Time ticks on, but I don’t pay any attention as the flowers start to come to life across Hazel’s ribs. I don’t notice the sweet scent of her perfume that was a little too overpowering when I first started, and I don’t notice her looking down at me as if I’m the most interesting person in the world. I do, however, know that at no point do I lose Kas’ attention. The desire that was simmering just under the surface from our short interaction earlier is still there, just waiting for the chance to explode once more.
“Kas,” I bark, sitting back and giving Hazel a few minutes’ reprieve from the bite of my machine.
“Yeah?” There’s hope in her voice like I’m about to give her some wildly important job.
“I need coffee.”
“Really?” she balks.
“Yeah, really.”
“Great, that’ll be right with you, Sir,” she mocks. I can picture her eyes rolling in frustration as she walks to the door.
“Would you like anything?” she asks Hazel politely.
“A glass of water would be great. Thanks, sweetie.”
I try to stifle my laugh when I hear a growl rumble up Kas’ throat.
The second the door shuts, Hazel starts. “So, she looks like a fun kid to work with.”
“She’s not a kid.” The words are out of my mouth before I’ve even realised I’m fighting for her.
“Oh, okay. She’s kinda intense.”
“Artists usually are, in some way.”
“I guess.”
“This is looking great,” I say, changing the subject as I gently wipe at her skin with a cloth. “I think we’ll go for another hour, and then you’re going to need a break. It’s going to really start getting tender as I get higher.”
“I’ll be fine. I have a high pain threshold.”
That’s what they all say, until they start squirming like a little bitch. I smile to myself. “That’s great. But I don’t want to push it too much for your first sitting.”
Hazel continues to try to drag me into conversations about what I’m doing for the rest of the night and telling me about her plans. If she thinks she’s getting through to me in any way then she really is dumber than she looks. I have no intention of spending any more time with her than necessary.
Thankfully, Kas returns soon after with two mugs of coffee and Hazel’s water. As she comes to a stop beside us, she stares at Hazel with contempt in her eyes and I start to wonder if she’s going to throw the water at her instead of passing it over for her to drink.
“Wow, that’s looking incredible,” she says instead after carefully handing it over.
“It’s a good start, huh?”
“It’s stunning.”
I talk Kas through what I’m planning on doing next, seeing as I am actually meant to be her teacher and not ignoring her while making her jealous with my client.
“Pull that spare stool over,” I say, although at no point do I actually look at her. I know it’s too dangerous to do so. I can’t see that jealousy swirling in her eyes once more and not do anything about it.
I talk to her about my machine, about the different angles and the way to achieve the different marks on the skin.
She’s silent as she soaks up all the information. After a few moments, Hazel lies back down and the buzz of my machine fills the room.
We’re practically shoulder to shoulder as I continue talking through everything I’m doing. I’ve never done it before, but I find it comes easily, although I’m not sure if that’s because of who I’m explaining to, or not.
Kas leans in, watching my every movement, totally fascinated as I continue to bring Hazel’s idea to life.
By the time I clean her up and wrap her new ink, the sun is setting outside my small window.
I book her in for her second session and allow Kas to walk her out while I tidy up.
I feel her presence when she re-joins me, but I don’t look up. Now I’m done for the day, I just want to get out of here.
“You’re really talented, you know,” she says.
The second she shuts the door behind her, I swear she sucks all the air from the room. My movements falter as her footsteps get louder.
“I just do what I do.”
“I can’t wait for you to do me.”
I cough as my breath catches in my throat at her words.
“Hazel was my last client of the day. Look,” I say, ignoring her comment and pointing to my computer screen, “I’m off the next two days, but you can see my appointments for next week here. Biff is mostly in charge of sorting this out, but now she’s training, we’re starting to take over organising our own appointments again until we find a replacement.
“Adding one is easy.” I click on the little plus symbol and show her how to put Hazel’s next appointment in. “The client information is already in the system, so you just type the name in here and… done.”
“Seems simple enough.” I shudder as she runs her finger along the neckline of my t-shirt, my skin erupting in goosebumps. “So back to my previous comment.” She leans forward, running her hands down my chest until her lips press against my ear. “Are you going to do me tonight?”
My body heats and my cock swells as I glance at my tattoo chair, imagining what it might look like with her laid out on it.
“Y-you’ve just had stitches, Kas. I’m not sure you need any more pain today.”
“What about pleasure?” Her lips ghost over my neck, and I fight my need to spin on my stool so I can capture them with my own.
23
Kas
Spike wraps his warm hands around my wrists, keeping me pressed up against his back.
I want him to turn around. I want to sit in his lap and feel his arms around me as he kisses me again. I want to feel his tongue sweeping into my
