Tattoo Killer (A Tattoo Crimes Novel Book 1)

by A. J. Norris

  “I'll get you a fresh towel so you can wash your face or take a shower.” He went to the linen closet in the hallway.

  She looked into the mirror while he was gone. Her appearance was worse than she imagined. How embarrassing. He came back into the bathroom and stood behind her while she splashed warm water on her face and neck.

  “Grace, what happened?” He crossed his arms over his chest and his feet at the ankles, leaning against the door.

  “Ahhh, I think…I'm going to take a shower. Okay?”

  “Please, don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're here, but what happened?”

  “Can we not talk about it right now? I'm still freaked out.” She cast her eyes down to the counter.

  Mikey nodded. She turned around when he didn't leave. “Do you have a t-shirt I could borrow?”

  “Of course, I'll get you one.”

  She'd meant to use that excuse so she could be alone, except when he started to leave she called him back. She wanted him near. “Mikey,” her breath hitched, “can you… stay? With me?”

  The expression on his face melted her insides. His eyes burned for her. She swallowed hard. That crooked smile of his made an appearance. The tiny bathroom grew larger and suddenly he seemed so far away. An easy fix. She removed her shirt and stepped closer to him, then slid her jeans down her thighs. Now it was his turn to undress. Luckily for her, he was only wearing gray plaid flannel pajama bottoms.

  He gripped the waistband and ripped them down his legs. His cock stood out from him, all proud.

  Oh God…oh…

  Grace removed her bra and panties and they stood naked before each other. A feeling of vulnerability made her want to cover herself. She crossed her arms over her breasts.

  “Please don't,” he said taking her hands. “You have an incredible body.”

  “Too skinny,” she whispered. He lifted her chin so she would meet his eyes. Crimson spread over her cheeks.

  “You do realize we've had sex before and I've seen every inch of you already, right?”

  “I know. But I'm a mess. My mascara is running down—”

  “Shhh,” he said, cupping her breasts. She angled her head up as he leaned in for a kiss. “Let's get you cleaned up,” he said against her mouth.

  “I know, I’m really dirty.”

  “Yep.” With a smile he reached into the shower and turned it on, tested the temperature, and led her inside the cramped stall. They stood under the spray flush against each other. He ran his fingers through her hair, allowing the water to sluice through to the ends. She closed her eyes and moaned.

  “Ahhh, that feels good.” He squeezed shampoo into his hands then started massaging her scalp. Her little noises of pleasure continued. Even though she wasn't looking at him she sensed him smiling at her. Her eyes opened; she was right.

  “What?”

  “Nothing. I'm enjoying the sounds you make.”

  She blushed. “I like how you sound too.”

  “I wasn't aware I was making any noise.”

  She laughed deep in her throat. “You were.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  She wrapped her arms around his waist as he rinsed her hair. They made lots of eye contact. She couldn't take her gaze off of him. His handsome features excited her, but the soulfulness of his blue eyes was his best asset. She felt like she knew him. He would never lie to her. How could anyone with eyes like that ever hurt her? He handed her a bar of soap.

  “Thank you.” Should she ask him to wash her? Her cheeks flushed with the idea. But would he think she was needy? She chickened out and lathered herself up. She twirled to allow the suds to slide down her front from the hot water.

  Mikey placed his large hands on her hips and more heat flooded her core. He sucked on her neck, flicking his tongue over the cords.

  Oh God…

  She needed him. She wanted to forget the night ever happened and as long as they were like this, she could.

  “I want you,” he murmured, “but we can talk first.”

  “Uh uh. Be with me. Please.”

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Mikey

  Mikey carried her into his bedroom after they toweled off. He laid her across the bed. The blankets had been pushed to the end when he'd gotten up to answer the door. She splayed her legs for him. The mattress depressed between her parted thighs then he covered her with his body, hovering over her. An erotic smile landed on her face as her vision focused on his…

  She gaped at him.

