Tattoos and Transformations

by Melody Snow Monroe

  Don’t be petty. He loves you even if he never says it.

  She looked up D’Ink Coda on the web for the phone number and gave them a call.

  Harley had sold his shop to some outsider a year ago, claiming tough times and the inability to get good help as the reasons for his near bankruptcy. Not only did the new owner ask Harley to stay, but he brought in a guest artist once a month that brought life back into the store.

  Harley answered and said if she came right away, he could fit her in.

  “I’ll be right over.”

  Since she wanted a tattoo above her breast, she needed to wear a top that was easy to slip down but still keep her covered. After she changed, she darted down the street to the tattoo parlor. The inside looked the same as when she’d been there the last time, which was a 16

  good two years ago. The walls were plastered with amazing designs.

  She would have lingered to admire the talent, but she understood another client would be arriving in a half hour.

  Harley came out of the back and tossed her a lopsided grin. His limp was a bit more pronounced from the last time and his stomach protruded more, but at least he was still doing what he loved. Or at least she hoped he still loved his job. From the yellow tinge to his face, he wasn’t looking very healthy.

  “Wow. What happened to you?” He cocked a brow and ran his gaze from her head to her cute sandals.

  She couldn’t tell if he liked the change or not. “I’m about to open my own art gallery and I wanted to look a bit more upscale.”

  “You’re put together, I’ll grant you that. I like the new look, but then again, I liked the spunky one, too.” If she’d come in wearing her yellow dress and heels, she wondered if he would’ve known it was even her. “Thank you.” He motioned she sit in the chair. “What can I do for you today?” His light tone disappeared and turned gruffer, as if this last year had taken a huge toll on his pride.

  “I want a tat of a paintbrush crossed with an anvil.” She pulled the drawing from her pocket. “I want it over my left breast.” Even she wasn’t sure why she could pierce her face and dye her hair the colors of the rainbow, but when it came to her tats, she wanted them hidden. Maybe because they represented something private to her and weren’t merely artwork.

  Harley studied the picture. “You draw this?”

  “Yes.”

  “The detail is good.” Something dark flashed in his eyes but was gone before she could figure it out.

  “Thanks. Can you do it?”

  “Do I like ink?”

  “Okay, then. Let’s get started.”

  She took off her shirt. Underneath she had a tube top that would

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  allow Harley access to the area without her having to get naked. He made the transfer from her drawing and gathered his inks and cleaning supplies. The only color used would be on the bristles on the brush itself. The two-inch-tall design would be a reminder of all that her father had given her. Too bad he’d never learn about the acknowledgment.

  Harley gathered his tools, set them next to her, and began to prep her skin with alcohol.

  When he leaned in close she could see how much he’d aged, as if the life had been sucked out of him. “How are you doing?” His smile faltered. “I’m busier than ever, but I’m a bit pissed at myself for not thinking about bringing in those guest artists. Business has been booming. Did you know we had someone from LA last month?”

  She’d seen all the ads. “Yeah. I would have come in then, but I like your work.” Harley seemed a bit down.

  “You may look different, but you’re just as sweet.”

  “Who’s the new owner?”

  He shrugged. “Some holding company. There wasn’t a name on the documents. Even when I did the closing, some lawyer did all the signing. I’m betting the real owner has never even stepped foot in Intrigue.”

  “Interesting.”

  Harley got to work on the design. She leaned back her head to keep out of his way and closed her eyes, trying to imagine what her opening would be like. Would the town embrace her new gallery like they had Jade’s metalwork? Or would they believe a store clerk couldn’t pull off something this big?

  The bell above the door chimed, signaling another potential customer. She opened her eyes and every muscle tensed. It was Clint Callen. Her heart galloped. She hadn’t seen him since his parents’

  thirtieth anniversary party, which was a few months ago.

  His light brown hair was a bit shaggier than before, but his 18

  muscled shoulders still strained against his shirt. Maybe it was his sun-kissed skin that caused her pussy to dampen.

