Page 19 of Jimmy

“I know you will.” Jimmy kissed her. “I need to prep.”

“She’s in good hands,” Kurt said. “Promise.”

“You know where I’ll be,” Jimmy said. He winked, then headed into his tattoo studio to wash up.

As he prepped for the tattoo, his thoughts never strayed far from Karey. He’d fallen for her. He’d never been in this deep this fast. She consumed his thoughts, and he craved her kiss. He’d been crazy over women before, but this was so fast his head swam… and he’d promised himself he’d go slow.

Did it have to do with the spell? Was he enchanted?

Could be.

Did it matter? Part of him believed it did. What if he’d seen her without the spell involved? Would he still have noticed her? He guessed so. She grabbed his attention, and he didn’t want her to let go.

Honestly, he liked the speed. He liked being with someone. Having someone to protect and care for suited him.

He’d found someone who seemed to accept him, despite his flaws, and he wanted Karey in his life for a long time -- spell or not.

Was that asking too much?

Chapter Four

Jimmy finished the tattoo session and escorted the client to the front desk. Karey sat with Kurt and seemed absorbed in their conversation. Jimmy wanted to listen in but didn’t. He handled the payment for the session and scheduled the final one before the client left.

“Do you have other spots pierced?” Karey asked.

“Nips and sac,” Kurt replied. “But you can’t see those.”

Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Christ. You can show her your chest. Maybe not your sac, but your chest isn’t off-limits, dickhead.”

Kurt grinned. “Ah, my smart ass is back.” He sat up straighter. “So is my eleven o’clock.”

Jimmy switched spots with Kurt and joined Karey at the counter as the leggy woman in skinny jeans and a sequined blouse sashayed past them.

Karey averted her gaze. “She’s beautiful.”

“She is, and Kurt has a huge crush on her. He gives her a cut rate on her tattoos because she shows them off at conventions. It’s good promotion, but she’ll never date him.”

“They’d be cute together. Is it a work thing?” she asked. “Like she won’t date anyone she works with?”

“She’s just not interested. He won’t advance her career.” Jimmy shrugged. “He wants a date, and she wants to become famous as a tattoo model.” He’d tried to tell Kurt a hundred times that she wasn’t interested, but he’d been rebuked. “She models, and he helps her look edgy.”

“She’s using him as much as he’s sort of using her.” She stared at him. “You’ve got your ears pierced, too. Did the ones in your cartilage hurt?”

“No. I had my lobes gauged, and that hurt to stretch them, but I hated the way they looked without the gauges in, so I had them closed and fixed, then pierced regularly.” He curled his fingers under her chin. “Do you want a piercing?”

“Maybe.” She blushed. “I’ve only had my ears done once. Do you have any others like Kurt?”

“Nipples only.” He placed her hand on his chest. “See?”

She shivered and her eyes widened. “Wow.”

“Do I measure up?” He hoped so.

“Yes.” She sucked in a ragged breath. “I’m not sure I do.”

“Why?” he asked. “Are you going to tell me you’re underage?” Jesus, he prayed that wasn’t the case.

“No. I’m twenty-two.” She sighed. “Why? How old are you?”

---