Piece By Piece (The Ink Nation Series Book 1)

by Jennah Thornhill

  After pushing the door closed, I join him in the living area, but standing on the opposite side to him. Keeping him at a distance, didn’t make my anxiety as bad as it could be. From where I was standing by the window, he couldn’t reach me, and I could escape if I needed to.

  I watch him closely, my eyes taking him all in as he stands at the back of the sofa. With one hand in the back pocket of his jeans and the other still holding my drawing, I realize that he is beyond gorgeous. I could sit and sketch him over and over again and never get bored.

  “Is that yours?”

  He points a finger to my sketch book on the coffee table, whilst still holding the piece of paper. He’s really not letting it go.

  “Y... Y… Yeah it is.” I stutter out.

  “Do you mind if I take a look?”

  My drawings have only ever been for me. My way of releasing either frustration, or to calm me down. Letting someone I don’t know see them is big for me, but I nod my head, giving him permission to look.

  With precise strides, he moves to sit on the sofa and takes my book from the table. As he goes through each page, he studies each drawing, taking them all in and smiling big when he sees something he really likes.

  Me?

  I just stand there and watch him, not daring to move as he flicks through each page.

  “Daisy.”

  I blink and release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding, when he says my name.

  “These are amazing, do you have any idea how talented you are?”

  What?

  Is he drunk?

  Me?

  Talented?

  Yeah, right.

  He looks up at me and I don’t say anything, I can’t.

  “Your attention to detail, the way you make the person looking at it, feel like they’re right there on the page. It’s amazing and not very many people can do that. Van Gogh once said; I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart. Daisy, I can see that you have done these with nothing but all your heart. I know you don’t really know me, but I know when I see someone with a passion and by fuck do you have that in spades. It’s clear to see, when I look at these.”

  Did he just quote Van Gogh to me?

  Well there’s a shocker, he doesn’t seem the type to know quotes from Van fucking Gogh. Of all the things he’s just said to me, that’s the thing I choose to voice.

  “Van Gogh? Really?”

  I raise my eyebrows expectantly at him and fold my arms across my chest, whilst I wait for him to answer me.

  “Hey. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Just because I don’t wear a suit and walk around like I have stick shoved up my ass it doesn’t mean I don’t know my art. Just don’t tell the guys back at the studio, they would never let me live it down. Especially Zak, that fucker will rip the shit out of me for years to come, even when I’m dead.”

  His eyes are alight with laughter, which causes me to laugh right along with him. I’m still chuckling, when I notice he’s stopped laughing and he’s staring right at me. His eyes are sparkling, yet I can see he has a thousand questions he wants to ask me, but daren’t. Breaking the spell that’s currently going on between us, I speak.

  “So, what did you want to talk to me about? Surely that lone piece of paper and Van Gogh was not the reason for your impromptu visit.”

  Snapping himself out of whatever it was going on in his brain, he stands, and I take a small step back. Which he notices and instead of coming closer to me, he goes to stand back behind the sofa… Still taking my drawing with him.

  “This right here.” He waves the piece of paper about in the air, “Is exactly the reason why I’m here and now I’ve seen what else you can do, I’m glad I came.”

  “Trey, you are not making any sense right now. What does any of that mean, because I’m gonna be honest with you, I have no fucking idea.”

  “Oh, Daisy, Daisy. I’m here because I want you to come and work for me. With your skill designing and my natural talent with a tattoo gun, we would be amazing together.”

  My jaw instantly drops to the hardwood floor.

  “Look, think about it. We can come to some sort of terms and conditions that suit you. Whatever you need to make you feel comfortable and able to enjoy working with us bunch of rat assholes, then we’ll make it happen. Just come see me when you’ve thought about it, you know where to find me.”

  With those words, he turns and walks out of my apartment, leaving the smell of leather and outdoor freshness behind him.

  Holy shit.

  I just got offered a job.

  Trey the owner of Ink Nation, offered little old me, a job.

  What is the world coming too?

  Chapter Seven

  Trey

  If I thought she had issues before, then I'm even more convinced now.

  I really did think she wasn't going to let me through the door. Her eyes bugged out of her head, like something you see in a looney tunes cartoon. I didn't miss the way her voice trembled when she asked what I was doing there. If that wasn't enough, the fact that she kept the chain on the door as she opened it, spoke volumes.

  After threatening Zak with a tattoo gun to the dick, he finally caved and gave me Zoe's paperwork, that she’d filled in this morning. If I found Zoe, then I would find Daisy. While reading it, I couldn't believe she only lived five blocks from the studio, and I had never seen her before.

  Because if I had seen her before, I definitely would have given her my attention.

  Despite whatever issues she has, the woman is fucking gorgeous. I wouldn't think twice about sliding right into her… If she would let me of course. I may sleep around, but only if the other participant is willing. I maybe an asshole where relationships are concerned, but I’m no rapist.

  Offering her a job at the studio was never my intention, but after seeing the rest of her drawings, I just knew she would be the perfect asset we needed. Also, it would give me something nice to look at all day, instead of just them dirty assholes, I spend my day with.

