Solitude (Artistic Pricks Ink #3)

by Cat Mason

  The question knocks me for a loop. I hadn’t expected that to be the next thing to come out of his mouth, but at least it’s more than brushing me off. “Is there a drive thru on the strip for that now, too?” I ask, laughing nervously.

  Mitch laughs. Shaking his head, he places the tubing down on the corner table beside the sink. “I wouldn’t doubt it, but I think you know that’s not what I meant, smart ass.”

  I shrug. “Sure, I’ve thought about it, I guess. I’m not opposed to the idea of gracing the world with another me, someday.” Rubbing my hand over his abdomen, I look up at him and smirk. “You got somethin’ to tell me, hot stuff?”

  “No, I won’t be bringin’ ya brownie bags full of sonograms and pacifiers anytime soon, if that’s what you’re askin’.” He laughs again, his eyes soften, losing focus as he talks. “I don’t know. Between Maddie, and now Leah, it just has me thinkin’ about my life. I just always figured I’d be a father by now, that’s all. I’ve always wanted a big family since I was an only child. I wanted to be the father I never had, you know? When Becky died, none of that stuff mattered anymore.”

  “And now?”

  I can’t help binging on his voice, on his words, as he speaks. Hearing him talk about personal pieces of him this way, letting me see those parts of him is something I can’t get enough of. I crave it, and the small doses are just never enough. There isn’t much I wouldn’t do to keep him talking like this.

  “And now…” His arms wrap around me, pulling me into his chest. Tipping up my chin, I look into those brown eyes as he smiles down at me. His hands slide down to my ass, kneading my flesh with his fingers. My stomach flips, just like that I am ready to strip him naked and say to hell with the mound of paperwork waiting on my desk. “There’s something we need to do,” he blurts, taking me by surprise again.

  “Mmm, is that so?” I purr, waggling my brows. “Lock the door, but we gotta be quick.”

  Burying his face in my hair, he laughs, his entire body shaking against mine. “Not exactly what I meant, sweetness.” Pressing a kiss to my collarbone, he brings one hand up to cup my face and meets my eyes. “After work, I need to take you somewhere.”

  “Does it involve a drive thru?” I tease him.

  He shakes his head, a grin spreading across his face. My fingers go into his hair, pulling his lips to mine. My tongue skims his, tasting what’s mine. Every time I kiss him, the same electricity courses through my veins.

  Turning us, Mitch presses my back to the counter. His hips rock into me, his erection pressing into my belly. Fuck. Moving his fingers up, he pushes beneath the hem of my shirt. The second his hand connects with my bare skin, he groans, the sound has me wobbling on my unsteady legs.

  Without missing a beat, he hoists me onto the countertop. “Can’t have you on your knees just yet,” he chuckles, kissing his way down my jaw.

  “Feel free to hit yours anytime, prick,” I breathe, tilting my head back to give him better access.

  Holding me on the edge of the counter, Mitch grinds himself into me. His hard cock presses into me, exactly where I want it. His other hand comes up, palming my breast through my shirt. My nipple hardens beneath his touch, begging to be freed and taken by his mouth. “How do you make everything so much better?” he asks, brushing his lips over the hollow of my throat. “I can forget everything when I’m with you. Even my own name.”

  “Superpowers,” I reply breathlessly. “Don’t worry, if you ever did forget your name, I always end up screaming it anyway.”

  “See,” he laughs, kissing the corner of my mouth. “Always lookin’ out for me.”

  “What can I say, I’m a giver.”

  The door flies open, making me jump in Mitch’s arms. Looking over, I find Luke taking up the doorway. “Why is it every time you two wander off, we catch you in here in compromising positions? You’re worse than horny teenagers.”

  “Holy shit!” Skinner’s voice echoes from behind him. “Is she naked? Why am I not in there to watch… I mean serenade them with my song?” he asks, his Mohawk peeking up from behind Luke. “Shelby and Mitch, if Luke would move, then I could see, them f-u-c—“

  Luke rears back his arm, silencing him with an elbow to the gut. “Do we work around here at all?” Luke asks sarcastically, rolling his eyes. “Your appointment is up front, Mitch. The paperwork is all signed on the counter already and Kionna is showing him to your station now. While Shelby handles the payroll for the week, I’ll be in my office Googling chastity belts and shock collars.”

