by Amiee Louise
“You caught me! I think it might have been!”
We both laugh, and he brushes my arm. Our eyes lock, and I can’t look away.
“Please tell me it’s not my imagination. You feel it, too, don’t you?”
His hand is still on my arm, and I nod subconsciously. He leans close to me; I can feel his warm breath and light stubble grazing my cheek.
“I’ll ruin you, Peyton.”
His voice is gravelly and dripping with seductive allure. I look up at him and our eyes lock—I can’t look away. My heart starts beating faster, and I bite my lip. I feel bold and empowered just being in this man’s presence.
“Maybe I want you to.”
He smiles a wickedly devilish smile, and if I’m not mistaken, he growls.
“Is that a challenge?”
He raises a pierced eyebrow, and I laugh. This man definitely has a way with women. At this moment, I would do anything he asked me to.
“Please, come out with me,” he whispers huskily. I know I can’t look away, and I can’t bring myself to say no. I am drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
“Okay, I’ll come out with you.”
His face lights up, and he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. My whole body feels like it’s buzzing and tingling all over at his slightest touch.
“I’ll see you at seven, then.”
I nod, hardly believing that I have actually agreed to go out with him. Shit. What the fuck have I let myself in for?
5
Peyton
We stand still outside the shop for a few minutes, and I relish his closeness to me. It oddly comforts me knowing that he is so interested in me. Folding my arms for added warmth, my teeth still chatter from the afternoon chill.
“Are you cold?”
I nod.
“Just a little. Actually, I’m bloody freezing!”
We both laugh, and he silently wraps his strong arms around me, pulling me close to his hard, muscled chest. I feel his warmth as he runs his hands up and down my back; goose bumps instantly break out from his touch.
“There’s something between us, Peyton.”
As he says those words, I feel a delicious tingle between my legs and feel myself dripping with desire. Pure want, need, and white-hot, unbridled lust. I watch as he looks into my eyes, then drag my gaze to his sensual mouth and plump, full lips. I imagine his mouth on my clit, licking and sucking, driving me to a shuddering, Earth-moving orgasm. I shake myself back to reality and vow to use that fantasy with my vibrator as soon as I get home.
“You feel it too, don’t you? I know you do; the way your eyes glaze over when I’m near you tells me everything I need to know,” he whispers with his nose in my hair. He has me reduced to a trembling mess, and I can’t hold back the facade any longer. I want him so badly. I boldly wrap my arms tighter around him and pull him closer to me by the soft hair at the nape of his neck. I press my lips hungrily to his and kiss him passionately. Slowly feeling the contrast of the softness of his lips and the roughness of his stubble. His velvet tongue softly caresses mine as he kisses me as if his life depends on it. When I pull away, we’re both breathless with burning, molten desire.
“I’m sorry … I …”
Running my fingers across my lips, I wonder if I just dreamed that kiss. My lips feel deliciously bruised—I most definitely didn’t imagine it. He clears his throat before he speaks, his clear green eyes blazing.
“Don’t be sorry. I’m not.”
I look at him, shake my head and hurry back inside, leaving him standing there with a satisfied grin plastered across his handsome face. All eyes turn to me as I walk back into the shop; I must look flustered. A look of concern crosses Seb’s face.
“Is everything all right, babe?”
I nod and put on my best fake smile. “Yep, everything’s all fine and fabulous, thanks, Seb,” I say a little too enthusiastically. Something in the way Seb looks back at me says he doesn’t believe that everything is OK. Ruby looks over and frowns as if signalling: ‘I know something just happened, and you’re going to bloody tell me what it is whether I have to drag it out of you, missy!’
Fucking hell, why do I have to be so transparent to those close to me?
Sam walks casually back into the shop with his hands tucked into his pockets, and Jax throws him a knowing look. Sam smirks and shakes his head. He goes back to the leather bed and settles himself back, ready for me to carry on tattooing him. If I’m honest, I don’t know if I can go on tattooing him without wanting to rip his clothes off. I bite my lip subconsciously at the thought, and Brody wolf-whistles.
“Oi, oi! Looks like she’s having those naughty thoughts again, dude!”
The shop erupts in raucous laughter, and I feel myself burning with embarrassment. I suddenly start to feel faint and unsteady on my feet, the feeling that reminds me I haven’t eaten today. Sam leaps down off the bed and is at my elbow within seconds.
“Are you OK, babe?”
A look of concern mars his beautiful yet handsome features. I look into those captivating green eyes of his and nod. He pulls me towards my leather chair and sits me down gently. Crouching in front of me, he caresses my face softly with his calloused hand.
“Are you sure you’re OK, babe? You look really pale.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Seb jump up from his seat, and within seconds, he is at my side, crouching on the opposite side from Sam.
“Peyton, are you sure you’re OK, honey? You don’t look too clever.”
