Marks on My Skin (Love & Ink #1)

by J. A. Howell

  “Mmm, that was fast.” Darren laughed then backed me against the wall. Our mouths met in a frenzy and I discarded my bag on the floor. “Normal limits?” His hand slipped between my legs, teasing me through my panties.

  “Yeah.”

  He let out a deep husky laugh against my neck. “Damn, Shayne. What’s got you so wet?”

  “Nothing. Just a long day.” I said, pushing my hips against his touch. His lips stilled and he withdrew his hand, staring me in the eyes.

  “You’re such a bad liar.”

  “I’m not lying, Darren. You know how I get sometimes.”

  He chewed at his lip ring and narrowed his sharp blue-gray eyes at me for a moment. “I don’t buy it.”

  Darren grabbed my arms and turned me around, pinning them behind me. One hand slid my skirt up and cupped my ass. Heat pooled between my legs and I let out a whimper.

  “Now, tell me, Shayne. What’s got you so wet? Hmm?”

  “Liam’s brother. Kieran.”

  Darren’s hand slapped my ass hard. The loud clap reverberated through me and I moaned.

  “Mmm, what did he do? Tell me everything.” He whispered, and brushed his lips against my ear. I didn’t answer right away and his hand came down hard against my ass again. Finally, I told him about last night, about the scene in the office, and him touching himself in the bathroom afterwards. Darren let out an amused “hmmph”, traced his fingers over the red skin, and spanked me one more time.

  “And now you’re over here, wanting me to fuck you so you can pretend it’s him, is that it?”

  “No! I just…” My thoughts flickered to Kieran, to the feel of him pressing against me, aroused and hard. Darren spanked me again.

  “Lies.”

  “Yes, that’s what I want.”

  Slap!

  “Yes, what?” His tongue flicked against my earlobe.

  “Yes, that’s what I want, sir.”

  “Good girl.” Darren kissed me, then grabbed the back of my panties, pulling them taut so they rubbed against my already swollen clit.

  “You want him to do that?” He asked. I nodded, biting my lip. Two of his fingers slipped inside me, working back and forth in a gentle motion and my whole body shivered. “You want him to touch you like that?” He slipped another finger inside me. I nodded and he withdrew his fingers.

  “Don’t nod, Shayne. Tell me. Tell me what you want him to do to you.”

  I whimpered and he tugged my panties again.

  “Tell me, Shayne.”

  “I wanted him to bend me over the desk in the office and fuck me.”

  Darren laughed behind me and rewarded me with another hard slap. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

  “No, sir.”

  Darren turned my face to his and grinned.

  “Now then, bend over that side table and take off your panties.”

  I listened, bent over the tall narrow table, and pushed my panties down to my knees before hiking my skirt up. I heard him undo his zipper and in one rough motion he was inside me. He thrust hard, banging the table against the wall with each thrust.

  “Like this, Shayne? You want him to fuck you like this?” He groaned behind me.

  I nodded and his fingers tangled into my hair, pulling my head back.

  “Say it, Shayne.”

  “Yes, sir. I want him to fuck me like that.” My lips shook with a moan and I squeezed my eyes shut, imagining Kieran behind me. Darren dug his nails into my hips and I imagined Kieran grabbing me like that. He drove into me harder and I cried out. My earlier fantasy of Kieran and me over the desk played in my head and my muscles clenched around Darren’s thick length. I whimpered Darren’s name and he leaned over me, wrapping an arm around my throat, just tight enough to make me gasp.

  “Don’t call me that. Call me who you’re really fucking.” His teeth dragged against my neck and it sent me over the edge. I came, screaming out Kieran’s name. My body trembled and shook and Darren’s body tensed behind me with his own release. His hand tightened around my neck and his body convulsed behind me with a deep groan that only fueled the rush of ecstasy. A few minutes later he stood up, pulling me back against his chest. “Mmm, that was fun. You want a drink?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  Gently, he pulled my panties back up and slid my skirt back down, planting a soft kiss on my neck. I closed my eyes, laying back against him as my heartbeat slowed from the hard gallop it had been beating at. With an affectionate squeeze he let go of me and went to the kitchen, returning two beers.

