Page 12 of Christmas with Four Tattoo Artists

Kai took over then, his dark eyes seeming to bore into my soul. "We've been thinking, and we've all come to a decision."

My breath hitched as Andrew continued, "We all want you, Julia." His bright blue eyes held a raw honesty that left me breathless. "And we've been wondering... do you want us?"

Chapter 5

Julia

As I finished closing the shop, my mind was stuck on replay, incessantly circling back to their words. They wanted to take me out to dinner. All four of them. They were offering an explanation, a chance to talk, to ask questions about their proposal.

My heart stuttered in my chest, the anticipation making me feel as though I was on a precipice, about to take a leap of faith. Suddenly, the familiar chime of my phone drew me out of my reverie. It was another text from Tim, the guy I was supposed to see in a few hours. He was checking in, probably pumped up about our planned date.

Hey babe, ready for our big night? Got a wicked pump at the gym, better get ready to be impressed! Oh, and btw, got a special protein shake for after the date. Can’t wait for you to give it a try.

I couldn’t help but laugh at how ballsy and inappropriate the text was. My eyes drifted over it, along with the annoyingly ample amount of emojis and winks following his juvenile play on words. The fact of the matter was that I’d felt a tinge guilty that I was going to cancel on Tim. But thankfully, he’d just sent me the perfect text to dispel those sentiments.

Sorry, Tim. Something came up. Have to cancel.

The relief was instant. I sent the text without a second thought, a sensation of freedom spreading through me. I felt another buzz in my pocket, no doubt Tim sending a panicked reply. But I didn’t care about anything he had to say—I was about to go on a date with four men who seemed to want me as much as I had fantasized about them.

I flicked off the lights, locked the front door of Blackjack's, and stepped into the cool evening air. The Miami night was a calming contrast to the heated rush of thoughts coursing through me, and I took a deep breath, feeling a thrilling sense of anticipation. The date with the guys was the start of something amazing. I could feel it.

Walking into The Razor's Edge, I immediately knew why the guys picked it. Right down the block from Blackjack’s, the restaurant was cool personified. Its historic Art Deco building gave it an old-world charm that mingled perfectly with the modernity of the vibrant graffiti art splashed on the exposed brick walls.

Low, warm lights hung from the high ceilings, bathing the entire place in an intimate glow that was equal parts inviting and enticing. The low hum of classic rock seeping from the speakers was just loud enough to set the ambiance without drowning out the lively chatter of the patrons.

Kai, James, Andrew, and Finn were sitting in a corner booth, casual as could be, but radiating such intense masculinity it was almost tangible. Their eyes met mine, and a shiver raced down my spine, my palms, and my panties, growing damp with anticipation.

I approached the table, four pairs of eyes following me like a magnet.

“Evening, gorgeous,” Finn said, his voice low and enticing.

Kai stood and I slid into the booth, wedged between him and Andrew. As I settled in, I couldn’t help but laugh nervously.

"I have to admit, this feels like some sort of strange job interview," I said, glancing from one face to the next.

At my confession, they all broke into laughter. The sound was rich, deep, and utterly infectious. Kai nudged my shoulder, his grin wide and warm. "No need to worry about that, J," he assured me. "We're past the interview stage. We already know we want you. And not just for your killer admin skills."

His words ignited a fiery flush on my skin, but Andrew swiftly chipped in, lightening the mood. "The whole point of tonight is to have fun, whatever kind of fun we want."

Their reassurances eased the tension knotting up inside me. I met their eyes and felt something like relief wash over me. It wasn’t an evaluation, it was a date. My blood warmed at the realization, and I found myself grinning back at them.

"Alright, I think I can handle that," I replied, my gaze flitting between the four of them. "So, who's buying the first round?"

Finn, with his devil-may-care smile, immediately raised a hand to catch the server’s attention. "That'd be me."

"Why's that?" I asked, turning my full attention to him.

"Because I'm the one who knows exactly what you're going to love," he responded with a confident smirk.

I laughed and shrugged. "Alright then, surprise me."

From there, we fell into easy conversation that flowed as easily as the tequila, the casual banter stoking the slow burn of attraction coursing through me. James, the most reserved of the four, still managed to elicit laughs with his dry, sarcastic wit. Andrew was more outgoing, throwing around playful, teasing remarks with a devilish glint in his blue eyes. Kai’s comments were cheeky and provocative, pushing the boundary of propriety while still maintaining his charm. Finn, the one who understood the magic of anticipation, peppered his conversation with flirty innuendos that had me biting my lip and squeezing my legs together.

When our tacos arrived, the scent of spiced meat and fresh cilantro tantalizing my senses, the conversation took a more sensual turn.

“You know,” Kai began, a wicked grin on his face. “I’ve had the tacos here and they’re great. But not a chance they’re going to be the most delicious thing I’ve tasted today.”

The guys chuckled at his words. No doubt he’d filled them in on that kiss of ours that I’d been thinking about nonstop.

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