Page 7 of Ink

My hard gaze stays on him, not saying a word before I push off the door frame. “That’s about the only thing she has going for her. I don’t think anyone coming in here would want to put any effort into that. If she messes up, it’s on you,” I call over my shoulder as I head back to the front where I left her waiting.

“I don’t think she’s going to be a problem like you think she is!” Gage yells after me.

Yeah, we’ll fuckin’ see.

Our track record for receptionists isn’t great. As soon as they find out I'm a brother in the Dirty Devils they slowly start coming around DD’s until they eventually get invited back to the clubhouse. It’s just a downward spiral from there.

I’m all about having a good time, but some of these chicks are worse than my brothers and I.

I’m sure if this girl gets a little taste of something wild, she’s going to be just like the rest of them.

Her face is even more pale which I didn’t think was possible by the time I get back up to the front where I left her waiting. Her parted lips and hazel eyes fixated on the room I’d just left.

Fuck.

Did she hear me?

“Alright,” I rub my hands together, “sorry ‘bout that. I thought you were here for somethin’ else.”

She twirls a silver ring on her thumb as she visibly swallows.

She definitely fucking heard me.

“It’s okay,” she whispers, looking anywhere but me.

Jesus.

The hurt in her voice is like a knife to the gut and I don’t even know this girl.

“Look,” I start off. I need to apologize because I’m not that guy. I’m not an asshole, especially to women. It’s whatever this funk I’m in. I needed to snap the fuck out of it yesterday. “I know you heard what was said back there.” My head tilts toward the hallway. “I shouldn’t have said what I said. I’m sorry you had to hear that, darlin’.”

Her eyes are still locked on her feet as she gives me nothing but silence. Her pointer finger is working double time on spinning that silver ring.

“Hey,” I say, softening my voice. “Can you look at me?”

It takes a few seconds, but her eyes slowly leave the floor and trail up my body to meet mine. The knife in my gut twists deeper as I see a brief flash of pain before she slams the shutters down.

I shouldn’t be this bothered that she heard.

I’m seriously starting to fucking lose it.

“Let’s start over.” I hold out my hand. “I’m Ink, the owner of this place and your new boss.”

She slowly looks between my face and my outstretched hand before finally deciding to take it and replying in that same whisper. “Sutton.”

The feel of her soft skin against my rough, calloused skin has me forgetting about that knife that’s twisting in my gut. They feel so fucking dainty against my large ones. Like I could just swallow her up.

“Alright, Sutton. You know how to work a computer?” I ask as I walk behind the front desk. “We’re in the process of updating the system from the old school pencil-you-in calendar and this bad boy.” I tap the new desktop screen.

Sutton tilts her head as she studies the computer, a look of disbelief taking over her features. “You’re just switching over?” Her eyes widen as she realizes what just slipped out of her mouth. “Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

Oh, my gosh?

Please tell me Gage didn’t just hire a woman that thinks God is a swear word.

I force a tight smile on my face. “No worries, darlin’. I know we’re behind. It’s been getting too hard keeping track of who is and isn’t available for a walk-in. You didn’t answer my question, darlin’. Do you know how to work a computer?”

She nods her head quickly. “Yes. I have prior experience as a personal assistant.”