“Um, I guess tonight is good.” She looked at me and then to her feet.
“Sugar, it’s just a date. A real date – no strings attached.” I grabbed her chin to look into her sky blue eyes. “We kinda missed that part of getting to know each other before I took you. I’ll pick you up at nine. Wear something warm.”
“Okay, I’ll be ready. Want me to drive?” She looked at my bike, wrinkling her nose and then noticed her car. “Wait, how did my car get here already? I totally forgot about it breaking down. What the heck?”
“Tank fixed it for you and delivered it about an hour ago. It’s all ready, but to answer your question, no. We’re taking the bike.”
“Oh. Do you have his number so I can pay him?” she asked, her eyes wide as she chewed her lip.
“I got it. He did it as a favor to me.”
“Oh, I couldn’t. Let me pay you for it, then.”
“Suzy, let me do something nice for you. Really, it wasn’t a problem. Tank and I worked it out. I don’t want you broken down again on a dark country road.”
“I know. I just try and watch my money. I was going to get it fixed.”
“Well now it is. Nine tonight and warm clothes.” I leaned forward and kissed her lips. I grabbed the back of her neck and drew her closer. The light, sweet scent of her perfume filled my nostrils, as I tasted her lips. Everything about her was fucking sweet and I wanted more. I consumed her mouth and commanded her body with my kiss. I wanted to leave her weak in the knees and wanting more when I drove away. I broke the kiss, but kept my hand in place and watched her as she stood there with puckered lips and her eyes closed. Exactly the response I wanted.
“Sugar,” I said, smiling at her as her eyes fluttered open.
“Oh, sorry. I say that a lot around you.” Her cheeks turned pink as she bit her lip.
“We’ll finish that kiss later. I can’t wait to crawl back inside that delicious pussy of yours tonight. Digits,” I said before she had a chance to walk away. I programmed her number in my phone and sent her a text as she walked in her house. She’d be back for more.
I started the engine, revving it a couple times before pushing backwards and down the drive. She waved with a sweet smile on her face. My cock ached as I thought about all the dirty shit I wanted to do to her. I watched her in my side mirror as she watched me drive away. I had her.
“Where the fuck you been, Joey?” Mikey said as I walked through the door of Inked.
We opened Inked about five years ago. Everyone in my family has an artistic streak and we didn’t trust outsiders with our money. Growing up my father had drilled that mantra in our heads. Don’t trust others when you can do it yourself. We agreed that there would be no outsiders unless absolutely necessary. Problem with it, though, was that you could never fire family, especially when they’re part owners. Mike had the spaz gene. He was known for overreacting.
“I had to drop someone off, shithead. Who made you boss?” I asked as I set my stuff down at my workstation.
“You’re typically here early. I started to get worried. You could’ve called or something, asshole.”
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Mom. I’m here now, so shut the fuck up.”
Mikey threw his hands in the air showing his surrender or disgust, I couldn’t tell. He’s the shop manager since he has absolutely no artistic talent, but he was one hell of a piercer. His real passion was fighting. He had joined the circuit years ago and often travels out of town for a fight. Fighting with your hands and tattooing do not mix. My hands were precious to me. I needed them to work my magic and see the smiles on the faces of my customers.
“Mom called to remind us about tomorrow,” Anthony said as he walked out of the employee only area. Anthony is my oldest brother and probably the most unsettled. He’s an amazing tattooer, but he’s a musician. He dreams of hitting it big, but for now he was ours.
“What the fuck?” Mikey said.
“How could we forget? It’s only been the same day for thirty years,” Isabella says as she unpacked her machine.
Isabelle’s the youngest and the only girl beside my mom. My parents kept trying until finally they had the little princess they always dreamed about after having four boys climbing the walls and rough housing. She was girly and kind, but if you crossed Izzy, she’d kick your ass. We were all over protective of her, but we were scared of her too. In my family, the ladies ruled the roost and weren’t to be crossed. She got that commanding personality from my mom and led with an iron fist.
“Let’s run down the schedule before I open the doors,” Mikey said, leaning over the counter looking toward the work area.