by Skyla Madi
A little while later, sweat poured down his brow, his breathing was laboured, and he woke up disoriented, naked, and weak.
Tired, so fucking tired.
Toby’s eyes opened and closed a few times before he got his second wind. The sweet smell of Carley was gone and was replaced by the stench of something burning. Hot, why was it so hot in here? Orange lights flickered back and forth between a thick, black shield of—Holy shit! Was that smoke?
“Carley?” he croaked and coughed. “Carley, honey, wake up.”
There was no response, so he nudged her. “Baby, we’ve got to get out of here.” He shifted upright to try and get her moving, but all it did was force her to roll onto the floor. His beautiful angel wasn’t moving, and he could feel himself being pulled under the moment he finished retching up a lung, but he refused to give up. All that mattered was getting the two of them out of there, like, five minutes ago. What felt like an eternity was probably mere seconds, a minute tops, when he rolled himself off the couch and onto the ground. He managed to stay low as he dragged the two of them out of his scorching office and into a slightly cooler area of the shop before it all went black again.
Toby squeezed his eyes shut and shivered as he thought about it, because the next time he woke up that night, cool air hit his face. He was able to breathe a little better thanks to the oxygen mask strapped to his face. But Carley was gone. Just like that, taken away in death.
Sirens flared in the background as they rushed him to the emergency room, and to this day, his stomach dropped every time he heard the noise of an ambulance drive by. Her loss was worse than the burns he’d endured trying to save them, and the scars, both physical and emotional, were a constant reminder that love was for suckers, and the hurt just wasn’t worth the risk a second time around.
Love, commitment, and happily ever afters? Fuck that shit!
He was no fool. Only the good die young, and, well, he’d made damn sure Heaven was going to wait a long time for him ever since. Between the booze, the line-up of women to keep his bed warm, and getting his new shop up and running, he kept busy and, better yet, distracted.
Chapter Two
Toby
“Hey, man. Are you okay?” Carson, one of his best artists, and an even greater friend, asked as he approached, bringing Toby back to the present.
“Yeah,” he said. “Just need to unwind, I think.” He ran his fingers through his hair again and took a deep breath. “It’s good to see business is booming already, huh?” He needed a subject change to steer clear of this emotional shit going on inside of him, and there was no better subject than Misfit to break the ice.
The tattoo parlor’s grand re-opening was three months ago, and they’d been booked solid ever since. The new place outshone the old one, and his heart hurt because he still wished Carley was there to share in the success with him.
Fuck! Pull it together, man!
“Damn right. The world-wide attention doesn’t hurt, either.” Carson snorted.
Before the fire, Blank Canvas had hit the big-time, and so had Toby and his team, thanks to Minnesota Ink and Metal, an up-and-coming TV show about alternative lifestyles. Reality TV was at an all-time high, and he figured, why not milk that shit while he could? It was all thanks to his cousin. Ash was the lead singer of the popular rock band Love the Sinner, and he only went to them for ink whenever he got the itch for more art. Word spread after one MTV interview where the host had mentioned wanting body art of his own, and good ol’ cousin Ash had put them up on the map by endorsing them to the world. It wasn’t long after that the show began.
His life shifted quickly in a different direction. After Blank Canvas burned to the ground, he’d made some big changes: a new shop, a new name, and a new him. He’d crawled out from the gutter of grief and re-invented his life. That included not renewing his contract with the television network, but did his group of fans care? Nope. Business was booming, and he couldn’t care less if his success peaked because most of the people who sought him out were hoping to catch a glimpse of the infamous Ash Harris or his brothers in the band. Toby knew he was damn good at what he did, and so were his employees, because he’d handpicked some of the best himself.
He loved what he did, period.
“You’re fucking right, it doesn’t.” Toby smirked. “Busy days, good coin, and an endless supply of numbers to keep me company during the night.”
“Speaking of pussy,” Carson chuckled, “I’m heading over to Fanny’s for a bite and a couple drinks to unwind. You coming with?”
