Page 15 of Breaking the Limits

Overall, it was more than I could have ever imagined and it was all because of Kynlee and her confidence in me and my talent, as she liked to call it. I still can’t believe I’ve been lucky enough to have someone as amazing as she is. I know that my guardian angel had to pull over time to work that miracle in. Heading down the hallway to the main room I used for tattooing I get set up for Connor Hart. Connor was a guy we had grown up with, he had lived a few blocks over from us. He had become like part of our family; his own family didn’t have much, so my mom always made sure to send extra food home with him.

Now, Connor had managed to get a small rundown apartment in a pretty sketchy neighborhood, but he worked his ass off. He helped out at the shop in his free time in exchange for discounted or free parts for his car. Connor always raced with us but his wins aren’t guaranteed and I hate that for him. He had been talking about getting sleeve tattoos for years so I had come up with the excuse that I needed practice and asked him to be my guinea pig. Connor was reluctant at first, but eventually, he agreed. He had been seeing Farrah Parrish for a while now, who came from one of the wealthiest families in town. She was a full of life, vivacious blonde who was hell bent on living her life on her own terms and not her parents. She was great for Connor.

I heard the first few cords ofCrazy TrainbyBlack Sabbath,which was our indicator that someone had just entered. Walking back up to the front I saw Connor standing with his hands in his pockets. “Hey man it’s good to see you,” I tell him as I approach.

“You too.”

“You ready to start these sleeves?” I ask him, and I lead him toward the back room.

He nods, “Are you sure you don’t want me to pay you anything?”

“Hell, no man! This is exactly what I need,” I tell him.

About half the way through Connor’s session he starts talking. The thing about Connor Hart was that he was a man of few words. He doesn’t say much except to my older brother Jagger who has always been his best friend. However, I guess he finally feels like talking. “So how have you been Ace? You excited for Jagger to be coming back?”

“Hell yeah. It’ll be great to have him back. About damn time too.”

He nods his head slightly, “Your business seems to be doing well.”

I let out a low whistle. “Yeah, it is but that’s all because of Kynlee. She’s relentless. She’s always coming up with some new way to advertise for the shop and she’s always recommending the shop to people.”

“She seems pretty great,” Connor mentions.

I shake my head because it still shocks me that I get to call her mine sometimes. “She’s the best, man.”

“You must really love her.”

I stop tattooing his arm for a moment afraid that I might mess up. Why is it just hearing that damn word messes me up? “I don’t know…we don’t say that.”

Connor gives me a surprised look that quickly turns into a studying one. “You mean youneversay it?” I just shake my headno. “Does Kynlee say it?” Again, my response is just to shake my head, “And she’s okay with that?”

After a few moments I shrug. “Neither of us wants or needs a label. Besides we both know what we feel for one another.”

“I guess that makes sense, it’s just most girls eventually want more.” Trying to change the subject I ask Connor about Farrah. “Dude, I don’t know. I keep waiting for her to figure out she’s out of my league but she hasn’t yet. She’s unlike any other girl I know. I love her free spirit and determination to be independent.”

“That’s good. Is she going to be at Kynlee’s party tonight?” I ask him, but I already figured she would be since she worked at JamesTown where I had arranged for Kynlee’s birthday bash to be held. I know she’ll love the burlesque themed party once she sees it. I had another special surprise for her after the party was over. It was a surprise she’ll never guess.

“Yeah, she’s working actually, but she’ll be there none-the-less. Her sister Londynn is coming back to town too,” Connor tells me.

“Cool, seems like everyone is getting their siblings back.”

*****

A few hours and half an arm later we call it a day. I have two more appointments but I make a few phone calls in between to make sure everything will be set for Kynlee’s birthday tonight. I just want her to have the best day possible because if anyone deserves that, it’s Kynlee.

Chapter 12

Kynlee

By the time Ace got home from the shop I was dressed and ready to go with whatever he had planned. I was in the bathroom just making sure I liked the way my hair had curled when Ace walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. “Hello baby doll,” he whispers in my ear. The sound of his voice sends shivers down my spine. I meet his blue eyes in the mirror, he looks tired but I can still see that look of mischief behind his eyes; but there was something else I haven’t noticed before. I can’t put my finger on it but I see it while he studies me. “Let me shower really quick then I’ll be ready to go.”

I turn around in his arms and wrap mine around his neck. “Are you sure you don’t just want to stay home tonight?”

“As tempting as that sounds,” he says with the sexy smirk coming to play on his face, “I’m sure. We need to celebrate this day, it’s your day Kynlee and it’s definitely a day worth celebrating.” He leans forward and presses a soft kiss to my lips. I groan when he pulls away, “Do you always have to smell and taste so damn good?”

I laugh, “Just part of the package.” I sit on the couch waiting for Ace, but when he appears, I’m left a little breathless. Ace knows how to dress, he has on a pair of dark wash denim jeans with his black lace up combat boots, a yellow t-shirt that matches my dress and his signature black leather jacket over it. A couple of chains hang on the left side of his pants. Ace never takes out his left side lip piercing or gages but I’m glad he doesn’t. I love them and they work so well with his style and tattoos. Ace is exactly the guy I want.

“You keep staring at me like that and we might never make it to your party and that’d be a shame baby doll,” he says, as heextends his hand out to me and helps me up off the couch, “By the way you look absolutely gorgeous.”

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