Hailey put the food in a bag, and the cups in a container when she was finished. “You need help getting everything over there?”
Callie shook her head. “No, I’ve got this. If there was another drink order, then I’d need help, but Maya is off today so we’re good.”
“She out with Jake again?”
Callie snorted. “Yep. It’s her day off so she’s off doing something with Jake. They’re just friends though, Hailey. I’m pretty sure they’ve never slept together since I don’t get those vibes.”
“You can’t just be friends with a man like that.”
“Maybe, maybe not. I’m friends with him. In fact, I’m friends with the whole crew, and I haven’t slept with any of them.”
Hailey sighed. “Yeah, but you work with them and they treat you like a sister. Jake doesn’t treat Maya like a sister.”
“No, he treats her like one of the guys. I honestly think they’re good as friends. Plus she gets enough shit about it that I don’t want to tease her.”
Hailey threw her head back and laughed. “Honey, you tease her about sleeping with him all the time. You even call her out on it in public and joke about it. She jokes right back, so it’s just the way the two of you work.”
Callie blushed. That was true. Maya scared most people since she was brash, had more ink than some deemed lady-like, and spoke her mind. She used to intimidate Callie too, but then Callie had seen beneath the gruff exterior into the woman that cared for those she loved with all her heart. Now the two of them joked around and Jake was just more fodder. If Callie had ever caught a glimpse of pain in the other woman’s eyes, she’d never do it, but Maya took it in stride and teased right back.
“I’ll see you later, hon. Don’t work too hard.”
“I never do,” Hailey lied.
Callie rolled her eyes, then made her way back into the shop. She dropped off Sloane’s soup and drink in the office. He didn’t acknowledge her, his focus on the drawing in front of him. She didn’t sneak a peek though, since she didn’t want to pry, but she wanted to.
“Eat this or I’ll sic Hailey on you,” she said softly.
Sloane froze and slowly looked over to the soup. “Thanks,” he said gruffly, then went back to work.
Shit. Maybe mentioning Hailey’s name while he was in the zone wasn’t the best thing to do, but she couldn’t take it back now. She went back out into the shop and handed Austin his drink while setting his client’s smoothie in front of him.
“So how goes things?” she asked, taking a sip of her chai. Yummy cinnamon goodness.
The client mumbled something and she snuck a look at Austin.
“We’re almost done, Geoff is just in the zone.” Austin stopped and looked over at his client’s face. “You still good, bro?”
“Yeah, it doesn’t hurt, but the vibrating is getting to me.”
Austin nodded and got back to work. The buzz of the needle calmed Callie at the same time as it excited her. The paradox was what made her a tattoo artist. She loved the idea of creating something new while knowing the act itself was something she could dive deep into.
“Getting close. I’m just shading the last bit now then we’ll cover you up. I know after a while the sound can be too much.”
“Thanks,” Geoff mumbled, his eyes closed.
“Anything you want me to do?” Callie asked as Austin worked.
Austin tilted his head toward the front of the shop. “We have a walk in sitting in the chairs looking at the books. Then later we have a consult that I want you to be part of. From what the girl said she wanted, you should be able to handle it yourself.”
Callie beamed, her fingers tapping along her thigh. She couldn’t wait to get started, but doing another dance probably wouldn’t show off the calm, cool, and collected persona most badass tattoo artists radiated.
“What’s the consult?” she asked, eager to start working on the girl’s tattoo even though she knew she should get all the information first.
“A friend of mine from while back. You’ll see. I think you’ll be intrigued.”
Callie’s brow raised at that cryptic comment, then sucked back more of her chai. “Okay, then. Where do you want me to work?” Since she wasn’t a full time tattoo artist, she didn’t have a station of her own. She had her own kit and tools that she’s acquired over time, but unlike the others, she didn’t have a chair and area of her own. She bounced around from station to station, usually sharing space so she could learn and be watched over as she did so. It didn’t bother her since most people had to work that way when they first started and she honestly learned a lot from just having someone there to help her if needed.
Austin looked up from Geoff’s arm. “Go take the empty one near Sloane. You should be done with what the girl wants by the time Morgan gets here.”
Her body stiffened at the mention of an empty station. That was new.
“Morgan?” she asked, trying to sound casual about what his other words meant.
“My friend with the consult.” Austin grinned. “And yeah, Callie. Take the extra station. We cleared it out for you last night.”
Callie froze, her eyes filling. “What?”
Austin, cursed, then patted Geoff’s back. “Give me a sec.”
“Sure thing. If you’re about do to what I think you’re about to do, then I’m glad I’m here to witness it.”
Callie swallowed hard, her gaze going from Austin, to Geoff, to the empty station, then back to Austin. “What do you mean?”
“You’re ready for your own space, hon,” Austin said softly. “You’ve been ready for awhile, but Maya and I wanted to be sure the shop was ready too. Since Tommy moved away when his wife got stationed in Texas last week, we’ve opened up a space. So it’s yours. We’ll talk business and what it all means when Maya gets back, but welcome to the family. You’re one of us.”
