Page 10 of Ink Wars

How can you hate someone so much and still want to have them fucking you?

“So, they have these private parties and I’m offended we’ve never been invited,” Arya says, laying on the couch in my waiting room.

“Arya, who gives a shit what they do over there? I’ve heard their parties are nothing but drunk assholes looking to score anyway,” I say, sanitizing a station.

She rolls onto her side and props her head up on her arm. “Assholes are my favorite type, Leah.”

I laugh and walk over, tossing a rubber glove at her. “And we’ve learned that they aren’t worth it, remember?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“Not worth a relationship, but the sex is always worth it,” she tosses back.

We both laugh and I sit down next to her feet. “The other night was fun, and I know you made a lot of money, but it was a one-time deal. I can’t jeopardize my shop. Corbin will definitely do everything in his power to make sure I lose it all. I won’t risk it.” I squeeze her calf and stand up. “So, no more parties here, sorry.”

She sits up and smiles. “I get it. I appreciate what you did for me. As for Corbin, you should just bang it out with that hot asshole. Remember, not worth the relationship but the sex is always fucking hot.”

We both laugh as the door opens. I turn my attention toward the man who just walked in and smile. Not my usual client, but sometimes businessmen come in and when they take off their shirts, they surprise me with the amount of ink they have.

“Can I help you?” I ask, ignoring the way Arya sits up straight, fixing her hair.

“Leah Collymore?” he asks.

“That’s me,” I reply.

“I’ve got a proposition for you,” he says.

I raise an eyebrow as I smile. “Are you looking for a new tattoo?”

He smiles and hands me a business card. “I’m looking for a little more than a tattoo.”

Lucas Johnson — Director, Producer, Film Maker

I lift my eyes to his and laugh. “I’m confused.”

Arya grabs the card out of my hand and reads it.

Her eyes widen and she looks between us. “Lucas Johnson? As in the director of Games?”

He smiles, nodding his head. “That’s me.”

Arya’s hand wraps around my arm and she squeezes tightly. “Holy shit, Leah. Lucas Johnson is in your shop,” she whispers, never allowing her eyes to leave him.

I laugh again and glance at her. “I see that.” I turn my attention to him and smile. “I’m sorry, I work so much that I rarely get to watch movies.”

He places his briefcase down on the desk and pops it open. He pulls out a bunch of papers and hands them to me. “This is the design we used for Games. We are releasing Chase, which is the conclusion to Games, and we are looking for a new design. With the success of Games and the anticipated success of Chase, we have decided to have a tattoo artist come up with the design. The design will not only be used for the movie, but the cast, crew, and I will have you tattoo the design on us.”

My stomach sinks as I stare at him. This can’t be real. A Hollywood director is standing in my shop in New York asking me to not only come up with a design for his movie but a design that will be tattooed on celebrities. This is huge. The biggest thing that has yet to happen to me. This would bring me attention I never dreamed of.

“Mr. Johnson,” I begin.

“Please, call me Lucas.”

I nod and clear my throat. “Lucas, this opportunity is mind-blowing. I would be honored to come up with some designs for you. I can’t thank you enough for reaching out to me. It’s truly an honor.”

“The honor is all mine, Leah. I’ve been a fan of your work for a while,” he says, smiling.

My heart is pounding and I can hear Arya next to me whispering, “Holy shit.” Over and over.

“When would you need the design ideas by?” I ask.

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