“I want to know you enough.”
She’d come to Midnight Ink for a reason, and now Shep was going to help her. No matter that she thought she was crazy and everyone who knew her would think the same, there was only one answer.
“Yes. Okay. Let’s do that.”
Shep grinned and leaned forward. Shea’s chin raised on its own accord, but he didn’t kiss her. She felt oddly bereft that he didn’t even try, but she didn’t say anything. He brushed her cheek once more and smiled softly.
He reached around to his back pocket and pulled out a card. “Here you go. Take this and I’ll get yours.”
She nodded and pulled a card out of her purse. He looked down and smiled. “Accountant. Totally knew it.”
Great. She even looked boring.
“Hey now. I like prim and proper. I’ll call you in a bit, and we can talk about what we’re going to do and how I’m going to help you find the perfect ink.”
“Okay,” she whispered, not feeling at all like the cold woman she usually was. Shep seemed to heat her up from the inside out, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
With one last look, he walked back into Midnight, leaving her on the street, dazed. She shook her head, made her way back to her car, then back to her house, his card still clutched in her palm. She never took days off, but she’d taken this one off to get it done and now the day was ruined, wasted.
She had no idea what she was doing.
Shea walked into her home and took a look around. The prim house, the prim decorations, the prim…everything. None of it showcased who she was.
No, it told her who her mother was and what her mother wanted for her when Shea bought the house. Shea had long ago given up the fight when it came to what her mother wanted.
Well, other than leaving Richard, her ex-fiancé. Her mother had screamed and threatened to disown her for making what she considered the mistake of a lifetime.
Shea never could live up to her mother’s dreams.
She took off her shoes and walked to the couch, sinking into its cushions. Everything around her was so cold, uninviting, but the cushions on the couch were soft enough that she could at least get somewhat comfortable.
The card in her hand called to her, and she looked down at it. What the heck was she doing? She had gone into Midnight Ink because her New Year’s resolution was to do something for herself, something so out of character that she just might be able to find the person she wanted to be.
She’d always loved ink. She loved the way people looked with it. She thought the swirls, dark colors, and shading were freaking sexy. She’d always been too chicken to do anything about it before. Now, though, she wanted it.
She just didn’t have a clue about what design she wanted. Shep was going to help with that though.
Shep.
His dark hair and light eyes called to her, even if she had no idea why. He was going to help her find herself. Okay, that sounded lame, even though it was true.
Everything could go up in flames if she made the wrong choice, but it didn’t matter.
It was all or nothing.
Her cell rang, and she frowned. God, she hoped it wasn’t Richard or her mother. They never stopped bugging her with their own opinions on how she should run her life.
She didn’t recognize the number on the screen, so she answered as coolly as possible.
“Yes?”
“Shea? It’s Shep.”
Her pulse beat in her ears, and she swallowed hard.
“Yes, this is Shea.”
“I’m glad you didn’t give me a fake card. That’s why I asked for that rather than you putting your number in my phone. Harder to fake that on the fly.”
“Oh. I guess.”
Great. She needed to learn to use complete sentences, or he was going to think she was a complete idiot.
“What do you say I take you out for a night on the town tomorrow night after my shift?”
“Why? For what?”
He gave a deep chuckle, and it shot straight between her legs. Dear Lord, even the man’s laugh was sexy.
“I told you I want to get to know you to help you. And fuck, just to get to know you. I’m thinking we can pick up a quick dinner then spend the rest of the night exploring to see what you like. What do you say?”
He wanted to do something without a firm schedule she could check over and over again? She wasn’t a hundred percent sure of that; this wasn’t normal for her. She didn’t want it to be normal.
“Okay. That sounds fine.”
“Good. I’ll meet you in front of the shop at seven tomorrow. That way you’ll feel more comfortable than me coming to your house and freaking you out.”
She relaxed and smiled, even though he couldn’t see it. She didn’t know how he knew she was worried about him knowing where she lived, but she liked it.
“Okay.”
“Okay then. See you tomorrow, Shea.”
“Tomorrow, Shep.”
He hung up, and she stared at the phone, not sure what had just happened. She’d spent too much of her life on the sidelines, and this man and his ideas could help her.
Those striking blue eyes, the scratchy voice, and his sexy tattoos just might be worth upsetting her whole world order.
Chapter Three
Shep changed needles, finished with the overall outline and ready for shading. He rolled his shoulders and took a look at his work.
Not bad.
Okay, it was better than that. Way fucking better, but he knew it was a process, and he was never happy with his work until the finished project. Each layer of outlining, shading, and color added to the overall look. He knew what he wanted and how that blended with what the client wanted. Eventually, once he added the final layers, the tat would look fucking amazing. Now, though, it was only a half-finished piece.
“How’s it looking?” the man on the bench asked, careful not to turn around.
Shep was in the middle of putting a kick-ass phoenix on the man’s back with its wings wrapping around the side. He’d finished the outline in their last session and was going over certain spots today to make sure they were perfect. Then he’d be doing some of the initial shading before he added color. He usually waited to do the shading, but he wanted to make sure it didn’t look too dark since the vibrant orange and reds really needed to pop in the finished piece.
