Tattoos and Transformations (12 page)

Clint placed a knee on the bed. She should have been embarrassed he was seeing them fuck, but instead she was thrilled. Maybe now the three of them could be together. No one said anything as Clint divested himself of his shirt and jeans. He’d come in barefoot.

She glanced at him. “What happened to your underwear?”

“When I heard the moans and cries coming from here, I jumped in the shower to wash off. It was all I could do to put this much on.” Now that he was gloriously naked, her pussy cramped with need looking at his large cock. How was that even possible?

Morgan was still inside her. A moment later, he kissed her, rolled her to the side, and got off the bed. “Let me clean you up.” The second he disappeared into the bathroom, Clint hovered over her. “You look beautiful.”

She loved this man. He’d always been supportive and fun. She zeroed in on his cock that was within a few inches of her face.

“You’re beautiful, too.”

“I don’t think anyone has called my cock
beautiful
before.” Morgan came out of the bathroom. “Don’t even think about traveling down that road.” He nodded to her pussy. “I gave her a workout. She’ll be sore until tomorrow.” He reached down and rubbed his balls. “Come to think of it, I got a workout.” They both laughed.

Clint palmed her tit. “I’ll be careful. Don’t worry. It’s not in my best interest to wear her out. I can see the three of us will have to get acquainted. Together.” He winked.

Morgan sat next to her and wiped her clean. He tapped the tattoo on her hip. “What’s this one all about?” She thought it was obvious. “It’s what it seems.” In a way, she
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was disappointed that he practically told Clint that sex was out of the question. She would have enjoyed sucking on Clint’s cock. She bet if she wanted to later, Clint wouldn’t turn her down. “The half face on the left is me, and the one on the right is Jade.” Morgan tilted her hip up. “They both kind of look like you. The yellow, pink, and green hair is a dead giveaway of who you used to be, but the girl on the right kind of looks like you today.”

“Maybe, but the long hair should be a clue that it’s not.” She’d gotten the tattoo when she was sixteen and she envied everything about her friend.

Morgan raised his glance to her face. “We never worked out the details of you coming to work for me. What do you think about working Monday and Wednesday nights at D’Ink Coda? I know Harley would appreciate the company. Once the clients see your work, the place will be packed.”

His enthusiasm thrilled her. “I’ll give it a try. Who should I say hired me?” She wasn’t allowed to say Morgan owned the place.

“I have it under an assumed name. It’s called Intrigue Enterprises, LLC.”

“Cool.”

Clint moved his hand to her other breast and returned her focus to more important things.

Morgan got off the bed. “I’ll leave you two to play.” She sat up and stuck out her bottom lip. “You don’t want to join us?”

“This one time, I’ll let Clint have at you. Next time, you’re going down, girl.” He grinned and headed toward the door.

“Bro! What’s that on your ass?”

Morgan halted. She laughed, wondering when Clint would notice.

She answered. “I tattooed a black leopard on his ass.” Morgan spun around. “You said it was a panther.”

“Same thing. Only you can’t see the black spots, but they’re there.”

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Clint grinned. “I like it. Welcome to the real world.” Morgan chuckled and shook his head as he left, closing the door behind them.

Clint leaned over her and slid down next to her. “Now where were we?”

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Chapter Eleven

Dakota had set up the front of the gallery as her artist studio, whereas the back of the building held her work as well as the other artists’ work. She’d only partially completed the painting that was shot from on top of Randall Ridge. The forefront of the painting had the rock, and now she debated whether to show a bit of the blue foam pad where she and Clint had made love in the corner. No one but her would know.

Her stomach grumbled and she glanced at the clock. Darn, it was time to eat and head on over to D’Ink Coda for her first night on the job. She was a bit nervous about showing up, but Morgan had called to tell her that his front men had contacted Harley and told him about the extra help. Fortunately, the old man seemed happy, according to the lawyer.

If it hadn’t been Morgan who’d asked her, she wouldn’t have agreed to help. The gallery had had a fair number of people come into her store this week, and she wanted to be there to answer their questions. It surprised her how much energy it took to chat with everyone. However, a promise was a promise. If by any chance her talent as an artist brought in money for Morgan, she’d be happy to help.

She closed up an hour early, scarfed down a casserole she’d made last night, and headed out to her second job. When she walked in, Harley was creating a rather elaborate tattoo on a man’s arm while another woman and what appeared to be her girlfriend were sitting off to the side.

“Hey, Harley.”

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He looked up, but the usual lopsided smile was missing. “Dakota.

I heard I’m getting help.”

Relief trickled down to her belly that the lawyer had told him.

When he turned his head back to the customer, she thought she caught a tick around his mouth. She swallowed her apprehension. It was probably first-day nervousness. “How can I help?” He nodded to the woman whose hands were intertwined.

“Madeline wants a butterfly on her hip.” There was a back room she could use for tattooing more delicate spots. She walked over to her and introduced herself. “Have you picked out a design?”

She waved a piece of paper. “Kind of. Sherry drew this, but if you can make it better, I’d be thrilled.”

Dakota took the slip and studied the design. It was rather basic.

Since this wouldn’t be the exact design, she didn’t make a transfer.

She’d have to wing it. “Come with me.” She led her into the back room. “Is this your first tattoo?”

“Uh-huh.”

Dakota tried to reassure the woman by carefully explaining the procedure. She was pleased the woman seemed a bit less upset.

Dakota opened the sterilized needles and set out her paints. She began by drawing on the skin to make sure the wings would come out even.

