Draw Me In

by Regina Cole

  “That’s great,” I said, unable to cover the surprise in my voice. Seriously? “I know this might seem like a rude question, but how old are you? You don’t look old enough to own half this place. Actually, you look close to my age.”

  He laughed, and it rumbled straight through my body again. I willed myself to be still, to turn my insides into steel instead of molten mush.

  “I’m twenty-four. And if you’re in college, you must be what, twenty?”

  “Almost,” I said with a smile. “A few months. I’m going to see Razorwires for my birthday.”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled his phone free, tapping the screen. “You mean these guys?”

  I laughed delightedly as the middle of my favorite song wailed out from the tiny speakers. “Hells yeah,” I said.

  Neill cut the music and winked. “I’m a fan, too.”

  My blush warmed my cheeks, no matter how hard I tried to tamp it down. “That’s great.” Holy crap, this guy was too much. Was he flirting, or was I imagining it? I didn’t have the best radar when it came to guys. And I wanted him to be flirting with me, wanted it so bad it hurt. Even though it was the worst idea ever. My opinion of love and attraction was completely screwed up, probably forever.

  At least my nervousness had drained away. Mostly. Good God, I need therapy.

  “So, anyway, the job.”

  His words startled me from my daydream. “Right! The job. Yes.”

  He leaned back in the chair, lacing his fingers over his flat belly. “The hours would be mostly evenings and weekends. You’d staff the front desk, answer phones, make appointments, take payments, and answer questions. General stuff.”

  I nodded. “I can do all of that. Most of my classes are morning.”

  “Do you have any tattoos?”

  “No, I don’t. That isn’t a problem, is it?” I crossed my fingers beside my thigh. Please let my unadorned skin not be the deal breaker! I more than needed a job, I wanted this specific one. With this specific guy.

  Neill laughed. “Not at all. It’s good to wait until you know what you want. Laser removal isn’t cheap, and neither is a good cover-up job. But if I’m right about you, and you really love art like you say you do, I doubt it’ll be long before you’ve got a piece.” Neill stood, and I jumped as I realized what part of his anatomy was at eye level. But he stepped away a split second later, and I sighed. Whether in relief or disappointment, I wasn’t sure.

  “I can offer you nine bucks an hour. So, you in?”

  I tried hard to make it look like I was thinking about it, gripping the armrests of the comfy chair, but the charade didn’t last long. “I’m in. When do I start?”

  I almost floated back to campus. Even the fact that the dining hall had long since closed wasn’t enough to dampen my spirits. My keys jingled in the lock of my dorm room.

  “Jackie?” I called softly as I opened the door. An empty room greeted me, my side partially organized with a haphazardly made bed and random stacks of books and folded clothes, Jackie’s side a chaotic jumble with zero semblance of order. The bathroom door stood open, our suitemate’s side shut.

  “Must be out,” I said to myself as I raided our small fridge. A Snickers bar from the tiny freezer and a Diet Dr Pepper was a good dinner, right? I dropped into my desk chair, unwrapping the candy bar and grabbing a cold, sweet bite. With the chocolate melting in my mouth, I yanked open the desk drawer. The rest of my room might be a mess, but my art supplies were always painstakingly organized. With pencils and sketchpad in hand, and my blood sugar happily spiking, I started drawing.

  A strong jawline shadowed with beard growth. An aquiline nose. Dark, curling hair that laid playfully against the collar of his tee. And the eyes. Those eyes were the hardest part. They weren’t just eyes, they were more than that. Portals to another world or pools of lust itself. The metaphor might be melodramatic, but dammit, they were gorgeous.

  I concentrated as I lined each lash, portrayed each tiny beam of light, each dark fleck in those stormy blue eyes. When it was done, I sank back into the chair.

  Neill. Neill Vanderhaven. I was crushing hard on my new boss.

  The door to the room opened suddenly, and I jumped, slamming the sketchbook shut, nearly upsetting the remnants of my soda in the process.

  “Hey, Hales!” Lily, my suitemate and good friend, nearly skipped into the room, her bright green earrings jingling softly; her dark eyes were bright with excitement. “You really missed a good Frisbee game this afternoon. Walt and Brian nearly killed each other. I didn’t know before today that contact Frisbee existed. Whatcha working on?”

