Never Again, Maybe: A Tattooed Bad Boy Romance (No Regrets Ink Book 4)

by Adele Niles

  And right now, I couldn’t believe I’d ever wanted Ryker to treat me like a kid brother.

  When I had started at the shop a year ago, I’d thought he was the coolest. Confident, stylish, and talented. Exactly the kind of guy I wanted to be. He’d been a womanizer, too, and proud of it.

  I’d thought he was so great.

  And now he was just kind of a prick. One of those guys that has to be top dog, no matter what. Alpha to the point of being obnoxious.

  I wanted to be his friend, but I needed him to chill out a little before that could happen.

  I looked at Bradley and nodded. “Yeah. Okay. Just don’t let him steal my clients again, okay? I’m not all right with it. If my workload is too high, I’ll talk to somebody.”

  Bradley nodded. “Don’t worry about it. How about you get set up for the day, huh? I’ll talk to Ryker in a little bit.”

  I nodded and turned away to start cleaning my station. I wanted to focus on my work today, really throw myself into it.

  I didn’t want to think about Ryker.

  But that was impossible.

  He was loud all day long. He’d been the first one to the shop, so he’d gotten to pick the playlist for the day—all motorcycle rock, all songs I hated. He was talking loudly, too. He wanted all of us to know what he and Sydney had gotten up to the night before.

  I didn’t get what Sydney saw in him.

  She was a gorgeous girl, curvy, and she dressed like a pinup girl. She and Ryker looked good together, but she was so smart and successful. I couldn’t understand why she’d go for a dog like Ryker.

  Whatever. It wasn’t my place to worry about their relationship.

  I tried to focus on my work for the rest of the day, doing my best to keep my back to Ryker. He kept talking shouting every comment, question, and observation. The whole day through. It was like he was trying to get under my skin.

  The end of the day didn’t come soon enough, but Bradley finally locked the doors while the rest of us cleaned up our equipment.

  Bradley came back to his booth and leaned over the half-wall separating us. “Hey. Let’s go have a drink, yeah? Unwind a little?”

  Ryker lifted his head. “Drinks sound great. The Republic?”

  Hell no.

  If he was going, I wasn’t.

  “I’m gonna go home,” I told Bradley. “I’m not up for it tonight.”

  “Still being a little bitch about the clients?” Ryker asked. “Shit. Sorry. If I’d known it would be such a big deal…”

  “Shut up, Ryker.” I stood up, scowling at him.

  He blinked in surprise.

  I kept talking. “You always gotta act like you’re better than everyone, know more, whatever. It’s fucking obnoxious, you know that?”

  “What the hell is your problem, Garrett?” Ryker moved to leave his booth.

  Bradley left his faster, standing between us. “Cool it. Both of you. We’re not fighting in the shop.”

  I huffed and turned away. “Fine. Fine. I’m out. I’m going home.”

  I wasn’t going home.

  I was going somewhere else, somewhere far away from The Republic. Far away from Ryker.

  I was going to get drunk as hell and forget that today had ever happened.

  Chapter Four

  Bailey

  Six Hours Earlier

  Jackie had sent me an address for where we should meet. I walked into the dive bar and smiled because I saw her right away. She was still in her jeans and Beanery t-shirt, with her hair in a ponytail. She turned and waved when she saw me.

  “Bailey, hey!”

  “Hey.” I grinned, crossing the bar to sit beside her. “Guess who’s the new vet tech at Richland Veterinary?”

  “Shut up, really?” Jackie laughed, throwing her arms around me. “Congratulations! First round’s on me, then, okay?”

  “What? You don’t have to do that. I’m employed now.”

  “Shut up, I’m buying you a beer. And a shot.” Jackie held up one hand, waving for the bartender.

  A moment later, we both had a full glass of beer and a shot of whiskey in front of us. We clinked out shot glasses together and knocked back the shots.

  “Whew!” Jackie made a face as she put her glass down. “Shit. That had some kick to it.”

