Page 1 of The Art of Deception
Chapter One
TOMI
Alex Scott is the devil in a suit.
I’ve worked damn hard for what I have, built my tattoo studio from its bare bones to the shining star that she is, andhethinks he can come in here and demolish her?
No way, sir.
Not on my watch.
This smug, arrogant, asshole might be some up-and-comer in the acquisitions and building development hoo-fucking-ha bullshit business, but Hope & Faith Ink is like my second home. It’s my brother Levi’s home, and I won’t let Alex Scott take anything away from me.
Not on my life!
He’ll have to knock the building down with me in it.
I bet he’d like that.
Yeah, like I said,asshole!
“Tomi? Tomi, you’re a million miles away. You wanna maybe concentrate while you have a needle stuck in my arm?” Xander teases.
I bring Betsy, my favorite tattoo machine, to a stop. She’s been with me since the day I graduated, my trusted companion through every inked masterpiece and late-night session. A striking shade of light plum with her name clearly engraved on the side, she’s as bold and unconventional as I am—one of a kind, just the way I like it.
I swipe a strand of platinum-blonde hair from my forehead before swabbing his partially inked arm.
My gaze flicks to Xander—the rugged, impossibly handsome man who drifts in and out of my studio, always waiting for meto continue his ink. His right arm is already covered, the black linework stretching up onto his chest. Now, we’re working on his left, matching the same intricate style.
He’s hot as sin.
With his broad chest, gorgeous sapphire-blue eyes, strong arms, and five o’clock shadow, the guy obviously works out. A lot. Can’t say I haven’t checked him out when he comes in here in those baggy ripped jeans and his black tank top.
The man is sex on legs.
But I have no ideawhohe is.
The first time he came in, I asked for his name, and he replied, “Xander. Just Xander.”
Now, it’s our running joke.
“Sorry, man, I’m tired today. Levi had me up all night, swore there was something in the shadows in his room. Had to turn every light on in the house and stay with him a while to help him go back to sleep.”
Levi’s my kid brother, also nine years my junior. My parents had him a little later in life, in a not-so-planned way. But he’s the light of my damn life. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a handful for sure, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything. Levi’s my world. He’s also special needs, which is hard when you’re all on your own with no one but us.
Xander’s lips turn up in that way they do, his left cheek dipping just enough for his cute dimple to pop in.Shit, he’s so damn swoon-worthy.But he’s a client—one who comes and goes with no warning. He’s unreliable.
Plus, I have one rule I never break—I don’t date clients.
“It’s great the way you take care of Levi. He must be a good kid.”
My body warms. “He’s wonderful. This last year, since the accident, well, it took him a lot to adjust and to get to where he is now, but with the help of Greta, our nanny, plus all the guys hereat the shop, we get by.”
Xander reaches out. I tingle, but I ignore it. I have bigger things to worry about than getting involved with a man right now, even if he’s staring at me with those gorgeous blue eyes and a chiseled jaw.
Fuck.Snap out of it, Tomi, you’re a grown woman!
Control your damn hormones!