Callie threw her arms around Austin’s neck, crying softly. “Oh thank you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Austin patted her back and set her down. “You’re good at what you do. So go work on the star for that girl over there and then we can work with Morgan together.”
She nodded, a bit dazed, then kissed Austin on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“Putting moves on my man?” Sierra teased as she walked in.
Callie blushed then stepped back from Austin. “He just told me I get my own station, so I was just saying thanks. He’s all yours.”
Sierra beamed and hugged her tight. Callie closed her eyes, letting her family in everything but blood celebrate with her. “I’m so proud of you.” She looked over at Austin. “Maya’s going to be pissed you didn’t wait for her.”
Austin shrugged. “Whatever. I want Callie to work with Morgan and Maya isn’t here. She’ll get over it.”
Callie winced. “I so don’t want to be here when you’re telling her that.”
“Whatever,” Austin mumbled, his attention on his work.
“It’s good to see you,” Callie said to Sierra.
“You too, honey. I’m just stopping in to say hi on my way out to see another boutique in the area.”
Callie raised a brow. “Problems?” Sierra owned Eden, a new boutique across the street. That’s how she and Austin had met.
“Problems? Oh no. Not at all. I just like to know what the other shops are selling. It’s good to know your rivals.”
Callie grinned. “Oh, good. Have fun and let me know how it goes.”
“Will do and congratulations, honey.”
“Thank you!” Callie bounced her way to the girl sitting in the waiting room, trying to act causal and totally failing. Whatever, she was a full-fledged tattoo artist now. With a station and everything. She could act perky and her age if she wanted.
“Hi, I’m Callie and I’ll be your artist today.” Yay. “Come on over to my station and we’ll talk stars.” Her station. Yay again.
The girl smiled at her. “I’m Jessica. It’s nice to meet you.”
Callie led Jessica over to her new station and talked stars and placement. Austin was right; this would be a super easy first tattoo on her own. The girl wanted it on the inside of her wrist, no bigger than a fingernail. Plus she only wanted the outline and no fill.
“Let me get my things and then we can get started,” Callie said then headed back to the office to get her kit.
By the time she got everything ready and started sketching in front of Jessica, she was jazzed and ready to start inking. She stenciled the star on the girl’s wrist, got approval, and started tattooing. The buzz went straight to her bones and she grinned.
God, she loved her job.
Jessica didn’t flinch as Callie worked. It really depended on the person and location if someone was going to move around a lot during a session. This girl didn’t seem too bothered by the needle and Callie counted herself grateful. A perfect client and tattoo for her first job all on her own. Sure, she’d done tattoos before, but never on her own. Never in a station she could make hers. Austin, Sloane, Maya and the others would be there if she needed them, but right then, she was all on her own.
And oh my, didn’t that sound amazing?
By the time she finished up the paperwork and said goodbye to Jessica, Austin was already done with another consult after Geoff had left. Sloane was at his station, working on a leg piece that she’d want to get a look at later and they had a nice flow to the room. Not too busy, yet enough people to make her feel like she was in the right place.
The hairs on the back of her neck tingled and she shivered. She turned toward the door and blinked once. Twice.
The sexiest man she’d ever seen in her life stood in the doorway.
No, stood wasn’t a good word, not with the way his presence filled the shop. Dear Lord, was she panting? His broad shoulders were encased in a suit that had to cost more than her rent, but she didn’t care about that. His thick chest tapered into a trim waist and strong thighs. Just the thought of those thighs made her clench her own. He had his hands fisted at his sides, and oh God, those hands. Large, thick, and they looked so out of place compared to his classy suit. It looked as if he actually used his hands rather than merely sitting behind a desk as his attire suggested.
She let her gaze rake over his body and settle on his face. His attention was focused in front of him so she got his profile. He’d clenched his jaw, but damn, he looked amazing. He had to be in his late thirties or early forties. He had one of the expensive haircuts that made his dark brown strands look like they were perfectly manicured. With the way his hair had gone silver on his sideburns, it made him look even more dangerous.
He might be older her than her, but her hormones didn’t care. No, they screamed ‘fuck yeah, let’s ride’. Her nipples tightened and she thanked God she’d worn a bra that morning. Talk about embarrassing if that was the first thing he’d see.
He turned toward her and she sucked in a breath. Piercing blue eyes stared back at her, studying her like they would something they didn’t quite understand.
Not something she was unfamiliar with.
She wanted this man. Now. Later. More than once.
“Morgan, glad you made it,” Austin said as he walked up to the man with the sexy eyes. He held out a hand and Morgan clasped it.
“Thanks for sparing the time for me,” Morgan said, his voice low, gruff. So deep that it vibrated straight to her pussy.
Damn. This was Morgan. The man Austin wanted her to ink. It wouldn’t do well for her to lust after him. Sure, Austin had ended up engaged to Sierra after a consult, but sleeping with clients wasn’t the best way to start a career.