I nod and smile. “Please, stop fussing, sweetie. I’m fine. I haven’t eaten today; I missed breakfast, that’s all. I need to finish Sam’s tattoo then I’m going to lunch.”
Seb shakes his head. “No, you’re not, babe. You’re going to lunch, and then you’re finishing his tattoo. Is that all right with you, mate?”
Sam looks at Seb, and it’s clear on Seb’s face that it isn’t a request. He clears his throat.
“Yeah, sure, man, no worries. The lady needs to eat; I’ll even take her to lunch myself.”
I get to my feet and nudge them both out of the way, feeling bereft at the loss of contact from Sam’s warm hand.
“Hello, guys, I am here, you know. I’m not bloody invisible, I can speak for myself. I’ll finish Sam’s tattoo, I’ll be an hour tops, and then I’m going to lunch with Ruby. Do you want anything bringing back, Seb?”
He nods, and Sam looks dejected at my blatant brush off at his offer to take me for lunch.
“Yeah, one of those southern fried chicken wraps with sweet chilli sauce would be awesome, a Mars bar, and a can of Red Bull, please, babe.”
He puts his lips to my forehead and kisses me gently. He and Sam look like they are in some sort of Mexican standoff—a good old-fashioned pissing contest! It is quite amusing to watch, and it takes everything in me to stifle my giggles. Sam hops back up onto the leather bed once more while I put on a fresh pair of rubber gloves, so I can carry on with his tattoo. We spend the next hour in a comfortable silence, the atmosphere between us crackling with sexual energy. The sly glances, the affectionate winks, the knowing smiles. My heart is beating so fast and hard I think everyone in the shop can hear it. Another half an hour passes, and I have finally finished Sam’s tattoo. The skull, microphone, guitar, roses, and music notes with the words ‘Vengeance Forever’ in script lettering around it on Sam’s calf is something I’m proud of.
“All finished.”
Sam looks down, the look on his face is full of wonder and awe. I can tell by his expression that he is rendered speechless by the design.
“Babe, it’s perfect, I love it.”
I smile shyly.
“They really weren’t lying when they said you were the best female tattooist in the business.”
“Thank you.”
Seb comes over and inspects my work. “Babe, that’s … bloody amazing.”
He brushes my arm; the look of pride and affection in his eyes is there for all to see.
“You should photograph it and use it for the shop portfolio, if Sam doesn’t mind. Then you’re definitely going to lunch no arguments.”
I nod and salute. “Yes, boss!” We both laugh.
After photographing Sam’s leg on the shop’s Nikon D810 camera, I spray antiseptic on his leg and clean the excess ink off. When I’m rubbing Vaseline on the finished tattoo and wrapping it with cling film, Ruby comes over, sighing dramatically.
“Finally, I’m bloody starving.”
Rolling my eyes, I go to the back of the shop to get my coat and my bag, so we can leave for lunch. As we’re leaving, I can’t help but notice that Sam can’t tear his eyes away from me.
Ruby links my arm, and we walk down the high street to a quaint little bistro called Swingin’ Eli’s Bistro. This place is a regular haunt and a particular favourite of Ruby’s and mine. It is famous for its homemade, authentic, southern American food. The decor is old school swing, with paintings of old swing artists scattered on the walls. We are in there so often we sit at the same table by the window.
The owner, Eli, knows us by name and knows exactly what we’re going to order. He is a tall, southern American man in his mid-sixties, with coffee-coloured skin, greying hair, and a wide, infectious smile. When we walk in, he has our drinks ready: a strawberry milkshake for Ruby and a caramel hot chocolate for me.
“Good afternoon, Peyton, Ruby.” He nods politely.
Ruby and I take our drinks from the counter and sit down opposite each other at our favourite table. I’m barely in my seat before Ruby practically squeals in my face.
“Oh, my God, Peyton, what the fuck is going on with you and Bolt?” I roll my eyes, and she points her finger at me. “Before you think of lying and saying nothing, I call bullshit.”
Hanging my head and smiling coyly, I say, “We kissed.”
Ruby shrieks, causing the other customers in the shop avert their attention to us.
“Could you please be a little less dramatic, Rubes?”
She laughs. “Sorry, but my life would be so boring without drama, babe. If I’m not having my own drama, I like to live vicariously through yours!” she says dramatically. Her enthusiasm makes me smile.
“Come on then, I want details. Spill, was it a peck or a full-on snog? What was it like? Did he use his tongue? At one point, I actually thought the shop might spontaneously burst into flames with the sexual tension.”
I feel myself blushing. “We kissed when I went out to the back of the shop for some air, it was a full on snog, tongues as well, and he asked me to go out with him.”
Ruby is about to shriek again, I just know it, so I shake my head and hold my finger up to stop her.
“Please tell me you said, yes.”
I nod and bite my lip. “I really like him, Ruby. I know it’s mental. I don’t usually go for guys like him, and he is a mega-famous, mega-rich rock star. What would he want with a girl like me? I’m sure women throw themselves at his feet on a regular basis. I’m just … ordinary; he can have any girl he wants.”