  I clutched the sketchbook to my chest. “Just doodling. Nothing, really.”

  Lily flopped onto my bed, folding her long legs beneath her. “I wanted to see if you could help quiz me. I’ve got a chemistry test tomorrow, and some of these elements are tripping me up.” She shoved her bangs away from her forehead, the silky hair flopping right back into its previous position the moment her hand fell away.

  “Sure,” I agreed, yanking open my desk drawer. “No problem. Just let me put this away . . .”

  “Oh, come on, let me see. You know I love your drawings,” Lily cajoled as she reached for the sketchbook, fluttering her long lashes. “You don’t have to be embarrassed.”

  “I’m not.” I gripped the sketchbook tighter. The spiral binding cut into my palm. “It’s just . . .”

  “Hey, you know I love your art. When have I ever said anything mean about it?” Lily pouted, her normally thin lips going impressively full when pooched out like a manipulative kindergartener’s.

  I sighed in defeat. “You haven’t.”

  “Oh yeah, and you haven’t told me how the job search went today!” Lily bounced on the bed. “So give me your drawing and tell me while I ooh and aah over your talent.”

  “Dammit, Lil,” I groaned, but passed the sketchbook anyway. The chair legs scraped across the wooden floor as I turned the chair so I could face Lily.

  Lily flopped the book open to the silky red ribbon bookmark. Her jaw went slack, almond eyes rounding as she took in the sketch. “Holy shit, Hales. Who the hell is this?” Her voice was breathy, almost reverent.

  “That,” I said with a weak smile, “is my new boss.”

  “Holy shit,” Lily repeated in an awed whisper.

  “You’ve got that right.”

  Chapter Three

  Neill

  I scraped the last of the shaving cream away with the razor and splashed my skin clean. Streaks of white foam swirled down the drain. A bracing pat of aftershave cooled me, and I scrutinized my reflection.

  Calm, cool, put together. Not too bad. I pulled on a simple heather-gray tee, making sure the hem was straight. With a last adjustment of my belt buckle, I looked again. Yup, confident. In charge. The boss.

  With a mental eye roll, I turned away from the mirror. I still had a lot to learn about being the boss. Tasha had reminded me of that last night after I’d hired Hailey without so much as having her fill out an application. The only things I knew about her were that she was a college student, loved art, and was hotter than four-alarm chili.

  “Serves me right, letting my cock do the thinking,” I muttered as I left the bathroom. “Maybe we won’t get burned.”

  The girl in question should be there already, learning the ropes from a reluctant Tasha. I couldn’t blame Tasha for her misgivings. She hadn’t met Hailey the night before. The girl might be a drug addict, or a kleptomaniac, or worse. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was the right person. Perfect for me—er, the job.

  I grinned as I grabbed my helmet and headed out the door. I couldn’t pretend that I didn’t want to get to know Hailey better. She was gorgeous, with thick brown hair and smoky hazel eyes that sparkled when she smiled, her petite body curvy and soft-looking. She loved art, her laugh made me instantly hard, and she had good taste in music. She met all my qualifications.

  Of course, the last girl who’d met
all of my qualifications had done her damnedest to ruin my life. I glanced back at the house as I walked across the driveway. If not for Karl, I’d have been homeless for the second time in my life, thanks to Gretchen’s habits.

  A dark cloud fell over my memory then, and I lost my smile. The regret followed me into my small detached garage, stronger as I rolled my motorcycle into the sun. Dammit, I didn’t want to remember Gretchen. It seemed that every time I tried to focus on another woman, my former girlfriend’s face popped into view, angry and thin from the drugs. She’d been bad for me, but that was two years ago. My finances had nearly recovered. I was paying rent, I’d paid off my bike, my credit rating sounded less like a first-grade math problem. Maybe I could finally let it go.

  I revved the bike’s engine and pointed it toward the shop, trying like hell to focus on the future. But the past chased me through the miles of shade trees and ranch homes, through cute neighborhoods to the outskirts of downtown Leesville, like a cop after a felon. As my bike’s tires ate up the miles, the arguments played in my brain, a vicious repetition of my hellish former relationship.