  “It’s good.” I smiled and put my glass down. “That’s great. Real nice whiskey. Thanks, Jackie.”

  “Of course.” She beamed. “Getting a job is super cool. We gotta celebrate!”

  I wasn’t going to protest. If she wanted to go crazy tonight, then we would.

  We sipped our beers while I asked Jackie about her day. She was pleased to report that there were no crazy customers or dramatic outbursts. It had been just a normal, average day. She asked me about the interview and I grinned.

  “I think the cow story got me the job.”

  “Cow story? Oh—oh! No, really?”

  “Really.” I laughed. “The vet was super impressed.”

  Jackie made a face, mimicking throwing up. I laughed again, harder than before.

  Maybe moving back here hadn’t been such a mistake.

  There was still the question of my ex, of course. In a town this small, I was bound to run into him eventually. And that would probably be ugly.

  But maybe he’d grown up while I was gone. Maybe he’d settled down with a nice girl and gotten his shit together.

  Maybe he’d be as content to leave me alone as I was content to be left alone.

  The bar was starting to pick up as more people finished their days at work and came in for a drink and a bite to eat. Somebody had put music on the jukebox—modern, poppy country, from the sound of it. Inoffensive, kind of fun.

  Not the worst thing to listen to.

  Jackie turned her head to look at me. She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped. She leaned forward, peering around me.

  “Whoa, he’s cute.”

  “Who?” I turned my head to look. “Damn.”

  He looked strong, with sandy brown hair and blue eyes. Both arms were covered in full sleeve tattoos, and there was just a hint of black ink peeking above the neckline of his faded t-shirt.

  I flicked my tongue over my lower lip.

  “Right?” Jackie asked. “I’ve never seen him before, but…damn. He could take me home in a heartbeat.”

  I looked at her. “I don’t wanna listen to you screw some dude, Jackie.”

  “Oh my god, Bailey. It happens. People have sex. You’re gonna have to deal with that. And I won’t care if you bring somebody home.” She paused, glancing back at the guy down the bar. “Even him. I mean, I’d be a little bummed to miss out, but one of us oughta try before somebody else snaps him up.”

  I laughed. “Not me. Avoiding men, remember?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Come on. Did you get a look at his ass yet?”

  “No.”

  I made my voice as stern as possible, but maybe I needed to go find the bathroom. Just to sneak a peek.

  Jackie clicked her tongue. “Well, it’s good. Really good. He’s got a great ass.”

  I giggled. “I’ll take your word for it.”

  But I looked again.

  He was looking right at me.

  I turned back to my beer, cheeks flushing.

  Jackie sat up a little straighter in her chair. “You might be avoiding guys, but I’m not.”

  “Go get ’im, tiger.”

  “Oh, I will. I’ll get him all night long.”

  I laughed. More power to her, really.

  Suddenly, her eyes went wide. “Oh shit,” she mouthed.

  “Hey,” a masculine voice said behind me.

  I turned my head.

  It was him.

  He’d moved closer, sliding into the stool beside me. He leaned casually on the counter, chin resting in one hand, the other hand holding a pint glass.

  “Um, hi,” I said.

  He looked to Jackie and smiled at her. She smiled back, but from the corner of my eye,
I could see her deflate a little.

  He was already looking at me again. Not her.

  Shit.

  His gaze shifted back to me and I squirmed uncomfortably. He held his right hand out. “I’m Garrett.”

  “Bailey. Nice to meet you.”

  “Bailey,” he repeated. “Good to meet you too.”

  I bit my lip.

  He watched, eyebrows lifting just a little.

  He was gorgeous. And he smelled amazing.

  Maybe…maybe I didn’t need to stay away from guys.

  “This is my friend, Jackie,” I said.

  “Hey, Jackie.” He shook her hand. Then he turned back to me.

  Oh, shit. I flicked a glance at Jackie, worried she would be upset.

  Jackie raised her eyebrows and mouthed the words, Go for it.

