Pretty In Ink by Scott Hildreth Read Free Book Online Page B

instead?”
    She crossed her arms in front of her chest and sighed heavily. “Uhhm. No . No, we didn’t. We were interrupted for almost an hour by the delivery guy.”
    “Well, they smell good,” Blake said as he turned toward his work station.
    “Can you believe he sent this many?” Riley asked as she waved her arms in the air.
    Without turning around, Blake shrugged his shoulders.
    “I don’t know what that guy thinks we’re doing here, but this is a tattoo shop, not a funeral home or a florist,” Riley said.
    Riley was obviously upset, jealous, or maybe a little of both. I was truly enjoying seeing her act the way she was, it made me feel like the gesture on Wilson’s part was a little more extreme than I already thought it was. For once in my life I didn’t feel like an object; I felt like a beautiful woman, and I had Wilson to thank for it.
    “I like it,” Blake said. “It fills the place with warmth.”
    Men and women alike had always described me as being a bitch. I never really disagreed with them, because it seemed to come naturally, and very little effort was required for me to do or say something uncivilized. As Riley slowly pivoted in a circle and continued to survey the flowers, I pointed down at her thigh.
    “Let’s get that leg piece done,” I said. “Probably be the only flower you’ll get today.”
    Riley spun around and glared at me. I shrugged my shoulders and patted the edge of the chair with the palm of my hand. “Don’t be mad. Blake will see how much you like them, and maybe he’ll get you some.”
    “Personally, I think this guy is trouble. You need to be careful, Stevie,” she said as she sat down.
    There was no doubt Wilson was wealthy. I realized I hadn’t spent a tremendous amount of time with him, but after what little time we had spent together, I sure wouldn’t describe him as arrogant or overbearing. If anything, he was more down to earth than the majority of the bikers I had been with. 
    “I will,” I said as I glanced at the clock.
    We had roughly forty minutes until the shop was scheduled to open. If I hurried, I could still get the outline of the piece done.
    The buzzer from the door reminded me once again that we had left it unlocked. Incapable of hiding my excitement, I smiled so much it hurt as Wilson walked in the shop.
    Dressed in a dark navy suit with a white shirt underneath but not wearing a tie, the unbuttoned collar seemed to add to his already handsome appearance. His hair was almost perfectly brushed back – with the exception of one stray section which draped down onto his forehead. I studied him as he stood behind the desk with both hands behind his back, which seemed rather odd.
    “Help you?” Blake asked as he walked toward the reception desk.
    “Name’s Wilson,” Wilson said as he ran his free hand through his hair. “I stopped in to see Stevie for a moment if it’s alright.”
    “Fine with me,” Blake said as he extended his hand. “I’m Blake.”
    As they shook hands Riley spun around in her chair and stared. After a short moment, she turned toward me and cupped her hand to her mouth. 
    “That’s him?” she whispered.
    I nodded my head and grinned.
    She glanced at Wilson, held her gaze for a moment, and eventually turned around.
    “Holy shit, he is pretty,” she said.
    “Told you,” I said as Wilson walked past the receptionist desk.
    Still holding his hands behind his back, his face was covered in a full-blown grin as he approached us. Upon stepping in front of Riley’s stool, she stood and turned toward him.
    “You must be Riley,” he said.
    “Uh huh,” she murmured.
    He pulled his hand from behind his back and produced a mixed bouquet of flowers.
    “Here, these are for you,” he said as he handed Riley the flowers.
    You are just fucking sweet, aren’t you?
    “For me?” she gasped as she alternated glances between Blake and Wilson.
    “Yes, for you. Don’t worry, I asked your boyfriend if it was alright. And I