Those striking blue eyes, the scratchy voice, and his sexy tattoos just might be worth upsetting her whole world order.
Chapter Three
Shep changed needles, finished with the overall outline and ready for shading. He rolled his shoulders and took a look at his work.
Not bad.
Okay, it was better than that. Way fucking better, but he knew it was a process, and he was never happy with his work until the finished project. Each layer of outlining, shading, and color added to the overall look. He knew what he wanted and how that blended with what the client wanted. Eventually, once he added the final layers, the tat would look fucking amazing. Now, though, it was only a half-finished piece.
“How’s it looking?” the man on the bench asked, careful not to turn around.
Shep was in the middle of putting a kick-ass phoenix on the man’s back with its wings wrapping around the side. He’d finished the outline in their last session and was going over certain spots today to make sure they were perfect. Then he’d be doing some of the initial shading before he added color. He usually waited to do the shading, but he wanted to make sure it didn’t look too dark since the vibrant orange and reds really needed to pop in the finished piece.
“It’s gonna fucking rock,” Shep answered and began the shading. The buzzing sound of the needle shot straight through him as it always did. He loved shading the best because the needle moved at a slower pace, and for most people, it felt hella good.
From the way his client moaned, Shep wasn’t wrong.
He worked for another two hours, his mind on his hands and his ink. While some people might daydream while working, his job was a little different. One wrong movement and he’d fuck up someone’s skin.
Not cool.
Even as he tried to keep focus, though, his thoughts went to the woman with pale, pale blue eyes…like crystals in water on a sunny day and a pixie face.
Shea.
Jesus, he liked that smooth-as-silk yet hard-as-ice woman, and he didn’t even know her past a few words and touches.
There had to be something wrong with him. He’d never been drawn to a woman like her at all.
Shep moved back and shook his head while cleaning off the leftover ink, plasma, and blood from where he was working. He seriously needed to get his mind off Shea and their date tonight. She might not call it a date, but he would. He wanted her, and he wasn’t going to lie to himself about it. He was way too damned old for that.
He rolled his shoulders and got back to work. This phoenix was going to fucking rock. He’d known it when he’d first done the sketches over a month ago, but it wasn’t until now that he really thought it could be something big.
There was another spark running along his skin, getting him excited about what he was doing for the first time in way too long.
It had to be Shea. She was the only thing different in his life, even though she really wasn’t a huge part of it.
At least not yet.
He was going to change that.
He grinned and started on some of the color for the wings, getting into each stroke of the needle.
After another hour and a half, he pulled back, sweat marking his brow and his back straining. Too many hours bent over a table would do that to a man.
He snorted, thinking about what Caliph or Austin would say to him if he’d said that aloud.
Yeah, not sharing that thought.
He cleaned up the guy’s back then put ointment on the area. “Okay, you’re all done for this session. I think one more should do it.”
The guy got up and smiled. “You’re a god with the needle, Shep. It didn’t hurt a bit.”
Shep grinned. “Even if it did, you’d like it.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “True. So when can we do our last session?”
Shep went through the aftercare instructions. This guy was a regular, but it never hurt to go over them again. The last thing Shep wanted was a shitty healing and cleanup job to ruin his art. They scheduled the session for three weeks from then when they both had time, and Shep went back to clean up his space.
He’d really gotten into the piece, and it had taken a full hour longer than he’d intended. It was already quarter ‘til seven. He wouldn’t have time to head home and grab a quick shower.
Shit.
He hadn’t wanted to look like a sweaty loser for his date, but she’d have to take what she got. After all, he was just Shep. He’d have to be good enough.
He went to the employee restroom and stripped off his shirt, then pulled another on. He would still wear his worn-in jeans and boots, but at least he had a black button-down to wear. It was just getting to that time of year when it was muggy at night too, so he didn’t bother with his leather jacket. He ran his hand through his hair and called it a day.
He didn’t look like some GQ model with the tats, nipple piercings—and more—but he did all right for himself. From the way Shea’s gaze raked his body the day before, he had a feeling what he had did it for her. What she had sure as fuck did it for him.
“Looking good,” Sassy said as she walked to the back to get her purse. “Though you might have wanted to shower before your big date with the ice princess.”
He scowled. “Don’t call her that. And how the hell do you know I have a date tonight with her?”
“Sassy knows all.”
Shep rolled his eyes. “You were lurking around the corner when I called her yesterday, weren’t you?”
She just raised her brow. “I have no idea what you are talking about. Sassy doesn’t lurk.”
“Stop talking about yourself in third person. You’re creeping me out.”
She just shook her head and laughed. “Spray yourself down with some cologne but not that frat-boy crap with the shitty commercials.”
“I don’t even own the frat-boy crap, Sass.”
“Then we won’t have a problem. Good luck with your main squeeze tonight, sugar. You’re gonna need it.”
“What the fuck do you mean by that? You saying I’m not good enough for her?”
She held her palms out. “That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m just saying that woman had a shield around her so tight that even I couldn’t see through, and you know I’m good as fuck when it comes to that. You’ll have to break through that ice if you want to know who she is. And what the fuck is with you saying you’re not good enough? You’ve never been one to lack self-esteem, Shep. What’s going on?”
