Marks on My Skin (Love & Ink #1) (13 page)

“Hangin’ out? I didn’t know ya two made plans.”

I shrugged, a little exasperated by his questioning. It wasn’t like I was still a punk little thirteen-year-old kid brother he had to watch.

“We ran into each other. She was out shopping.”

He let out grunt, narrowed his eyes at me, then turned for his room, satisfied with my answer for the time being. I went into the guest room and collapsed onto the bed. Thoughts of the last several hours ran through my mind, mixing with Shayne’s sweet, earthy scent that still lingered on me. The image of her bent over on her bed was burned in my mind. I’d never thought something like that could have that effect on me, but I found myself wanting more. More of Shayne, more of her strange little world. Her moans and whimpers still echoed in my ears and even with as tired as I was, I couldn’t fall asleep.

I closed my eyes, remembering the feel of our bodies moving together, the tight warmth of her as she took me inside her. I breathed her in with a soft groan and undid my jeans. Just the mere thought of doing those things to her again was enough to make me hard. My mind shifted to the box she’d shown me. The gags and blindfolds, the paddles and clamps. I wanted to use them on her, tie her down and spank that beautiful arse of hers until it was red again. Christ, I wanted more. I came with a grunt and my seed spilled on my stomach. I wiped it away with my shirt and discarded it on the floor. My breath came in heavy pants and I stared up at the ceiling, completely satisfied and finally ready for sleep.

“Feck, Shayne.”

“Why are ya in such a good mood?” Liam gave me a sidelong glance, parking his charger behind the tattoo shop.

“I slept well.” I said. It wasn’t total lie. I had slept very well after my eventful day with Shayne.

Music was already playing when we walked into the shop and Shayne was in the front, sweeping the floor. I drank in her smooth pale thighs and the fitted black skirt that hugged her bottom. I was beginning to wonder if she even owned a pair of pants. She shifted back and forth in her knee-high boots and I bit my lip. I could watch her do that all day. Finally she noticed us standing there and looked over her shoulder. A grin spread over her lips when our eyes met but she quickly hid it when she looked at Liam.

“Why ya here early? Ya never get in before me.” He asked her. She shrugged.

“I slept well. Woke up early.”

Liam’s eyes narrowed and he looked between us. “Right. I’m goin’ ta set up fer my appointment. Ya goin’ ta set yerself up in the office, Kier?”

“Hmm? Yeah.” I nodded. Liam stood there and waited until I turned for the office in the back. Once in the solitude of the office, I pulled up the half-written manuscript that I hadn’t been making any progress on and tried to absorb myself in re-reading it but my mind wandered back to last night.

“That good, hmm?” Shayne’s voice startled me and I closed the document, looking up at her.

I relaxed against the plush leather chair and laughed. “Um, no. Actually it’s shite.”

“Won’t let me read?”

“No, not that one.”

She eased herself back against the desk with a sly grin and my gaze drifted over her. “You know I read your other book.”

I cringed. “Oh God, why the hell would ya do that?”

Shayne laughed and her bangs fell in her eyes. “Niall gave me a copy the other day. I read most of it in one night. You’re talented.”

Heat rose in my cheeks. “Quiet, you.”

Her grin widened and her big brown eyes connected with mine, challenging me. “Make me.”

Tendrils of desire sprang up, and my cock stiffened noticeably, making me shift in the chair. I bit my lip and my voice came out in a low growl.

“Turn around.”

Liam’s tattoo machine buzzed away down the hall and I kicked the office door shut. Shayne stared at me with hungry, lustful eyes and turned around, placing her palms on the desk. I locked the door and came up behind her, pulling her against me.

She pushed back, thrusting her arse into me and I let out a low groan. My hands groped her thighs and I buried my face against her neck, breathing in her scent and tasting her skin.

“Stick yer arse out more.” I told her. She did and I ran my hands down over her hips. “Lift yer skirt up.”

She glanced back at me, swallowed hard, and tugged her skirt up. I traced a finger over the little heart tattoo that adorned her right cheek, then brought my palm down hard, jarring her against the desk.

