Bare Skin: A Billionaire Romance by Leah Holt Read Free Book Online

all so unexpected and unwelcome.
    I was always in control, always able to keep my emotions suppressed and tamed. Emotions had been left in my past, forgotten and barricaded behind years of regret.
    Yet Willow had me rolling in wistful aspiration to make her more than just another photo in my portfolio.
    I wanted her to be mine.
    No, she just seems out of reach because she's shy. That's all it is.
    Willow had pulled a veil down, she corded herself off when she first walked in. And that challenge, that resistance to give in and show vulnerability, it only enticed me more.
    Her friend was obviously easy, eager to put out to anyone who gave her a hint of attention.
    But not Willow, she backed off with attention. She held her arms out to keep me at bay.
    Unfortunately for her, she didn't know me. That little move only roped me harder, and now I wanted what I decided was already mine.
    I always get what I want. And I'll make sure I get her too. She won't be able to resist for long.
    No one ever could.
    My wandering eye walked over her thigh, up her stomach, and to her tits. She was definitely nervous. Her chest lifted and fell hard, breasts peeking out behind the buttons when they reached the surface, only to be torn away with each exhale.
    Catching my stare, she tugged her shirt closed. Hugging her ribs to keep her chest from giving me a little peep show, thinning her lids with annoyance.
    Damn. That show's over.
    Footing the pedal, I dipped my needle and prepared to lay the first line. Staring at the stencil, it really did fit her perfectly. The roots splayed towards her knee, gripping her thigh just like I wanted it to.
    Because those were my fingers.
    The trunk followed the curve of her muscle, expanding at the leaves and kissing her inner thigh.
    Because those were my lips .
    “Ready?” I asked, touching my fingers to her skin. The feel of her warm flesh electrified my hand, raking my spine.
    I was planning on taking advantage of my work tonight. I was going to touch her, caress her, feel her heart beat through her leg. I wanted to watch her squirm, but not from the pain of the needle.
    Pain from wanting what she was trying to deny herself of having.
    Me.
    “Start before I change my  mind.” Willow danced her eyes around the room, taking small breaths in through her nose.
    The buzzing echoed over the walls, Beth was still fixated on herself. Which I guessed was probably normal for her.
    Not once did she glance at her friend under the gun, or ask her how she was holding up.
    And Willow thinks I'm full of myself?
    Letting my fingers glide around her skin, my cock stayed hard and firm. She really was a gorgeous woman, and I was hoping this tattoo would give her some more confidence.
    It was easy for me to see that she walked with her head down, shoulders slouched, face hidden to the world.
    But she didn't need to. She was sexy, strong, and had a body I was ready to take.
    The picture I drew for her signified that. Cherry blossom trees went back hundreds of years in Japanese culture. They showed fragility, and were a reminder that life was overwhelmingly beautiful.
    And for its darker meaning, that life is also tragically short.
    I didn't want her to be gone, and knowing that my art would be on her flesh forever, cemented a blanket of relief.
    Even if I'd never see her again, I would always be a part of her.
    Perfect. My name was one she's wearing for a lifetime.
    “Need a break?” I asked, wiping the raw stencil to clean it for shading.
    “No, I'm good. How's it coming?”
    “Gorgeous, just like the template it was made for.”
    “Stop, you don't need to force yourself to be nice.”
    “I'm not forcing myself, it's the truth.”
    “Well, I don't like it. It makes me uncomfortable.”
    “You shouldn't be uncomfortable, you should smile and say thank you.”
    Rolling her eyes, Willow grabbed her phone and started to stare at the screen. Her gaze was intense and blank.
    She was thinking, running what I said over and over