  By the time my bike rolled down the narrow alley between Sinful Skin and the vacant store, my mood had soured. As I tucked the helmet under my arm and removed the key from the switch, I made up my mind.

  Hailey was my employee and should be off limits. Besides, I wasn’t ready for another relationship. Even though she was gorgeous, smart, and funny, I’d try to stay away. She didn’t need my mental shit. The girl just wanted a job, not some douchebag grabbing at her.

  My resolve lasted exactly thirty seconds. When I entered the shop and saw Hailey bent over the counter, pert little ass waving in the air as she studied some form or another, my mouth watered, my muscles tensed, and the poisonous memories floated away. Damn, she was hot.

  “Morning,” I called to the room at large, trying to play it cool. The sharp scent of coffee greeted me as I dragged in a heavy breath. “Beautiful Saturday, isn’t it?”

  Tasha shot a mistrustful glance at me from her position beside Hailey. “You’re awfully chipper.”

  I shrugged and disappeared into my studio, tucking my helmet and backpack into the cabinet behind the door. I shook out my hands, rolling my shoulders in the privacy of the studio. Stay cool, Vanderhaven. So she’s hot, so what? No biggie. Pinning a carefree expression on my face, I sauntered back out to the counter, boots thudding softly on the shiny floor. As I neared, Hailey looked up from the computer and gifted me with the most gorgeous smile I’d seen in a very long time. “Morning to you, too. It is nice out.”

  I shoved my hands in my pockets, hopeful that she couldn’t tell how her nearness affected me. Dammit, I was a grown man, not some horny teenager, despite what my crotch was thinking. My dick was so hard it almost hurt. “Yup.”

  Silence stretched out between us. I wracked my brain for something to say, anything. Her white teeth caught her full pink lower lip as she looked up at me. Tasha cleared her throat, a sharp sound that seemed to knock us both back onto Planet Earth.

  “I wanted to say thank you. For the job, I mean.” Hailey tucked her hair behind her ear, a movement that I was beginning to suspect was a nervous tic. “It’s really great of you to give me a shot.” She looked down at her feet. I followed her gaze, noting with pleasure the deep blue polish on her toenails. It was almost exactly the same color as the walls of Sinful Skin. I halfway hoped that she’d done it for the shop—no, for me.

  “No problem,” I said with a thoughtful smile, hoping I was somehow able to ease her nerves. She seemed so jumpy. “Somebody gave me a shot once. I figure it’s time to pay it forward.”

  A soft electronic beep sounded, and I glanced toward the front of the shop. Though we’d barely opened, a young guy, dressed in faded jeans and a white tee, was pushing through the door. It should make me happy, but it kind of irritated me that my brief conversation with Hailey was being interrupted.

  Tasha beckoned to Hailey, who said, “Whoops. I’m supposed to go greet him.” Pink rushed Hailey’s cheeks, the color clashing beautifully with her peach tank.

  I tried hard not to laugh as she flew to the counter and beamed at the customer. Well, she was definitely eager. My gaze drifted downward, past the rippling fabric of her top to the curve of her ass, framed perfectly by her skinny jeans. I wondered what it would be like to peel the dark denim from her legs, run my hands along her soft thighs, let my lips trail higher . . .

  Tasha cleared her throat, jerking me out of my erotic daydream. She stood with her arms crossed, dark brows narrowed, giving me a clear look that said, Don’t even.

  “Neill, can you do a consultation?”

  I blinked to clear my lustful thoughts and nodded. “Sure. Yeah, of course. Follow me, man.”

  I led the customer into my studio, wondering what the hell I’d done by hiring Hailey. If I had to work beside her for the next few months, I’d have to figure out how to keep my damn libido quiet. Right now it looked like I would have to figure out a way to hide my semi-permanent hard-on.

  Hailey

  I looked up from the consent forms I was filing. An hour ago, Tasha had given me a list of tasks to take care of, and this was the last item. I had cleaned the desk area and gotten familiar with the filing system; met the other two artists, Roger and Frankie; made a run for paper towels; and researched some tattoo meanings for a client. It had certainly been a lot more fun than my early morning had been. Ugh. I didn’t want to talk to Dad again soon if I could help it. He’d mentioned his secretary at least three times during our conversation, and it had been all I could do to keep from snapping. At least I didn’t have to worry about talking to Mom. She wasn’t much for calling or texting, and I hadn’t sent my usual Facebook messages since she pulled her little disappearing act. I figured she deserved the silent treatment, and she apparently didn’t mind.

