Page 10 of Throttle Me (Men of Inked 1)
“Each one signifies something in my life.” He pointed to the city skyline on his arm. “This is a reminder of where my family comes from, Chicago. It’s where I grew up and I go back every summer to visit my friends. It’s part of me in more ways than one,” he laughed and rubbed the tattoo on his arm.
“And the fish?”
“Ah, the Koi. Well, that one I had my brother, Anthony, do when we opened the shop. It’s a symbol of determination and power to achieve goals. We always talked about opening our own shop and we’d finally achieved it. Plus, I fucking love the color orange.”
“Looking at your house I’d think you loved white.”
He picked up my plate and laughed. “This place is only temporary. I don’t see a point in splashing color on the walls. I’m surrounded by color all day at work. It’s calming to come home to an empty canvas.” Artists – complex creatures.
“I understand. My walls are actually white except for one blue wall in my bedroom. I’m not the typical bubblegum pink girl.”
He began to clean the kitchen and put the dishes in the dishwasher. His muscles rippled and flexed with each movement. My mouth watered remembering what it felt like for him to be above me and in me – I wanted more of him.
“I’ll finish cleaning up. You go get ready to hit the road, okay?”
I could get used to being waited on. Mind blowing sex? Check. Good cook? Check. Sexy as hell? Check. Manly, yet nice? Check. He had all the right qualities and kind of reminded me of Kayden. I didn’t want Kayden, but I wanted someone that cared enough to take care of me.
“I’ll just be a minute,” I said as I stood from the table. “I don’t want to take up any more of your time.”
“Take all the time you want. I can’t get fired if I’m late.” He laughed as he kicked the dishwasher closed. “By the way, is Suzy your full name?”
I hated my full name. It sounded stuffy and old. “No.”
“Spill.”
“It’s Suzette.”
“Now that’s sexy as fuck. Suzette.” It rolled off his tongue and I felt the moisture from my core begin to pool. Fuck, he’s made me a total cock-loving whore and I wanted to hear him scream my name.
“Right.” Looking over at his beautiful skin and taut muscles, I drank him in – memorized the picture, before I walked out the door, leaving him to finish and to get the hell out of here. He could definitely become a weak spot if I didn’t put distance between us. That ying and yang bullshit didn’t really work in real life.
Too Good To Be True
I shut the bike off and waited for her to climb down. She tried to remove the helmet on her own and stood there looking as drop dead fucking gorgeous as she did last night. She fumbled with the straps, trying to pull it off, but she frowned and her fingers began to move frantically. “Lemme get that for you,” I said as I motioned for her to move closer.
“Sorry,” she said, blowing a puff of air out.
“It’s my pleasure, trust me.” I winked and watched her cheeks pinken. I worked the straps apart slowly, trying to prolong the ending to our time together. I felt like she was going to give me the brush off. Her body language didn’t match the last twelve hours. I needed to set another date with her and dig deeper into the woman she is instead of who she pretends to be.
“Thanks,” she said trying to look me in the eyes.
“There. So, about the real date. How about tonight?” I asked. I didn’t see a point in wasting time. I wanted her in my bed again or against the counter.
“Um, I guess tonight is good.” She looked at me and then to her feet.
“Sugar, it’s just a date. A real date – no strings attached.” I grabbed her chin to look into her sky blue eyes. “We kinda missed that part of getting to know each other before I took you. I’ll pick you up at nine. Wear something warm.”
“Okay, I’ll be ready. Want me to drive?” She looked at my bike, wrinkling her nose and then noticed her car. “Wait, how did my car get here already? I totally forgot about it breaking down. What the heck?”
“Tank fixed it for you and delivered it about an hour ago. It’s all ready, but to answer your question, no. We’re taking the bike.”
“Oh. Do you have his number so I can pay him?” she asked, her eyes wide as she chewed her lip.
“I got it. He did it as a favor to me.”
“Oh, I couldn’t. Let me pay you for it, then.”
“Suzy, let me do something nice for you. Really, it wasn’t a problem. Tank and I worked it out. I don’t want you broken down again on a dark country road.”
“I know. I just try and watch my money. I was going to get it fixed.”
“Well now it is. Nine tonight and warm clothes.” I leaned forward and kissed her lips. I grabbed the back of her neck and drew her closer. The light, sweet scent of her perfume filled my nostrils, as I tasted her lips. Everything about her was fucking sweet and I wanted more. I consumed her mouth and commanded her body with my kiss. I wanted to leave her weak in the knees and wanting more when I drove away. I broke the kiss, but kept my hand in place and watched her as she stood there with puckered lips and her eyes closed. Exactly the response I wanted.
