Page 6 of Tess, Property of Blaze

“How long you been doing this?”

I shrug, continuing to draw. “Five years. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. Draw that is.”

I didn’t want to mention my old man’s intentions when he sent me to design school, because at the end of the day, it got me out of there, and that’s all in the past now. I don’t want to remember the life I had in LA. I’m finally free and living my life.

A thick silence brews between us as I continue to sketch the image, and I can sense his eyes on me. I wore black ripped jeans and a white singlet top into work today, and my black lace bra is visible through it, the straps hanging from my shoulders. It made me wish I’d worn something a little less revealing, but if this guy’s a biker and belongs to a club then he’d be more than used to seeing women in a lot less.

Does he have a woman? I don’t know why, but the thought of him with someone else has me gripping my pencil a little too tightly. I consciously make myself relax my hand, and once I’m done, I turn to face him.

“Lie back, please.”

He does as I say, flashing me a wicked grin, and I lay the transfer sheet on his chest exactly where he’d shown me. My fingers brush against his warm skin, and I feel a rush of electricity run through my body. I look up at him, wondering if he felt it too. His intense look proves that he did, his eyes darkening with what looks like desire. His hair, slightly longer at the top, drapes over his forehead, and he licks his lips. My eyes zero in on them and he smiles; he knows the effect he has on me.

Clearing my throat, I remove the sheet, and I’m happy with the result. “There, first part is over.”

He looks down at his chest, a wide smile in place. Can’t wait to see the final product.”

“Well, you’re about to see something,” I say, slipping fresh gloves on and starting up my needle, pressing it down onto his virgin skin.

He squeezes his eyes shut at the first touch, then opens them suddenly. “Hey, it doesn’t hurt at all.”

I flash him a smile and then get my hand ready again. “Told you. Now sit back while I work on this.”

An hour in, my lower back starts to hurt, but I’ve actually finished more than I thought I would, even with him distracting me.

“Wanna take a break?” he asks when I straighten my body and twist side to side.

“I’m all good.”

He frowns. “Come on, I can do with a smoke anyway.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d die for a coffee right now.”

He sits up then, looking down at his half-completed tattoo. “I can’t believe I’m finally doing this.”

“Well, you better believe it, because it ain’t coming off,” I say sarcastically, then I grin at him.

He laughs then stands fully, stretching his arms above his head. God Almighty, he even has that V thing going on.

He turns to walk away, and I say, “Hey, you forgot something,” holding his shirt out to him.

“It’s warm out, no need for the shirt,” he replies, taking a cigarette out of his pocket and holding it between his lips as he searches for his lighter. Finding it in his back pocket, he walks up to Gunner at Jeff’s station, looking down at his emerging tattoo. “Looks good, man.”

“You done already?” Gunner asks him.

“Nah, just having a break.”

Gunner looks over at me then back at Blaze. “Sure you are.”

Blaze shakes his head, then walks to the front door, opening it wide to let me through first. I say, “Thank you,” and once I’m out on the footpath, tell him, “I’m just heading to Starbucks there, I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll come with you.”

I widen my eyes at that. “Like that? With no top?” I ask, waving my hand at his magnificent chest. I’m sure this guy works out every single day.

His laugh is loud, and like an aphrodisiac to my body. “Why, darlin’? What’s wrong with what I’m wearin’?” He looks down at his body.

“It’s not what you’re wearing, it’s what you’re not,” I say matter-of-factly.

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