“It’s gonna fucking rock,” Shep answered and began the shading. The buzzing sound of the needle shot straight through him as it always did. He loved shading the best because the needle moved at a slower pace, and for most people, it felt hella good.
From the way his client moaned, Shep wasn’t wrong.
He worked for another two hours, his mind on his hands and his ink. While some people might daydream while working, his job was a little different. One wrong movement and he’d fuck up someone’s skin.
Not cool.
Even as he tried to keep focus, though, his thoughts went to the woman with pale, pale blue eyes…like crystals in water on a sunny day and a pixie face.
Shea.
Jesus, he liked that smooth-as-silk yet hard-as-ice woman, and he didn’t even know her past a few words and touches.
There had to be something wrong with him. He’d never been drawn to a woman like her at all.
Shep moved back and shook his head while cleaning off the leftover ink, plasma, and blood from where he was working. He seriously needed to get his mind off Shea and their date tonight. She might not call it a date, but he would. He wanted her, and he wasn’t going to lie to himself about it. He was way too damned old for that.
He rolled his shoulders and got back to work. This phoenix was going to fucking rock. He’d known it when he’d first done the sketches over a month ago, but it wasn’t until now that he really thought it could be something big.
There was another spark running along his skin, getting him excited about what he was doing for the first time in way too long.
It had to be
Shea. She was the only thing different in his life, even though she really wasn’t a huge part of it.
At least not yet.
He was going to change that.
He grinned and started on some of the color for the wings, getting into each stroke of the needle.
After another hour and a half, he pulled back, sweat marking his brow and his back straining. Too many hours bent over a table would do that to a man.
He snorted, thinking about what Caliph or Austin would say to him if he’d said that aloud.
Yeah, not sharing that thought.
He cleaned up the guy’s back then put ointment on the area. “Okay, you’re all done for this session. I think one more should do it.”
The guy got up and smiled. “You’re a god with the needle, Shep. It didn’t hurt a bit.”
Shep grinned. “Even if it did, you’d like it.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “True. So when can we do our last session?”
Shep went through the aftercare instructions. This guy was a regular, but it never hurt to go over them again. The last thing Shep wanted was a shitty healing and cleanup job to ruin his art. They scheduled the session for three weeks from then when they both had time, and Shep went back to clean up his space.
He’d really gotten into the piece, and it had taken a full hour longer than he’d intended. It was already quarter ‘til seven. He wouldn’t have time to head home and grab a quick shower.
Shit.
He hadn’t wanted to look like a sweaty loser for his date, but she’d have to take what she got. After all, he was just Shep. He’d have to be good enough.
He went to the employee restroom and stripped off his shirt, then pulled another on. He would still wear his worn-in jeans and boots, but at least he had a black button-down to wear. It was just getting to that time of year when it was muggy at night too, so he didn’t bother with his leather jacket. He ran his hand through his hair and called it a day.
He didn’t look like some GQ model with the tats, nipple piercings—and more—but he did all right for himself. From the way Shea’s gaze raked his body the day before, he had a feeling what he had did it for her. What she had sure as fuck did it for him.
“Looking good,” Sassy said as she walked to the back to get her purse. “Though you might have wanted to shower before your big date with the ice princess.”
He scowled. “Don’t call her that. And how the hell do you know I have a date tonight with her?”
“Sassy knows all.”
Shep rolled his eyes. “You were lurking around the corner when I called her yesterday, weren’t you?”
She just raised her brow. “I have no idea what you are talking about. Sassy doesn’t lurk.”
“Stop talking about yourself in third person. You’re creeping me out.”
She just shook her head and laughed. “Spray yourself down with some cologne but not that frat-boy crap with the shitty commercials.”
“I don’t even own the frat-boy crap, Sass.”
“Then we won’t have a problem. Good luck with your main squeeze tonight, sugar. You’re gonna need it.”
“What the fuck do you mean by that? You saying I’m not good enough for her?”
She held her palms out. “That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m just saying that woman had a shield around her so tight that even I couldn’t see through, and you know I’m good as fuck when it comes to that. You’ll have to break through that ice if you want to know who she is. And what the fuck is with you saying you’re not good enough? You’ve never been one to lack self-esteem, Shep. What’s going on?”
Shep shook his head. “Never mind. I’m just antsy.”
Sassy smiled and twirled the long strip of pink hair between her fingers. “I see. So this one’s special. Good to know.”
Shep narrowed his eyes. “Back off, Sassy.”
“Don’t worry, sugar. I’m sure everything will work out.” With that, she sauntered out of the room, hips swaying.
Jesus, that woman was a nut job sometimes.
Shea would be outside within the next five minutes, and he didn’t want her to wait. Remembering the way she’d looked like a frightened rabbit the last time he’d seen her, he wasn’t about to leave it up to fate that she’d actually stay.
His phone buzzed against his leg, and he cursed. It better not be Shea calling to cancel.
Without looking at the screen, he answered. “You better be outside and not ready to cancel on me, babe.”
