CHAPTER 1
“Again?” Mina’s dark eyes widened as she leaned on the body jewelry counter, her jacket buttoned and her purse slung over one shoulder.
Zoe nodded. “Yeah.”
“That’s the second time this year. Aren’t there rules on how often rent can be raised?”
“I don’t think so, since our original one-year lease has expired. Anyway, I’m sure that if we don’t pay, we’ll be evicted at the speed of light. The landlord is a real ass, and he still hasn’t fixed the stove.”
“Sounds like it. Maybe you guys should look for a new place to live.”
“We may have to.” Zoe buried an eyetooth in her inner lip. “I’d kind of hate to leave this place behind, though – the neighbors aren’t bad, and the location is pretty convenient. I don’t want to move into a neighborhood that’s a total dump like our last one – I’m afraid of what Paul will do in a place like that.” The memory of her older brother punching one of their neighbors in the face after the neighbor made a crude remark to Zoe hadn’t faded, though that had been a couple years ago.
Mina frowned. “Sorry. I’ll be right back, then I’ll take over.” She retreated to the back of the shop, where the restroom was, leaving Zoe to finish out the last five minutes of her shift. It was 5:25 in the afternoon – Zoe had worked reception for the first half of the day. Mina would take over at 5:30 and work until Hot Ink closed around eleven.
Normally, Zoe would be looking forward to heading home for the evening. Today was different. The entire past week had been different, in fact. Shaking off a wave of unease, she told herself not to be stupid. Circumstances were what they were – she’d do what she had to do.
A cold breeze gusted into the shop, combing through Zoe’s chin-length black hair and making her skin pebble. There was no bell over the door, but the blast of March wind was more than enough to notify her that someone had just walked in.
“Hello,” she said, looking up from where she pressed her hot pink nails against the display glass. “Welcome to Hot Ink. I’m Zoe. Do you have an appointment?”
Her heart slammed against her ribs as she laid eyes on the new arrival.
“5:45, with Jed.” A last gust of air blew in, ruffling the hem of the man’s suit jacket as the door fell shut.
It wasn’t every day that someone walked into the Hot Ink Tattoo Studio in a suit. It also wasn’t every day that Zoe wished her shift would last longer just so she could have an excuse to hang around and gape at a client. “You must be Noah,” she said, casting a hasty glance at the schedule she had up on the laptop screen. She hadn’t expected him to arrive before the end of her shift. “Noah Wilder?”
“That’s me.” He stopped in front of the counter, placing one hand on the glass. One large hand, bone and sinew contrasting with the dark fabric of his sleeve. The suit jacket – hell, the entire suit – looked expensive, but she was no expert, so who knew? Maybe he was just so hot that he made it look good. With his sculpted cheekbones and tall, lean build, he looked like a menswear model fresh off the set of a photo shoot.
Or maybe one of those too-gorgeous-to-be-true millionaires that starred in those racy novels that were so popular lately. She’d read one that a client had left behind on the couch in the waiting area, and the thought sent instant heat into her cheeks. Hopefully the cold air that had just swirled into the shop would tame her blush.
“Jed should be ready for you soon,” she said, looking up and meeting his eyes for the first time – they were an icy green, like frosted jade. His short-cropped chestnut hair held the barest hint of red, enough to make his eyes stand out even more. “You’re a little early.”
His lips – expressive and soft-looking, despite his serious expression – stretched in the slightest of smiles. “I gave myself some extra time to get here – was afraid I’d get lost. I don’t think I’ve ever driven in a city with so many bridges. Cross the wrong one, and…” He shrugged. “Well, you’re not where you meant to be, that’s for sure.”
“You’re new to Pittsburgh?”
“Just moved here a couple weeks ago. Still getting my bearings.”
“Oh?” Some instinct – the same instinct that had Zoe hoping Mina would linger in the bathroom to style her hair or re-do her make-up … anything to give Zoe more time at the reception desk – urged her to keep talking. “Where did you relocate from?”
“Buffalo.”
“New York.” Only a few hours away. And okay, if he’d really been a gorgeous millionaire, he probably would’ve been from the other side of the state, but who cared? He still looked amazing. And ordinary guys were more appealing anyway – especially when they had such extraordinary looks. Unable to repress a dopey grin, she leaned forward. “What brought you here?”