  Harley glanced up. “Be with you in a sec, Clint.” He knows him? Intrigue, Wyoming wasn’t a big town, but she hadn’t expected Harley to know Clint Callen. He didn’t have a tat on him. Then again, the whole town had interacted with someone from the Callen family at one time. They were some of the richest people in the state.

  Holding her breath, she waited for him to notice her, or rather to recognize her. Aw, hell. Just because she’d dyed her hair, it didn’t mean she’d changed as a person. When it came to the Callen brothers, she was never shy.

  “Hello, Clint Callen.” She gave him her best kiss me smile.

  He whipped around toward the sound and his eyes widened.

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  Chapter Two

  Clint studied the beauty in front of him. She seemed familiar, but her name didn’t come to mind. He was about to embarrass himself and ask who she was when she smiled, stopping the question from spilling out.

  “It’s Dakota, silly. I dyed my hair back to its natural color, that’s all.”

  Holy shit. “No way.” She’d also toned down the wild eye and lip makeup and took out the studs and rings. In a way, he missed the old gal.

  They’d grown up together, but because she was his older sister’s best friend, he’d kept his distance. He’d always had a secret crush on her, but he’d never let on, and since Morgan always got upset when he was around her, Clint never pursued her. Besides, bringing home a girlfriend with pink, green, and blue hair wouldn’t have gone well, even if she’d practically lived with them for years.

  She may have been a year older, but both he and Morgan thought of her like a younger kid sister, especially since she was so tiny. How his sister and Dakota became such fast friends and remained so to this day, he wasn’t sure. Jade was reserved compared to Dakota, who was pure daredevil and all sass.

  He pulled up a chair and glanced at Harley’s design. He compared it to the sketch on her lap. He nodded to the paper. “May I?” Harley handed it to him. He could see fine bristles on the brush.

  “This is incredible. An anvil and a paintbrush make a fitting design.” He’d seen her paintings in Jade’s house, and she was a true artist.

  “I thought so.” She lowered her lashes at him, almost as if being 20

  this close to him made her shy.

  “This your first tattoo?”

  “No. I have two others, but I keep them hidden.” He laughed. “Why? Your dad wouldn’t care.” His, however, would have a fit. It didn’t matter he was twenty-seven.

  She blew out a breath, acting as if she’d had this conversation a lot of times. “My tats are artistic, but they’re also personal. I want them hidden.”

  He leaned in and cocked a brow. “So where are they?” Her mouth formed a perfect O. “Clint Callen. I’ll never tell.” Her feistiness hadn’t changed. “Guess I’ll have to find out for myself.” He sat back and wrapped his hands behind his head, enjoying the repartee.

  She glanced away as if she didn’t want him to see the sparkle in her eyes. After a moment, she turned back. “What are you here for?”

  “What do you think?”

  “You don’t have any tattoos.”

  He lifted his shirt, and her breath hitched. “I got a lot of them. I just keep them hidden under a T-shirt, too.”

  “Nice!”

  He was surprise
d at how much her approval meant. Being a landscape designer, he often went shirtless. Tattoos were art and he loved art. Often the customers would comment on the intricacy of the design, but he never cared one way or the other about their approval.

  She reached out to touch his chest where the tribal designs were the most prevalent. Her fingertips nearly singed his skin. He pressed her hand to his chest. “Touch once and I won’t want you to stop.”

  “What’s gotten into you? For twenty years you’ve avoided me.” That was true but not because he didn’t want her. She was a pest until she turned sixteen. After that, he’d been fascinated by her for many reasons. This woman had been fat, anorexic, Goth, punk, and a lot of fads in between. But deep down, she was a woman who needed loving. When he was near her, he ached to make her realize how

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  special she was.

  “Guess I was waiting for you to grow up.” That was lame, but he couldn’t come up with a better reply.