“Hell, yeah.”
Fanny’s was a local pub down the road. It was close enough to walk over. It was cozy, the beer was cheap, and the owner used to be an old neighbor, so he liked to help keep them in business. It hadn’t hurt that Fanny herself was like a second mother to him, either. “Why not?” He shrugged. “I could use a couple drinks.” Truth was he needed them. He was still having trouble sleeping. It’d been almost two years since his loss, and every time he closed his eyes, Carley’s lifeless image still haunted him. If only he’d died with her that horrible night, maybe he’d be at peace. He shook his head. It wasn’t that he was suicidal, per se. He was just tired as fuck. His brain didn’t have an off switch, and he needed a little something to numb the memories. “The women? We’ll see how it goes.”
“Whatever you say, bro.” His friend chuckled and led the way.
The pub looked like a local hole-in-the-wall from the outside in, but it was so much more, and it wasn’t just because he was biased to it, either. It was just the way it was. Anyone who walked through the door came back again. Fanny’s was notorious for its great food, cheap drinks, and hospitality. The moment he sat his ass down, he felt like he was home.
A mix of rock played in the background as he took his first sip of beer, and he smiled as he watched one of his most favorite people in the world approach him.
“Hey, sugar.” The proprietor gave him a big hug and smiled wide. “My day just got brighter now that you’re both here.” She turned to give Carson equal attention.
“Thanks, Mamma Deuce,” they chorused, and Toby winked. Fanny and her husband were like family, and since some medical problems resulted in them not being able to have children of their own, they had sort of adopted him and his crew as surrogates.
Family didn’t always have to be blood, and apart from Ash and maybe a handful of others, he’d withdrawn from those who were blood-related years ago. They were just too fucked up, and unfortunately, he had the pain of knowing it all too well. It didn’t hurt that it was also easier to close himself off to keep from allowing anyone to get too close. Emotions sucked, and there was just no way in hell he’d allow himself to feel that kind of pain again.
Been there, done that, and could write the damn book.
There were still a select few who still gave a damn about him, no matter how much he’d tried to push them away. And thank fuck for that because it took a special kind of twisted to be a permanent part of his world. Hence the birth of his new shop and the name that came along with it. It suited them perfectly, every damned one of them.
“Oh, stop it.” Fanny guffawed and waved them off. Toby knew she secretly loved their little pet name for her, though. Her eyes lit up every time, and like clockwork, it immediately followed her acting on those motherly instincts of hers. “I love ya, Lord knows I do. Now, what can I get you?”
“The usual for me.” Carson took a swig of his beer and surveyed the inventory of women as he looked around the bar.
Mamma Deuce nodded at his friend in response and arched a brow when Toby answered with, “Not hungry.”
“Not good enough,” she challenged. “You gotta eat, Tob, and since you’re being so stubborn, it’ll be whatever I bring you.”
“Figures.” He smirked and shook his head.
She walked away with a shout out of, “Tough love, Sugar, you know you love it.”
Truthfully, if it wasn’t for Fanny, he probably wouldn’t
eat at all. So yeah, it was kind of nice having someone look out for him once in awhile. Not that he’d ever admit that out loud.
***
“How can you eat that shit without getting severe heartburn, man?”
Carson discarded another chicken bone and licked the hot sauce from his fingers with a shrug. “Abs of steel, bro. You done with that?”
“I am now.” He pushed the remainder of his meatloaf sandwich toward him with a grimace. “Enjoy.”
“Fucking right, I will,” his friend said around a mouthful, and Toby had just enough time to signal the bartender for another drink before they were interrupted by five feet, seven inches of soft, deliciously tempting female company. The night was looking up.
“Oh my God. Toby James? I’ve been coming here the last couple of weeks hoping to run into you. Can I have your autograph?” The blonde bombshell lowered the top half of her shirt to expose a supple amount of cleavage and handed him a marker.
Nice!