  Leaving her apartment building, I realize she was just as shocked as I was, by the offer I made. The look in her eyes was one I’m not used to seeing on a woman. Usually they give me the look that tells me they want to rip my clothes off, while I eat them alive. Her eyes told me something else, that she didn’t think she deserved this opportunity I was giving her.

  Who knows, she might not take it, but something tells me she will, or that could be me just wishful thinking.

  She deserves to be seen; her art deserves to be seen, because she is an understated piece of art herself. She may not see it, but I do.

  Stopping at a coffee cart on the street, on my way back to the studio, I come to the conclusion I’m not going to chase her now. She knows where I am and how to find me.

  I just hope she makes the right choice.

  Opening the door to the studio when I arrive, Zak is sitting behind the counter. If I’m not mistaken, he gives me a look that would have me dropping down dead, if his eyes could shoot out daggers.

  “What the fuck crawled up your ass?” I ask him as I lean on the counter and hand him the coffee, I picked up for him on my way back.

  “Dude. You threatened my junk with a tattoo gun. The one thing that's precious to me and you threatened to do untold damage to it. So, excuse me if I’m feeling a little pissed right now and a coffee isn’t going to fix this. You threatened my masculinity. I need pussy and plenty of it.”

  “Did I hear pussy? I’m in.” Levi announces as he comes through the arch from his station.

  “Oi, Smith. Trey owes Zak some pussy, you in?”

  Zak punches Levi in the arm before saying.

  “Don’t you think he’s got enough pussy issues, without adding to them?”

  We all laugh, just as Smith joins us.

  “I heard that fuckface, I’m in, I’m not going to say no to pussy. Where are we going?”

  “Well seeing a
s this is on Trey, because he owes me an epic apology, I say we all head over to Ruby’s.”

  I swear to god if he wasn’t my best friend, I’d follow through with my threat. The son of a bitch is going to milk this for all it’s worth.

  “Yes. Ruby’s. That place is vagina heaven.”

  Levi jumps up and down with excitement at the thought of going to one of the best strip clubs, New York has to offer. With us all standing around, I decide to ask, you know just in case, it gets me out of going.

  “Don’t you three have work to do? Clients that need ink?”

  They all look at each other, then one by one they all come to stand next to me. Until they’re all huddled around me and Zak goes first.

  “I’ve just finished my last appointment.”

  Levi declares the same, before Smith tells me his cancelled on him, until next week.

  Fuck.

  It looks like I’m going to Ruby’s with the best rejects in New York City.

  My family.

  Not once am I gonna think about the little pink haired, pixie, that’s left a bigger impression on me than I expected.

  Nope.

  Not once…

  Arghhh, who am I trying to kid? That woman is all I’m gonna be thinking about, while I try to fuck someone else, to get her out of my head.

  Chapter Eight

  Daisy

  Sitting at the small round table we have in our kitchen; I hold a mug of coffee, that I made and has now gone cold. I stare at it in hope that it will give me some answers, as to what I’m going to do.

  “Well fuck me, I swear Mr. Chow gets slower every time I go into that place.” Zoe informs me as she comes through the door and slams it shut.

  Dumping the takeout bag in front of me, just missing my cup of coffee by an inch.

  “If this food is cold, I’ll be making a complaint. No-one likes cold Chinese food and if they do, then they want their heads looking at.”

  I let her moan, but I don’t pay her any attention. My heads in cloud cuckoo land, even more than it usually is. The sound of cutlery being picked up and placed on the table, rings out in the background, but yet again, I don’t take any notice.

  Me… Daisy the damaged girl from Ohio was offered a job in a busy tattoo studio, doing what I love.

  What makes it more surreal is that the owner himself asked me and he’s not exactly what I would call bad looking. Could I work in an environment, surrounded by men? Just thinking about it has my hands shaking and my skin breaking out in a cold sweat.

  “Hey. Is there anyone there?” Zoe clicks her fingers in front of my face and brings me out of my own head.

  “I’m sorry, I was away with the fairies. Is everything okay?”

  She places my food in front of me, that she’s plated up for me and gives me a, what am I going to do with you, look.

  “I’ve been talking to you since I got back and you haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?”

  I give her a sheepish look, as I shake my head in apology.

  “What’s going on, D? I saw Trey when I was going out, did he come here to see you?”

  I shove some of my Chinese into my mouth and try my best to avoid her question.

  “He did, didn’t he? What did he want? I just knew he was after some of the Daisy love.”

  Almost choking on my beef and noodles at her little assumption, that she has got totally wrong. I finally manage to swallow my food after a few moments of spluttering. With Zoe looking at me expectantly and waiting for the gossip. All of a sudden, the food in front of me has never looked so interesting. I shovel some more into my mouth and chew slowly, but my plan to get her to forget the topic of conversation fails. She just sits there tapping her nails on the table, as if she’s got nothing better to do. Dropping my fork onto my plate with a clatter, I sit back in the chair and fold my arms across my chest.

  “He offered me a job. Happy now?”

  It’s as if I’ve told her that Brad Pitt was naked in my room and waiting for me, because a squeal that shouldn’t even come from a human, leaves her mouth.

