Still Surviving (26 page)

Me:
Tell Todd I’m going to junk punch him if he ever calls me Princess again.

Todd didn’t know how it wounded me, and I’d never tell him. It would kill him to know that he’d hurt me with just one word.

Lily:
Done. He said “never again.” You coming over tonight?

Me:
I think so?

I wasn’t sure what Seth’s plans were after the tattoo.

Lily:
I’m so excited! See you then. I need to go barf.

I laughed and shook my head.

Me:
Fun. See you then.

Pregnancy sounded about as fun as chewing nails. Thank God I was on the pill.

M
Y THIRD CLIENT HAD
come and gone, and still no Scott. I was about to count myself lucky as I cleaned and readied my station for Seth. My skin actually felt charged as I anticipated his touch. The smile I had on my face died when I heard
his
voice.

“Heard you took the job.” Scott’s uneven tone was familiar and unnerving.

“I did.” I didn’t look at him. I kept my eyes down as I wiped down the table.

“You start in two weeks?” He stepped closer to where I was standing, his tone softer, causing me to flick my gaze to his. His thick muscles on show under his tight
Ramones
T-shirt, his hair perfectly gelled. That thick patchouli scent in the air filled my nose as he closed the space between us.

He reached out to touch my hand, and I pulled away. “Don’t. You lost that chance, Scott. You had no right… to say what you did to him.”

He laughed without humor. “I had every right. You were mine, Tiff. He was trying to fucking undermine me.”

“I was never yours.” My jaw clenched as I swallowed.

Scott’s lips pulled into a tight flat smile. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. I got mine, sweetheart.”

My breath hitched. “You’re a pig.”

Scott’s large hand enclosed around my upper arm, his hold firm as he tugged me toward him. “Watch your mouth,” he hissed in my ear.

“Everything okay over here?” Rand from the reception asked in a clipped cadence. My eyes burned with stifled angry tears.

I yanked my arm free from Scott’s grip as he spoke. “Yeah, Rand, everything’s fine. Mind your own fucking business.”

“I’ll mind my business when you stop messing with her. What the hell, man?” Rand gave him a pointed stare, and he backed down.

Scott turned his glare on me. “I was just leaving. I needed to talk to Tony anyway.” His eyes never left mine as he walked past me. The empty quality they held sent shivers down my spine. “Next time you work, wear something less low cut. We have standards here. Just ‘cause we’re a Tattoo shop doesn’t mean you can dress like you’re asking for it.”

The tears stayed welled up inside until his back disappeared down the hall. Once he was gone, I let them soundlessly fall. They were quiet as they skated down my cheeks. The words he spoke hitting me like a bull’s-eye.

“He’s a fucking asshole, Tiff.” Rand wrapped his long arms around me and pulled me against his chest. “He’s a jealous asshole.”

Rand was sweet. “I know. It doesn’t make it hurt any less though, but thanks.” I pulled from his embrace and wiped my tears away.

“You going to be okay? Want me to stay until Seth gets here?” Rand smiled at my confused face.

“How’d you know he was coming?”

“It’s Sunday, sweetie.” He put his hand on his hip and shook his head. “You better pull yourself together before he gets here.”

I looked at myself in the mirror and gasped. My mascara had smeared, and I looked like a hot mess. “Oh God.” I grabbed some tissues from my workstation and wiped under my eyes. “You don’t have to stay. Aren’t you and your man going out?” I attempted to smile. I didn’t want Seth to see me like this. He’d end up in a fight, and I didn’t want to cause him any more drama.

“We are, but I’m staying. I’m not leaving you here alone so Scott can go all
roid rage
on you.” Rand’s eyes bulged, and I busted out laughing.

“I freaking love you.” I watched him smile through the mirror as I wiped the remaining dark smudges from my eyes.

“Seriously though, I’ll be up front, okay?”

I nodded.

T
HE INK WAS THE
last thing I opened. My machine was ready and everything was wrapped. Seth beamed as he walked through the front door. The bell clanged loudly in the now empty shop. Scott had left with Tony not ten minutes ago. He didn’t say a word as he walked by my station. His dark eyes were straight ahead. He acted as if I wasn’t even there, and I was just fine with that.

“Hey, Angel.” Seth kissed the corner of my mouth first, his thumb placed firmly against my bottom lip.

“Hey.” The intense scent of spice occupied the air around us making me feel dizzy, but in the best way possible.

He brushed his thumb slowly along the curve of my mouth, leaving his mark before he claimed my lips with his.

“See you guys.” Rand whispered loudly as he walked out the front door.

I smiled against Seth’s mouth as he growled at the interruption. “He’s such a cock blocker.”

I giggled. “He really is.” Seth’s laugh warmed through me, and every stupid thing Scott said was gone. My heart split, and I frowned. I was grateful that Seth was able to mend the wounds I’d allowed to be reopened, but I wanted to be strong enough to do it on my own.

“What’s the matter?” Seth searched my eyes.

“Old ghosts,” I whispered against the constriction of my throat, trying to abate the emotion I knew would rise if I thought too much about today, about the past.

He kissed my forehead. “Have you ever thought of seeing them again?”

“My parents? No. If they wanted to… they’d have sought me out.” The pale blue of Seth’s eyes appraised me.