Shep shook his head. “Never mind. I’m just antsy.”
Sassy smiled and twirled the long strip of pink hair between her fingers. “I see. So this one’s special. Good to know.”
Shep narrowed his eyes. “Back off, Sassy.”
“Don’t worry, sugar. I’m sure everything will work out.” With that, she sauntered out of the room, hips swaying.
Jesus, that woman was a nut job sometimes.
Shea would be outside within the next five minutes, and he didn’t want her to wait. Remembering the way she’d looked like a frightened rabbit the last time he’d seen her, he wasn’t about to leave it up to fate that she’d actually stay.
His phone buzzed against his leg, and he cursed. It better not be Shea calling to cancel.
Without looking at the screen, he answered. “You better be outside and not ready to cancel on me, babe.”
“Having to threaten your dates now? What the hell is going on in New Orleans that a Montgomery is losing their street cred?”
Shep cursed at Austin’s words. “Jesus. I thought you were someone else.”
“Clearly. What’s wrong? Having trouble in the sack?”
“I’m not talking about sex with you, Austin, just because you aren’t getting any. I don’t have time to discuss it right now.”
“Ouch. Cruel words for a man who thinks his date is about to dump him.”
“Shut it. I’ve got to go since Shea is probably outside waiting for me and I’m here talking with you.”
&n
bsp; “Shea, is it? Pretty name.”
“Austin,” Shep growled.
“Hey, don’t jump on me. Go on your date if she shows. Hope she does because I’m not in the mood to deal with your emo bullshit if she doesn’t. I called to tell you I booked a flight to come down there in three days. That cool?”
Shep sighed. He knew Austin needed to come down and clear his head for whatever reason, and Shep wanted to help. Even though they got on each other’s nerves, they were family.
“Yeah, man. It’s cool.”
“Good. And, Shep? For what it’s worth, I hope she shows. Just the way you said her name made me think she’s something.”
He hung up, leaving Shep staring at his phone. Jesus. Did he have a sign around his neck saying that Shea was different? He hadn’t even really told himself that, and yet everyone seemed to know.
He just hoped he didn’t scare her off.
Shep made his way through the front door and froze.
Holy fuck.
Shea was even sexier than he remembered, and he remembered every detail about her from the day before.
She wore a white dress with one of those cuts that went right across the shoulders but still showed some skin and made her look hella tantalizing. She had on a light pink cardigan that covered most of her arms and pearls.
Fucking pearls.
Not too big, but Jesus, she was classy.
Her dress was tight at her waist and hips and flared out at her knees. Her legs looked fucking delicious in high-heeled pink pumps with skinny little heels.
She’d put her hair in a bun at the nape of her neck so he could see all the contours of her face. Though she wasn’t all bones and angles, her cheekbones were sharp and made those hypnotic eyes pop.
Right now, though, those eyes were full of fear…and excitement.
He could work with the latter.
And he’d have to get rid of the former.
She stared up at him, a small, strained smile on her face, and he took a deep breath, forcing himself back so he wouldn’t jump on her like a frat boy in public.
“Shea, you made it.”
She blinked up at him, her gaze moving from his chest to his face.
Nice.
“I told you I’d be here. I don’t back away from my engagements.” She blushed. “Except for when I’m cornered and not wanted. Then I leave. I mean…”
He took two steps toward her and cupped her face. “Breathe, Shea. I know I freaked you out yesterday. Let’s go have fun, shall we? Let loose a bit?”
She snorted. “I’m not one to let loose.”
Oh, he’d figured that, though the fact she’d come into Midnight Ink in the first place told him she was beyond ready to do just that. She might wear the clothes of an ice princess, but he had a feeling she was hot as hell underneath them.
It was his goal to find out.
And not just for heat.
Oh no.
He wanted more.
“You’ll have fun tonight. I promise.” He moved to pull her closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She stiffened for a moment then relaxed a bit against him.
Progress.
“I have no idea why I’m doing this, but the heck with it. I’m doing it.” She looked up at him from beneath her lashes. “So, what exactly is it I’m doing?”
He grinned down at her and kissed her nose, unable to stop himself. She jerked back slightly, a blush rising in her cheeks, but she didn’t call him out on it.
“We’re going to Frenchman Street.”
“The street? Not a specific place?”
“You’ve been down there before?”
She nodded. “A couple of times. It’s very…colorful.”
“Tactful, baby. It’s not the main tourist destination and doesn’t have the most famous places and foodie type things, but it has great fucking music in the bars and even right on the streets. It’s just about getting to the time where people will be doing pub crawls and enjoying themselves. We’ll blend in and find out if you like it.” He looked down at her dress and pumps. “Well, we’ll try to blend it. You’ll look like a tourist, but I’ll take care of you.”
She stopped, her face blushing. “Oh crap. I’m sorry. I didn’t know where we were going, so I just put this on. I can go back and change. Shep, darn it, I don’t know what I’m doing.”