Her libido cursed at her and she pushed it aside. She’d just look from afar…even as she put her hands on him in a professional sense.
“Callie.”
She shook her head and looked up at the men again. It seemed they’d been trying to get her attention and she’d been off in her own dirty thoughts.
“Sorry, I was woolgathering.”
Austin gave her a curious look then motioned for her to come over. “Morgan, this is Callie Masters. Callie, this is one of my old friends, Morgan McAllister. From what you said you wanted Morgan, I really think Callie is going to do a great job on your ink.”
Morgan frowned. “Has she been tattooing long? I thought I’d come in and get you to work on me, not a new student.”
Callie bit back the frustration at the fact he talked about her like she wasn’t even there. “I’m experienced, Mr. McAllister. Don’t worry, I won’t screw up your tattoo.”
“Yeah, Morgan. She’s an amazing artist and exquisite with color. You’re going to be in good hands.”
Morgan narrowed his eyes. “If you say so.”
“He does,” Callie bit back. Normally she was a little more gracious when it came to clients. It wasn’t as if she’d been immune to people thinking she couldn’t cut it before. But he’d heated her up quickly then just as fast, cooled her down.
She might want to fuck him, or at least might have wanted—past tense—but now she wanted to prove to him she was good enough. He was way too rigid for her and that ‘student’ comment told her he thought she was too young.
Austin looked between the two of them then met her gaze. She nodded, telling him with her eyes that she could handle it. Later, when Morgan wasn’t there, she’d tell Austin how she felt. He seemed to understand, then took a step back.
“Okay then. I’ll let the two of you work together.” He squeezed Morgan’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t put you into hands I didn’t trust with all my heart. Got me?”
Morgan nodded, but didn’t lose the frown. Whatever, she’d prove to him—and herself—she could do this.
She led him to her new station and gestured for him to sit down. He did so, but didn’t lose the suit jacket, that rigidness never leaving his body.
“What is it you wanted?” she asked, trying to keep her voice warm. She wouldn’t let this guy rock her. She’d been through worse; she could do this.
“A full back piece that goes down the back of my arms, but also is easily covered up in a suit.”
Well damn. That was big. Really big.
“What do you want it of?”
He met her eyes. “A phoenix.”
A symbol for rebirth. For change.
She could do this. Her fingers itched to start sketching. Oh damn, she couldn’t wait to ink this on his body.
She smiled then. “That’s something we can do, Mr. McAllister. Don’t you worry, you’re in good hands.”
He raised a brow, but she didn’t blush. She’d give him the best tattoo of her life and then she’d let him walk away. Morgan McAllister and all his sexiness weren’t for her, but she’d show him what she could do with her ink.
She was Callie Masters. Kickass tattoo artist.
Find out more in Forever Ink (In the Hot Ink Anthology). Coming Nov 12th, 2014.
To make sure you’re up to date on all of Carrie Ann’s releases, sign up for her mailing list HERE.
An Alpha’s Path
Did you enjoy this selection? Why not try another romance from Fated Desires?
From New York Times Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan’s Redwood Pack Series
An Alpha’s Path
Melanie is a twenty-five year old chemist who has spent all of her adult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she’s to start her dream job, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to live again. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution. Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on a fixed blind date – a chance to get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she’s to meet exceeds her wildest dreams – but he is more than what he appears and Melanie’s analytical mind goes into overdrive.
Kade, a slightly older werewolf (at over one hundred years), needs a night way from the Pack. Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kade hide in his work, the only
peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meet the sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he finds this woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, sane world and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?
Find out more in An Alpha’s Path. Out Now.
To make sure you’re up to date on all of Carrie Ann’s releases, sign up for her mailing list HERE.
Dust of My Wings
Did you enjoy this selection? Why not try another romance from Fated Desires?
From New York Times Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan’s Dante’s Circle Series
Dust of My Wings
Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?
Neat freak lab tech, Lily Banner lives her life as any ordinary human. She’s dedicated to her work and loves to hang out with her friends at Dante’s Circle, their local bar. When she discovers a strange blue dust at work she meets a handsome stranger holding secrets – and maybe her heart. But after a close call with a thunderstorm, she may not be as ordinary as she thinks.
Shade Griffin is a warrior angel sent to Earth to protect the supernaturals’ secrets. One problem, he can’t stop leaving dust in odd places around town. Now he has to find every ounce of his dust and keep the presence of the supernatural a secret. But after a close encounter with a sexy lab tech and a lightning quick connection, his millennia old loyalties may shift and he could lose more than just his wings in the chaos.
Warning: Contains a sexy angel with a choice to make and a green-eyed lab tech who dreams of a dark-winged stranger. Oh yeah, and a shocking spark that's sure to leave them begging for more.
Find out more in Dust of My Wings. Out Now.
To make sure you’re up to date on all of Carrie Ann’s releases, sign up for her mailing list HERE.
Delicate Ink Page 25
