Page 30 of Inked Daddies

Adorable.

“But seriously,” I add, leaning in just a little. “That show you gave me the other night? Top-notch. A standing ovation from me, really.”

Her jaw drops, and I don’t miss the way her hands fly to her lap like I’ve just caught her red-handed doing something she shouldn’t. Which, in fairness, I did. After glancing around the shop even though it’s just me, her, and the guys, she hisses, “Trick!”

“Knew I could get you to gasp my name.” I wink at her.

Her cheeks go rosy. “You’re being bad.”

“What?” I grin wider. “You knew I was there. Or were you just hoping I was?”

Her mouth opens and closes, and I can practically see the steam rising from her ears as she struggles to come up with a response. Her voice jumps up into an almost squeaky register. “I wasn’t?—”

“You weren’t what? Meaning to put on a show for me?” I offer, raising an eyebrow. “Well, you did. And let me just say, Marie, it was a real masterpiece. Got anything else you want to show us?”

Her entire face goes red. Not pink. Red. “You’re impossible,” she mutters, looking down at her lap.

“Yeah, but you love it.”

“Trick,” Sam says sharply from the other side of the room, his tone low and annoyed. He’s been quiet since she walked in, and it’s probably killing him to watch me get under her skin like this. “Knock it off.”

“Alright, alright,” I say, holding up my hands in mock surrender. “I’ll behave. Scout’s honor.”

Marie narrows her eyes at me, but I can see the faintest twitch of a smile on her lips. “You were never a scout.”

“True,” I admit, shrugging. “But I’ve got other skills. I know how to work my wood. I can start a woman’s fire with my bare hands, or help with plumbing issues. I could show you how to tie a wank knot, or I could make you a pearl necklace?—”

“Trick!” Sam barks.

Hugo raises a brow at me. “Does this normally work for you with women?”

Marie frowns. “A wank knot?”

“That’s when you tie a satin ribbon around your?—”

“Morrissey!” Sam warns.

I hate when he uses my last name as a warning. But he’s right. I might be pushing this. I smile at him, hands up, and step back. “Just sayin’.”

“He’s fine, Sam,” Marie says quickly, but now a real smile pulls at her lips, and I know I’ve got her. “Just being Trick.”

“Alright,” I say, turning to Sam. “You’re up. Try not to scare her with your serious face, yeah?”

Marie shifts nervously in the chair as Sam sits down at his station, the hum of the tattoo machine filling the room.

“You okay?” I ask, crouching down so I’m at her eye level.

“I think so,” she says, but her voice wavers. Her hands are gripping the edge of the chair so tightly that her knuckles are turning white.

“You’re nervous,” I say, grinning. “Don’t worry. It’s not that bad. It’s like a little pinch.”

“Really?” she asks, her eyes wide with hope.

“Over and over again,” I add, unable to resist. “For an hour.”

“Trick!” she snaps, glaring at me.

“What? I’m preparing you,” I say innocently, standing up and crossing my arms. “You don’t want to go in unprepared, do you?”

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