  “Oh. My. Fucking. God. This is amazing, D. Please tell me you said yes?”

  She knows I won’t have said yes. She knows me better than I know myself half the time and that accepting a job is tough for me.

  “Your silence speaks volumes, D. Why don’t you start from the beginning?”

  With an encouraging nod, she keeps her eyes on me and raises her eyebrows, waiting for me to tell her everything.

  Twenty minutes later, I’ve told her what went down when Trey came by. She’s not once touched her food; she’s been invested in what I’ve been saying. When I finally finish telling her everything, she comes closer to me, grabs my hand and pulls it to her chest.

  “You have to take this job, D. It will be amazing for you.”

  She’s practically pleading with me. I giggle at the desperation she’s oozing.

  “Just think, I can come see you and you can be there when I get my tattoo done and get paid for it.”

  She sticks her bottom lip out in a pout and bats her eyelashes at me, causing me to laugh. That stops when I think about what's stopping me from saying yes to Trey’s offer and Zoe being Zoe, is quick to pick up on my turmoil.

  “What is it, D? I can see you having an internal war with yourself, I know you remember. Talk to me.”

  Sighing out loud, I pull my hand from hers and place my elbows on the table. I run my fingers through my hair, pulling on it tightly, to give me that little bit of strength I need to tell her my fears.

  Finally, I tell her everything I’m feeling and why I didn’t snatch Trey’s hand off when he offered me the job. When I finally finish, she jumps up from her chair and shouts.

  “I knew it. I knew you thought he was hot.”

  “Seriously, Zo? Out of all that, you choose to pick up on the fact that I think he’s gorgeous as the bigger issue here. Fucking hell, you’re more fucked up than I am and that’s saying something.”

  Sitting back down, she grabs my chair so I’m facing her and takes me by the shoulders.

  “Look, all that other shit is exactly that bullshit. I know it and you know it. Yes, I completely understand why you feel like this, but now you’re in a better place. This could help you heal even more. I’m pretty certain even though those guys look like The Hulk on steroids, that they wouldn’t hurt you. If anything, they’ll protect you with their lives. Just give it a go, ask Trey for a trial, maybe for a month or two and if you don’t like it, then you can leave.”

  She’s right and I hate it when she’s right, but this is why she’s my best friend. She always manages to make me see sense.

  When she’s finished talking, I start to nod my head slowly.

  “Does this mean you’re gonna go for it?” She asks me, her face looking confused as to why I’m just nodding my head up and down.

  “Yeah, it does.”

  A genuine smile spreads across my face, I can’t believe I’m going to do this. She jumps up from her seat again and starts clapping and screeching in delight at my decision.

  “Oooo, this causes for a celebratory drink.”

  She declares as she continues bouncing on the balls of her feet as she goes to the fridge. Pulling out a half-opened bottle of white wine and two glasses from the cupboard. I don’t usually drink. Over the years, I’ve convinced myself that if I’m drunk and not in control, then anyone can hurt me again. No. I have to be alert and always conscious of my surroundings and the people around me. I would never let anyone take advantage of me, ever again.

  Pouring us both a glass of wine, Zoe comes back over to me and hands me a glass, before clinking hers with mine.

  “To Daisy, you my friend are about to embark the best decision you have ever made. May your new journey be one that changes your life for the better.”

  I laugh at her little speech, before taking a sip from my glass.

  What
I didn’t know that night was, that little speech Zoe made, couldn’t have been anymore spot on if she tried.

  My life was about to change and not in a way I ever thought I deserved.

  Chapter Nine

  Trey

  Sitting in Ruby’s with the guys, I’m sat with a bottle of beer in my hands and all I could think about is Daisy. The guys are all wasted, but I just couldn’t get myself in the mood for it at all. Zak has some redhead grinding on his lap. Levi has a blonde's tits in his face and Smith is stroking some brunette's ass. They are all in their elements and it looked like Zak was finally getting his masculinity back, that I had apparently threatened.

  I am also convincing myself I am going crazy. I know just from speaking to her the couple of times we’ve interacted, that she wouldn't be seen dead in a place like this. Although, I was convinced I saw her over by the bar. That was until the girl with pink hair, just like Daisy’s, turned around and had the fakest tits I had ever seen, stuck to her chest.

  I needed to pull myself together, the girl was getting to me quickly, and that wasn’t me. Thing is, she more than intrigued me, she is a bit of an enigma. The mystery surrounding her odd behavior towards me, made me that bit more fascinated with her and no woman ever fascinates me.

  “Oi knob rot. Turn that frown upside down and get with the program will ya? It’s pussy heaven.”

  Zak shouts over to me, from over the shoulder of the girl he’s still got between his legs. Signaling over to the stripper that had been standing by the table next to us, waiting for me to give her the green light to approach me. I shake all thoughts of Daisy away, place my beer on the table and grab her hips. They are naked, except for a neon, pink thong that clings to her hip bones, as she stands between my spread legs.

  Her long black hair, swings from side to side as she sways her body. Just as she’s getting into it, Def Leppard's- Let's Get Rocked comes blaring through the speakers. At the same time Zak looks over at me with a massive grin on his face.