  “What? You like?”

  “Yes,” she said breathlessly. “I want that in me.”

  Mikey pulled the drawer open next to the bed.

  “No, in my mouth.”

  He reared up onto his knees. “Well, come and get it,” he said doing his superhero impersonation—hands on his hips, chest puffed out. A laugh burst out of her then she slithered to him. He looked down at her with a half-closed gaze.

  “Lie down.” When he was on his back she took him into her mouth.

  “Oh, Graaace…”

  Mikey didn’t want his mind to wander. Grace deserved his full attention but all he could think about had nothing to do with sex. Cody had upset her. Why? And what had happened? She’d been crying, and her mascara had run down her face. In the shower, he’d noticed a few strangely placed bruises on her arm and side. There was also a deep purple one on her knee. He suspected she wasn’t even aware of them.

  With his eyes shut and his mind someplace else, he didn’t feel her stop.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked. “You’re not into this, I can tell.” She let out a wobbly sigh.

  “It’s not that. I’m into what you’re doing.”

  “But it doesn’t feel good; I’m bad at it.” She moved away from him and lay on her side, covering her face with her arm.

  “No, Grace, believe me. I was thinking about what happened with Cody.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes. I can’t stop thinking about it. I care about you. What did he do? You have some weird bruises.” He put his hand on her side then her knee.

  “He attacked me,” Grace said after hitching a breath. “I was at the ATM.”

  “What? How?” Mikey reached for her, pulling her to his chest, his gut filled with dread.

  “I’m all right. I-I got really scared. Good thing I know a little self-defense.”

  He rubbed circles on her back. “Jesus. I hope you reported this.”

  “Of course. But I didn’t know his last name. I was going to ask you if you knew it later. I wanted to forget this night.”

  “Why didn’t you call me? I could have told you over the phone. It’s Pollard, as far as I know. He always pays in cash and I usually don’t ask for more information unless the client pays with a card.”

  “I didn’t want to bother you.”

  “Bother me? Never.”

  She nodded against his chest. A lopsided smile perked up the corner of her mouth.

  “Do you want me to talk to the police?”

  “No. It’s handled,” she said.

  Mikey brows knitted together. “What’s handled?”

  “The investigation or whatever. I’ll text the detective in the morning. You know what’s funny? I already thought the idiot was creepy before.” She shivered.

  “Yeah I kind of thought that myself. Dammit. I’m so sorry I introduced you. What did the police say? Cody must’ve followed you.”

  “Totally.” She gasped. “Crap, does he know where you live?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  God. I hope not.

  Mikey never thought he would be grateful Brayden would be staying away for a few more weeks. “I think—”

  “Shhh.” She put a finger up to his mouth then kissed his lips. “Let’s not think anymore.”

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-FIVE

  Grace

  This feels so right.

  Mikey’s warm, smooth skin over hard muscles pressed up against her bod
y. Grace squirmed in his arms and he hardened for her again. He rolled onto his back, taking her with him. Her hands pushed down on his shoulders as she straddled him, her black hair forming a curtain around his face. He smiled up at her. His eyes smoldered like an invitation to join them together.

  Her slow, steady rhythm brought forth wonderful noises from him. The power she had over him eased her mind about being attacked. She wanted to be in control tonight. Mikey somehow anticipated what she needed from him.

  Mikey’s inhales quickened the way only a man’s did during sex. His manhood thickened inside her. He was getting close to orgasm. The idea made her wetter. Hotter. She sat up more, removed her hands from his shoulders, and placed them on his thighs behind her. Her hair whipped up and around as she tossed her head back. Her cries echoed off the ceiling. She pulsed all around him. His hips surged up and he thrusted into her.

  “Oh. Oh. Grace,” he said, sucking in air with each word.

  Sweat glistened on his forehead and moistened the back of her neck. His eyes clamped shut and he arched his back. He grabbed her hips like he needed to keep her from escaping. They rode out the waves of ecstasy as one.

