by LS Anders
Who was she kidding? He probably didn’t even remember her anyway, and even if he did, what difference did it make to her if he was impressed with her appearance? Her seventeen-year-old face and figure were a distant memory, and she had a few wrinkles here and there that now defined her as a woman that was pushing forty.
Pacing around in a tight circle in the restroom wasn’t helping her school girl trembles. Should she go up front and wait for him, or just hang back in her office until he arrived?
Heading to her office, she didn’t want to appear too eager. Better to remain aloof. There was no need to jog his memory if he didn’t remember her. It would be better to leave well enough alone. Bringing someone from her past back into her world might not be the best idea she’d ever had. But when Tegan had applied for the artist’s job, she wondered if his employer was the same Jason Gales from her hometown.
She hadn’t heard from or seen anyone from there, except her Aunt Jenny, since she’d been whisked away in the middle of the night.
Her life had never been the same since her mother was accused of and imprisoned for murdering the vice-president of the Satan’s Disciples MC. That group of men were all one-percenters, so killing to avenge one of their own wasn’t a question of if, but when.
There had been some sort of altercation between her mom, Kirsty Sage aka Reaper, president of the all-female Valkyrie MC, and the vice-president of the Satan’s Disciples MC.
Reaper and their vice-president, Stone, were having an affair. Jealousy over Stone’s old-lady, who he was supposedly divorcing, had caused a nasty argument resulting in a nine-millimeter bullet embedded in Stone’s frontal lobe.
She had just returned home from her date with Jason when her aunt had skidded sideways into the driveway, loaded her up in the car, taking her to a friend’s house to lay low.
She could remember how terrified she was when the police had brought them all in for questioning when all she’d wanted to do was pile up in bed and ponder the experience of her first time having sex, not hashing out her night with the police.
She’d beg her aunt to stop the car when she’d seen Jason running after them at the police station, but she never slowed. Just told her to forget him. That it was too dangerous now for her to have any friends.
Aunt Jenny had never approved of her mother’s involvement in the MC and had jumped at the opportunity to take her niece away from the “unhealthy environment”.
She hadn’t been allowed to contact her mom or any of her friends. She’d wanted so badly to speak with Jason, but her aunt informed her she would be the one that the MC would target as pay back for what her mother had done. So, fear of the MC discovering her whereabouts became her way of life.
She’d learned to keep her head down and not draw attention to herself, not get too close to anyone, to forget everyone she knew and loved to save herself from the retaliation that would be sure to come if the Satan’s Disciples found her.
She became a living ghost, floating from one town to the next. Evana Sage had vanished that night, and in her place became whoever her aunt could think up next. She’d had so many identities over the years that followed, she could hardly keep track of who she was pretending to be.
When the opportunity arose to finally see someone from her old life, she had thrown caution to the wind and jumped at the chance to reconnect with her long lost crush. She hoped she hadn’t made a mistake by letting her past in.
She’d broken out in a full body sweat after dialing the number Tegan had provided as a job reference. After hearing Jason’s voice over the phone for the first time in over twenty years, she was certain it was him. She hadn’t made him aware of who she was, and he was keeping the call professional, so she hadn’t veered off into personal territory.
He didn’t let on that he remembered her, until the second time she called just three weeks ago. He seemed to have gained a familiarity to his tone as they spoke about his new position as her manager/tattoo artist. But, it could have been because they’d already spoken once before, and he felt more comfortable talking to her.
Her mind was jumping all over the place, her curser making lazy circles over the payroll spreadsheet she should have been focused on.
Giving up, she saved what little bit of work she’d managed, making her way to the front. She’d wait inside her artist room and busy herself with making room for him since they’d be sharing a space. And, she’d be closer to the door so it wouldn’t look like she was waiting for him, and she could catch a covert glimpse of him before he saw her.
Making a slow circle around her workspace, she rearranged some items on the long console table that she had previously arranged. Checked the drawers that she had already emptied for his use. Wiped down the client chair that was still clean from last night—
The bell over the door shook her inside her own skin. Holding her breath, she tiptoed to the door and peered around the edge of the frame.
There he was. Her first crush. The guy that had taken her virginity.
Holy shit he was hotter now than he had been in high school!
He stood in profile, looking around the reception area. His black slacks and gray button down did nothing to hide his sexy physique. His face had filled out, his jaw more square, his lips more full. He was wearing his age well.
Gone was the athletic slimness of an eighteen-year-old. In its place was a man with broad shoulders, a wide chest, and a trim waist held up by a set of powerful legs she wouldn’t mind copping a feel of.
She wasn’t prepared for the spear of lust that broke open a dam of desire, sending a flood of wetness between her thighs. She hadn’t felt anything this intense since her late husband Kyle.
“Hello, anybody here?” Jason quizzically looked around.
Time to stop hiding from her past.
Stepping out into the hall, she tried to appear nonchalant as she made her way over to him. His eyes found her as he turned in her direction, taking her in in a slow appraisal that left a tingle over her skin.