“Having to threaten your dates now? What the hell is going on in New Orleans that a Montgomery is losing their street cred?”
Shep cursed at Austin’s words. “Jesus. I thought you were someone else.”
“Clearly. What’s wrong? Having trouble in the sack?”
“I’m not talking about sex with you, Austin, just because you aren’t getting any. I don’t have time to discuss it right now.”
“Ouch. Cruel words for a man who thinks his date is about to dump him.”
“Shut it. I’ve got to go since Shea is probably outside waiting for me and I’m here talking with you.”
“Shea, is it? Pretty name.”
“Austin,” Shep growled.
“Hey, don’t jump on me. Go on your date if she shows. Hope she does because I’m not in the mood to deal with your emo bullshit if she doesn’t. I called to tell you I booked a flight to come down there in three days. That cool?”
Shep sighed. He knew Austin needed to come down and clear his head for whatever reason, and Shep wanted to help. Even though they got on each other’s nerves, they were family.
“Yeah, man. It’s cool.”
“Good. And, Shep? For what it’s worth, I hope she shows. Just the way you said her name made me think she’s something.”
He hung up, leaving Shep staring at his phone. Jesus. Did he have a sign around his neck saying that Shea was different? He hadn’t even really told himself that, and yet everyone seemed to know.
He just hoped he didn’t scare her off.
Shep made his way through the front door and froze.
Holy fuck.
Shea was even sexier than he remembered, and he remembered every detail about her from the day before.
She wore a white dress with one of those cuts that went right across the shoulders but still showed some skin and made her look hella tantalizing. She had on a light pink cardigan that covered most of her arms and pearls.
Fucking pearls.
Not too big, but Jesus, she was classy.
Her dress was tight at her waist and hips and flared out at her knees. Her legs looked fucking delicious in high-heeled pink pumps with skinny little heels.
She’d put her hair in a bun at the nape of her neck so he could see all the contours of her face. Though she wasn’t all bones and angles, her cheekbones were sharp and made those hypnotic eyes pop.
Right now, though, those eyes were full of fear…and excitement.
He could work with the latter.
And he’d have to get rid of the former.
She stared up at him, a small, strained smile on her face, and he took a deep breath, forcing himself back so he wouldn’t jump on her like a frat boy in public.
“Shea, you made it.”
She blinked up at him, her gaze moving from his chest to his face.
Nice.
“I told you I’d be here. I don’t back away from my engagements.” She blushed. “Except for when I’m cornered and not wanted. Then I leave. I mean…”
He took two steps toward her and cupped her face. “Breathe, Shea. I know I freaked you out yesterday. Let’s go have fun, shall we? Let loose a bit?”
She snorted. “I’m not one to let loose.”
Oh, he’d figured that, though the fact she’d come into Midnight Ink in the first place told him she was beyond ready to do just that. She might wear the clothes of an ice princess, but he had a feeling she was hot as hell underneath them.
It was his g
oal to find out.
And not just for heat.
Oh no.
He wanted more.
“You’ll have fun tonight. I promise.” He moved to pull her closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She stiffened for a moment then relaxed a bit against him.
Progress.
“I have no idea why I’m doing this, but the heck with it. I’m doing it.” She looked up at him from beneath her lashes. “So, what exactly is it I’m doing?”
He grinned down at her and kissed her nose, unable to stop himself. She jerked back slightly, a blush rising in her cheeks, but she didn’t call him out on it.
“We’re going to Frenchman Street.”
“The street? Not a specific place?”
“You’ve been down there before?”
She nodded. “A couple of times. It’s very…colorful.”
“Tactful, baby. It’s not the main tourist destination and doesn’t have the most famous places and foodie type things, but it has great fucking music in the bars and even right on the streets. It’s just about getting to the time where people will be doing pub crawls and enjoying themselves. We’ll blend in and find out if you like it.” He looked down at her dress and pumps. “Well, we’ll try to blend it. You’ll look like a tourist, but I’ll take care of you.”
She stopped, her face blushing. “Oh crap. I’m sorry. I didn’t know where we were going, so I just put this on. I can go back and change. Shep, darn it, I don’t know what I’m doing.”
He turned her in his arms and crushed his lips to hers. She sucked in a breath, her lips parting. His tongue bushed against hers, and he lost himself, inhaling her scent, tasting it, savoring it.
He pulled back, out of breath. “Calm down, baby. It’s okay. Dress the way you want to dress. I won’t judge. Just don’t hide yourself. Got it?”
“You…you kissed me.”
“Fuck yeah. It was perfect.”
She touched her swollen lips with her fingertips, her gaze dazed. “Oh...my.” She blinked. “Next time give me an idea of where we’re going, and I’ll dress better, okay? I hate standing out. I just put on something cute for the night. I wasn’t thinking.”
He nodded, loving the fact she’d said next time because, fuck yeah, there’d be a next time. “You pulled off cute and then some, Shea. I’ll warn you what we’re doing next time, though. You’ll always stand out to me though, baby. Got that?”
[Montgomery Ink 00.5 - 01.0] Box Set Page 3