  “Damn, Luke,” Skinner says following Luke up the hall. “You’re a kinky fucker.”

  “I told ya to lock that,” I remind Mitch, pressing my face into his chest.

  “You did,” he agrees. Helping me down from the counter, he kisses the top of my head. “We’ll pick this up later at my place.”

  “I’ll hold you to that.”

  He presses a kiss to my lips, lingering just enough to stir up the butterflies in my stomach. “Go ahead, I’m fully prepared to tie you to my bed to return the favor.”

  Winking, he releases me and disappears from the room, leaving my knees wobbly and my entire body sparking from his kiss.

  “Shit,” I mumble, blowing out a shaky breath. Forcing my legs to work, I head back up the hall to tackle the mountain sized stack of paperwork that is waiting for me.

  Sitting at my desk, I glance over at Mitch’s station. His client is on his stomach, on the table, while Mitch is bent over him, applying the outline for the tattoo along the back of his shoulders. The muscles in Mitch’s back and biceps flex and shift against his t-shirt as he works. My stomach flips. My fingers itch to touch him, to feel his body beneath my hands as he moves inside me.

  Taking a step back, Mitch glances my way. He winks at me, a sexy smirk spreading across his face. He knows I’m watching and he knows what it does to me. Asshole. Shaking out his arm, he flexes his bicep before grabbing his gun and turning away from me.

  Fuck. It’s going to be a long day.

  Chapter Twenty

  Shelby

  “Where are we going?” I ask Mitch as he steers my car through traffic.

  The minute I shut off my computer for the day, he is waiting beside me, impatiently. Now, here I sit in the passenger seat of my beautiful Mustang while my favorite prick navigates the interstate like it’s his rookie year in Nascar.

  Removing his hand from the shifter, he reaches over and squeezes my knee. “Can’t you just enjoy the ride?” he asks, taking my hand in his and placing them on the gear shift.

  “I love a good ride,” I say, when I see him glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. “Generally, I’m the one driving.”

  “Sweetness,” he purrs, squeezing my hand. “Let me tell you a secret. Even when you’re driving, I’m still in control of the wheel.”

  “You give good sexual innuendo,” I say, shivering in my seat. “That dirty mouth of yours could be a national treasure. Except, I have no intention of sharing it.”

  “Good to know.”

  Signaling, Mitch takes the exit ramp. I read the street signs, trying to figure out where we are. Pulling into a large lot, I see a tall building and it hits me. “Your mom?” I ask, when he pulls into a parking spot and shuts off the engine. “You brought me to meet Hannah?”

  Shifting in the seat to face me, he nods. “Yeah, you okay with that?”

  “That’s pretty important, Mitch,” I say nervously. I know how much Hannah means to him. His mother is the only blood relative he has and, according to Luke, they have always been very close.

  “So are you,” he replies, taking my hand and pressing a kiss to the inside of my wrist. “Come on, she’ll love you.”

  Nodding, I slip my hand from his and climb from the car. Mitch leads me through the lot and into the building where he signs us in as visitors. Taking his hand, I walk with him as he navigates the halls. All the doors are closed, only the numbered plaques besi
de each one give you any indication that you’re even moving at all.

  Stepping up to a door, Mitch turns the knob. The smell of garlic and sauce hits me the minute we step inside. “Ma?” Closing the door behind him, Mitch takes my hand. “We’re here.”

  “We?” Turning around, she wipes her hands on her black and red apron. Her eyes light up the minute she lays eyes on us. “Just in time, too. I swear, only my son can smell the sauce the second it comes to a boil,” she says, meeting my eyes as she crosses the room. “So, you must be Shelby,” she says, stopping in front of me. “Makes me very happy to be able to finally thank you in person for the flowers.”

  “I wasn’t aware you knew I was the one who sent them,” I inform her. “All I know is Mitch said he messed up and I know his stubborn ass well enough to know he’d never come groveling with flowers like you deserved,” I say with a shrug. “The least I could do is make sure you got the flowers.”