  She waved a hand. “Funny. So why stop the tattoos at your shirt line? Are you afraid of what your daddy would say?” She acted like he was some wuss. “Not afraid, but why push it?

  Dad thinks only lower-class people have tattoos. He doesn’t see tattoos as artistic expression.” He gave a quick shake of his head.

  “I think I’ve heard him express those thoughts, but your dad has a lot of misconceptions, especially toward women.” Her lips pursed.

  His father’s prejudices always bothered him. He and Morgan got a chance to go to college, but not Jade. “Jade thinks he’s really changed.

  Look at how he renamed his ranch to include Mom’s initial.” He was still stunned that his father did that, though he couldn’t have been more pleased.

  “It’s a start.”

  Harley lifted her chin away from where he was working. “Stay still.”

  She smiled and mouthed, “Whoops!”

  Harley’s attention to detail mesmerized him. Okay, he was more mesmerized by how Dakota’s breast rose and fell with each prick of the needle. The side of the old man’s hand was pressing on her tit, but she didn’t seem to mind. He imagined a million times what it would be like to hold her luscious breast in his hand and how she’d moan when he plucked the nipple with his teeth.

  “Clint?”

  Damn. He must have a shit-eating grin on his face. He sobered.

  “Yeah?”

  “Never mind. You looked lost.”

  That was because he was in his lustful world. He cleared his throat.

  “Harley, how long you going to be?”

  The tattoo artist glanced at the wall clock. “Sorry. I know you had an appointment at four, but when Dakota called, I didn’t want to say 22

  no. Can you give me thirty minutes?”

  “Sure.” He pulled up a chair and sat a few inches from the delightful woman. He still couldn’t get over how much she’d changed.

  Her dyed hair and removed piercings weren’t the only things different.

  Her attitude and self-confidence seemed to have risen. Now that she was going to be a storeowner, she had a distinctive air about her.

  “When’s the grand opening?”

  She jerked her head back to him. “I’m hoping in three weeks.”

  “Can I get a sneak peek?”

  He loved how her breath always hitched when he caught her off guard. “Sure.”

  “How about I stop over after I get my tat done? We can compare our artistry.”

  She laughed. “I haven’t heard that line before.”

  “It’s not a line.”

  Now he felt bad that he’d purposefully snubbed her all these years.

  She was daring and caring at the same time, a combination he hadn’t found in a woman before. His landscaping work brought in a lot of money, but he spent most of the time either doing the manual labor or designing properties. As much as he loved to party and date, he hadn’t made the time. Maybe today would be the start of a new beginning.

  * * * *

  Dakota was thrilled with her new tattoo. Harley had done a spectacular job. This day couldn’t have gone any better. Not only had she caught sight of Morgan, but she got to spend close to an hour with Clint!

  Her heart still hadn’t slowed. Every time she closed her eyes, his gorgeous face appeared. He hadn’t shaved that day, which only enhanced his rugged sex appeal.

  As soon as she paid, she dashed back to her place with about forty minutes to change. The floor needed to be swept and the rest of her

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  paintings hung. Jumping into panic mode, she hustled. First came the hanging of the paintings. Since all the hardware was in place, the pictures would be easy to put up. She’d waited until she was absolutely certain how she wanted to group the pictures for the best presentation before arranging them in their final position. Even if they weren’t perfect, she bet Clint wouldn’t mind.

  She lifted each one, checked the paintings to the right and left, and if they didn’t compete with each other, she attached the hook in back.

  When she was done, she stepped back.

  “Not bad, art curator.”

  The floor was dusty, but her gallery was a work in progress. Her appearance needed to come next. Not wanting to look anything like the old Dakota, she pulled on a pink frilly top that Jade had bought her for her last birthday, straight jeans sans holes, and cowboy boots.

  She looked like any other Callen girl to her.

