Page 3 of The Art of Deception
I don’t particularly care which one.
This isn’t happening.
“Okay, just know you’re the one breaking his heart, not me.”
Levi blinks at me as he takes it in. He’s about to break.
Shit.
“Okay, well, how about this? Prove that you’re a little more reliable,” I propose to Xander. He tilts his head. “Come in for your sessions more regularly and on time, then I’llthinkabout it.”
Levi’s eyes practically beg Xander.
Greta walks over in case Levi has a meltdown if Xander denies him.
But Xander beams at Levi. “We got this, Levi. You’ll be inking me in no time.”
Levi squeals, making all of us grimace as he rushes off toward the back room. He’s obviously going to prepare his lion sketches.
Letting out a long exhale, I go back to cleaning Xander’s tattoo as I glare at him. “That wasn’t cool, man.”
“Way I see it… I made your brother happy.” He snorts. “And I get some more ink. Two positives there, Tomi. Plus… I get to seeyouagain.”
My eyes snap up to meet his as my stomach flutters. His piercing blues stare right into mine, causing my breath to catch as we stare at each other. My chest heaves as my entire body tingles. I don’t know how he does that to me, but something about Xander works my entire body into a frenzy. He’s so cool, so calm, and mysterious that I can’t figure him out. Xander’s like a broken puzzle—I just can’t piece it together, no matter how hard I desperately want to.
But maybe that’s the fun of it all.
I see him every now and then. We share this amazing chemistry, then he disappears for God only knows how long until he shows up again unannounced. He’s like a drug I don’t even know I need until I’m getting a fix. But there’s something different about this time—this time, he met Levi, and I saw how he interacted with my brother. As much as I want to be angry for the way he promised Levi something he shouldn’t have, the gesture was so freaking sweet, it has me melting. This guy is an issue, and I need to be careful because if there’s one thing I can’t afford, it’s a distraction.
My life is about Levi and work.
I can’t add anything or anyone else to the mix—it’s just too hard.
I wrap his arm in Saran Wrap as I clear my throat. “Where is it you disappear to between visits, Just Xander?”
He weakly smiles as I finish wrapping him up, and then I pull off my gloves. “I’m busy at work.”
Turning, I start putting all my equipment away and begin cleaning up as I nod matter-of-factly. “And where do you work again?”
He exhales, then cracks his neck. “Family business, nothing exciting.”
“Yeah. But doing what, dipshit?”
He flashes me his pearly whites. “Anyone ever told you you’re full of sass?”
My lips turn up at the side. “Anyone ever tell you, you’re a master of avoidance?”
“All the time.” He chuckles.
I groan, rolling my eyes, and slap his thigh while standing from my stool. “Well, you’re done for today. I gotta get Levi home, but maybe next time you wanna come in, give a girl a little heads-up?”
He stands to place his hand in his pocket and pulls out his wallet. “Sorry I came at a shitty time, it was the only spare hour I could find this week. I’ll try to schedule in the future.” He pulls out a wad of cash, places it on my tray as he dips his head, then turns, walking toward the door.
I glance at the notes, noticing they’re all hundreds, and there are at least five of them, maybe more. I’m quick to stand and go after him, but as I glance up, he’s already out the door and walking down the street. My stomach falls through the floor. Not because he left me with so much damn money, but because he left. Period.
Xander’s been coming here periodically for the last two years. In that time, I’ve seen him maybe four or five times. Each time he’s come in, my heart beats faster. Each time, he unravels me more and more.
Where he’s finding his information from, I don’t know.
