Inked Fighter: Complete Collection (MMA MC New Adult Romance) (9 page)

Chapter Three: Damien

I strolled through the door of my apartment with my bags in my hands and set everything on the small dining room table that sat between the kitchen and the living room.

I looked around the bright little apartment. It was nice to be away from the clubhouse with its dark, musty rooms and loud alcohol-fueled parties. I’d left Martel a list of necessities for the shop and got out of there.

Living alone would allow me to keep the strict diet and workout schedule I’d kept back in LA. My routine had been destroyed at the clubhouse. Now I could get back on track.

When I was done putting everything away, I went downstairs. I wandered down Main Street on the wide sidewalk in the bright summer sun. Some girls across the street stopped dead in their tracks and stared at me. I squinted at them, surprised.

I was used to girls finding me attractive, but in LA, there were tons of guys who looked better than I did. In this small town, I was something of an oddity. I smiled at them and continued down the sidewalk.

There was a larger chain grocery store further up the highway, but I preferred the nutrition I could get at the health food store around the corner.

Inside the store, it smelled of scented candles and freshly cut flowers. I picked up a basket and filled it with fruits and vegetables. I turned down the bulk foods aisle and found whey protein powder and brown rice. After that, I picked up lean protein foods like chicken, fish, and beans.

Satisfied that I could reboot my diet, I went to the checkout counter. The girl there was in her early twenties, with long brown dreadlocks and a lip piercing. A tattoo of waves encircled her wrist. She batted her eyelashes at me.

“I like your tats. Where did you get them?” she asked.

“A buddy of mine traded with me for his.”

“You’re a tattoo artist?” She seemed like she might faint as she scanned my food.

“Yep. I’m opening a shop in town. Tell all your friends,” I said with a bit of a sarcastic tone. Then I realized it was probably a good idea to get some buzz going. “It will be right around the corner at the end of Main Street. Grand opening is in about a week or so. Appointments are filling up fast.”

“Oh. My. God. That’s awesome. Wow. There’s no tattoo artist in this town. We have to go to Ukiah or to Eureka to get our work done. People are going to freak out.” She finished scanning my groceries and put them in paper bags.

She waved goodbye to me, and I headed out with two bags in my hands. They had those convenient handles, so it was easy to carry them all the way back to my place. When I got inside, I made myself lemon salmon with brown rice.

I thought of Claire and wondered what she was doing. I wanted to go see her or to bring her back to my new apartment. That girl drove me crazy.

I cleaned off my plate and considered going to her house just to check on her. She had a lot on her plate, and her life revolved around taking care of others. Most women I knew had lives that revolved entirely around themselves.

Claire’s home was full of people, not to mention her baby and crazy dog. I needed to find a way to get her alone again. I dialed her number, just wanting to hear her voice. I listened to the phone ring, and was about to hang up when her breathless voice answered.

“Hello?”

“It’s me, Damien.”

“Hi. How are you?” Her voice sounded shy and young.

“I just moved into my own place.”

“You got a place in town?”

“Yep, and those high-paying clients are helping me open a shop.”

“Wow, fantastic.”

“You can come over to my apartment so I can finish your shading. I’d like to spend some time with you.”

“Damien. I… I like you. I had fun on our ride the other night. I can’t believe all the stuff I told you. You’re a sweet guy. I just don’t know if I can get involved right now. There’s too much going on with me. I’m trying to open this dress website, and my sister is out of control. I mean, do you really want to date a woman with a baby? Think about it.”

“Don’t worry about that, Claire. I’ve got my own place now. We can figure those things out. I’m not going to disappear into the night. You can trust me. We’ll just take things slow. Okay?”

“Maybe. I’ve got to go. Rose needs her bath.

I hung up the phone, wishing the conversation had gone better. For the rest of the night I watched ESPN on my brand new HD flat screen.

In the morning, there was a shout from the street below my window. I leaned my head outside and saw Martel and some other guys with a U-Haul parked in front of the shop.

“We’re moving in your gear, kid. Better get down here and tell us where to put it,” shouted Bill.

I couldn’t believe Martel already had all my gear. That dude must have pulled some serious strings to get the equipment I needed on such short notice. I ran down the stairs through the hallway, outside, and around the building to where the truck was parked.

“Holy fuck, how did you pull this off?” I asked Martel.

“It’s not a big deal. Some of the stuff you asked for is still on special order. It might take a few days. Everything else was easy enough to find.”

I watched as they unloaded boxes and equipment into the shop. Inside, I directed them where to put everything. They placed a custom counter about one-third of the way between the front and the back of the shop.

In the back, they installed the tattoo chair and brought in a light box and a drafting table for drawings. On another counter along the back wall, they unpacked boxes of inks, needles, tracing paper, and sanitary supplies.

There were stainless steel carts, new guns, an autoclave, and all the other myriad supplies I needed to run a tattoo shop. Martel even bought me a computerized booking and cash register system that I could use with a touchpad. All the software was already loaded.

“Looks like that’s it,” said Martel, looking around the shop. “This is going to be a nice little addition to the community. Should bring in a profit real fast.”