“Hello, you must be Jason,” she began, offering her hand to him. He took it, a look of disappointment crossing his handsome features.
“Nice to see you, Evana,” Jason replied, killing her with a sad smile. Glancing over her shoulder, his face lit up. “Who’s the tiny lovely?”
“I’m sorry. What?”
“The pixie that just fluttered over to the reception desk. Is she your receptionist?”
Following the aim of his emerald gaze. “Oh…yes. That’s Avie. I didn’t hear her come in. Avie, this is Jason Gales. Jason this is our receptionist extraordinaire, Avie Vahl.”
Dropping Evana’s hand, Jason honed in on the now blushing girl perched behind the desk.
“Hi, Jason. It’s really nice to meet you. I book all the appointments and order all the supplies, so if you need anything other than what we have in stock, just let me know, and I’ll get it for you.”
“Well, aren’t you just a sweetheart,” Jason said, dipping his head to place a quick kiss on the back of her hand.
“Well, aren’t you just a big flirt,” Avie giggled.
“Well, I do try.” Jason winked at her.
After twenty-two years, Jason hadn’t changed in the slightest. Forever a ladies man. He’d flirted his way through high school capturing the hearts of many young girls. She herself was just one of many that had succumbed to his charms.
“So, Jason, let’s get you settled in. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you around,” Evana said, redirecting his attention.
“Sure thing. Nice to meet you, Avie Vahl.”
“You too, Jason Gales.” Avie’s smile was so wide, she could have lit up a darkened room with her face.
Heading down the hall rolling her eyes, she somehow refrained from shaking her head. Damnit, she hoped she hadn’t made a mistake by hiring him.
“So, this is the work room we will be sharing until I can figure out a way to expand. As I explained over the phone, each artist has their own room. T
here’s a small changing area behind that door on the far wall, and if you have a client that requires privacy, you can pull this pocket door closed,” she explained, demonstrating the door by pulling it out from its hiding spot inside the wall.
“Nice,” Jason said, looking around the space before swinging his eyes back to her, nailing her to the spot with his penetrating stare.
Clearing her throat, she turned to leave the room. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you the office.”
Not waiting for an answer, she kept her steps evenly paced not wanting to appear nervous. She could feel him following behind her in the narrow hallway and could picture his loose, sexy swagger that had gained and held her attention all those years ago.
“This is the employee breakroom,” she explained as she swung open the door at the end of the hall. “Over there is the storage room that has a washer and drier, and in here is the office we’ll be sharing.”
Turning, she came nose-to-neck with Jason. She hadn’t realized how close he had been following along behind her. Inhaling his scent got her pulse racing between her thighs.
Taking a step back, he took one forward and another, until her bottom bumped the edge of her desk, stopping her backward momentum.
“I can’t believe you don’t remember me,” Jason said, leaning into her. Placing his hands on the desk, caging her in. So close, though, he wasn’t touching her.
“I never said I didn’t remember you,” she whispered.
Her mouth went dry. Licking her lips, she eyed his, remembering the feel of the two-decade-old kiss in the back of his car.
“You sure know how to give a guy a frosty welcome. The Evana I remember was much more…responsive,” Jason breathed against her neck before pulling back to look her in the eye.
“I’m not the same girl you used to know,” she replied, never taking her eyes away from his.
Good lord, that stare of his was turning her to liquid. She wanted so badly to kiss him, to feel his hand venture up her skirt to cup her sex. She hadn’t known the intimate touch of a man’s hands since Kyle passed away nearly five years ago.
Oh god, Kyle….
Guilt was a bucket of ice water that doused the flames of her desire. She pushed against his chest to put some distance between them.
This was not the time or place to rekindle an old flame, no matter how sex starved she was. Jason was here to work, to help her with the studio and pick up some of the overflow of clients that were overwhelming her staff of tattoo artists.
Taking the hint, he backed away raking a hand through his mahogany hair. She remembered how surprised she was to discover the incredible softness of the thick, short mass as she ran her fingers through to his scalp the one time they were together.
“Sorry, if you got the wrong idea. I hired you to help around the shop, not to… you know.” She waved a hand between them. “And, I need to ask a favor of you.”
“Wow, I’ve only just arrived and already a favor?” he smirked.
Her violet eyes flashed as she moved around him to shut the office door. “No one here knows who I am.”
“How’s that? I thought you owned the place.”
“I’m not fucking around, Jason.”
“Yes, I know. You just pushed me away.”
“Jason, can you please be serious for once in your life?”
The stern look on her face erased the smirk from his. “Alright, I’m listening. What’s going on?”
The intensity of his look so surprised her, it took her a moment to remember what she needed to say to him. “No one here knows about my past. My aunt moved me around so many times after my mom was arrested that we managed to outrun the members of the MC she pissed off. It wasn’t until I met and married Kyle that I started to use my real first name again. He never knew my real maiden name or what happened all those years ago. I know it’s been over twenty years since she murdered that man, but MC’s hold a grudge. This could be dangerous for me if they happened to find out where I am.”
“Jesus Christ, Evana. You never even told Kyle about your past?”