  “So, Bailey.” Garrett kept talking, even as he signaled to the bartender for another beer. “I’m not great at small talk, but I’m gonna try. Are you from here? Or visiting from the other side of the river?”

  “I’m a local,” I replied. Not exactly; I was born and raised here, but I hadn’t been around in a few years.

  “Cool.” He chuckled. “I’m definitely not a local. I’ve only been here a few years. Moved from California.”

  “California? What part? I used to travel a lot out that way.”

  “Petaluma. It’s a little ways north of San Francisco.”

  “Never heard of it.” I turned to Jackie. “How about you?”

  “I haven’t,” she said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, okay?”

  I nodded and squeezed her hand. Then I turned back to Garrett. “So, tell me about Petaluma.”

  “It’s not that great.” He chuckled. “A lot of dust. They host the World’s Ugliest Dog competition every year.”

  “What a claim to fame.”

  “Right?” He chuckled. “I mean, everything else I could tell you about it is depressing.”

  “Aw, man, I don’t want to be depressed. I’m out here celebrating.”

  Garrett smiled. “Yeah? What are we celebrating?”

  “A new job.” I took a sip of my beer. “I just got hired at the vet’s office.”

  “Congratulations.” He tapped his glass against mine.

  He sounded so genuine.

  “Can I buy you a drink, then? To celebrate? No strings attached, just a congratulatory beer.”

  I nodded. “That sounds good. What do you do?”

  He snorted and shook his head. “Man, work is the last thing I want to talk about. I had a crap day with a coworker who’s on my last damn nerve.”

  “Aw, man. That sucks. Well, here, drink up. Let’s have a good night.” I tapped my beer against his this time.

  He smiled again.

  I liked that smile. A lot.

  I was definitely going back on what I’d said about avoiding men. If he wanted to go for a ride, I’d be happy to take him.

  We chatted for a while. I told him about traveling, and he told me a little about California. Eventually, he got up, mumbling that he was going to the bathroom.

  His words were slurring a little.

  He sounded as drunk as I felt.

  Jackie came back to the table. Immediately, she elbowed me. “Girl, if you don’t take him home, I’m never gonna forgive you.”

  I laughed. “Okay, but what are you gonna do?”

  “I’ll hang out here. I got other friends. Or I’ll make some new ones.” She looked pointedly at a couple of guys sitting at the bar.

  That sounded like Jackie. She was such a vibrant personality; she could make friends with anyone.

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  “I’m positive.”

  “Okay. Okay. I’m gonna take him home.”

  “Good. You better.”

  I grinned. “You’re the best, Jackie.”

  “I know.” She laughed. “Have fun.”

  “Oh, I’m gonna.”

  Chapter Five

  Garrett

  We made it to Bailey’s bedroom, tumbling into her bed. I tried not to think about the boxes around the room.

  Hopefully, she wasn’t leaving town anytime soon. But she’d talked about a new job. That had to mean she was staying, right?

  We hadn’t really started yet, and I already knew I wanted more of her.

  Bailey kissed me hard, nipping at my lower lip.

  Her hands were all over me—combing through my hair, then running down my arms before sliding up under my shirt. Her fingers dug into the ridges of my muscles, exploring.

  I was already rock-hard, my jeans painfully tight around my cock.

  “Bailey,” I groaned.

  She lifted her head, looking down at me. Her smile was playful, almost mischievous.

  She rolled her hips against mine.

  I gasped and closed my eyes, head falling back on the mattress.

  “Mmm, you’re sensitive,” she said. “I like it.”

  Her hips moved again, grinding against me.

  There was no way she didn’t feel my cock twitch.

  “Please, Bailey, don’t tease.”

  “Why? It’s half the fun. Getting each other worked up, desperate for it.”

  Every word she said only turned me on more.

  “Don’t—shit—don’t tell me you’re gonna bust out handcuffs next.”

  “Why? Are you into that?”

  I shook my head. “Nah. I like to be able to do this.”

  I put my hands on her hips and rolled us both over.

