Miles had reached a small tattoo parlor. The dark interior was obscured by all the images, which were up in the window; He stopped to look at them. There were ornate dragons, floral skulls and proud eagles with their wings spread. From what he could see there must be a very talented tattoo artist working there. Miles rubbed at his naval sleeve. It had been a few years since he'd had it completed and ever since then, he'd been eager to have something new inked on himself. Getting tattooed was like an itch that constantly needed to be scratched. Deciding that a new tattoo would be a great way to kill some time, Miles stepped inside the parlor as the chime above the door tinkled to announce his arrival.
After half an hour he'd decided to get the lyrics to his favorite song inked in ornate lettering across his chest.
"We're pretty busy," the guy at the desk said apologetically as he glanced at his laptop screen. Given the quality of the work on display, this didn't surprise Miles.
"I was hoping to get it done sooner rather than later," he admitted.
"Well," the guy pressed his lips together thoughtfully. "We can fit you in if you don't mind an apprentice working on your tattoo? We've just had a new girl start with us."
For a moment Miles was apprehensive. He wasn't sure he wanted someone with little experience making a permanent mark upon his body. But then he reasoned that they needed to start somewhere and how hard could some ornate text be?
"Sure," Miles nodded and gave a soft smile. "That sounds fine."
Chapter 13
Brea nodded nervously.
"I know it's only your second week here," Gina explained, her expression kind, "but you've been making some great progress and text is relatively easy to work on. It's a big piece though so you'll probably need a few sessions with the client."
Brea nodded again. She'd worked on a few small tattoos since the start of her apprenticeship but always under the watchful gaze of her mentor, Gina. But if Gina thought that Brea was ready to handle a client on her own then she trusted her judgment. And the thought of working alone on someone was as scary as it was exciting.
"If you have any problems, I'll be in the next room so you can just give me a shout, okay?"
"Okay."
Gina placed her hands firmly on Brea's shoulders and looked down at her, which was easy for her to do since she was an impressive 6ft 2in. With her bright blue hair, she looked like some sort of ethereal Goddess whenever she walked down the street. Her arms were adorned with ornate snake tattoos that curled up towards her shoulders and licked at her neck. Brea hoped that one day she'd be able to look as fiercely beautiful as Gina always did.
"I have faith in you," Gina gave Brea's shoulders a gentle squeeze.
"Thanks."
"And if that brother of yours wants to pop round again, he's welcome anytime," Gina added with a playful wink. Brea squirmed awkwardly. She got that Sylar had the whole brooding thing going on, but it was still embarrassing every time Gina talked about how hot she thought he was.
"The client is through there," Gina pointed to a closed door and Brea took a deep breath. She hoped that whoever was behind the door would be patient enough to allow her to work on them over the next few weeks. Progress would be slow thanks to her inexperience, but she hoped that Gina had taught her enough in a short time to let her at least be competent.
Chapter 14
With his shirt off Miles waited for the apprentice to arrive. Thankfully, it was warm in the room so he didn't mind being half dressed. His naval themed sleeve was in stark contrast to the rest of his pale, muscular upper torso. Dark ridges of old scars criss-crossed over his chest, scars which Miles hoped to one day hide completely with tattoos. He wasn't one for showing his scars. It made him feel oddly vulnerable.
Whenever women saw his scars, they wrongly assumed that he'd acquired them during his time riding with the Reapers. But the stab wounds and cigarette burns had all been souvenirs he picked up during his years living rough. It was a time he was keen to forget altogether.
The door creaked open, pulling Miles away from the dark memories of his past. He felt his breath catch in his throat when he saw her walk into the room and hoped she hadn't noticed. She was a vision. Wearing dark skinny jeans and a loose-fitting black tee she was effortlessly beautiful. Dark hair bordered an angelic, elfin face. She was so unlike all the woman Miles usually encountered who'd plastered on makeup over craggy faces to try and look halfway decent. This woman was a natural beauty. She didn't look like she belonged in some small tattoo parlor in Colridge. She looked like she belonged in the pages of some fairy tale book.
"Hi," she greeted him softly, her voice as sweet as her pure, beautiful features. "My name is Brea and I'm going to be your artist."
"Pleasure to meet you, Brea." He liked the way her name felt in his mouth when he said it – exotic yet oddly familiar. It was a name he could say a thousand times and never grow tired of it.
"I'm Miles."
"Hi, Miles."
He gave her what he hoped was his most alluring smile. She maneuvered around the chaise lounge and started gathering together materials. When she bent over, Miles couldn't help but take in the view of her impressively perfect ass. His hardening cock reminded him of how he ached with longing. Despite the hangover, which hung around him like a foggy cloud, when he saw Brea he just wanted to grab her waist and haul her over onto the chaise lounge. He wanted to see her pretty face crumple in ecstasy as she cried out his name.
"Black?" Brea was looking at him expectantly. Miles blushed. Could she sense what he'd just been thinking?
"Sorry?" he felt dazed, confused and slightly embarrassed.
"You want black ink for the tattoo, right?"
"Yeah," Miles smiled nervously, rubbing his neck. "Black ink works just fine."
Chapter 15
Brea woke up before her alarm had a chance to shrilly ring out through her apartment. She practically bounced out of bed because she was so eager to start her day.
It was her third appointment with Miles this morning. His tattoo was pretty much complete, but she kept adding tiny, ornate details – a skull here, a small dagger there. Pretty much anything she could think of to keep him coming back while still maintaining the integrity of a beautifully designed tattoo. There was something about Miles which made Brea desperate to get to know him better. He was sexy, mysterious and had an irresistible air of danger. It was engrossing, she was utterly captivated.
So far she had learned that he was in Colridge for work and was staying at a local motel in town. When he'd told her this, her pulse had quickened. Wondering if it was perhaps some thinly veiled invitation to spend the night with him which of course, she wanted to do. Each time she saw his hard, toned chest she wanted to rake her fingers down it. As she leaned over him, working, doing her best to remain locked in concentration, she could see the steady rise and fall of his chest. His beating heart was so close. He was so vulnerable, so exposed and so … so sexy.
Brea couldn't stop thinking about him. In the shower, cooking lunch, even in her dreams Miles was there. He had a warm smile and kind eyes. Brea loved making him laugh during their sessions. But she knew it couldn't go on forever, at some point his tattoo would be complete and they'd go their separate ways.
The thought of not seeing Miles again was disheartening for Brea. She knew she was being silly, he is a client and this is life, it goes on. She just couldn't stop thinking about how much she loved their conversations and yearned to know more about him – like how he'd acquired the scars which made a tragic map across his body.
As she dressed for work Brea made the decision that she has to ask Miles out. After all, the worst thing that could happen was that he'd say no. And the best? Well … maybe she'd get to check out that motel room of his.
Chapter 16
"Morning" Brea tried to appear bright and bubbly as she walked in, pausing to tie her hair up so that it wouldn't fall onto his chest as she worked, as it had during their first session together.
"Morning," Miles replied in his deep, gentle voice. Brea soaked up the sound, letting it envelope her like soft, sumptuous silk.