She whimpered and I smiled, watching the red bloom over her skin. Another smack and she gasped. She looked back at me and her eyes darkened. Blood rushed to my groin and I spanked her again. She moaned. I shivered.

“Knickers down.” I ordered, my voice thick with want. Shayne tugged the red thong down her legs and I dropped to my knees behind her. My hands grasped her thighs, spreading her open to me. “Whatever I do ta ya, don’t make a sound.”

Shayne nodded, and I dipped my tongue into her folds, tasting her. She let out a sharp gasp but did as I said. Her hands balled into fists against the desk and she shifted, pushing her hips back. I dragged my tongue over her warm folds and closed my lips around her clit, gently sucking.

“Mmm,” she couldn’t stifle the moan that escaped and I spanked her again but kept my mouth on her. I let out my own moan against the hardened nub and her thigh muscles tensed. I slid one, then two fingers inside her. Her thighs trembled. She clenched tight around my fingers and my cock stiffened.

I undid my jeans, then stood and pressed my head against her pussy.

“Do ya feel that Shayne?” I whispered in her ear. She nodded and I dragged my teeth against her neck. “Everytime I see that arse of yers in those wee little skirts I want ta bend ya over and feck ya.”

“O-oh.” She stuttered and the sound made me smile.

“Don’t sound so surprised, love. Ya know damn well what yer doin’ wearing those, don’t ya? Hmm?”

Shayne nodded, and I pushed into her, a fraction of an inch. I swatted my palm against her ass and she whimpered. I grinned, holding back the urge to thrust into her.

“Christ, that’s very naughty of ya, Shayne. I really should punish ya. Tie ya up, spank ya til my hand hurts, then feck ya til’ ya can’t even stand.”

Shayne gasped and tried to push her hips back, but I withdrew, letting my cock brush against her arse before I zipped my pants up.

“But…I’m afraid ya’ll have ta wait til later fer that.” I nodded toward the clock. “It’s almost time fer yer appointment.”

“What?” She looked back at me with wide eyes.

I chuckled and pulled her knickers back up her thighs. “I saw it on the bulletin board there.”

“But...”

“Later.” I kissed her mouth and her tongue flicked across my lips, the taste of her still on them. That simple action alone threatened to shatter my restraint, but I managed to pull myself away. “Later,” I repeated.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Cordially Invited

Kieran’s blue eyes burned into me as we stood there in the office. His chest heaved with deep breaths. He was a different man than the one I’d first met. He was playful, confident, and sexy as hell. My legs still trembled and I sucked in a breath, trying to pull myself together.

“Go on. Later. I promise.” A smile pulled at his lips and he adjusted himself, doing his best to hide the hard on he’d teased me with. My own thoughts of what I’d like to do to him sent a shiver through me and I bit my lip. “Shayne?”

“Hmm?” I glanced up at him and realize he’d caught me staring at his crotch. Blood rushed to my cheeks and a smug look moved over his lips. The bell on the front door jingled and I sighed. That would be my next appointment.

“Shayne? Where are you?”

“Shit.” I squeezed my eyes shut as I remembered exactly who was my next appointment. Darren. Kieran’s eyebrow ticked up and I shook my head. “It’s Darren.”

He frowned. Despite what I had told him about Darren, I knew he was still unsure about him.

“Shayne?” Darren called again.

“Later.” I smiled at Kieran and pushed the door open. My eyes met Darren when I walked out of the office and a sly grin crossed his lips.

“Was wondering where you were hiding.”

“I was just tidying up. Ready for your tattoo?” I pushed past him and went to my room.

“Tidying up, eh?” He laughed and followed me in.

I nodded and busied myself, pulling supplies out of my cabinet.

Darren let out a snort behind me. “So who were you tidying up the office with?”

“Hmm?”

“Well I doubt you made your own ass that red.”

My eyes widened and I stood up straight, tugging the back of my skirt down further. “I...”

