Page 31 of Christmas with Four Tattoo Artists

"Evening, boys," James spoke, his gaze hard as he took in the scene. "Interesting time for a social visit, wouldn't you say?" His tone was nonchalant, but the tension in his posture told a different story. James had his cop face on, cool and professional, but simmering with a readiness to handle trouble.

"Yeah, well, we were just leaving," the leader muttered, his grin faltering under James' steely gaze.

"Good," Carlos chimed in, his Spanish accent thick, his tone sharp as he shot them a no-nonsense look. "You know the way out."

The Devils exchanged a glance before they filed out, a whirlwind of snide smirks and bitter chuckles. But beneath the bravado, I noticed a flicker of unease. They weren't used to being ushered away, especially not by the likes of James and Carlos.

"Stay out of trouble," the leader called over his shoulder as they mounted their bikes. "We'll be seeing you soon." The threat hung in the air long after the rumble of their engines faded into the distance.

"Thanks, guys," I said to James and Carlos once they were gone, my adrenaline finally starting to come down.

“Not a problem,” Carlos replied.

"Just doing our job, dude. Happened to be in the area when we heard those bikes, figured we’d stay by the shop just in case," James replied, his gaze lingering on the spot where the Devils had left. He sighed, shaking his head. “Klaus. He’s planning something.”

“No doubt about that,” I replied.

The echo of the Devil's threats played in my mind. I nodded to myself, my mind already racing with plans. We had to prepare for what was coming. And whatever it was, we would be ready. Because if Klaus thought he could take what was ours, he’d be in for a surprise.

Right in that moment, I caught sight of Julia peeking out from behind the office door, her eyes wide and full of concern. My chest tightened, not just at the sight of her obvious distress but at the realization of just how much I wanted to protect her, to make sure she was safe.

Without a second thought I strode over to her, my steps heavy, determined.

"Julia!" I called out, my voice echoing in the mostly empty shop. Her gaze darted up to meet mine, a breath catching in her throat as she took in my hardened expression.

As I closed the distance between us, I noticed her body was taut, rigid with anxiety. I pulled her against me, my arms firm around her. Her fingers gripped my shirt, her knuckles whitening from the pressure.

“Those men,” she said, barely able to get out the words. “I thought they were going to…”

There was no doubt she’d been more worried about my safety than hers.

"Listen," I spoke into her hair, breathing in the sweet scent of her perfume. "I got you. Always." It wasn't just a promise, it was a fact.

I felt her relax against me, the tremors slowly fading away as she allowed herself to relax into my embrace, a small nod against my chest confirming she got the message.

It was there, in the echoing silence of the shop, with her body nestled against mine, that a strange realization hit me. My heart was thumping louder than it should have been. My arms were holding her tighter than any woman I had held before. I was falling for this girl, and there was no denying it.

Pulling her closer, I traced a circular pattern on her back, a silent reassurance, a claim. The situation was foreign to me, I’d never been the kind of man to catch feelings, and yet there I was, falling head over heels for Julia. It was madness, it was chaotic, it was... right.

With her, things were different. She was more than just another woman, more than just a hot body. She was slowly becoming the center of my world, the one constant in my wild life. I wasn't about to give up on that. Not then, not ever.

Chapter 13

Julia

Acouple of weeks can sure pack a punch, especially when they're filled with the kind of delicious mischief I'd been getting up to with the guys.

Four unique personalities, four distinct flavors of pleasure, and I'd been savoring each one.

Finn's slow, deliberate touch had a way of winding me up until I was ready to snap. He'd tease me to the edge of madness and then push me over, leaving me breathless and begging for more.

Andrew's roughness was another world altogether. A wild ride that would leave me aching in the best way possible. Last time we’d been together he'd had me up against the wall, the cold surface pressed against my back, his body a furnace against my front. His hand found its way to my throat, squeezing just enough to make my pulse quicken, my breath catch. No room for pretense or hesitance; with Andrew, it was all raw and real.

Kai's creativity never ceased to amaze me. He had a way of turning ordinary experiences into extraordinary ones. Like that morning in the kitchen when breakfast turned into a buffet of sensation. Sticky syrup, cold ice, hot breath; he used them all to paint my body with pleasure. I never knew what to expect with him, and that was half the fun.

James's soft-spoken dominance held a fascination for me. He was a man of few words, but the ones he chose had a way of commanding attention. A lingering look, a whispered command, and I was his to do with as he pleased. He had this knack for knowing exactly what I needed, even when I didn't know myself.

Through each encounter, I felt a connection growing, not just in the bedroom but beyond. Shared glances, inside jokes, a lingering touch. The guys had a way of making me feel seen, appreciated, and desired in a way I hadn't felt before.

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