Page 9 of Love Restored

She inhaled, trying to calm her temper. She was about to stick a lubricated tube, a needle, and a large hoop through a client’s penis, and probably shouldn’t be thinking about punching the man’s brother.

“No, I don’t have a problem with that,” Graham answered. “Considering I’m pierced and inked myself, that would make me an asshole.” He snorted at her glare. “Fine, I’m an asshole, but not because of that. You just surprised me by being here.”

“Well, it surprised me you were both here, as well.” Of course, now, she was shocked she could even speak since all she could think about was where exactly Graham was pierced and how it would feel. “Are you going to stay here and watch?”

Graham shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.”

Murphy laughed. “Well, it sounds like a party then.”

“Close the door behind you,” she told Graham and turned back to Murphy. “Okay, drop your pants and let’s get this done. You said you were circumcised right? Because while that’s not exactly necessary for this kind of piercing, it makes things easier for both of us in the long run.”

Murphy stood up and dropped his pants and boxers on the floor. “Yep, the whole family is circumcised.”

Graham groaned. “Thanks for that.”

Blake looked down at Murphy’s dick then back up at him, a bland expression purposely on her face. “I don’t need the family history, but thanks for the information. Now, let’s get started. This might sting a little.”

By the time Murphy gingerly walked out of Montgomery Ink, a silent Graham following behind, Blake was ready to go home. She was only working a half-day today, and thankfully, when she left, there were only two of the floater artists in the shop. She quickly gathered her things and made her way to her car before Maya or another Montgomery showed back up to grill her about her association with the Gallaghers. Not that she thought she was the center of attention or anything, but it was damn hard not to be curious about those kinds of things.

She drove home, tension in her shoulders that refused to go away since Graham had first walked in, giving her a headache. As soon as she pulled into her spot, she shut off the engine, grabbed her things, and hurried up the metal stairs to her apartment. Hopefully, soon, she’d be able to afford better, but this place was at least safe.

When she opened the door, the scent of cooking meat and peppers filled her nose and her body relaxed.

“Mom!”

Blake dropped her crap on the floor and opened her arms as her daughter Rowan ran toward her, slamming into her front hard and taking her in a tight hug.

“Hey, baby girl. How was your day at school? Half-day fun?” She kissed the top of Rowan’s head, running her hand over her baby’s natural curls, and walked toward the kitchen hand-in-hand with her daughter as Rowan went through her day, step by step.

Rowan never let a word go unsaid if she could help it.

“Thank you, Mrs. Gonzales,” Blake said as she kissed the older woman’s papery cheek. “Half-days are killer for work.”

The older woman waved her hand at Blake and hugged Rowan before gathering her purse. “It’s no bother at all. Since my children are all grown and taking their time making babies, this fills my need. You call me anytime, Blake. You know that. I put makings for carne asada in the crockpot for you. It’s not my best recipe, but it works in a pinch for leftovers, which I know you like. I’m off to watch my shows since my DVR is talking to me! Bye, darlings!”

And with that, the nicest older woman Blake had ever met walked out of the small apartment, closing the door behind her.

“Mom? Can we eat now? I know it’s not dinner time, but I’m starving.” Rowan exaggerated the last word and placed the back of her hand on her forehead.

Blake laughed and shook her head. “How about we eat some cheese and fruit instead while we wait for dinner time. Because if we eat now, we’re going to be hungry again before bed.”

Rowan gave a big sigh but smiled. “Okay.” With that, she went right back to the story of her day as if they hadn’t paused at all.

Blake watched her daughter move around the kitchen and pressed her lips together, emotions overwhelming her. There were reasons she stayed behind her barriers, reasons she was the way she was.

And she’d be damned if she risked it all for a scowling man behind a beard.

She’d learned the hard way once before.

Never again, she promised herself. Never again.

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