He turned her in his arms and crushed his lips to hers. She sucked in a breath, her lips parting. His tongue bushed against hers, and he lost himself, inhaling her scent, tasting it, savoring it.
He pulled back, out of breath. “Calm down, baby. It’s okay. Dress the way you want to dress. I won’t judge. Just don’t hide yourself. Got it?”
“You…you kissed me.”
“Fuck yeah. It was perfect.”
She touched her swollen lips with her fingertips, her gaze dazed. “Oh...my.” She blinked. “Next time give me an idea of where we’re going, and I’ll dress better, okay? I hate standing out. I just put on something cute for the night. I wasn’t thinking.”
He nodded, loving the fact she’d said next time because, fuck yeah, there’d be a next time. “You pulled off cute and then some, Shea. I’ll warn you what we’re doing next time, though. You’ll always stand out to me though, baby. Got that?”
She tilted her head. “I’m not sure that I do.” She held up her hand. “Don’t explain it. Everything is going a little too fast for me right now, so let it go. I’ll dress differently next time, and we’ll be okay.”
He smiled, nodding. “You going to be okay in those fuck-me pumps?”
She looked down at her feet then looked up at him, her gaze wide. “Fuck-me pumps?” she blurted. “These aren’t black, and I could have added another inch and been fine. Oh no, Shep. These totally aren’t fuck-me pumps.”
Shep had to swallow hard at the thought of her in taller heels.
In nothing but those heels.
Holy. Fuck.
“Okay then, babe. You told me. Let me know if your feet hurt though. I’ll take care of you.”
She smiled and his heart lurched. Fuck, he was in trouble.
“I’ll be fine, Shep. I love heels. But thank you for thinking of me.”
They made their way to Frenchman Street, not talking much on their way. Sure, he wanted to get to know her, but right then, the sweet silence felt good on them. It was as if they’d known each other for a hell of a lot longer than a few hours.
Yep. He was totally in trouble.
“What are you in the mood to eat?” he asked.
“I thought you had all the plans worked out,” she teased, and he smiled. She was losing that ice shield, and he was loving it.
“You should know that, beyond ink and this night, my plans in life are more of a vague guideline.”
Shea stopped suddenly, and he stopped with her.
“What is it?”
“I need plans, Shep. I like plans. I like schedules and calendars and color-coded things. They make me happy. When things are organized just so, the world is a better place. You should know that.”
“You’re a touch OCD, aren’t you?”
“For me, when it comes to schedules it’s more CDO.” At his blank look, she smiled. “It’s OCD, but the letters are in the right order. As they should be.” Her lips twitched, and he threw his head back and laughed.
His calm, collected Shea was shitting with him.
Oh yes, tonight was gonna go fucking perfect—not matter what happened from here on out.
“Okay, so next time, I’ll let you know where I want to take you, and then you can plan your outfit and what exactly we do for the night. How about that?”
She leaned into him, her eyes dancing, the joy there free and uninhibited. “That sounds perfect.”
He smiled and took her lips again, unable to help himself. She sank against him, her body going lax. He slid his hand down the back of her dress to her ass and squeezed. Oh yeah, a perfect handful. His tongue tangled with hers and she opened wider,
moaning.
“What’s happening, Shep?” she asked once they pulled away from each other.
“I have no clue, Shea, but I can’t wait to find out.”
Chapter Four
“Shea, baby, arch your hips up. Let me see that pussy of yours.”
Shea did as she was told, her moans breaking through her lips, her body writhing.
“Fuck, Shea, I can’t wait to fill that pretty pussy of yours and feel you on my cock as you come around me.”
Shea gasped at his words, wanting to come but unable to.
The phone rang, and she opened her eyes.
Well, crap.
She was tangled in her sheets, her nightie up around her waist and her panties at her ankles.
Shep was nowhere to be seen.
Well, he wouldn’t be here, would he?
No. After an amazing night of listening to jazz music, eating sandwiches while standing in the street, and going from bar to bar, drinking, kissing, and laughing, he’d taken her home and kissed her goodnight on her doorstep.
They knew he wanted to come in.
They knew she would let him.
And they knew it wasn’t the right time.
Her dreams, however, had other ideas.
Her body ached from lack of release, and it took all that she had not to pick up her phone and dial Shep so he could come help her.
Oh crap. That totally didn’t sound like the Shea she knew. On the other hand, it was totally the Shea she wanted to be.
Her phone rang again, and she cursed, turning over on her stomach to reach for it on her nightstand, pulling up her panties at the same time.
It was six thirty, and she’d been out until almost two.
There was no way the person on the line would be the one she wanted it to be, so it was either her mother or Richard.
Not answering either one would just annoy them and they would eventually annoy her.
She looked at the display, cursed just like Shep would have, and answered, her voice icy.
“Mother.”
“Sleeping after six am? I don’t understand why you act this way. It’s as if you’ve forgotten all of your training. I spent years on you and now look at you. Worthless. You could have married well at a young age and to Richard. He comes from a good family. Now look what you’ve done. You’re nothing but an accountant who sleeps in like a whore.”
Ink Inspired-epub Page 3
