Page 98 of Watercolor Skulls

Dan catches my annoyance and chuckles. Hmph. I saunter away from him going over to inspect Jesse’s piece. She smiles up at me. “Going to let me lay stake to some of that flawless skin you have,” she says, smacking her gum between her teeth.

The blond huffs behind me.

Jesse winks, fueling me to play along with her.

“What spot do you want?” I pull my shirt up, giving her and the guy she is working on a glimpse of side boob.

Jesse’s eyes light up, a mischievous grin on her face. “Oh, baby, yeah. I’ll take it all.”

“Girls,” Dan warns.

We both giggle.

Jesse wipes the excess ink off her current canvas, finishing up.

“You know your skin belongs to me, right?” Dan says. The blond literally lets out an exasperated sigh.

Good, she’s getting it now.

I turn around slowly with my shirt still raised. “Can’t she have this little spot right here?” I let my finger trail over the side of my breast, running down my ribs.

“No,” he says, firing up his gun and going back to work.

I pretend to pout. The blond shoots daggers at me as I fight the smile trying to curve my lips upward.

Jesse’s customer pays and she grabs her keys. “Ready?”

“Sure.” I turn one last time to Dan. “So, I guess I’ll see you tonight?” I can’t help but look at the blond and her friend, making sure they know he has plans for the rest of evening

Dan shuts his gun off and sets it down on the tray. He stands up, all eyes slide to him. His body takes up so much space he towers over all of us. Then quick as a goddamn viper his hand strikes, his fingers wrap around my neck. He drags me to him, making me dance on my toes. When we’re chest to chest, his mouth crashes down on mine.

Every woman in the shop groans out loud.

My body jolts as he claims my mouth. White sparks break behind my eyes as my core clenches hard. I find myself grinding against the thigh he shoved between my legs. He pulls away slow and deliberate, his eyes telling me I’m the only woman he wants. Jesus. The corner of his mouth tips up slightly. “I’ll be seeing all of you tonight.” His voice rumbles all the way down to my cunt. He releases me with a smack on the ass, before sitting back down, focusing once again on his work. I sway slightly before Jesse grabs my hand and pulls me from the shop.

I don’t even look at the faces of the two girls I was jealous of. Dan effectively chased the green eyed monster away.

“Jesus Christ, you two are making me horny,” Jesse says, rubbing her hand over her groin, not giving a fuck who sees her.

Quickly I slide into the passenger seat of her rod. My ass feels like it’s dragging on the ground as we peel out.

“Dirk better be on his A game tonight.” She laughs, lighting up a cigarette. “You bring out a side of Dan I’ve never seen and goddamn it’s hot.”

The bar is only a few minutes from the shop, so it takes us no time to get there. The bar is hopping tonight. When we get inside I see a lot of the club members here tonight. Jesse leaves me as I clock in behind the bar. I watch as she walks over and wraps herself around Dirk. I smile, he looks happy she’s all wound up.

Bill comes out from the back, setting his sights on me. “Lily, I’m glad you’re back.” He kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll only need you a couple hours tonight. Susan is coming in at eight.”

“However long you need me I’m yours,” I tell him, grabbing a towel to wipe down the bar. Sliding easily into my normal routine, I hum, happy to be working again.

The evening is going great and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. I glance at the clock. It’s almost time for Susan to come in and relieve me. Dan should be here soon too. My tummy does a little flip, thinking about the night to come.

The door opens and a group of people walk in. They look…my heart plummets. It’s Benjamin, his friends, and their whores. I don’t know if they’re actually hookers but some of his friends are married and none of the women with them are their wives. Benjamin’s floozy is hanging on his arm. Fuck. Me.

“You okay, sweetie?” Bill sidles up beside me. Looking from me to the group, back to me.

“It’s…” I turn to face him. “It’s the guy I was supposed to marry.”

Bill pulls his head back, craning his neck to see the group as they shove two table next to each other so they can sit together. “I’ll take their orders,” he tells me.

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