  After he was spent, she laid out beside him. “I’m starting to like sex more and more.”

  “What?” He chuckled. “You didn’t like it before?”

  “I did, but not this much. My ex thought I was cold. I wasn’t, I just didn’t like having it with him.”

  “I’m not even going to ask why.” He paused. “Okay. Why?”

  Grace smiled. The laughter that followed wasn’t something she could do before, when she thought about her bad marriage. “He was an ass. Always too busy for me. Never hugged me unless I asked for one. Then he’d want sex and, well, I didn’t feel like doing it. I guess I needed more attention…”

  Shut up, Grace. He doesn’t want to hear about this.

  “More attention?” He drew out the second word, looking for more explanation.

  She blushed. “I don’t know. I’m not needy or anything, but—”

  “I don’t think you’re needy.” He rolled onto his side and rubbed her arm.

  “I guess I wanted him to pay a little more attention to me. He was an attorney and gone all the time. Then he expected me to put out without so much as a kiss on the cheek or a hello, how are you?”

  “Sounds like a moron. I don’t treat my women like that.”

  “Women?” She narrowed her eyes at him.

  He grinned and tucked her to his body. “I’m only seeing you, you know.”

  “Okay.” Grace tried to keep the skepticism out of her voice and failed.

  “Honest. I’m not a player or anything. Although I’ve had more than one girlfriend in the past.”

  “At the same time?”

  “No, I didn’t mean at the same time, Grace. I know how to treat a lady is all I’m saying.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

  God, she needed to clamp her mouth shut with a vice grip.

  “Are you trying to tell me you don’t want me to see other people?”

  “Yeah, sorry,” she squeaked and buried her face in the crook of her elbow.

  “Don’t apologize. I understand. And I’m not seeing anyone else. I want to see where this goes. Like I said, I care about you,” he said.

  Grace exhaled like a slow gas leak. “Yeah? Me too.”

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-SIX

  Grace

  Grace lay sprawled out on Mikey’s bed. She scissor-kicked on the blue velveteen blanket and reveled in the softness.

  “What are you doing? You’re shaking the whole bed.” Although he faced away from her, she could tell he was smiling.

  “Nothing. This blanket is awesome.”

  He chuckled and rolled onto his back this time. “It’s only a blanket.”

  “No it’s not. Did you hear what I said? It’s awesome.” She grabbed the edge and wrapped the coverlet around her.

  “Well, it’s mine and you can’t have it, if that’s what you’re hinting at.”

  “Oh, yeah?” she said, mounting his hips. “We’ll see about that.” As she leaned forward his knee came up and nudged her down to his chest. Their lips met. “You want me to kiss you now?” she said against his mouth.

  “Yes.” His tongue found its way past her lips.

  “Mmmm. Me likes.” His shaft grew rigid. She rubbed against him and her body responded the way she intended.

  Oh, yes.

  His hands cupped and squeezed her bottom. She pushed herself up so her hands were on his shoulders. “Get up. I wanna try something.”

  “Does this something involve sex?” He pursed his lips and looked at her out of one eye.

  “Of course. But I need you sitting on the floor for this.” He complied and lay out on the tan carpet. She smirked. “You have to sit up. Now bring your knees up.” She straddled him then rose up to give him space to maneuver. “No, not like that. A little lower. I think…there, that’s it.”

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  “Oh, you mean protection? Yeah, about that, I should’ve told you before. I take shots for that.”

  “Are you sure?” He kissed her collarbone.

  “Yeah, I’m sure. I’m not diseased or anything. Unless you are? Then…”

  “Squeaky clean,” he said, gazing into her eyes.

  Grace settled down, taking him inside her. With her head higher than his, her breasts were right in his face. This position required her to do all of the work but the payoff was deeper penetration. And…

  Oh yes.

  He found one of her nipples and sucked the tight bead into his mouth. She grasped the back of his head and held him in place for a minute or two…or three.