“You lucky bastard,” the bottomless pit beside him muttered good naturedly, and the boobs that currently distracted him suddenly moved Carson’s way for a second.
“Oh, don’t worry. There’s always room for you too,” the nameless broad purred, and he arched a brow in momentary shock as she lifted her already barely there skirt to expose her thigh until she hit her panty line.
Skimpy and see through. Interesting.
“I’d say we both are.” He popped the top of the marker off and signaled with his finger for her to come closer. “So, what’s your name honey?”
“Candy.”
Toby tried to cover the snort that came out. Shit, it was too easy and totally cliché. Miss Blonde, bright, and about to be fucked seemed interested, so what did he care? “Pretty name for such a beautiful girl.” His thumb grazed the top of her tit just at the seam as he finished writing his name. He sat back. “Now that you’ve found me, what are your plans?”
“Well, I-I…” It was kind of cute the way she stuttered.
“It’s been a long day, honey. Why don’t you join us for a drink, and if you’re up for it after, we can bring the party back to my place?”
“You wouldn’t happen to have a friend around, would you? Or perhaps your comment of, ‘there’s always room for you,’ means you’re up for both of our company tonight, hm?” Carson interrupted and got straight to the point. They were both there looking to get laid, and if she wanted an out, now would be the time to take it. Did he care if she had a friend? Not particularly. It wasn’t the first time he’d had to share and probably wouldn’t be the last.
Candy jumped at the chance, and any nervousness she’d once had vanished instantly. “Well, I was supposed to meet a couple girlfriends here tonight, but I’m feeling selfish now. So what do you say we skip the drink and escape before they get here?” She pressed herself between both men and slid an arm through each one of theirs to get them moving. “I’m a bigger fan than they are anyway, and trust me when I say I can handle the both of you just fine.”
“You sure? The more the merrier. Carson and I would be more than happy to have your friends join us, too.” Toby shrugged, threw a few bills down for Fanny, which would cover everything plus a tip, and faced them again, ready to go.
“Very. Let’s go.” Candy tugged them forward, and both men chuckled. Their blonde plaything was eager for them and apparently wasn’t into sharing with her friends tonight.
Toby’s spacious studio apartment was above the shop just a few blocks away, and it took them no time at all to get there. Screw letting her look around, though. As soon as his door opened, he captured Candy’s lips and began to undress her. That left Carson to close it behind them before he jumped into the action. They were a mixture of limbs, tongues, and teeth. Discarded clothing was being thrown across the place as they walked her backward until her legs hit the bed and Toby gently lowered her down. “You ready for this, sweetheart?”
“Hell, yes,” Candy hissed. Her breath was laboured with need, and it gave them both a nice view of her bared breasts. His mouth began to water, and Toby’s cock was so hard he ached.
“Whoa!” Carson chuckled as she pounced, pulling Toby on top of her again to feast on his mouth. “Slow down, babe. We’ve got all night.” He watched while discarding his clothes before Toby pulled himself back from her to do the same.
This chick was on fire for them, and thank fuck because Toby really needed this, and now it was time to make her scream. Toby gripped the base of his cock and pumped himself a couple of times, enjoying the show. She writhed for his buddy as he trailed his mouth down her throat to her chest and stopped to pay extra attention to those luscious mounds.
Shit! So hot.
His control was wavering, and his cock slapped against his flat stomach when he let it go so he could grip her hips, pull her toward the edge of the bed, and spread her legs. Her pussy glistened with arousal, and Toby groaned at the sight of the smooth swollen lips and shiny pink center, which he suddenly needed to taste. He dropped to his knees and kissed, nipped, and licked his way up her thighs, purposely taking his time to drive her wild. But it worked even better the moment he took his first lick to her core from ass to clit and back again. He licked, flicked, sucked, and tongue-fucked her into oblivion. It was a part of sex he truly enjoyed, and he was so caught up in it that it took him a minute to realize he was being spoken to.
