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Maybe showing up today will be a way for me to figure out if I was imagining things yesterday. The last thing I want is to be tilting at windmills while thinking they’re Prince fucking Charming.
Which is why I need to just open the door and walk into his tattoo shop. And I’ll do that right now.
I sigh, and shake my head, a little embarrassed because my feet haven’t moved.
I take a moment to check out the modern and clean look of the façade of his shop. I’ve been to a few tattoo shops in the city to get work done, but never this one. I’m beyond curious about Tyler’s style. I have a few ideas for my next tattoo, but I’ve always been particular about who works on me.
I normally go to a wonderful female artist. Her designs tend to be a little more delicate and feminine. It’s something I appreciate about her. That, and you know, girl power, women supporting women, and all that.
That doesn’t mean I couldn’t have Tyler put his ink in my skin.
Just the thought of him touching me and tattooing me has a shiver rolling up and down my spine. Maybe I like the idea a little too much considering I’m shifting from foot to foot and trying to relieve some of the ache between my thighs.
Fuck it.
There’s no time like the present and I’ve never been a meek or shy woman. I’m not going to start now.
I square my shoulders and force my feet to close the distance to the door, pushing through it before I can think about it twice. I give a small smile to the dude at the counter who looks me over with obvious interest.
“Hey,” there’s a bright note to his voice. He looks like the kind of guy I would go for—covered in tattoos with his ears gauged, jeans and a black t-shirt—but there’s something missing about him. Also, his voice is too fucking chipper as he asks, “How can we help you?”
Apparently, I prefer my men broody as fuck instead of upbeat. Tyler has a gooey center, and his gruff outside is mostly just an act. I want to break past his defenses and find out what makes him so damn sad.
“I’m here to see,” I pause, thinking of the giant as Tyler but knowing it’s not what he’s called around here, “Monk.”
“Do you have an appointment?” When I shake my head, the guy arches an eyebrow, his eyes scanning me over again before he gives me a look of pity which I don’t understand. He leans forward, his arms resting on the counter in front of him. His voice drops to an almost whisper, “If you’re here with some misguided thoughts about Monk and you together, I’m going to warn you.”
“Warn me?” I rear back a little bit with his words. Why the fuck would he need to warn me about anything?
“Monk doesn’t really do anything with women.” His explanation leaves me with no answers and more questions. “Not even the ones who throw themselves at him,” he adds with a pout on his face and a knowing gleam in his eye.
Who the fuck is this guy?
My blood starts to boil as indecision and fear take root in my heart. Was it a mistake to come here? What does this guy mean when he says Tyler doesn’t do anything with women? I thought we had a connection.
I can hear the pity in his voice, “What’s your name, babe?”
I narrow my eyes at him, hating the term of endearment coming from him. I’m not anyone’s babe. I was willing to be Tyler’s ‘Hellcat’ because there was something there. Or maybe there wasn’t?
Fuck. I hate the feeling of uncertainty swirling in my gut.
Still, I pull my shoulders back and the guy’s eyes dart down to my tits. Fucking typical. “Rebel,” I bite out my name and the guy pales.
“Oh, shit,” he breathes out. “Sorry. I didn’t know it was you.” I arch an eyebrow, confused by the rapid change in the guy’s behavior and attitude. “You can go right on back. Monk should be finishing up his tattoo. He already told us that if you were to ever come in then you can go back to see him right away,” there’s a slight waver to his voice which almost makes me smile.
“Explain something to me,” I tilt my head to the side slightly, “why the sudden change in attitude?”
The guy swallows hard and I can hear the worry in his voice. “Monk told us this morning about who you are to him. He warned us to be nice and respectful if you ever come in.” He throws his hands up in surrender. “I wasn’t trying to be a dick, I’ve just seen him shut women down before, hard, and didn’t want it to happen to you. I was just trying to warn you, but I didn’t realize you’re her.”
“Her?”
“His old lady,” he mutters softly. There’s a pleading in his voice, “Don’t tell him I warned you away. He’ll kick my ass and that dude is fucking huge.”
I giggle softly and nod my head slowly. While I’ve been known to hold a grudge from time to time, now is not one of those times. I get what he was trying to do, and I appreciate it.
I swallow because my throat is bone fucking dry from this random guy telling me I’m Monk’s old lady. I’m fairly sure in his world the term is serious and not to be taken lightly.
The guy points down the hallway and I nod absently, my feet carrying me without much thought until I hear Tyler’s gruff voice from a slightly open door. “I told you,” he grunts, “I’m not interested.”
