Page 41 of Inked Daddies

But I don’t ask. Because it’s too soon, and I know it. I’d come off like a crazy person. So instead I just nod, my voice low and steady as I reply, “Hey.”

17

TRICK

If I’mhonest with myself, I thought she’d get weird about it afterward.

I thought she’d go all shy and closed off, the way most people do when something big happens and they don’t know how to deal with it. That’s usually what happens when you break the “just friends” barrier, right? Especially with someone like Marie—Preacher’s kid, who’s always been quiet and a little awkward.

But then again, technically, we broke that barrier last night. I haven’t watched too many of my friends during their me-time, and I certainly haven’t jerked off in front of them.

Instead of getting weird, though, she’s sitting here in the tattoo chair, swinging her legs like she doesn’t have a care in the world, giggling at something Hugo said.

It’s cute. Too cute. And honestly, it’s throwing me off my game.

Though, that might be the floaty feeling in my brain. I don’t think it’s ever been like that before. Sex, I mean. Me and the guys, we’ve tag-teamed lots of women, so that’s not the new part. But I felt it last night too, though in a smaller way.

Something about Marie makes everything different. I don’t have many rules in my life. But I’d break every one of them for her.

Normally, after a hookup, my job is to tease them, maybe annoy them a little so they start thinking about leaving. Hugo usually vanishes, keeping up his man of mystery persona. Sam generally makes comments about how late it is, and how much we don’t want to delay them from heading home.

What’s happening now ain’t any of that. Thank fuck.

But I’m not above teasing Marie. I like it. She gets all squirmy, but I think she likes it too. “Still can’t believe you actually got inked. You didn’t even flinch. Well, notmuch.” I grin and wink at her, enjoying the way she reacts.

Marie tilts her head, giving me a mock glare. “I flinchedexactly once, Trick.”

“Sure you did,” I tease. “Once for every needle prick, right?”

Her cheeks flush, but she laughs anyway, that soft, light sound that’s got me grinning like an idiot. She mutters, “The only prick in here…”

I guffaw at that. “I didn’t know you knew that word.”

“You’re impossible,” she growls, crossing her arms.

“And you’re adorable,” I shoot back without thinking.

Her face goes redder, and I catch Hugo raising an eyebrow out of the corner of my eye. Great. Now he’s going to have something to say about this later.

That’s fine. It’s true. She is adorable.

“Don’t encourage him, Marie,” Sam says from across the room, his voice low and gruff. He’s cleaning up his station, his back turned to us, but I can tell by the way his shoulders are set that he’s listening to every word.

I’m not sure why he’s preoccupying himself with cleaning. The shop is as clean as it can be. But he also likes to clean so he can think, and I’m not sure I want him thinking about anything.

When Sam thinks, he’s trying to be an adult about things, which can only be bad in this situation. We don’t need him thinking about any of this. The man needs to let himself feel his way through it, not think his way through it. But he always says his feelings aren’t trustworthy, so that’s why he avoids them.

It’s a bullshit excuse, and I’ve told him that, but he isn’t inclined to take my word for it. So, I’ll have to drag him into this kicking and screaming like I always do when something is good for him. “Come on, Sam,” I say, smirking. “You’re telling me you don’t think she’s adorable? Look at her.”

Sam’s hand pauses mid-swipe for just a second. “Of course she is.”

Hugo chuckles softly, pushing off the wall to stand next to me. “You’ve got a point, Trick. She has a certain…charm.”

Marie’s cheeks are practically glowing now, and she waves a hand at both of us. “Stop it. You’re embarrassing me.”

“Embarrassing you?” I say, grinning wider. “Marie, we’re complimenting you. This ispraise.You should be flattered.”

“Flattered by what?”

---