“Please tell me she tastes as good as she looks.”
Toby’s mouth glistened as he pulled back to smirk at his friend. “I do love my pussy.” He shrugged, and Candy groaned with a plea.
“Please?”
“Please what, baby?” Carson chuckled. “Tell us what you want.”
“Ugh,” she writhed. “I want somebody to put their mouth back on my cunt so I can come. I’m so fucking close. Then I want to be fucked hard and fast, pounded so good I can see stars, then I want to taste one of you or both. Okay?”
“Is that all?” Toby winked and began to toy with her clit again, but with his fingers this time, and she moaned so loudly, he could feel her vibrate.
“Please?” she begged.
“Fuck, yeah. Switch places with me, dude. It’s my turn to mouth fuck that sweet pussy.” His buddy leaped off the bed to replace him. Carson got to work between her legs while Toby fisted his hands in her long blonde hair and feasted on her mouth, made her taste herself, and it was good.
Candy writhed and screamed in ecstasy within minutes, and now it was their turn. Carson quickly suited up with a condom, got her on all fours, and fucked her like she’d asked them to. Toby stood in front of her and tapped her mouth with the tip of his dick for the taste of him she’d practically begged for. The moment those soft lips and the delectable heat of her luscious mouth surrounded him, he was lost, and he knew without a doubt tonight would be a good night…to forget.
Chapter Three
Harlow
“Hey, you.” Harlow smiled with warmth as her friend Calista stood to embrace her. “I’m so glad I could talk you into coming.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.” Harlow bit her lip and scrunched her nose. “I’ve been hiding out like a hermit, and I need to re-learn how to join the living once in awhile.” She spent most of her time alone at home or concentrating on work. Which meant she didn’t get out to socialize much. When Calista called to meet for appetizers and a few drinks at a new restaurant around the corner from her, she figured, why not? If it came to be too much to handle, she was within walking distance to her safe haven, which was home.
The restaurant was a lot bigger than it looked from the outside. It had a modern look to it, with its polished black floors, chrome stools, and granite table tops. Clearly trendy and popular so far, judging by how packed it was, too.
“Ah, baby steps. And this is a great way to start, right?” Calista squeezed her hand and took a seat. “All work and no play makes a dreary existence. It’s nice to see a little of the old you beginning to come out.”
She nodde
d and shifted in her seat. “O-oh, hello?”
“Harlow Ross, meet Melody Tyler. Mel, Harlow.” Her friend waved between the two of them and smiled.
“Harlow Ross? No eff’n way.”
“The one and only.” Harlow laughed nervously. It still fazed her how some people reacted to meeting her. The enthusiasm was flattering, but it was hard to get used to. She was treated as somewhat of a local celebrity. At least by women; the men, not so much. But that was her target audience anyway. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise, and might I just say, I’m a total fan of your column in Twin City Women’s Magazine. It’s downright hilarious sometimes.”
Okay, and how am I supposed to respond to that?
“Um, thanks—I think.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Calista shook her head and looked amused. “I met Mel a few months back when I got this done.” She lifted the sleeve of her shirt to expose the phoenix she’d had tattooed on her inner forearm. “Her brother, who did the tattoo, was an incorrigible flirt, and although he’s harmless, Mel here got him to stop by cracking jokes. It was a riot.”
“Carson’s a great guy, but he chases anything in a skirt.” Mel rolled her eyes. “Sometimes he can come off a little strong, so what’s a little playful banter between siblings when the outcome results in a few laughs and a bit of fun?”
“I agree.”
“Callie tells me you were thinking about getting some ink for yourself.”
Harlow had a glass of water in hand and was mid-sip before she began to choke. “Sorry, wrong hole.” She wheezed and arched a brow toward her friend after she finished her bout of coughing and got it under control. She’d always been kind of awkward, especially in front of new people, and it was showing. “Yeah, I guess. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Picked out a design so I can cover the scars, eventually, but I haven’t made the leap to do it yet.”