  “Here. You look like you need one.”

  “Thanks.” I took a long draw and sank down on the arm of his couch. He observed me with an amused grin.

  “Since when did the Shayne I know get crushes on boys?”

  “It’s not a crush...”

  “What would you call it then? You’re the one that came over all rearing to go after hanging out with this guy, no?”

  “He’s attractive.” I shrugged. Darren took a long drag on his cigarette and pushed his tussled dark brown hair back from his face. He exhaled, a wide grin spreading on his lips.

  “Do you have any idea how easy it is to tell when you’re lying?”

  “It’s complicated. He’s not exactly on the market. Even if he was, I’d rather not rock the boat and piss off Liam. He is my business partner after all.”

  “Ah, right. Still…”

  “Still nothing.” I frowned. My phone buzzed in my bag and I retrieved it off the floor by the door. There was one message from Liam.

  :Thought ya were coming out?:

  :Who’s going to be there?:

  :Just me, Niall, and Kier.:

  I sighed and took another drink before responding.

  :Think I’m going to stay in tonight. Kind of tired:

  “What’s with the sigh?” Darren came up behind me, giving me a playful nip on my neck.

  “Liam wants me to come out for drinks.”

  “And you’re sighing because?”

  “His brother is with him.”

  “Ah, yes, your crush.” He laughed and I spun around, narrowing my eyes at him.

  “He’s not my crush.”

  Darren frowned and swatted my ass with his open palm. “Don’t look at me like that.”

  My lips twisted into a smirk. “Crush or not, I’m not going to go.” I said, settling myself back on the arm of the couch.

  “Oh I think you are. And so am I.”

  “What? No!” I choked on beer, glaring at him. Darren only laughed and patted my back.

  “Yes. I’m going with. Go get washed up. I’m curious to see this Kieran that’s got you all flustered.”

  “Dude, no. I’m not going and neither are you.”

  Darren’s eyes scanned the pub, zeroing in on the back corner where Liam and his brothers were standing around. I glowered by the door for a moment before Liam’s eyes connected with mine. He tilted his head at my approach.

  “Thought ya said ya were feelin’ tired?”

  “I’m feeling better now.” I shrugged.

  “Darren. How are ya doin’?” Liam nodded at him.

  “Not bad. Thought I’d come out and shoot some pool with you guys.” He grabbed a pool stick off the wall.

  “Works fer me. I don’t think Kieran here is much fer playin’ at the moment. You and Shayne can play against me and Niall.”

  Darren studied Kieran sitting on a stool frowning down at his phone. He had to be talking with his wife again.

  “That’s him?” The corner of Darren’s mouth curled with a grin. I nodded and he let out a soft laugh, clearly not impressed.

  Kieran’s lips twitched in agitation and he shoved the phone into his pocket once more. His eyes met mine for a brief moment and a ghost of a smile crossed his lips until he noticed my escort. His pale blue eyes darkened as he appraised Darren. Darren only nodded at him as he racked up the balls.

  “What do you say, ladies first?” Darren’s voice pulled my attention away
from Kieran. I slid my jacket off and grabbed the pool stick from him. I didn’t miss the look Darren gave me as I came around the corner of the table and bent over to hit the cue ball only a couple feet in front of Kieran. The balls parted with the shot and I managed to get one of the solids in a pocket.

  “Not bad, not bad.” Niall laughed and handed me a beer. His gaze moved from me to Kieran as he came around to take his shot.

  “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” I asked Darren as I came back up beside him.

  “I thought you wanted to be bent over a table in front of him?” He mused and took a sip of beer. Heat moved through my cheeks and Darren flashed me a pleased grin. “From the looks of it, he enjoyed the view.”

  I took another gulp of beer and turned my attention to Niall as a couple striped balls rolled into the corner pocket. He stood up and lifted a challenging eyebrow at Darren.

