair smiling at me. Damn. I guess I made quite the impression. Jack didn’t even bother to introduce me to this Annie person.
“Hi, I’m Jovie. Nice to meet you. No, I’m not interested in having my nipples pierced. My belly button is what I decided on.”
“But I thought Jack said you were interested in having your—”
“I did tell him my nipples, but I changed my mind.” I smile convincingly.
“Okay, then your belly button it is. Follow me, and we’ll get started.”
* * * * *
Less than fifteen minutes later, she’s done. No pain and no blood. Annie helps me stand, and I walk over to the mirror. It’s beautiful. A silver star in the center with smaller stars hanging from each side. It’s a perfect size. I love it. She goes over all of the instructions for cleaning to avoid infection.
“No swimming for four-six months or until it’s healed completely. A shower is better than a bath. Try not to sleep on your stomach. No tight fitting clothes to that area. Blah, blah, blah.” I hear nothing. I’m still amazed I did it. I realize it’s not the tattoo I wanted, but that will come later. This is my first real accomplishment of proving I can do what I want in the real world without my parent’s guidance. And without having a panic attack. This is definitely a proud moment for me.
“What do you think?” Annie asks.
“It’s so beautiful. Thank you!”
“I’m glad you like it. You’re right. It’s beautiful.”
I continue to stare at my new piercing while Annie cleans her station.
“So, Jovie, what do you do? Work? Go to school?”
“Both. I work at Overtime. You know the sports bar. It’s actually not far from here. My friend, Naomi, told me about you guys, and I met Stone the other night.”
“So, you’ve met our fearless leader?”
“Yeah, but we were only introduced. I didn’t stay at the party for long. But he seems nice.”
Annie lets out a chuckle. “Nice? Stone? I guess he can be. School… you said both. Where are you in school?”
“The University of Houston. My best friend, Layla, and I moved here from Brownsboro, Georgia about a month ago to go to school. So far, it’s been great. Just still trying to get adjusted, you know?”
“I do, but having your best friend with you probably makes the adjustment period a whole lot easier. At least you’re not all alone.” She looks over at me and then smiles before she goes back to cleaning.
She’s right about that. I don’t know what I’d do without Layla. Even though we don’t spend a lot of time together, at least she’s here with me. A deep cough pulls me away from my thoughts as I look toward the open door leading to the hall. Jack. I quickly pull my shirt down over my exposed stomach. How long has he been leaning in the doorway? I bet that sneaky bastard watched the whole time. I should have asked Annie to close the door.
“Annie, your next client is here,” he says never making eye contact with me.
“Sure. We’re finishing up. Tell Lottie I’ll be with her shortly.” He nods then pushes off the wall and walks away.
“No questions?” Annie asks.
“Nope, I’m good. Thanks again.”
“Sure. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime. If you decide on a matching tattoo, just stop by and I’ll be happy to take care of y
ou.”
I pay her and throw my purse over my shoulder. I head out of her work area toward the front of the store. When I reach the lobby, I do a quick scan of the room. No Jack. Damn. He must be busy. I didn’t need to see him again, anyway. I raise my top and take one last peek at my accomplishment for the day and smile before pushing open the door and walking toward my car.
Chapter 7
Seven Years and Nine Months Earlier
Jack
“Oh, Jack, it’s beautiful. And it didn’t even hurt. You’re the best boyfriend!” Piper stands in front of the mirror and checks out her new piercing. The small silver flower sits on her belly button with a blue stone placed precisely in the center. Every single thing about her is perfect. I can’t believe she’s mine. Fucking luck or maybe fate. I thank Annie every day for taking me to that meeting three months ago.
“The stone matches your eyes,” I say.
“I didn’t notice, but it does. Thank you.”
She lowers her shirt and slowly looks up. Her blue eyes meet mine and darken with desire. Her gaze travels to the door of my station.
“Closed and locked,” I mumble as I grab her wrist pulling her body in close to mine. Her lips find my neck and then my face. Her mouth moves quickly as she scatters kisses along my jawline until she reaches my ear.
“I need you to fuck me, Jack. Now. Against the wall.”
The sexual tension starts the second she lies down on my table for her piercing. My hands on her skin. The sexy way she moved her hips every time I touched her stomach. Piper is one of the most sexual chicks I’ve ever been around. It’s as if she can’t help herself. She can be completely satisfied one minute and tearing my clothes off the next.
I slam her against the wall. Her lips meet mine and it’s on. Hard and fast just the way she wants it. No foreplay, just fucking. She grabs the hem of my shirt and tugs on it until it’s lying on the floor. Before I get my pants down, she is completely naked.