  “What do you want me to do?” His eyes were at half-mast. He was already breathing out of his mouth. She licked her lips.

  “I don’t know. Enjoy or…grab my ass or something.”

  “Not a problem.”

  Kama Sutra here I come.

  She’d browsed the shelves of the bookstore and happened to come across a certain book accidently, or maybe on purpose. The thought made her grin.

  Grace worked up a sweat in the first couple of minutes. Sex was hard work. No wonder men always tried to be on the bottom. She leaned her head back. She’d come to appreciate her nipples and body more since being with Mikey. He made her feel beautiful, sexy. The first orgasm left her thighs weak. She struggled to keep going. Luckily, Mikey was right there with helping hands, like he’d read her mind.

  “Oh, Grace. Oh, fuck.”

  Her inner walls started to contract. “Mikey!” His name erupted from her mouth. “Come with me, baby.”

  The words barely made it past her lips when he shouted in ecstasy. He held onto her as they rode out the waves of pleasure. She flattened his cheek to her chest and stroked his hair.

  “You still can’t have my blanket.” He released her and eased his back onto the floor.

  “Darn it. Are you serious? My plan didn’t work,” she teased as she got up. “I’m gonna use your shower, do you mind?”

  “No. And for future reference you don’t have to ask. Oh shit, what time is it?”

  She walked into the bathroom. “Um, it’s Saturday. Do you have to work?”

  He sighed. “Unfortunately yes. Not until one o’clock but I have something to do first. I promised to help a friend.”

  She walked back into the bedroom. Mikey sat on the side of the bed checking his phone. His finger swiped across the glass screen. A line creased his forehead.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No, it’s getting late. I can drop you off at your apartment.”

  “I’m not going back there. Lost my purse. I’m sure Cody picked it up.”

  “Shit. Well, if you need a place to stay for a while, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.” He rose to his feet and stood in front of her, cupping her face in his hands.

  Grace looked into his blue eyes, in love w
ith how free he made her feel. She was completely naked and unashamed. “’Kay. Thanks. Where do you have to go this morning? So early?”

  “Botanical Park Gardens. Supposed to help plant some trees.”

  “Oh, that’s cool. Can I come?”

  “Yep.” He kissed her. Maybe the shower could wait.

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  Mikey

  Webster Botanical Park Gardens was Mikey and his son’s favorite place to visit. Mikey felt like a pansy for admitting that out loud and covered up his embarrassment by pretending the only reason he’d volunteered this morning was because his neighbor needed help.

  “So what do you need to help plant?” Grace asked while Mikey parked his car in the gravel lot.

  “The guy that lives across the street from me. His wife died last winter and loved this place. He wanted to honor her memory by sponsoring a small plot.”

  “Oh that’s,” Grace put her hand on her chest, “lovely.”

  He shrugged. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool, I guess.”

  They got out of the car. The parking lot gravel crunched beneath their feet. Mikey’s white-haired neighbor, Davis, met them at the entrance to the greenhouse turned gift shop and donation center. The guy had cloudy blue eyes and a ruddy face. His handshake was still firm even at eighty-two years old. Davis handed him a pair of leather work gloves.

  “Who’s your lady friend?”

  “This is my girlfriend, Grace. Grace, this is Davis, my neighbor.”

  Grace extended her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise, my dear.” Davis shook her hand. “Mikey tells me you’re an accountant.” He winked at Mikey.

  Her face brightened. “Yes. CPA.” She peered over at Mikey.

  Yeah, I’ve been talking about you.

  “Well, shall we? The plot is over by the pond,” Davis said.

  They walked through the greenhouse and made a right. Along the way, Mikey chatted with Davis about the plans for the garden bed.

  The pond was actually a stone enclosed aboveground shallow pool with lily pads floating on the surface. Patches of water iris grew up out of the water and a statue of two frogs leaping over each other stood in the middle.