Page 19 of Devilish Ink

“Well,” he said.

“I hope you like it. The tat, I mean.”

He nodded. Then cleared his throat. “You, er, you did an amazing job. Thank you.”

“Thank you for trusting me. I’ve never been given free reign as an artist before so…that’s a big deal.”

He smirked. “I’m glad I was a big deal for you.”

I flushed. It was like he knew how much I was drawn to him.

He placed his hand on the handle, but he did not move to pull it open. “When do you finish your shift?”

“Oh, eh…soon. I just have to clean up. Lock up.”

“It’s getting late. It’s real dark out there.”

I studied the foggy darkness outside and chewed my lip. The black night felt less terrifying with him so close to me.

“Can I walk you home?” he asked, softly, respectfully.

I opened my mouth to say—yes, no, I didn’t know—but he interrupted.

“Just to make sure you get home safely,” he clarified with his palms raised. “No funny business, I promise.”

Whatever I was about to say died on my tongue. I snapped my mouth shut.

I can’t remember the last time anyone offered to walk me home. The last time anyone cared enough about my safety.

I blinked back tears and glanced aside, hoping he wouldn’t notice how much his kindness affected me. Fucking pathetic, Ry.

I shook my head, wishing I could just sayyes. “Sorry, I—”

He nodded. “Yeah, right. Of course.”

The brush of his lips on my cheek was as gentle as the breeze, as burning as the sun that was yet to rise. He thanked me once more for the tattoo and then he was gone.

The door closing behind him with a jangle of the bell and a soft click.

I ran to the window like a little kid. Through the slit in the drapes I spied him walking away.

My mind went with him. To his home. What was it like? To his bed. Was it warm? Would he sleep all sprawled out, his limbs taking up space? Would he think of me when he closed his eyes?

Only when he was out of sight did I let the drape fall closed. I turned around to find Mason behind me with an empty bowl of Lucky Charms in his hand. Grinning at me.

I yelped.

“You scared the shite out of me,” I growled in frustration, pushing past him.

“I came down for more luck,” he said. “But it seems you took it all.”

I rolled my eyes as I began to clean up my workstation for the night.

“Ryleigh’s gonna get some!” Mason teased.

I shot him an angry glare. “He was just a client.”

“Right.” Mason nodded solemnly. “That’s what I told myself…and them, in the morning.”

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