Friendly Temptation by Elaine Radley Read Free Book Online Page A

on.”
    “And so is the lady.”
    The man’s shining eyes met hers. Tattoos crawled up his arms onto his neck and his ear lobes were elongated with thick plugs. Kat squinted at the elaborate scars swirling over his cheekbones. Or is it the light? A heavy nose ring completed the tattoo artist image. “Awesome!”
    “By the way.” Dominic bumped her with his shoulder. “This punk-ass is Nathan. May not look like much but he’s one hell of an artist!”
    Kat’s smile was wooden, thoughts still returning to the exit and how many seconds it would take her to run through it. Her eyes dropped to the show case before her. It housed earrings, plugs, navel rings and other bits of unrecognizable jewelry she didn’t want to even ponder. Perhaps she could deal with dinner and a lifetime of teasing after all. Her gaze reverted back to the young man.
    Nathan didn’t respond to the playful jab, his eyes still on her. “Did you check out the portfolios?” He nodded to a high desk in the corner under several vintage horror movie posters. “If you like what you see, let me know and I’ll get you in ASAP. Just finishing up. Maybe another 15 minutes or so.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder to where a young woman was stretched out on her side in one of the leather recliners, eyes closed. An elaborate Phoenix tattoo had almost come to life from the top of her hip, up past her ribcage.
    “Is she okay ?”
    “Sure. Just taking a break. We’re in the homestretch.” Nathan smiled again, his brown eyes amiable. “First time?”
    She nodded and started to chew on her bottom lip before stopping herself.
    “Cool. Well, take a look at some of my designs and we’ll talk in a few.” He returned to his client.
    Dominic had already crossed to the desk and was thumbing through one of the books. She sauntered up behind him and, with each step, grew more confident. When he glanced up at her approach, she put a little more swing into her hips, smirking when his jaw sagged.
    His tongue slid out to moisten his lips. “Okay there, babe?”
    “Mmm-hmm.” She lifted her chin and brushed past him to page through the loose-leaf binder. Hearing his quick inhalation, she hid her smile. Oh, he’s so going to regret his challenge.
    Pretending to focus intently, she studied him from her periphery, loins twitching at the darkening of his eyes. The heat of his gaze made her almost forget what she was doing when a piece of Nathan’s art jumped out at her. Oh my God! That would be so perfect!
    Kat whirled and caught Dom’s shoulders, excitement rushing through her. “How about ankhs?”
    “Ankhs,” he repeated softly and shrugged. “Sure, why not?”
    “You guys ready?” Nathan appeared behind them. “Anything catch your eye?”
    “Yup.” Dominic jerked his head toward the portfolio. “Lady likes the work you’ve done with ankhs.”
    “Sweet. Popular, but there’s a lot of room for interpretation with those.” He glanced between the two of them. “Did you have a specific style in mind?”
    “Basic black for me. You know, tribal.”
    “How 90’s, man!”
    “Shut it, junior.”
    The artist grinned, excitement in his brown eyes as they shifted to Kat. “How about you?”
    “Umm…” She racked her lower lip with her teeth to keep it from trembling. “Something soft, in pastel maybe.”
    “You sure about this?” Dom whispered, giving her a final out but probably still expecting dinner.
    “Yeah, I’m sure.” Kind of.
    “Alrighty then. I think I know just the thing and it’s gonna be amazing! Come on back and we’ll get you set up!” The artist trotted to his workstation, his enthusiasm adding extra bounce.
    Dominic waved her ahead with flourish and a bow. “Ladies first!”
    “Nuh, uh!” Eyes bugging, she swung her head back and forth a little too quickly. There was no damned way she was going first.
    A smile threatened as he gazed down at her, his hand brushing the small of her back, inciting a few goose bumps. He then