You should always face the entrance, Savage.I need to work on her situational awareness.
Her eyes flit over the area, and then she looks down at her phone.
Violet is fucking beautiful. Her auburn hair is up in a high ponytail, and she’s wearing a simple black tank top and ripped jeans. Purple Chucks today.
I tap my phone and it starts to ring on the other side.
Violet answers.
“This is Violet.”
Fuck, her voice alone is making me hard.
“I’d like to make an appointment for a tattoo,” I say, making my voice just a little deeper than normal.
“Sure, do you have artwork picked out?”
“Yes. It shouldn’t take longer than a couple of hours. Do you happen to have time today?”
Her brows pinch together like she’s irritated, and I want to kiss her there.
“Hold on while I check my calendar.” She pulls the phone away from her ear and taps the screen, then says, “I have two hours at noon.”
“I’ll be there.”
“What’s your name?”
Thinking fast, I say, “Max. I’ll see you at noon.”
I end the call, and she taps on her screen again, likely adding me to her schedule.
I can’t wait for noon to get here.
Six
VIOLET
I’ve just finished sanitizing my workspace before walking into the employee break room to grab a protein bar and take a breath.
I’m exhausted.
Despite the best sex ever, along with an already long day, I didn’t sleep much. I tossed and turned and thought of nothing but Mateo. Finally, I started doing some searches on him this morning. Of course, the fight club wasn’t mentioned at all, but I did find out that he owns fitness centers and a café. Those were the first few search results, so I went to breakfast to see if he’d show up at the restaurant, but no luck.
However,someonepaid for my meal, and it felt like there were eyes watching me the whole time I was there.
Paranoid.
I’ve been paranoid since Rose was taken, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. I’m sure someone was just being nice.
I’m alone back in the work area until about three, when a few co-artists will show up. There’s always a receptionist out in the lobby, but most of my coworkers are here late into the night, thriving on walk-ins who stop in off the Strip.
I prefer a schedule. So, I take the earlier-in-the-day appointments, and I don’t mind being back here alone part of my shift.
The door from the lobby opens, and Lucy, one of the daytime receptionists, gestures for someone to walk in.
“Here you go. Let me know if you need anything.” She smiles sweetly, and then the customer walks in, and it’s a good thing that Lucy just shut the door because I donotwant her to see the way my mouth is currently hanging open.
“Hey there, Savage,” Mateo says with a wink.
