Page 37 of Falcon

I poured a little creamer in then added about two teaspoons of sugar and dropped a plastic spoon in the mug and handed it to her. “If that’s not good, tell me how to make it right.”

Her eyebrows were nearly at her hairline, but she took a sip and nodded. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

“See? Not that hard to let me help you.”

Lacy shot her a wide-eyed look and she stared back at her, motionless for a moment before she grabbed her bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and continued eating.

I poured the four plastic containers of syrup over my pancakes and wolfed them down. After that, I swirled my sausage in the remnants left in the container and popped the whole piece in my mouth.

After pushing my chair out, I stood up fast, threw my trash away, and refilled my coffee. “My booth is right there,” I said as I pointed out the door to the hallway. We called them booths because our old shop had cheap cubicle walls separating us, so when we moved here and got actual rooms the name stuck. “We have nameplates so you can’t miss it. I need to get setup.”

“Can I come watch?” she asked.

“Should be fine. She’ll be here in about half an hour. If it’s not cool with her, I’ll let you know. Finish your breakfast.”

Her eyes flashed for a second. She was quick to drop her brows back down, but I didn’t miss the look. She was jealous. My chest puffed out, but she looked back down at her food, so I walked out. She could simmer on that for a few minutes.

I spent some time getting ready for the long sitting. We finished the outline a few weeks ago and we’d get at least a large section done today, and she’d come back, maybe twice more, for the rest. It was an intricate Chinese dragon that wrapped from her ribs to her back with lots of colors. I was still setting up my ink when Daisy walked in and propped herself on the doorway.

“So, this is what you do for money?” she asked.

“Among other things. Did you do anything besides dance?”

She shrugged. “Not really.” She stepped inside and looked around, checking out the photos on my wall. “Did you do all of these?”

“Mmhmm.” I kept setting up my tray and rolled backwards when I needed to grab something from the cabinet.

She was still looking at the wall but said, “So, do you work on a lot of women?”

With a groan, I stood and walked up behind her. Her neck was exposed since her hair was pulled back. I dipped my head down, stopping just short of her skin. “Does that bother you, darlin’?”

Goosebumps rose on her neck and her chest filled with a deep breath. “No, just making conversation.” She sounded like a kid who acted like they didn’t care when you took their favorite toy away, just so you didn’t get the satisfaction.

I let my breath land on her skin, then drew in her sweet scent. Whatever she got at the mall, I needed to keep replenished. “Do you intend to keep dancing?”

She turned and glared at me, her brows pinched tight. “Why wouldn’t I? I need money and that’s what I’m good at. And what do you care?”

I balled my fists and pressed them on the wall, boxing her in, still careful not to touch her. “What do you care if I tattoo women?”

She was trying to keep her tough act up, but she squirmed under the heat of my gaze. “I don’t.”

“I care if you dance.”

Her signature eye roll was going to get stuck one of these days. “Well, that’s too bad.”

I leaned in closer, taking in that sweet, fruity smell. “I didn’t say I’d stop you, I just said I cared.”

She licked her lips and her breath hitched. “But why?”

“Do I need a reason?”

“Eh-hem. Do I need to come back?”

I didn’t move my arms from around her head but looked over to see my appointment. “Nope, I’m ready for you.” I glanced back down at Daisy and looked into those big blues for a few beats before I finally pushed off the wall. “This is Daisy. Do you mind if she sits in?”

Rhonda shrugged. “I don’t mind. Probably better conversation than you.”

“You don’t pay me to talk, you pay me to do artwork. Have a seat. I’m gonna grab her a chair. You want a water or anything?”

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