Ruby rolls her eyes. “There’s that fucking self-doubt again. God, I want to kill that bastard Callum for making you feel that way.”
Ruby scowls, and I inwardly cringe at the sound of Callum’s name.
“Sam wouldn’t have kissed you if he didn’t like you. From the second I walked into the shop I knew there was something going on with you two. My psychic superpowers told me so!”
We both laugh. I love Ruby so much; I admire her honesty and her ability to read me like a book. The truth is, she is right. Ever since I split with Callum, I have been filled with self-doubt, self-pity, and a sense of worthlessness that I can’t seem to shake.
“What are you thinking about, babe?”
Ruby drinks her strawberry milkshake through a straw and flutters her eyelashes. She has an air of innocence about her which she hides behind her tough, feisty persona. Over twenty years of friendship, we have seen the best of each other and the worst of each other.
“Cal and Sam.”
Ruby sighs. “That bastard doesn’t deserve even an inch of headspace from you. Sam is your future, and quite clearly, you’re going to go out with him tonight, fuck his brains out and wash Callum-fucking-Kennedy out of your system for good. He can’t keep doing this to you, babe; you’ve been split up for like—”
I jump in and stop her. “It’s been twelve months, three weeks, and six days.”
“You’re actually keeping count? God, you need to get laid!”
We both laugh, and I take a sip of my hot chocolate. Our food arrives, and my stomach growls in favour. I tuck into my lunch of traditional, Louisiana, fried chicken with a side of coleslaw—it is mouth-wateringly delicious. Ruby digs into her pulled pork sub roll and side salad. After we finish lunch, we sit for a few more minutes.
“Are you going back to work?”
Ruby pulls a face. “Hell no! Not when you have four of the hottest rock stars in your shop right now. I was working my womanly charms on Jax!”
I laugh. When it comes to Ruby getting a man’s attention, she is relentless, and she doesn’t give up until she has snared him in her trap.
“What about Isaac?”
She rolls her eyes dramatically. “He is my married boss who I shag every now and again. When he isn’t getting it at home, he is a nightmare to be around. I just … ease the pressure a little.”
Ruby twirls her hair around her finger innocently, and I shake my head.
“Are you sure he knows that, babe?”
She nods. “Of course. I know what I’m doing, I’ve got him right where I want him, and it’s staying that way between us. Now Jax is a whole different story. Just think, if I get together with him and you get together with Sam, we can double date.”
She claps her hands excitedly. I leave twenty pounds on the table to settle our lunch bill and get to my feet. I feel so much better now that I have finally eaten something. I pull on my coat, and Ruby does the same. I collect Seb’s order, we leave the bistro and head back to the shop for round two.
6
Peyton
We get back to the shop in less than five minutes, and I go straight to the back. Seb and I decided we were going to make it into a relaxing space for when we needed a break or just a place to chill for five minutes. It has a comfortable black and zebra print sofa that seems to swallow you when you sink into it, a few beanbags scattered on the black carpeted floor, and framed movie posters adorning the walls. Sam is waiting for me, and I jump as I see all six foot four of him standing there.
“Jesus, you scared the living shit out of me.”
He smirks devilishly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you; I was like a caged animal while you were gone.”
His voice is soft, and he has his hands shoved in his pockets in such a boyish way. I smile, take off my jacket, and stow my bag away. He reaches towards me, tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, and strokes my face.
“You’re like a drug to me, Peyton. I don’t know how to deal with these kinds of … feelings.”
I look up at him and lean into his hand.
“Fuck, what are you doing to me?” he curses, and I’m not sure whether it is directed towards himself or me.
“Sam, I really like you, I mean I really, really like you, and it’s the same for me too.”
I feel so conflicted, and when he is looking at me with those intense green eyes, I lose all sense of rational and coherent thought.
“Why do I sense there’s a but coming?”
His hand is still on my cheek, and he is regarding me intently.
“Is there something going on between you and Seb, is that it? Is he standing in my way? Do I need to kick his arse?”
My eyes widen, and I dismiss it immediately. “Jesus Christ! No, of course not! Seb’s my boss, and we’re close friends, that’s all we’ve ever been and all we ever will be”
A look of relief washes over his face, and he visibly relaxes.
“Y
ou should know it’s not like that; I need to get to know you first. I can’t just jump in feet first. It’s not that simple for me. God, I wish it was.”
I sigh. He nods, and something about the way he looks at me knows I’m holding back.
“Then I’ll wait, for as long as it takes. We can take it slow, I just know I have to have you.”
I get a warm feeling inside at the closeness and his sweet words. Every second I am alone with him makes me want him even more. He leans down and kisses me tenderly on the lips. I ache for him, and I know I am falling fast and hard for this man, which usually spells trouble for me, so I pull away at the unwelcome thought. A look of confusion crosses his face.
