Page 22 of Covert
"Thank you," she says quietly. Hopefully, the carbs and grease have started to help with her hangover.
"You don't eat," I reply simply.
"What?"
"When you're here. I notice you don't bring lunch or order takeout or anything."
She's silent as she processes my question, but I notice her jaw slowing. I notice everything about her.
Chapter nine
Nikki
The next day, I've fully recovered from my hangover and am back at work, staring at the shop's iPad. Social media. I'm responsible for their social media.
I swallow nervously as I open the TikTok app. Okay. I'll just see what other shops post and copy that.
I type "tattoo shop" into the search bar and click on the top result. Okay, so it's mainly just pictures of their artists' works. The second tattoo shop in the results does slow panning videos of their reveals set to dark music.
I think about the guys and their goals for this shop. They have a pretty steady flow of work, so maybe it's not about getting more customers. Maybe it's more about getting their names out there.
I look at the calendar for the day. Beckett's got three, Axel's got four, and Maddox has an eight-hour back mural session. That should give me plenty to film.
The third account I click on for ideas features a gorgeous, shirtless man absolutely covered in tattoos. Dancing. I scroll down the page. The second video is of him gripping the top of a door frame and looking down at the camera, and holy crap. My breath rushes out of my lungs on an exhale. I scroll to the next one. It's the same pose, but he's bathed in red light, making him look even sexier.
I click the little comment button and scroll through hundreds of thirsty comments from women. That would definitely get more attention on their account.
I look at Axel. He'd definitely do posts like this. Maddox, I could take close-up pics of his tatted forearms that are sexy as hell. Beckett. I soften a little when I see the big guy. He wouldn't like the attention from women. But maybe that would help his self-image a little. I'll ask him. The last thing I want to do is make him uncomfortable without his consent.
"Hey Axe?" I call out.
"Sup, babe?"
"Can you come here really quick. I want to show you something."
I show him a few of the thirst traps and he picks the door frame lean. He strips off his shirt and I can help my gaze as it wanders up and down his body. He's fucking gorgeous.
"Eyes are up here, darling," he teases, pointing at his face. I look up and see the smug grin on his face. My cheeks heat. I don't care that he caught me checking him out. He's hot and he knows it.
He spins his hat around to the back, and my mouth dries. Fuck, that does it for me. I might have to get a smartphone so I can watch this video on repeat.
Instead, I tug the front pocket of his jeans down a little, revealing a strip of the top of his boxers. There we go.
"Okay, put your hand up on the doorframe." He does as I say, and I flick on the iPad's camera.
I lower it, trying to get the angle right, but I'm still too close to get his full torso. I bend as far as I can, and it's almost the right angle. Before I can think better of it, I kneel, lowering the iPad even more.
"Oh, baby, that's a good look on you."
I blush as I realize what this must look like to him. Instead, I hit the record button and watch as his face falls serious and he smolders. Thehair on my arms stands up, and my panties dampen. God, the man is walking sex. I'm not sure how long I should record this for. Right when I'm about to stop, he cracks, giving me a wide, bashful smile. I knew he couldn't stay serious for that long.
"What the fuck is this!?" Maddox shouts from behind him.
Axel jumps to the side before reaching a hand down to help me up.
I take his hand and stand up from the floor.
I'm not sure what Maddox thinks was happening when Axel's pants are still zipped and we're at work. I make the mistake of looking down at his jeans as if I need to confirm for myself that they are zipped. It's a mistake.
