Illicit Ink: A Single Dad, Second Chance Romance by Carmen Bishop

Author:Carmen Bishop [Bishop, Carmen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: B.A.D. Publishing, LLC
Published: 2023-06-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Zander

The buzzing of needles is far less comforting than it was three weeks ago.

Which was the last time I saw Rose as she climbed into her car and left my mother’s house. A moment I’ve been replaying in my mind over and over again. I’d been such an asshole. But seeing her sitting beside Aara, looking so in place at my mother’s house, amongst my family, had been a gut punch.

One weekend.

We had one weekend.

And now, my brain—for whatever fucking reason—cannot disconnect from her.

I finish the final touches on a snowy owl piece on the top of a curvy redhead’s thigh then wipe it clean and apply a salve. After wrapping it in plastic wrap, I roll my chair back and start cleaning up my tray.

“This looks so fantastic,” she says.

“Glad you like it. You can grab some tattoo goo and a care sheet from the front desk when you pay.” As soon as my area is clean, I remove my gloves and turn back, not at all surprised to see her still sitting there, green eyes still on me. “Do you need something else?” I ask, far more frustrated than I normally would be.

But three weeks and one weekend ago, I would have taken this girl in the back and fucked her hard and fast. Three weeks and one weekend ago, I hadn’t felt so twisted in fucking knots.

“I was thinking maybe we could get a drink later? Or go grab something to eat? I know this great place. Rose’s Café. Have you heard of it?” My stomach twists. “Fantastic Italian food. Anyway, I—”

“Not interested,” I say with a forced smile. “I appreciate the invite, though.”

Redhead pouts. “Are you sure? I know you like to have a good time. My friend Alicia was here a few months ago and—”

“Not interested,” I repeat, cutting her off. “Please pay at the front on your way out.”

She grumbles something, her expression going from hopeful to pissed off damn near instantly as she turns away and starts toward the front. I make my way into the back room, desperate for some fucking alone time, but the second I step through the door, all I can see is Rose.

Laid out on my table.

Bent over on my couch.

“Fuck me.” I groan.

“Geez, that hard up still? Redhead out there was looking really pissed that you turned her down.”

I turn to face Candi. She grins at me, piercings glinting in the light. Once upon a time, we’d nearly hooked up. That was until we both realized neither of us is attracted to the other. I guess that’s what happens when you grow up together.

She crosses her arms and studies me curiously. “This have something to do with Rose?”

“Why the hell would it have something to do with Rose?”

“Because I know you better than you think I do. And because I know you only shut that door when you’re doing your best to lower our cleanliness rating back here.” She points her thumb to the still-open break room door.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.