Uncaged (An MMA Stepbrother Romance) (22 page)

Chapter Ten

Pierce pops off the champagne bottle cork, and lets the froth spill off the edge of the balcony.

“There could be someone down there, you know.”

“Oh, there probably is.” He peers over. “Yup, there’s people down there.”

I go to the balcony, and look over. The line to his club is right below us. Some people are looking up now. They put their palms out, checking if it’s raining.

I hold back a laugh, and say to Pierce, “It’s like you can’t help but to be a prick.”

“That’s called charm, Pen.”

He pours me a glass and hands it to me.

“You drink much?” he asks.

“No. And I don’t need babying,” I tell him, frowning. “It’s just a glass of champagne.”

He shrugs. “So, what are you in Melbourne for?”

“How do you know I’m
in
Melbourne for anything?”

“You’re American. You’re here for a reason.”

I lick my lips. “I’m here to do an apprenticeship.”

“So you’re not yet a tattoo artist.”

“No, not technically. I’m here to train to be one.”

“You like tattoos?”

“I like the art, the meaning. I like the idea of people wearing their skin as an expression of themselves.”

“Are you any good?”

“Yeah,” I say, grinning. I take a liberal sip from my glass. It actually tastes far better than I thought it would. It’s my first time having champagne. I don’t know the brand, but
Veuve Clicquot
sounds pretty fancy.