“I don’t know… maybe your right, who the fuck knows what parents are thinking half the time.” He shrugged and took my hand in his. “Maybe you should talk to them, or maybe therapy? Sometimes that shit helps. You’re strong, Tiffany. It could make you stronger.” He grinned and gently squeezed my hand. Seth was attuned to my every thought, it seemed.

I laughed and shook my head. “I was literally just thinking I needed to rely on myself more. I love how you make me feel, I love that you take my past and show me a future. But, at the end of the day, I need to be able to do that for myself.” I took a deep breath. What I was going to say next would surely piss him off. “Scott said some shitty things to me today, and I let him bother me. I should be stronger. I can’t let everyone else fight my battles.”

Seth’s posture stiffened. “What the fuck did he say to you?”

“Please, it was nothing. He’s just a jealous prick. He didn’t talk to me at all after.” My smile failed to reassure him, Seth grit his teeth.

“I swear to God, the next time I see him—“

“Please don’t. Did you not just hear what I said? I need to fight my own battles. I don’t need a knight, I just need you.” I reached up on my toes and kissed him. Softly at first, but then I eased my hands up his firm chest and rested my palms on either side of his heart. The strong thrum behind his chest quickened as I kissed him deeper.

He licked my lip, and I groaned. Seth’s hands skirted down my spine, ending on my hips. His grip pulled our bodies closer so that I was now fully pressed against him.

“I’m angry, Tiff, so fucking angry right now,” the words were a rough whisper against my mouth.

“Please don’t be,” I spoke, letting my lips brush the corner of his mouth.

“He hurt you today, whether it was physical or not, that son of a bitch hurt you. Tiffany, I know how strong you are, I see it. But it doesn’t matter. You can fight, babe, you can fight every battle if you want. That doesn’t mean I won’t be there to end the motherfucker when it’s all said and done.” He locked his eyes on mine. “Tiff, I’m no knight, but I know when it comes to you, like I said… you’re worth everything. You’re worth it all… and I’d do anything in my power to keep you safe.”

The briny taste of tears fell across my lips. The fluid spilled from my eyes as Seth framed my face with his hands. “You’re worth it all. Remember that… next time… don’t ever let anyone make you doubt that, Angel.” Seth’s breathing slowed; his eyes fell to my mouth just before he placed a sweet kiss on my lips.

“You make me feel invincible, and that scares me.” Despite my true words, I smiled.

Seth’s brow creased. “Explain.” His hold dropped, and he leaned against the padded table.

“You make me feel so confident. I’ve never had that, and like I said, I need to find that confidence on my own. I know I’m strong. I know what hell I’ve endured. But not until you told me, not until you built me up, did I think I’d ever have the strength. Every morning, every day, was supposed to be my fresh start, but every day I failed to see what I’d lived through, failed to see how far I’d come.” I took a few steps and stood between his legs. “Seth, you’ve shown me my own strength, and I’m ready… I’m ready to get help, to start my real “fresh” start. Guys like Scott don’t matter, baby. You’ve shown me that. All I’m asking is for you to not throw yourself on the blade for me. I’d never forgive myself if you lost anything because of me.”

He exhaled sharply. “I’ll leave it for now. But I’m telling you, Tiff, that guy is trying my patience. Just promise me you’ll let me know if you need me.”

“I will.” I smiled. “Thank you for getting all protective, but I need to take care of myself.” I leaned in, my nose grazed his neck, inhaling, and he shivered… his smell heated my skin.

“You’re very good at distraction. I’ll give you that,” he murmured, the warmth of his breath on my ear.

“Are we going to get this tattoo going or what, Montgomery?” My chuckle was cut short as his hand curled inside the waistband of my jeans. His fingers diving in, grazing along the seam of my panties.

“Or
what
.” His eyes on my mouth, he tugged me closer as he stood. Seth easily unbuttoned my jeans. The air around us fell still. “I want you to lie across the table.”

The firm tone sent fire through my veins. I glanced and made sure the storefront blinds were closed. They were shut tight. He turned our bodies so he was now in front of me, and I was leaning against the table. He hardly touched my skin as he pulled my jeans down and paused to slide off my shoes. Seth’s fingers enclosed around my calf as he lifted my legs out of my jeans on each side.

He was kneeling in front of me as his lips trailed kisses across the top of my panties down to my inner thigh. I had to place my hands on his shoulders for support. “Turn around.”

My hands trembled with anticipation as I submitted. “W-what are you doing?” He hadn’t stood from his kneeling position.

“Trust me,” he said in a low caress. His fingers slipped under the string of my underwear as he peeled them down. The cool air felt good against my needy skin. His powerful hand gripped the backs of my thighs. “Bend over and lay across the table, Tiff.”

My chest pressed against the padded surface as I held onto the opposite edge of the table, my feet still on the floor. Seth eased my legs apart just enough that I was completely exposed, naked for him. “This is about you tonight. This is about me showing you how fucking good you taste.” His tongue pulled across my center and I groaned, my hips rolled and he grasped them, holding me motionless. “How, all day long, all I thought about was having you just like this…” He slid two fingers inside me, and my muscles reacted and tightened. He groaned as he bit the flesh of my hip, his teeth pulling against the skin of my backside.

He worked me up with his fingers and just as I was about to burst, he would pull them from my body. His tongue drawing lazily across me; his lips sucking and pulling me to the edge again. My body began to shake, and there was no way he could keep me dangling much longer. “I need… I have—“