Then she began the work. The first few pricks seemed to take the woman by surprise, but after a while, she calmed and said she didn’t feel a thing.

It took over an hour before she was done, but she was certain the woman would be pleased with the result. “Remember to keep this covered for at least two hours.” Dakota handed her an aftercare instruction sheet. “Let’s go out front.” She wasn’t certain how much to charge.

Fortunately, Harley was finished with his client. At the register, she pulled out a laminate sheet she’d seen Harley use that listed the prices. Since she’d used four colors, the price was more expensive
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than if it had used strictly a black ink process. The woman paid and gave her a generous tip, which she hadn’t expected, but was always appreciated.

Harley put his gear away. “How did it go?” he asked once the store was empty.

“Quite well, I thought.”

“I wished the owner had asked first instead of telling me I was getting help.”

Uh-oh.
A bit of aggression tinged his tone. “I’m sorry. I just found out the other day. I could only commit to two nights a week. Does that work for you?”

He faced her. “Who contacted you? The owner?” She laughed. “No. Some lawyer who said he represented Intrigue Enterprises. The guy had come to my opening and seen my tattoo pictures. He then asked if I’d be interested in working here. Are you saying you don’t need help?”

He shrugged. “Some days I could use it.”

“Someone was waiting today, so it seemed to work out.” Even though he had been busy today, his lack of eye contact wasn’t good.

“I guess.”

The bell rang and three kids wandered in. They headed over to her and asked to look at some tribal designs.

“I’m new here. Better ask Harley. He’s the expert.” His chest puffed out and he took over. She certainly hadn’t planned on stepping on his toes. Two of the boys wanted tattoos.

They provided identification that claimed they were twenty-one. Their youthful appearance made her feel old.

Both wanted armband designs, but the third said he wanted to see how those turned out before committing. Each took a seat next to each other. They picked their designs from the tattoo book. Harley showed her how to make the transfer. She placed it on her young man’s arm.

When she peeled it off, the design appeared.

“Word.” The kid grinned.

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Word?
That sounded like he was pleased. She must be getting old.

With care, she began the tattoo. She wasn’t nearly as fast as Harley.

His customer was done a good fifteen minutes before hers. Harley charged the young man one hundred dollars. Her customer had the same design. When she stepped to the register and picked up the laminate sheet to scan in the barcode, she noticed the price was only eighty-five. Not wanting to cause much trouble, she told the kid ninety. He paid in cash.

When the boys left, she walked over to Harley. “Question for you.”

“Shoot.”

“The single-color tattoo is listed as being eighty-five, yet you told him one hundred.”

“I added some red in one of the designs. Besides, kids don’t tip. I added a bit.”

“Oh.”

She hadn’t gotten a tip, either. Not wanting to make a big fuss, she went back into the other room to make sure she’d cleaned up. By the time she finished, it was quitting time. Maybe she should have asked Morgan how much she’d get paid. The extra money would come in handy.

Harley was cashing out the register. “Thanks for showing me around. Would you mind if I brought in some designs to show the customers?”

There went that tick again. “No. I guess if you got a camera, you can take some shots of your work when you’re done and post them.

When the customer sees a sample of your work, it makes him feel better about what he’ll get.”

“Good idea.” She waved as she headed to the door. “I’ll see you in two days.”

“Night.”

By the time she left, the sky had turned to ink. Because her place was only a half mile away, she hadn’t driven. Besides, she always
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enjoyed a good walk, just as long as it was on flat ground. The air was crisp and the wind brisk. She wanted to speak with Morgan about Harley taking tips without the customers’ permission. Maybe everyone knew about his practice but her.

On the way to her place, she called Morgan.

“How did your first day go?”

“Great, but I wanted to talk to you about something. Can I stop by?”

“You don’t have to ask, but I’m not home. I should be there is forty minutes. Clint’s home, though. I bet he’d be very happy to see you.”

Thrills rippled up her body. Sure, she’d had sex with Morgan, but she wasn’t sure if that was a one-time occurrence or if he thought of her as a potential long-term mate. From his comment, she might get lucky. “Great. I’ll be there when you arrive.”

“Can’t wait.”

Yes!
First, she needed to change into something sexy. Having both Morgan and Clint together would be so exciting. She’d purchased a purple lingerie set last week. For her outside attire, she wanted to go unassuming. All she wore was blush and light pink lipstick. Her torn jeans, T-shirt, and easy-to-get-out-of sandals would be perfect.

From the time she called Morgan to the time she arrived at his house, she’d made it in twenty-three minutes. That would give her close to twenty minutes with Clint.

She rang the bell and waited. Clint answered only wearing jeans.

His hair was wet as if he’d just stepped out of the shower.

“Well, well. To what do I owe the pleasure?” She stepped in and accepted the kiss. “I needed to speak with Morgan.”

“He’s not here.”

“I know, but he will be in twenty minutes. I thought maybe you could entertain me until he comes.”

Clint dragged his hands down her shoulders. “Oh, darlin’, you

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don’t know how long I’ve waited for this.” It had been all of three days. “You could have come over.” He shook his head. “You’d never get rid of me if I did.” She laughed. Next thing she knew, he’d swept her up in his arms and was carrying her to his bedroom.

“You know what I dream about every time I plant a bush or a bed of flowers?”

“No.”

“How much I want to make love to you in a field of flowers.”
What a beautiful image
. “What’s stopping you?” He lowered her onto the bed. “Nothing. I’ll close my eyes and pretend this is an acre of soft daisies.” He dropped on top of her and placed delicate kisses all over her face.

“I don’t want to start without Morgan.”