She shook her head, shame forcing her eyes to the floor. She knew it was awful that she’d kept some secrets to herself, not even telling her husband, but she was so afraid of what would happen if her whereabouts ever got back to any member of that club.
“Do you really think they would still come after you for something your mother did such a long time ago?” Jason asked.
“Yes, I do. You didn’t grow up around motorcycle clubs. They have their own rules, their own code, and they don’t forgive or forget.”
“So, what do you want me to do?”
“Just pretend we don’t know each other. That we only just met. Please, whatever you do, don’t tell anyone from Scottsdale that you know where I am.”
“Alright,” Jason agreed. “You have my word. If I can ask, why did you hire me if you’re afraid of people from our hometown?”
“Tegan recommended you, and I thought you’d make a nice addition to Exotic Ink.”
“Is that the only reason?” Jason inquired, his eyes hooded.
“Yes, of course, what other reason would there be? Besides, I didn’t think you remembered me.”
“Baby, I could never forget you.”
Momentarily stunned by his confession, she shouldn’t have been surprised by his comment. Jason had always had a way with words that could make even the most prudish of women drop their panties and toss them over like he was a rock star.
Fighting back bouts of lust over an old flame was the last thing she needed. Damnit, why had she put herself in this position?
Evana was beautiful as she fought back her attraction to him. Her cat-like eyes backlit with desire, glowing that gorgeous amethyst that had first caught his attention.
He’d been shocked to see how much she’d changed over the years. Her teenage body had filled out into lush womanly curves. The maturity that marked her face only made her that much more desirable to him. Gone was the awkward teenager, and in her place was an elegant, confident woman that he wanted to explore all over again.
Before any exploring could commence, he’d need to win her over and prove that he wasn’t the bumbling idiot that had mucked up her first sexual experience. What a disaster that had turned out to be.
It was so surreal to be standing in the same room with her after all this time. He had spent years searching for her after she’d left. Had been a total stalker outside her house for days after he’d seen her driving away from the police station.
Once he’d learned of her mother’s involvement with the death of a member from the local motorcycle club, and her house had been emptied out by movers, the for sale sign planted on the front lawn made it clear she was never coming back. So, his search expanded outside of their hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Always wanting to be a tattoo artist, he had managed to apprentice under various artists as he followed his dream and her, jumping from one tattoo shop to another in his endless search. Tattooing his way across the country, he’d followed one dead end lead after another, always coming up empty handed.
Her sad face behind that car window had haunted his dreams for years and spurred him to continue his search. He couldn’t stop wondering what had happened to her. If she were even still alive.
He knew motorcycle clubs were full of rough characters, but he didn’t know as much about their rules and codes as Evana did. He did know they didn’t operate within the law, and he knew enough about the Satan’s Disciples to know that killing an innocent wouldn’t be above their standards.
Following yet another lead to Boston had yielded nothing, until the day before he was packing up to move, he’d found her in an unlikely place. Had been so shocked when he’d stumbled upon her at a tattoo convention that he’d simply stood there, unable to move.
A man he recognized had stepped up beside her, reaching for her hand to lead her away. A diamond flashed on her left hand. He would have laughed at the irony
if he could have made it past the tears that had been chocking him.
Kyle Grey.
He’d gone to that convention in hopes of meeting the tattoo legend. A celebrity in the industry, Kyle was a huge part of his decision to pursue a career in the trade. Now that man was engaged to marry his one true love. He’d always thrived to be like Kyle in his art, now he wanted to be Kyle. To live his exceptional life, have extreme success in his vocation, and have his gorgeous woman to share it with.
Heartbroken, he’d dropped anchor in Boston. What had he expected? That she had been out there, somewhere, looking for him too?
He knew what she thought of him. Had seen her roll her eyes as he’d flirted with Avie. But, that was just his way. He’d always liked the ladies, but his heart had always belonged to Evana.
If he was going to stand any chance of winning her over, he needed to prove to her that she’d made the right decision in choosing to hire him. Kyle Grey had some big shoes to fill, so he needed to put his best professional foot forward and leave the romancing behind…for now.
“So, this is my desk?” he asked, watching as she blinked through the sudden change in his demeanor. Walking around and rolling out the chair, he didn’t wait for an answer as he sat, giving the mouse a jiggle to bring the thin, black screen to life. “You mentioned I’d be mainly in charge of the artists’ schedules and such. I suppose we should get started.”
Visibly shaking herself, Evana sprang into action. Rushing over to where he sat, she leaned forward taking control of the mouse and navigated to the files he would be using. “Right. So, you already have access to their shift schedules on the shared drive and …”
Evana’s voice fell away as his gaze latched onto the lacy edge of her bra that was now visible from her current position. Dragging his eyes upward, he didn’t waste the opportunity to study her face as she explained what office duties she expected him to perform. It was amazing how she had become more beautiful with time, totally the opposite of how most people aged. Refined, aged to perfection—
“Jason, are you listening to anything I’ve just said?” Evana straightened, planting her hands on her hips.