  I slipped the last paper into its spot in the filing cabinet, sighing with relief when the drawer slid shut, helped on its way by my hip.

  “Done?” Tasha called from her position at the other end of the counter. Her long nails clacked against the computer keyboard.

  I nodded, glancing out the large front windows at the setting sun. It’d be dark soon, but I felt like I’d gotten there only ten minutes ago. “I think so. Is there anything else you want me to do? I don’t mind.” I smoothed my hands down my jeans, wondering idly if Neill was still around. I hadn’t seen him since a couple of hours ago, when we passed one another in the small break room. He’d given me a wink that made my breath stick in my throat. Dammit, I really need to stay away from him.

  “No, we’re good. I’ve written a list for tomorrow, and that should get things caught up enough that you can focus on the customers who come in. They’re the top priority, no matter how many piles of forms you have stacked up, so remember that.” Tasha’s tone was matter-of-fact but kind. She smiled at me. “Good job today, by the way.”

  My cheeks heated at the praise, and I looked down at the floor. “Thanks.”

  “We open up at one, so you need to be here by twelve-thirty to get stuff ready.” Tasha sighed as she tossed her braids over her shoulder. “I wish I had a few more days to train you, but it is what it is, I guess. You’ll have to really work at learning the ropes, because these guys are useless.”

  “I heard that.” Neill appeared around the corner, and I stifled my grin.

  Tasha set her jaw as she swung her rolling chair around to face the boss. “It’s the truth. You couldn’t tell your ass from a hole in the ground if I wasn’t here to show you.”

  A playful scowl crossed Neill’s face, and he leaned against the wall like a sullen kid. I didn’t stifle my laugh in time, and he shot me a mock glare.

  He nodded toward me. “How’d she do?”

  “She’s smart. I think she’ll be fine.” Tasha turned toward me, her lip ring flashing under the fluorescents. “Twelve-thirty, okay?”

  “I got this. Don’t worry.” I picked up my bag from the
cubby beneath the counter and smiled at them. “See you guys tomorrow.”

  With a wave at both Neill and Tasha, I turned and headed out the glass door, an electronic beep signaling the door’s opening. When it swung shut behind me, a deep breath stretched my lungs, and I arched my back toward the sky as I headed for the bus stop. What a day. It had been fun, but Tasha had been right. I’d have to work at this.

  Quick footsteps behind me drew my glance, and I turned. Neill jogged up to me, his wavy hair moving softly with his steps. The dying rays of the sun made it shine, but I tried not to notice it. Just my boss. He’s just my boss.

  He stopped in front of me, crossing his arms over his middle. Dammit, why’d he have to do that? It was hard enough not to stare at his muscular forearms, exposed as they were by the short sleeves of his tee. But the beautiful art on his skin was almost impossible to ignore. There was an old-school swallow, a Sailor Jerry–style eagle, and an anchor on one arm, among other designs I hadn’t been able to identify yet. His left arm was tattooed in a more modern style, with swirls of color and bold lines. I wished I were brave enough to ask him to show me all his ink, but that was a bad idea. Especially when his face was so solemn.

  “Hey. Seriously, was it okay?”

  I hesitated to answer when I looked directly into his stormy blue eyes. They drew me in, pulled me toward him. “Yeah,” I croaked, and then coughed. “Sorry. Tasha was nice, and she has everything really organized, so it’s easy. I think I’ll be fine, as long as you and the other guys are patient with me.”

  Neill smiled, stepping a little closer. I caught a whiff of his scent, a light musky cologne. “I knew you could do it.” His voice was even deeper, if that was possible.

  The desire to step closer to him, to close that gap, was there and pretty strong. But my fear was stronger. No, I wasn’t going to do anything I’d regret later. Hot guy or not, he was my boss. And I needed this job—desperately. My whole future depended on it. “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow?”