Page 19 of Ink

Before I know it, I’ve zoned out while setting everything up. I didn’t hear Sutton come in and I sure as hell didn’t hear her come into my room until a throat clears behind me, scaring the fuck out of me.

On instinct, my hand snakes under my gray thermal, reaching for my Glock as I whip around.

Sutton gasps as her eyes lock on the butt of my gun, where my hand is ready to pull it out, widening.

Exhaling heavily through my nose, I lower my hand and pull my shirt back over it. “What’s up?”

Poor thing looks like she’s seen a ghost.

“Were you going to shoot me?” she whispers in shock, eyes still locked on the now covered gun.

What the fuck.

Was I going to shoot her?

“No,” I grunt. “I thought I was the only one here is all.”

“Why do you have a gun?” She still won’t look at me. Her body language is screaming that she’s scared. She’s locked up so fucking tight.

“Protection. You think I just go around shootin’ people?” I said it as a joke, but now that it’s out there, part of me hopes she doesn’t think that’s what I do.

She shrugs in response.

Fucking shrugs.

“Jesus Christ, no. I don’t do that. What’s the matter with you?” I wince as she flinches. I wished I could take it back as the words were coming out of my mouth.

“Your client is here,” she says as she spins around on her heel and walks back out to the front. All the emotions I saw just a second ago vanished.

What the fuck?

I trail behind her up to the front. My client is talking to me and I’m nodding along, but I don’t hear a word. I can’t tear my eyes away from Sutton behind the desk, looking dead to the world. For someone who was so full of optimism, she seems empty. Almost as if she’s lost in a nightmare. That’s something I’m all too familiar with.

For the first time, I hate that I designed the shop to have rooms and didn’t do an open floor plan. I’ve decided the best way to try to figure her out is by observing her. Asking her anything is useless. She’s not a good liar, but it’s fucking cute when she thinks she’s pulling one over on you.

The day passes by quickly once I zone out on the piece I’m working on. It isn’t until I’m cleaning up that I hear Sutton’s laugh ring out, echoing down the hall. Gage and Tommy’s laughs follow in unison.

Fuckers.

Before I can stop myself, I’m stomping up there.

“You guys done for the day?” I interrupt, not giving the slightest fuck with how rude I’m being.

Sutton’s eyes widen slightly as she takes a slight step back from the huddle around the front desk. Gage and Tommy are looking at me like they know something that I don’t.

“Yeah, dude. We’re done,” Gage says, before turning back to Sutton. “I’ll take you home tonight.”

A look of panic flashes across her face before she gives him a tight smile. But I know what I saw. “Thank you, but I’m okay, really. It’s not a far walk and I need the exercise.”

At that I snort because no, she fucking doesn’t.

I may not be a fan of her get-up, but you’d have to be blind to not see what she has hiding underneath those ugly fucking clothes. She hasn’t shown a hint of titties yet, but I bet there’s at least a D cup under there. Her ass fills out those ugly khaki pants nicely too. Not too large, but not too small. Looks like the perfect handful.

“I have nothing to do tonight. I’m taking you home,” Gage says, tone final.

Sutton opens her mouth to respond, but I cut her off.

“I’ll take you home.”