  Her eyes dance with amusement, her gaze drifting to Mitch. “She’s a spitfire. You need someone who doesn’t take your shit,” she says, patting his arm. “Hang on to this one, I like her.”

  “Hi, Ma.” Leaning down, Mitch presses a kiss to her cheek. “Smells amazing in here.”

  “It should,” she sighs, patting his face. “Making homemade sauce in this small kitchen is a miraculous feat.” Looking between him and me, she smiles. “Tonight is special, though, so it’s worth it.” Reaching out, she grabs my free hand. “Mitchell, why don’t you get the serving dish from the counter? Shelby and I can chat.”

  Nodding, he squeezes my hand reassuringly before releasing me and heading over to the kitchen. Hannah leads me toward a small, four seat table, angled in the corner, that is decorated with red and gold linens and white china. A basket of homemade garlic knots sits in the center with a bowl of salad beside a pitcher of ice tea.

  Taking a seat, I stare at the perfectly set table as Hannah takes the chair across from me. “It isn’t everyday my son brings a girl to meet me. Only happened one other time. Seeing as how I know you’re aware of all of that, you can see how I view this as a very special occasion.” I nod. Pouring a glass of tea, she hands it to me before pouring two more.

  “Dinner is served,” Mitch says, placing a steaming serving dish full of Chicken Parmesan on the table. Taking the seat beside me, he squeezes my knee. Taking the serving spoon, he scoops a helping onto his mother’s plate, then my own, before finally serving himself.

  Slicing my fork through the tender chicken, I bite back a moan as soon as the taste hits my tongue. Mitch doesn’t hide his enthusiasm, inhaling pasta and chicken between bites of bread. Hannah laughs, shaking her head. “Typical Taylor, the manners go out the window as soon the food hits his plate.” Carefully using her spoon to wrap pasta around her fork, Hannah looks at me with a smile. “So, Shelby, tell me more about this pole dancing exercise class business. Is there an age limit?”

  Mitch chokes on his food. “Jesus, Ma,” he breathes, reaching for his glass.

  “What?” she asks, reaching for a piece of bread. “It sounds like a fun way to burn off all the pasta and sauce calories. Your father always told me I had the legs of a dancer,” she laughs, her fingers brushing over the watch on her wrist. “The old fool.”

  The rest of dinner goes smoothly. I explain a lot of our plans for the studio to Hannah. I tell her all about how Ki, Leah, and I want to cater to all ages and even offer a maternity class and other things besides classes only involving the pole. She tells me about her boyfriend, William, and how she wished he could be here tonight.

  “His family had been planning this trip to visit him for quite some time,” she tells me as I help her carry dishes into the kitchen. “Next week, though.”

  “Next week?” I ask, looking over at Mitch where he stands leaning against the doorway.

  “Family dinner night, every Monday.”

  Hannah turns and takes the plates from me after placing her stack in the sink. “It’s not as glamourous as it sounds, but it’s my excuse to see my favorite son every week.”

  “I’m your only son, Ma.” Wrapping his arms around me from behind, Mitch laughs.

  “Still, no less true,” she counters.

  After saying goodbye to Hannah, we head to my place where Mitch gives me all of two minutes to grab some things before he drives us to his condo. He seems lighter, happy even. The smile hasn’t left his face since we stepped inside Hannah’s front door.

  “Thank you for tonight, Shel,” Mitch says, pulling into the spot in front of his condo.

  “I was surprised,” I admit. “You tend to keep parts of your life compartmentalized. I didn’t expect to meet Hannah tonight, but I’m glad you took me with you.”

  “I don’t mean to,” he says, knitting his brows together. Reaching across the console, he takes my hand. “I’m trying to figure this out. I’m fighting against the tide, trying to change how I’ve been for what feels like forever. I’m so afraid of losing how good this feels. That, one day, I’ll wake up and this will have all been just a dream.”

  “I know, honey.” His eyes close when I reach out and brush my fingers over his cheek. “You’re not fighting alone. I’m gloved up and ready to kick serious ass.” Balling my other hand into a fist, I hold it up. His eyes open and he smiles. “I’ve got a hell of an arm.”

  “Hell yeah, you do, baby.” Mitch winces, no doubt remembering one of the numerous times I have used it on him.