Darren’s grin broadened and he slid his shirt off, exposing the wide muscled expanse of his chest. “You’re a terrible liar, Shayne. We’ve been over this.”

“Kieran.” I fidgeted with my equipment, not bothering to look at him.

He let out a hoot behind me, slumping onto my chair. “He made your ass red? I guess you
are
replacing me then.” He winked.

I finally turned around, frowning at him. “Quiet.”

“I’m sorry. I know you’ve got a thing for him.” Darren lowered his voice but couldn’t wipe the amused look from his face.

“It’s not a thing. We’re just messing around.”

“Right. Still hard to believe though. When I first met him, I’d have figured him to be the one getting spanked.”

I ignored his comment and the fact that my cheeks were now a bright crimson. His laughter died off and I pressed the outline to his chest, and ensured he liked the positioning.

“Alright, ready?” I asked and slid my gloves on. He nodded, his eyes watching me with a gleam of mischief to them.

“You know,” he started, watching my hand move over his chest, the low buzzing filling the silence. “I’m having one of my parties tonight.”

“Mmmhmm.” I kept my eyes on the lines and followed them with a steady hand. I already knew where he was going and I wouldn’t have any part of it.

“You should come. And bring him along.”

“I already have other plans.” I said. It wasn’t a complete lie.
Later.
I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth at the thought of the drunken look in Kieran’s eyes when he’d said it.

“Hmmph. More spanking? Surely, if you’re so smitten with him slapping your ass, he’s capable of a bit more than that, no?” I lifted my foot off the pedal of my machine and gave him a flat look. “Oh don’t look at me like that, Shayne. Honestly, is he even experienced? Has he ever done anything like that before?”

“No...I don’t think so. But—”

“But nothing. If he’s new, then there is probably plenty he doesn’t know. Besides that, I know you like him and I think it’s a good thing, but just remember he still has the whole messy situation with his wife.” This time Darren was the one frowning.

“We’re just having fun with each other. Is that so terrible?”

“No,” Darren sighed and his fingers brushed over my cheek. “You just seem different. I worry about you, that’s all.”

I looked down at his half-started tattoo. “I know you do. But you shouldn’t. I’m fine now and I’ve been that way for a long time.”

Darren had seen me at my very worst. Not even Liam knew about everything. Sure, he knew a few details of my life before the tattoo shop and Darren, them being friends and all. But only Darren—and now Kieran— knew all the shadowy depths of my former life, the sickening, shameful things I’d done before. His soft blue-gray eyes watched me and a warm smile spread across his lips.

“I know.” His voice was softer. “I just never want to see you go back there.”

“I won’t.” I turned my cheek against his palm that still rested on my face. A moment later it dropped away and his eyebrow lifted.

“So come on then. See if he wants to come tonight.”

“Darren, I really don’t think Kieran—”

“Don’t think Kieran, what?” I jumped and took a sharp breath. Good thing I hadn’t resumed working on Darren’s tattoo yet. Darren glanced at Kieran standing in the doorway. Kieran’s blue eyes were a mix of curiosity and suspicion as he eyed Darren and his bare chest laying on my chair.

Darren’s grin stretched across his face, making him look not unlike the Cheshire cat.

“I was just inviting you and Shayne over tonight. I’m having a party and from the looks of things,” Darren’s eyes darted downward behind me. “You might enjoy the festivities we’ll have going on.”

Kieran’s eyes darkened as he stared at Darren, his lips a tight line. “You told him about last night too?” His eyes darted to me.

“No, I—”

“Oh she didn’t have to, you just did. Besides, you spanked her a little low. I saw the mark on her upper thigh.”

Kieran’s tongue ran over his lip in a thoughtful swipe. His eyes shifted to me and heat moved through my cheeks again. “Do you normally go to those parties?” He asked me.

“Sometimes, yes.” The heat rose even higher and I averted my eyes. “We don’t have to go.”

“No. We can go.” Kieran answered and I looked back up at him. He and Darren were staring at each other, no doubt sizing each other up once more. I swallowed hard, watching their little pissing contest. Darren laughed and put his hands behind his head.