  Bailey grinned. She lifted her arms above her head. I took it as an invitation and pulled her shirt off, dropping it on the floor.

  Her bra went next, hitting the floor near her shirt.

  She pushed my shirt up, and I let her remove it. She threw it over her head; it bounced off the wall before landing on one of the boxes.

  I finally looked down.

  Her tits were perfect.

  Not huge, but perfect. A solid handful each, with hard nipples.

  I leaned down and took one in my mouth.

  She groaned softly, stroking one hand through my hair.

  I moved my other hand, cradling her other breast in it, giving it a little squeeze.

  Her hips arched toward me.

  I wanted a taste of her, but if I did that, I’d never make it to the main event.

  Next time.

  Because there had to be a next time.

  I fumbled with the button of her jeans, making her laugh. She pushed my hands away and undid it herself, lifting her hips.

  I hooked my thumbs in the waist of her jeans and underwear, pulling them both down at once. Bailey wiggled a little to help me get them down, and in under a minute, she was naked under me.

  She was gorgeous.

  Every part of her was stunning.

  I sat up just a little, pulling my wallet from my back pocket and removing my spare condom. I left the wallet on her nightstand and undid my jeans, shedding them and my boxers.

  Immediately, Bailey reached down, running her fingertips over my cock. She closed her hand around it, stroking slowly.

  I groaned out loud, eyes closing again.

  Bailey just kept stroking. She lifted her head, kissing my neck.

  “I can’t wait to get you inside me,” she murmured.

  “Then let go.” I chuckled and turned my head to kiss her.

  She kissed back, hard, her tongue sliding into my mouth.

  I sucked on it while I rolled the condom on, my cock twitching in my hands.

  I hadn’t wanted a girl this bad in a long time.

  I shifted, adjusting to line my hips up with hers.

  She leaned back, looking up at me with a bright smile.

  I thrust forward into her.

  The moan she let out made me shiver with desire.

  I started to move inside her, tilted my back in pleasure. She felt so hot and tight around me, her pussy clenching each time I buried myself inside her.

  This wa
sn’t going to last long.

  Bailey pushed herself up on her elbows, raising one arm to wrap around my neck. She kissed me again, biting down on my lower lip this time.

  I grunted against her mouth.

  She was incredible.

  And I was already so close.

  I pulled back from the kiss. “Bailey—”

  “I know. I’m almost—”

  That was all I needed.

  I thrust deep inside her, burying myself in her. My vision went white, just for a second.

  I felt her nails scrape down my back, heard her crying out.

  She was saying my name.

  I wanted her to scream my name like that every night.

  Everything slowed down. I leaned over her, panting. She kissed me again, not as hard this time. Eventually, we untangled ourselves from each other and took turns rushing to the bathroom to clean up.

  And then we lay down in her bed, side by side.

  I turned my head to look at her. She was gazing at me, her eyes still hazy, blankets pulled up to her chin. Adorable and sexy at the same time.

  I smiled. “Hey, we should go out some time.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. Like on a date. I’m not usually a one-night stand kind of guy, and, well, I like you, Bailey.”

  She grinned. She had a little gap in her teeth. It was adorable.

  “I’d like that. So, when do you want to go out?”

  “Tomorrow? Are you free tomorrow?”

  “Yeah. I don’t start my new job until Monday.”

  “Cool. D’you know where No Regrets is? The tattoo shop?”

  Bailey’s smile vanished.

  I blinked at her. “What? Is that bad? I mean, I’ve got a lot of ink, so it can’t be a turn-off.”

  She sat up slowly, looking down at the blankets.

  “Bailey? Bailey, hey…”

  “Just…stop for a sec.”

  I went silent.

  What had I done wrong?

  Chapter Six

  Bailey

  He worked with my ex.

  I had just hooked up with my ex’s coworker.

  This was bad on so many levels. What if they were friends? What if they liked to trade stories about the girls they hooked up with?

  What if he told Ryker I was back in town and screwing around right off the bat?

  This was definitely not what I needed.