“Sugar,” I said, smiling at her as her eyes fluttered open.
> “Oh, sorry. I say that a lot around you.” Her cheeks turned pink as she bit her lip.
“We’ll finish that kiss later. I can’t wait to crawl back inside that delicious pussy of yours tonight. Digits,” I said before she had a chance to walk away. I programmed her number in my phone and sent her a text as she walked in her house. She’d be back for more.
I started the engine, revving it a couple times before pushing backwards and down the drive. She waved with a sweet smile on her face. My cock ached as I thought about all the dirty shit I wanted to do to her. I watched her in my side mirror as she watched me drive away. I had her.
“Where the fuck you been, Joey?” Mikey said as I walked through the door of Inked.
We opened Inked about five years ago. Everyone in my family has an artistic streak and we didn’t trust outsiders with our money. Growing up my father had drilled that mantra in our heads. Don’t trust others when you can do it yourself. We agreed that there would be no outsiders unless absolutely necessary. Problem with it, though, was that you could never fire family, especially when they’re part owners. Mike had the spaz gene. He was known for overreacting.
“I had to drop someone off, shithead. Who made you boss?” I asked as I set my stuff down at my workstation.
“You’re typically here early. I started to get worried. You could’ve called or something, asshole.”
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Mom. I’m here now, so shut the fuck up.”
Mikey threw his hands in the air showing his surrender or disgust, I couldn’t tell. He’s the shop manager since he has absolutely no artistic talent, but he was one hell of a piercer. His real passion was fighting. He had joined the circuit years ago and often travels out of town for a fight. Fighting with your hands and tattooing do not mix. My hands were precious to me. I needed them to work my magic and see the smiles on the faces of my customers.
“Mom called to remind us about tomorrow,” Anthony said as he walked out of the employee only area. Anthony is my oldest brother and probably the most unsettled. He’s an amazing tattooer, but he’s a musician. He dreams of hitting it big, but for now he was ours.
“What the fuck?” Mikey said.
“How could we forget? It’s only been the same day for thirty years,” Isabella says as she unpacked her machine.
Isabelle’s the youngest and the only girl beside my mom. My parents kept trying until finally they had the little princess they always dreamed about after having four boys climbing the walls and rough housing. She was girly and kind, but if you crossed Izzy, she’d kick your ass. We were all over protective of her, but we were scared of her too. In my family, the ladies ruled the roost and weren’t to be crossed. She got that commanding personality from my mom and led with an iron fist.
“Let’s run down the schedule before I open the doors,” Mikey said, leaning over the counter looking toward the work area.
I listened to Mikey babble on about the clients of the day. I already knew my line-up. I had to finish a back tat I’d been working on for months and a girl wanted me to fix her bad choice in a tramp stamp she had permanently placed on her body during spring break.
My mind kept wandering to Suzette. My mom would be happy if I brought a good girl home for once – someone that could give her grandchildren someday. I’m not ready for that. My dick was doing the thinking instead of my head. Get your head on straight man – too much pussy out there to settle. I was getting a little ahead of myself, but Suzy may have been the first respectable girl I’d met in a long time. I never brought women I’d dated or slept with around my family. None of them had a future with me, and I didn’t feel the need to subject my family to an intruder or an outsider.
“Joey.” My sister stood with her face invading my personal space.
“What, Iz?” I looked up at her and noticed her squinty eyes as she studied me.
“What are you grinning about?”
“Nothing.”
“Oh, bullshit.” She pointed her finger at me and tapped me on the forehead. “You’ve met someone. Spill it, brother.”
“There’s nothing to tell. You think you’re a mind reader, but you aren’t, sis.”
“I’ve known you my entire life. You walk around here all moody and serious, but today I’d say you’re almost glowing ya big pansy ass.”
“Fuck off, love.”
“Oooo, jackpot. Who is she?” A giant smile crept across her face as she leaned forward and stared in my eyes. She wasn’t going to let it go. Everyone stopped what they were doing to listen to what I had to say and Isabella’s impending inquisition.
“Fine, Iz. I met her last night and I’m taking her out tonight. Happy?”
Iz twirled around and giggled like a schoolgirl. “Extremely, big brother.” She kissed me on the cheek. I leaned back in my chair and watched as my sister celebrated like I was about to walk down the aisle.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Iz. It’s just a date.”
“Oh, now come on. I can tell by the look on your face that she’s a little bit more than just a simple date. I want the deets.”
Grunting, I crossed my arms over my chest. “She was stranded and I stopped to help her. I brought her home and I’m taking her out tonight, simple as that.”
“Hmmm.” She came closer not believing a word that I spoke.
“Izzy, leave it at that.”
