Page 54 of Ink

What else is there?

“A lot of stuff,” I slowly reply. “I need to go to work because I can’t afford to miss any more days with… with my money being gone.”

“You need to start cluein’ in, darlin’. I told you I would take care of it.”

“You’re not replacing the advance you already gave me. I don’t want to be any more in debt than I already am.” Something tells me that owing a man like Ink is a dangerous game.

“Consider it a bonus.”

I grit my teeth. Talking to him is one of the most frustrating things sometimes. “You’re making me feel like a charity case.”

“The only reason it feels like a charity case is because you refuse to accept any help. There’s at least six hands reaching out waitin’ for you to grab on.” Ink fires back as he drops his dirty clothes that he brought out of the bathroom on the floor in the corner of his room.

“I’m not used to accepting help, and it’s freaking embarrassing that your friends saw me like that.” And you. You’re the one I’m most embarrassed about. But I don’t say that. Instead, I throw myself back on the bed, my head bouncing on the pillow as I stare up at the ceiling like it’s going to give me all the answers.

The bed dips, and the ceiling is replaced with Ink’s face looming over me. He places a fist into the mattress on each side of my head. I can’t help it that my attention moves from his face to his arms. All that ink wrapped around all that muscle is hard to look away from. Just as I’m making my way down his arm, studying the tattoos he has, one looking like the same sign that’s hanging outside of Black Raven Ink on his forearm, I notice deep, red scratches that look newly scabbed over.

Before I realize what I’m doing, my fingers are lightly tracing the long scratches that line his arm, my gut sinking the farther I go up. “Is that from me?” I whisper so quietly I’m not sure if he heard me, but I don’t have the guts to repeat myself either. I know the answer before it’s out of his mouth.

“Yes.” Ink gives it to me straight, no tiptoeing around.

I close my eyes.

I want nothing more than for this comfy bed to swallow me up and never let me out. I know I shouldn’t be embarrassed because I couldn’t help it. Zach will always be a trigger for me and him showing up… triggered me. But that doesn’t stop the feeling. It’s the same feeling I imagine you would get after getting so drunk and not remembering what happened. I wouldn’t know from personal experience because I’ve never been drunk, but it’s what seems to happen in all the movies.

“Hey.” Ink’s rough hand cups my jaw, making me open my eyes to find his bright blue ones staring back. “Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s not okay,” I whisper. My voice sounds ragged from the emotion drying in my throat. “Did I draw blood? Obviously I did if it scabbed over like this.”

“Would you believe me if I told you that I liked it?”

Anyone else, no, but him? Yeah, I can see that. In the short time I’ve known him, I’m getting the vibe. He lives a very different way of life than what I’m used to.

“So get over it.”

My nose scrunches up. “Get over it?”

“That’s what I said.”

“I marked you!” I shriek. “I’m not going to just get over that, Ink!”

“Do I look upset? No. So get the fuck over it. Like you said earlier, we have shit to do.”

Ink pushes off of the bed to finish getting ready, leaving me missing the safety net of heat and pressure that his body provides.

Wait, we?

After Ink finished getting ready, I followed suit in silence. It wasn’t an uncomfortable one, though. Just one that made me feel like we were both decompressing and getting lost in our thoughts from the events of the day before.

Both for different reasons, I’m sure.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sneaking quick little side glances at Ink. The man is an enigma. The way his muscles contort with every move he makes, I want to trace every tattoo and learn every little scar he’s earned.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he actually did pack up all of my stuff from the room. I changed into a pair of leggings and T-shirt. I know today is going to be uncomfortable all around, so I would rather have a comfy outfit on while it happens.

I need to thank Evan.

I barely remember her helping me, but Ink filled in some of the gaps which made me feel like I owe her more than I can repay her for right now. My I-owe-you list is going to be massive whenever I get out of what I’m hoping is my rock bottom.