“Well, thanks, Martel. I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything. Just do your work. That’ll be thanks enough. I’ll take care of all the paperwork with the city and state. You should be getting another box shipped here later today with the rest of your supplies. You’ll be good to go as soon as we get your business paperwork filed.”

“You’ve got your first client already,” said Bill. Bill had never had me tattoo him. And I could understand why; I’d fucking hated him. He knew I could have easily given him an ugly-ass tat. Since he’d given me a ride yesterday, we were on better terms.

“You want me to tattoo you?”

“Yeah. You’re one of us now. I’ll pay full price and everything.”

I was stunned. I rubbed my hand over my hair and stared at him. What did he mean, I was one of them now?

“I’m not in the club,” I said.

“We’ll talk about that later,” said Martel.

I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers. He’d just given me my own tattoo business. I could back out now if I wanted, but the lure of standing in my own shop was too much to turn down.

“Fine,” I said, noncommittally.

The guys left me to organize the shop. I never thought I’d have my own place. While I might have been one of the best artists around, I wasn’t the most business-savvy person. Apparently, Martel was going to run the back end of the business, while the front end belonged to me. That suited me fine. I had no interest in dealing with books and accounting. Between my training and my art, there wasn’t any time for that.

Chapter Four: Claire

I stared at my phone. My stomach twisted in knots. I wanted to call him and go over to his new apartment. I couldn’t deny my body’s desire. Every time I saw him, I wanted to jump in his lap and shove my tongue in his mouth. When I thought of losing control and letting myself be that vulnerable, I went rigid like a statue.

Regardless of whether or not Damien and I became a “thing,” it was time for me to face my fears. I couldn’t be alone and celibate forever. That would just suck. I wanted to have sex again. Maybe I’d do it with him. As long as it didn’t get too sticky or serious, it might be good for me. This time, I would be prepared.

I had to do something about my fear. I called the clinic and made an appointment to get birth control pills. If I got on the pill, at least I’d feel safe.

I left Rose with a neighbor down the road. She was a housewife whose kids had all gone to college, so she didn’t mind watching Rose for a few hours now and then.

I drove into town and parked outside the clinic office. It only took about an hour to get my doctor’s visit and birth control prescription. I still had health insurance for that sort of thing. I probably should have done it a long time ago, but this was the first time I’d thought it mattered.

After I went to the pharmacy to get my prescription filled, I walked down Main to check in with Emily. On my way to Dream Weavers, I saw the empty shop at the end of Main had its front door open. Someone was moving around inside.

I jogged across the street to see what was happening. It was always a big event when a new business opened up in a small town like Leggetville. I peeked through the front window and saw Damien standing over a counter, poking at a touchpad with his eyebrows scrunched together.

I went inside and cleared my throat. When he saw me, a smile lit up his face. He came across the room and enveloped me in his strong arms before I could even think. Inhaling his intoxicating aroma, I let myself fall into his chest. My purse slipped off my shoulder and fell on the floor.

He pulled away to look at me. I blinked up into his burning blue eyes. His bright smile beamed down on me like rays of the sun.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Is hugging okay?”

“It’s fine,” I murmured. My body begged for more. My soul craved to be close to him. “You’ve been busy.”

“Oh, this? Yes, it’s a lot of work.”

He knelt down to pick up my purse and the prescription. The instructions were stapled to the bag. It had big bold print that made it as clear as day what was in there.

“New prescription, huh?”

“Yes.” I snatched the bags from his hands, and my face burned bright red.

“It takes two weeks,” he said, looking at me with a grin.

“What?”

“Two weeks for it to kick in.”

“Oh, yeah. I know.” I shoved the bag in my purse and changed the subject. “So, nice shop. It’s cool that you’re staying in town.”

“Yes. I found something worth staying for.”

“It’s a great town.”

“It is, but that isn’t what I meant.” His eyes were on me, burning like lasers. I could feel his hot gaze on my face and neck and flicking over my breasts. It made me feel sweaty and wet.

“I’ve got a new apartment, upstairs. Come have a look.”

“I don’t know if this is a good time. I’ve got to get back to Rose.”

“Just come have a look. It’s a nice place. And we can work on your shading.”

I sighed. “Fine.”

He led me out of the shop, stopping to lock the front door. We walked around the back of the building. The entrance to his apartment led up a narrow staircase hallway and through another door. Inside the apartment, it was modern and clean.  I looked around his place and saw fruit sitting on his kitchen counter and a gigantic big-screen TV.

“I like it,” I said.

“Let me give you the tour.” He took my hand and showed me the kitchen, which I could already see. It had nice new everything, including stainless steel appliances. I wished I had those in my house. We had the same appliances we’d had when I was a little kid in the nineties. He showed me the bathroom, which was as nice as the kitchen.

“This is the bedroom,” he said.

My heart pounded. I wanted to get naked with him and let him do all kinds of dirty things to me. I could smell the permeating scent of his spicy cologne. I felt myself grow wet and gooey.

“Maybe we should work on the tattoo?” I said, turning out the door.

I marched into his dining room and sat at the table under the sunny window. He came out of the bedroom. No matter how much I wanted to feel his arms around me and his lips against mine, I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready for sex, and I wasn’t ready for a relationship. I shouldn’t have even come here.

