Untamed (A Bad Boy Secret Baby Romance)(155)

She just stares at me, as though she’s expecting more.

“Um,” I stall, buying time. “Mental discipline. Tattoo sessions can often go on for hours, and an artist must not only know how to concentrate and not get distracted, but must also know her own limits.”

“And that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Tina says, slapping my portfolio shut. “I like your style, but I must say I see a little of my own in it.”

“I’ve been following your work since I was fifteen,” I say. “On your website, on tattoo message boards, and social network groups.”

“I see. And where are you living now?”

“Near St. Kilda.”

“Ah, so just down the road?”

“Yeah,” I say, grinning. “I walked here today.”

“Don’t walk home at night if you can avoid it,” she says. “Especially on weekends.”

I hold my breath. “Does this mean that, I, uh—”

“Yes, Penelope. Bring the license form tomorrow morning so I can sign it. I’m normally in the shop at eight, but you’ll now be opening up for me, so I expect you to be here at seven-thirty.”

I nod enthusiastically, but she sees the confusion on my face. Tattoo shops don’t usually open so early.

“I run an online business,” she says. “I sell temporary tattoos, and various paraphernalia. Some accessories, too, like rings, earrings, broaches, pins, badges, that kind of thing.” She waves her hand carelessly, but I’m just even more impressed.

“That’s amazing,” I say. “So you’re like a total one-woman show.”

For the first time, she smiles. “Not anymore, I guess. I’ll be handing off some of those duties to you. Pay will be minimum wage, and I expect to only give you two days off a week. Also, you must work weekends and all holidays.”

“That’s fine with me.” I’m squeeing on the inside, but trying to keep my composure on the outside.

“Good. See you tomorrow then.”

“Thank you so much, Ms. Azume.”

“It’s just Tina.”

“Thanks, Tina.”

“I have a client coming tomorrow,” she says as I’m about to leave. “It’s a work in progress. I’ll be doing some filling in, going over some outlining. It’s quite expansive on the lower half of his body. He will be nude from the waist-down. I expect you to study me as I administer the tattoo. Will that be a problem?”

“I can handle that,” I say.

“He can be a bit… rude. I’ll try and control him, but really, I don’t think I’ll be very successful.”

“What do you mean ‘rude’?”

“I mean,” she says. “That sometimes women find him difficult. I expect, since you’ll be at my side and watching me, he’ll make a crude joke or two.”

I swallow. “I can handle it.”

She considers me for a moment, but then smiles. “Okay, then,” she says. “Seven-thirty tomorrow morning. Here’s a key, open up the shutters, and let yourself in. There’s no alarm.” She waves her hand. “Nothing to steal, and I’d rather not pay the fee. Once you’re in here, I want you to walk around, get a feel for the table, the chair, everything. Otherwise, simply amuse yourself without touching anything, and wait for me to arrive. Understood, Penelope?”

“Yes!” I say, taking the set of keys. Despite Tina’s somewhat harsh tone, I’m over the moon. If I wasn’t so hung-over, I’d be bouncing on my toes right now.

When I get outside, I try to shake the trembling out of my hands, and I bite on my finger so as not to scream.

I can’t believe I’m going to be apprenticing for my favorite artist!

Everything is just going so perfectly so far.

I just took the first step toward my dream career. How many people can honestly say that?





Chapter Twelve





“Well, well, well…”

I whip around, recognizing the voice, and see Pierce strutting into the shop.

“Oh my God,” I groan to myself. This was the client who was going to be half-nude? This was the guy Tina said women found difficult?

Tina looks between me and him, and then frowns. She opens her mouth to say something, but then stops herself.

“You’re apprenticing for Tina?” he asks. “Looks like I just found my new favorite tattoo artist.”

“Evidently,” I say, forcing a polite smile. It’s my first day – I need to impress Tina, but obviously Pierce isn’t going to make it easy at all. But he’s not going to rattle me, no matter how hard he tries. And I know he’s going to try.