Page 29 of Ink

The last thing on my mind before the world finally faded to black was if Sutton was safe.

Chapter

Twelve

SUTTON

This is the first time I’ve studied my outfit in the mirror before leaving for work. The over worn khaki pants and shirts that do absolutely nothing for my figure didn’t seem like they needed to be checked out. It was what it was and even if I wasn’t happy with it, which I wasn’t, there wasn’t exactly anything I could change about it.

But now?

Now, I want that change.

I’m kicking myself for not swinging by the thrift store after the beauty supply store to see if they had anything that sparked new Sutton’s interest. It’s just now dawning on me I can wear whatever I want.

I tug at the fabric of the white shirt stretched across my chest. The pants are a lost cause, but the shirt? I might actually be able to work with it.

Carefully, I remove the shirt, making sure not to mess up the light makeup I have on.

Not wanting the shirt I’m going to wear to touch the carpet that I’m sure is a breeding ground for who knows what, I lay down the only towel I have making a mental note to hand wash it in the sink tonight. I haven’t seen housekeeping once since I’ve been here.

Once I have the shirt spread out on the towel, starting at the collar, I slowly make a V cut with the old kindergartner style scissors I found in the nightstand drawer, cutting the V deep enough to show off cleavage.

It’s not the best job ever done, but I don’t think any of the guys or Ink will care, and it’s the vibe I’m going for. Based on what I’ve seen so far, there doesn’t seem to be any sort of dress code.

I’d be lying if I said my anxiety wasn’t through the roof right now with seeing Ink and Gage again. I don’t think Gage would bring up what happened on Saturday with the paycheck. He doesn’t seem like that type of guy. But just the fact that he knows now has me on edge because I don’t want him to pry deeper. I’d like my business to stay mine.

With the shirt on, I smile at myself in the mirror because I look good. The material stretches over, hugging every curve and showing about two inches of cleavage, making me feel like I have all the power in the world.

I look good enough for someone to put any sort of effort in.

Suck on that, Ink.

Gage lets out a low whistle as I walk past him on my way to the front desk. “I’m sorry, do I know you? My name is Gage, the man of your dreams.” He winks.

I give him a deadpan expression that lasts for all of three seconds before I bust out laughing. “Get out of here.”

“I had to take my shot!” Gage laughs. “In all seriousness, though, I’m diggin’ the new look, babe. I never thought the blonde was you. You look badass.”

A clamp feels like it just slammed closed on my heart. I swallow down the emotion that’s clogging my throat. To him, it’s a hair color, but to me, it’s symbolic. He’ll never know how much what he just said means to me or how much I needed it in that moment.

“Take your shot with what?” The voice I want to punch the owner of sounds from behind me. For such a large man, he moves extremely quietly. It’s honestly kind of creepy. “Did Sutton not show up?”

Gage shoots me an amused look as I turn around to face Ink.

Shock takes over as his jaw drops, rendering him speechless. I expect his eyes to roam my body, but they don’t. We’re locked in a stare down and I refuse to be the one to look away first.

“You better close your mouth, dude. You never know what someone might try to put in it.” Gage smacks him on the shoulder as he walks back to his room.

Ink immediately closes his mouth as the look of shock turns into a scowl. “Fuck off.”

“That wasn’t very nice,” I tell Ink, tilting my head to the side. The scowl on his face deepens to the point where I don’t think Botox could take away those lines.

“Let me know when my client is here,” he says, his tone dripping with annoyance.

“Good morning to you too,” I mumble to his back, that’s already halfway to his room.

The man’s moods swings are almost next level. Luckily for me, I have experience in this area because of Zach’s dumb butt. Violent mood swings top Ink’s, though. I can deal with him all day long. It’s almost like the last decade was preparing me for this.