  She must have taken a bit too much time because just as she reapplied her light pink lipstick the bell rang above the door. Clint was here and she buzzed him in. She hustled to the top of the steps, inhaled, and tried to act as nonchalant as possible as she floated down the stairs.

  Like the prom date she wished she’d had, Clint waited at the bottom of the steps, almost looking eager.

  Be cool.

  “Hey.”

  His eyes glistened. “I still can’t believe it’s really you.” She swatted his chest, staying away from his recently tattooed arm.

  “I’m just plain old Dakota. I really haven’t changed.”

  “Let me see some plain old Dakota artwork.” She’d always loved Clint’s good-natured ways. “I just put these up, but if you think some pieces don’t speak to you, I can replace them with others.”

  She expected him to walk past all of the artwork, say something polite, and leave. Instead, he studied each one in great detail.

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  “Dakota, these are incredible.”

  She never expected her pulse to race and tears to brim her lashes.

  He loved her work! “You think so?”

  He turned around. “Yes, I do.”

  He continued traveling toward the back of the gallery where she’d displayed her tattoo photos. When he got to her pictures of her grapefruit tattoos, he leaned in closer. “You did these?” She moved next to him. “I’m a novice. I just like to play with the different colored inks.”

  He turned toward her and clasped his hands on her shoulders.

  “You need to show these to Harley. My God, you could go national with your talent.”

  She rolled her eyes. “They’re just samples.” He shrugged. “I’m just saying. You’ve got talent, girl. Your landscapes are remarkable. Have you ever painted the mountains from Randall’s Ridge?”

  She never had the time to go hiking. “Most of my paintings are copied off photographs.”

  His lopsided grin set her stomach aflutter. “Well, then. I think you need to paint in real time. How about Sunday? I’ve got jobs lined up for the rest of the week, but I’m free then. What do you say?” His enthusiasm made her stomach curl and her pussy dampen.

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll bring all the gear. We’ll be hiking up a mountain, so wear good shoes.”

  She could picture herself needing to stop every few minutes. Her aerobic capabilities weren’t the best. “I’m not really the athletic type.” Maybe he’d suggest a place they could drive to.

  He wrapped an arm a
round her waist. “You’ll be fine. We can rest as much as you want.”

  To spend the day with Clint, she’d be willing to be covered in mosquitos and sweat and be scratched by thorny plants. “What time?”

  “The best time is when the sun is either rising or setting. How

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  about I pick you up at 3:00 p.m.?”

  She almost blew out a breath. “I’ll be ready.” He backed up. “On Sunday, then.”

  In a flash, he was gone. As soon as he was out of sight, she jumped up and down. She pulled out her cell and called Jade.

  “Hey, Dakota.”

  “I ran into Clint. He saw my paintings and he wants to take me hiking to Randall’s Ridge on Sunday so I can paint the sunset over the mountains. Can you believe it?”

  Jade laughed. “Did he recognize you?”

  She told her about seeing Morgan. “Neither did at first.”

  “I’m happy for you, but don’t be disappointed if Morgan doesn’t react as favorably as Clint. Those two couldn’t be any more different.”

  Didn’t she know it. “When you get a moment, I’d like your opinion on which of my photos to display.”

  “I’ll drop by tomorrow and we can chat.” How great was it to have such a good friend? She sighed and decided she needed to stop at her dad’s to see about locating some shoes to hike in.

  * * * *

  “I tell you, she’s hot.” Clint waved his beer in his hand.

  Morgan didn’t want to hear it. “It’s Dakota you’re talking about.

  That’s like saying Sarah is hot.” He was exaggerating, since their little sister was fourteen and Dakota was a year older than Clint, but he wanted to make sure his brother understood that dating Dakota wouldn’t work.

  “If you saw her, you wouldn’t say she looks like a little girl.” In his mind’s eye, he pictured the striking brunette he’d passed in the yellow dress today. Now there was a beautiful woman. “How has she changed?” It wouldn’t do to dismiss Clint. If he did, he’d never 26