  “Out of the way, sweetheart.” Darren strode past Niall, patted his cheek, and eyed the table, discerning his move. Confident in his plan, he bent over the table, sinking three more balls. “So we wagering anything?”

  “Decidedly not,” Liam laughed, “I forgot how good ya are.”

  They both laughed and Liam took his shot, completely missing the balls. I started for the other side of the table to take my turn but Darren stopped me.

  “Pull your skirt up, just a little.” He whispered in my ear. My eyes widened and Darren gave me a look that dared me not to. Casually, I tugged at the top off my skirt and pulled it up, very aware that the evidence of my earlier punishment was visible to anyone that chose to look. The cue ball was nearest to Kieran once more. Darren grinned at me, watching as I bent over the table. His gaze danced from me to Kieran, clearly enjoying this. Too distracted by them both, I missed the shot. When I stood up, Darren’s grin widened and I shook my head at him dismissively. But when I turned around to grab my beer back from Niall I met Kieran’s gaze. His eyes were wide, and his lips pulled tight together. A mixture of shock and curiosity moved through his features and he swallowed hard.

  I snatched my beer from Niall and hurried back over to the other side of the table by Darren.

  “He noticed that.” He whispered.

  “You think?”

  Darren cocked an eyebrow at me and I knew exactly what that look meant. Keep it up, I dare you.

  I let out a grunt and settled myself on a barstool, fighting the smirk that crossed my lips.

  Darren returned his attention to the game and shook his head. “What the hell is he doing?”

  I glanced back at the table. “Who, Niall?”

  He was strutting around the length of pool table, eyes narrowed in concentration as he twisted the chalk on the end of his pool stick. For added effect, he frowned, slowly dragged his tongue across his bottom lip, and after placing the cube of chalk down, stroked his chin. I glanced around the pub and saw three college girls watching him, hands held in front of their faces as they whispered and giggled. Bingo.

  “He’s peacocking. Twenty bucks says he tries a jump shot.”

  “But he’s got a perfectly easy shot right there!”

  “And yet…” I nodded as Niall made a big show, taking aim and making the cue ball hop over one ball before sending another into the corner pocket. Satisfied with his shot, he looked toward the girls and winked. More giggling ensued.

  “I would have laughed if he messed that up and hit some poor girl in the head with the cue ball.”

  I laughed, nearly dribbling beer down my chin. “Oh he’s done that before. I’ve never seen him run so fast.”

  “Idiot.” Darren laughed, then turned his gaze to Kieran once more. “Is he just going to sit there all night and pout at his phone?”

  “Most likely. His wife’s been messaging him.”

  “Wife? You dirty girl. Lusting over a married man.” A sly grin crossed Darren’s lips.

  “They’re separated. He walked in on her banging five other guys and then she took off.”

  “Damn. Five men? I kind of want to meet her now.”

  Without thinking, I elbowed Darren in the ribs. He grunted then narrowed his eyes at me.

  “Do you think that’s wise?”

  “Sorry. She sounds like a complete bitch. She hasn’t said shit to him for two months and just started messaging him today.”

  “So make him shut his phone off.”

  “No.” I scowled at him and that eyebrow went up once more.

  “Go on.” He nudged me and I grudgingly walked over to Kieran. He was staring down at his phone, his jaw set tight with frustration. I reached out and took it from him.

  “Hey! Oh…I was um.”

  “You were looking like someone pissed in your Cheerios.”

  He frowned. “Something like that anyway. Can I have my phone back?”

  I pulled myself onto the stool next to him and tucked the phone into my bra.

  “Shayne…”

  “I’m doing it for your own good. You had the same look on your face earlier when I saw you in the…um, office.” My cheeks flushed at the thought of us in the office earlier. Darren grabbed up his pool stick and studied the pool table, but I knew he was keeping an eye on us.

  “So, who’s he?” Kieran watched Darren line up his shot, sizing him up. Darren was a few inches taller and a bit more muscular than Kieran. Something Kieran appeared to notice.

  “He’s a friend.”

  “A friend?” His gaze darted in my direction.