  Reaching behind him, he grabs my bags. Opening the door, he turns and looks at me with a devilish grin. “Now, you’ve got all of ten seconds to get that fine ass of yours in my house and naked before I bend you over the hood of your car.”

  “Nothing says romance like anal.”

  Fuck. My entire body trembles at the thought. The feel of being pressed to the cool metal of the hood while Mitch’s heat envelops my back. His cock driving into my ass as his balls slap into me.

  Hello instantaneous orgasm.

  Mitch laughs, climbing out of the car, he makes his way to my door and opens it. “Come on,” he says, tugging on my hand. “As hot as it would be to fuck your ass on the hood of that car, I don’t want to revisit the police station any time soon.”

  Giggling, I shut the door and follow him up the walk. Stepping inside, I make a mental note to ask Ki about those road trips to the desert she makes with Luke every weekend.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Mitch

  I had no doubt my Ma would love Shelby. They are a lot alike. Both of them are full of fire and spunk, keeping me constantly on my toes. For weeks, Ma had been badgering me to bring the girl she knew was responsible for sending the flowers. The stubborn old woman didn’t let up, said she just knew Shelby was special.

  I couldn’t agree more.

  It just felt right with her there. Shelby was a piece that, though I didn’t know was missing, I can’t imagine going back to a family dinner without her. It was clear that Ma had missed the lighthearted laughter and easy conversation. There hasn’t been a lot of that in the last year or two.

  Without even realizing it, Shelby has begun repairing something that I broke, by pushing away my mother, after Becky died.

  Slowly but surely, she’s been putting me back together when I never thought it was possible.

  Dropping her bags in the chair, I round the coffee table like a prowling panther. Shelby kicks out of her shoes, her fingers reaching for the hem of her shirt. “See something you like?” she asks, tugging it over her head revealing her breasts encased in black lace.

  Nodding, I step closer. Stopping right in front of her, I trace the lace on her chest with my fingertips. She bites her lip, watching my every move. Her nipples taunt me, pressing against the fabric, more and more, with every rise and fall of her chest.

  Bringing up my other hand, I palm both of her breasts through the satin and lace. She moans and, just like that, my cock is rock hard. Reaching out, she steadies herself by grippin
g the belt loops on my jeans. Unable to help myself, I grip the lace in my hands. Ripping it from her body, I toss it to the floor, licking my lips in anticipation.

  “Asshole,” she moans when I suck one of her hardening nipples into my mouth. “I just bought that bra.”

  “Add it to my tab,” I murmur over her skin, kissing my way to her other breast. “I need you naked.”

  Shelby’s hands cup my face, pushing me away. She slams my back to the wall, knocking some decorative photo of the Vegas Strip at night to the floor, the glass cracking inside the frame. “Guess I’m evening things up,” she laughs, kicking it out of her way. Dropping to her knees, she pops open the button on my jeans. Yanking my jeans down my thighs, she frees my cock from the tight confines of the denim.

  “Mmm, I love commando days,” Shelby moans, pressing a kiss to the tip. She looks up at me through her lashes, the blue in her eyes blazing.

  “You’re a goddamn tease, woman.”

  “It’s like you don’t even know me.” Bracing her hands on my thighs, she licks her lips before taking my cock into her mouth.

  The heat of her mouth causes my hips to jolt. One of her hands comes up, her fingers wrapping around the base of my dick while she works me in and out of her mouth, slowly. She hums around me, flattening her tongue to tease the sensitive skin and every barbell as she takes me to the back of her throat.

  My hands go into her hair, tugging at the strands in a plea for more. She’s fucking killing me and she knows it. I’ve been dying for this all day long. Trying to tattoo with a raging hard on is far from easy. I could feel Shelby watching me, undressing me with her eyes, while I worked. I don’t know who it was more painful for, me or the kid on my table. He spent most of the three-hour session crying; there were times, I was right there with him.

  Releasing her grip on my cock, Shelby relaxes her jaw and grabs onto my thighs again. Fisting her hair, I watch my dick slide in and out of her mouth as I fuck her face. She stares up at me, her eyes hooded. My balls tighten and, as much as I want to come while thrusting into that ass of hers, it will have to wait.