Page 30 of The Tattoo Artist

I furrow my brows, puzzled by the warning.

I look away and glance up at Ares, his grip on my hand warm and reassuring. Despite the warning, I can’t help but feel safe and protected when I’m with him. There’s something about his presence that makes me feel secure, as if he’ll shield me from any harm. Ares opens the car door for me, and I slide inside as he closes it. Once he’s settled in the driver’s seat, he starts the car, and we pull away from the restaurant. The atmosphere inside the car is filled with unspoken emotions and the lingering tension from our encounter with Mike.

As we drive, I steal glances at Ares, trying to understand the complexities behind his enigmatic facade. There’s so much I don’t know about him, so much beneath the surface that I’m eager to explore. I can’t help but wonder about the mysteries that lie in his past and what has shaped him into the man he is today.

“What did Mike say?” I ask him.

A smile spreads across his face as he stops the car, turning to face me. “More like what did he say when you turned back?” He responds to me. “Come on butterfly, answer me, I answered all your questions.”

“He said you’re dangerous.”

He turns to face the road, nodding his head slowly.

“I am dangerous.” He speaks.

I look at him, my heart racing at his admission. “Dangerous? In what way?” I inquire, feeling a mix of fear and curiosity. “Why would Mike say that? Why is everyone warning me? What have you done?”

He doesn’t respond.

He never responds! He never answers my questions, he ignores me as if I were a five-year-old kid begging for candy.

“Take me home.” I order him. “Actually, I’ll walk home.” I push the door open and slide out into the rainy road. I hear him calling my name as I walk down the pavement, careful on my feet otherwise I’ll slip. I glance back and notice him slamming his car door closed. I had no idea where I was to be honest, and I didn’t want to turn back to Mikes shop otherwise it would look like something is wrong.

“Alexandra!” His deep voice echoes into the empty street.

“Leave me alone!” I shoot out, my hair clinging to my face.

“Stop being stupid, it’s cold and it’s raining.” I gasp and turn around fully; he stops in front of me and looks down at me as my head falls back to look up at him.

“Don’t you dare call me stupid,” I shout at him.

“Well then stop acting like it.” My mouth drops open, and I shake my head before resuming my walk, determined to put some distance between us.

But he follows me, relentless in his pursuit.

“Oh, fuck me. I’m sorry. Now let’s get back inside the car and I can take you home.”

“Leave me alone Ares! Clearly, you’re just wasting my time, you don’t want to tell me anything and you always answer my questions with questions!” I yell out, suddenly in an instant, he grabs my arm, turning me around to face him. My chest collides with his, and my heart races as he grips my neck, tilting my head back to meet his gaze.

“Enough,” he says firmly, his eyes searching mine.

Raindrops cascade down around us, adding to the intensity of the moment. Ares’ grip on my neck is firm, his eyes locked onto mine with a mix of concern and frustration.

“Stop running away,” he implores, his voice tinged with emotion. “I’m not trying to waste your time, Alexandra. I just... I don’t know how to explain everything yet.”

His touch on my neck feels both gentle and possessive, and I can’t help but feel a rush of conflicting emotions. “You can’t keep pushing me away and then expect me to understand,” I retort, trying to hold my ground.

“I’m not pushing you away, butterfly,” he says, his voice low and earnest. “I’m just trying to protect you.”

“Protect me from what?” I demand, feeling frustration building within me. “From the truth?”

He hesitates, his gaze searching mine for a moment before he sighs. “Yes, from the truth,” he admits, his grip on my neck loosening. “But it’s not because I don’t trust you. It’s because I’m afraid of what the truth might do to us.”

“That’s for us to work out, not you alone.”

“Okay. But you need to give me time. We just met. I’ve never been like this with anyone…”

My eyes fall down onto his lips, and it my heart begins beating rapidly. I slide my hand around the back of his neck and pull him down to my face, I press my lips against his and he doesn’t kiss me back.

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