  “Yeah. I’ve known Darren a long time.”

  Kieran made a grunt at that and I pulled my mouth straight, fighting off the grin that threatened.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” I bit my lip and he glanced down at it, biting his own. My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my other bra cup.

  “Jahysus, how many phones ya got in there?”

  “Just yours and mine.” I laughed and opened the text message. It was from Darren.

  :Yeah, he wants to fuck you.:

  I frowned at him and he tipped his head at me, still typing furiously on his phone.

  :And he’s totally staring at your tits. :P :

  I jerked my head up and Kieran made a vain attempt to refocus his attention on the game of pool.

  “I think you’re up.” He cleared his throat.

  I took my shot, sinking another ball, then turned back to Kieran. “I’m going to get another drink, want one?”

  Kieran nodded and followed me to the bar with both Liam and Darren watching.

  “So when do I get my phone back?” He gave me a teasing narrow blue gaze as he grabbed his pint off the bar.

  “Hmm…tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? What if I get an important call?”

  “You have voicemail don’t you?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “But what? What are you going to do with your phone if I give it back to you now?”

  He frowned into his pint. “It’s not like I want ta talk ta her. It’s just, I feel like an arsehole if I ignore her.”

  “She ignored you for two months. Probably longer when she was still around.”

  “Yeah…” Kieran lowered his eyes, embarrassment coloring his cheeks. My heart lurched for the poor guy. This woman really had done a number on him. I may not be girlfriend material for anyone, but at least I was up front about it.

  “Look, you seem like a nice guy. Maybe a little too nice. If you told her you need some space but you’re messaging her back, she knows she has you by the balls. Let her have a dose of her own medicine tonight… then if you want to message her back, you can tomorrow.”

  His eyes darkened and he gritted his teeth. “I don’t want ta talk to her. At all.”

  “Then disconnect your phone altogether. Problem solved.”

  “That easy, huh?” Kieran laughed. He was much more handsome when he did that, I noticed.

  “It can be.” I smiled. We headed back toward the pool tables and Darren took the final shot, sinking the eight ball. Liam cla
pped him on the back, then glanced back toward us with a suspicious look.

  Before he could say anything Darren came up and put an arm around my shoulders. “Ready to go?”

  I nodded and said goodbye to the others.

  “Tomorrow.” I told Kieran and he offered me a faint smile—the first that evening.

  “So you going to see what she said?” Darren asked me as we walked out of the pub. I shook my head and he nodded. “Probably best. I kinda feel bad for him.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Crotch Cheese

  Shayne was perched on the edge of the desk when I walked in with Liam the next day and I gave her crossed legs a compulsory once over. She really had that sexy boots, tiny skirt thing down to a science.

  With a playful smirk she pulled my cellphone out of her bra and held it out to me. “Going to turn it on?”

  At that moment, with her sitting in front of me like that, the only thing I wanted to turn on was her. I took the phone from her and dropped it in my pocket without another thought.

  “Well, look at you, putting your foot down. Nicely done.” Shayne grinned very cat-like, and slinked off the desk. “Don’t let me catch you messing with it when I come back here.” She teased.

  I stood there smiling after she’d already disappeared around the corner, but wiped the look off my face as Liam came in.

  “What was that about?”

  “Nothing. She just gave me my phone back.”

  Liam grunted, stared at me for a moment, then left me alone as well. I opened my laptop and started to pull up my email but thought better of it. If she hadn’t heard from me via text all night, Kendall might have sent me a long email. At first I’d been annoyed that Shayne took my phone, but as the night wore on I’d felt a sense of relief. I couldn’t talk to Kendall even if I wanted to. I supposed I still could have emailed her or messaged her over the computer, but I didn’t. For that, I felt rather pleased with myself. Shayne was right, let her have a taste of her own medicine.

  I opened up a previous project and started to read through it, but quickly got bored with it and wandered out into the hall. Buzzing came from both Shayne and Liam’s rooms.

  “Gave up on writing already?” Shayne looked up from the ankle tattoo she was working on.