He rubbed his hand over his head, making the muscles on his arms flex. God, he was gorgeous. How easy it would be for me to just let him have me. It would be so easy to give in to the carnal lust pumping through my veins.

He sat down beside me and prepared his equipment. His face was placid. I stared at him while he arraigned his things. I knew I was frowning. He held his gun in his gloved hand and smiled at me.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“You’ll have to take your shirt off. Showing skin is a requirement.”

I blushed and looked around the apartment for an escape. Gulping, I pulled my t-shirt over my head, leaving me in a black lace bra. Damien cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes with the back of his tattooed forearm.

The gun buzzed to life and that same stinging sensation burned through my skin. This time I was ready for it, and it didn’t hurt as much. We sat together for an hour while he filled in the colors in my dragon and the flowers that surrounded it.

“What’s the deal with your sister, Regan?” he asked me as his tattoo gun hummed.

“Regan has issues.”

“Yeah?”

“Well, you might as well know about my baggage. Then you won’t be interested anymore,” I said, laughing sarcastically.

“I doubt it.” I explained it to him in gruesome detail. “Shit, Claire. I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.”

“Well, now you understand why I don’t think we should date.”

“Your sister’s issues aren’t you. Don’t let her problems keep you from living your life.”

“But they are my problem. That’s what you don’t understand. I have to keep her safe. I’m responsible for both my sisters and my kid.”

“You’ve got more integrity in your little toe than most people have in their whole bodies.”

“Don’t say that. It isn’t true. I’m just doing what I have to. It’s not like I like it. I hate it. Sometimes I think about running away and never coming back.”

“Doesn’t matter if you like it or not. You do it. You take care of everyone. Why can’t you let yourself have something?”

I sighed a long, deep sigh. He was right. I should let myself have something. Was it him that I wanted? I didn’t know. Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn’t. Maybe what I really wanted was a vacation to Hawaii.

He was sweet and kind and made me feel like a missing part had returned to me. I loved the way it felt to be with him when I let myself enjoy it. I knew I wanted him sexually.

Mostly, I wanted my life to be normal. I wanted things to be easy. I wanted my mom back. I wanted Regan back. I wanted Zoe to be able to go to college. I wanted to get a second chance to live my dreams. How did Damien fit into that equation?

He finished my tattoo and handed me mirrors to look at it. It was absolutely gorgeous and a luxury I never thought I could afford. He covered it with ointment and a bandage. I put my t-shirt back on and turned around in my chair and faced him while he peeled off his rubber gloves.

“You’re too nice to me.”

“I don’t see how that could be possible. You deserve nice. You deserve the best anyone has to give.”

“Jeez. You’re going to give me a swelled head. I won’t be able to go home and face my life.”

“Well. That wasn’t my intention. I just want you to feel safe with me,” he said, touching my cheek. I pulled away and stood up.

“I do. Feel safe. It’s just me. I’m neurotic or something. I’ve got to go.”

I said goodbye and turned away, then strode out the door of his apartment and down the stairs. Out in the sunlight I felt like I could breathe again. The air in his apartment was so thick with pheromones and lust I thought I might faint. It wasn’t fair. None of this was fair. I couldn’t do this now, even though I kept letting him get under my skin.

I walked back to my car and drove home thinking of the past.

Regan had taught me a lot of things when I was a kid, like how to tie my shoes, how to climb a tree. When I was about six or seven, Regan taught me to ride a bike.

It had been a bright summer afternoon. We were playing on the gravel road in front of our house. I got on the bike and peddled while Regan pushed from behind. I wobbled at first and fell too many times to count. Before long, my knees were skinned and bleeding, but Regan kept cheering me on. 

“Just one more time. You can do it, Claire. You’ve almost got it.”

I got back on the bike and peddled as hard as I could. That time, I took off fast down the road. I thought she still had her hands on the back as I flew down the street. Laughing like crazy, as the wind blew in my hair, I heard her voice far behind me telling me to “Go, go, go!”

I swung my head around to see her back in front of the house. In that instant, I swerved into the neighbor’s front yard, crashing through their front gate. I fell with a thud on the hard-packed earth. When I looked up, the neighbor’s pit bull stood over me, snarling.

It bared its sharp white teeth at me, saliva dripping from its mouth. My heart beat wildly in my chest. I couldn’t move. I wanted to cry out, but no sound came out of my mouth. The dog’s growl kept me immobile. It barked, sharp and angry. I knew it was about to strike. That pit bull had maimed a chihuahua last month. The chihuahua’s owners had to put it down because it had been so hurt.

From behind me, I heard Regan scream at the dog. “Go away!” she yelled in her most intimidating little girl voice. She picked up gravel stones from the road and hurled them at the dog. It could have lunged at her, but she stood her ground. A stone connected with the dog’s flank. It lunged at her, biting into her arm. 

“Run, Claire!” she screamed.  I got up to run, just as the dog’s owner pulled it off of Regan. Mom had to drive her to the hospital to get five stitches in her arm, and she missed a month of piano lessons.

I never forgot that day. I never forgot who Regan really was.