Temporary (Indelibly Marked #2), page 19
“That’s true.” Her eyes glistened and she gave him another long look before leaning back to allow him to do his work.
Silence overtook the room as he completed his drawing and soon the only sound was the hum of the tattoo machine.
“I have seen many tattoos done, but that was truly incredible.” Jake studied the piece. “What’s the secret?”
“Tattooing is an art…the only difference is the medium you decide to work with.” He assessed the completed piece.
“Excellent.” Jake nodded and made a note. “It seems as if you all have a specialty here. Is that what you have to do to get a job at Permanent?”
“First you have to be an excellent tattooist.” He peeked over at Emily. From the second he began drawing she’d kept her arm over her eyes. “We do like artists who stand out in their own area.”
“With Shane out with his wife, give me a brief rundown of who’s here to hold down the fort.”
“We have Tamsin Webb who is an expert in traditional style tattooing.” Ivan gathered the items for his dressing and took a breath. “Billy Booker is our resident expert in portraits.”
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Billy tilt his head in silent acknowledgement.
“Okay, I’m going to send my crew to get a few shots with the new stars.” Jake made a cutting motion across his throat. “Let’s chat a second.”
The crew went to Tamsin first.
Ivan applied ointment to the tattoo and prepared to put a piece of gauze over the art. “What’s up?”
“Doesn’t she want to see?” Jake held his hand out, stopping him.
“She’ll see later.” He covered the piece. “It’s our tradition.”
“Really.” Jake shrigged. “But she knows what it is already.”
Both he and Emily shook their heads.
“That sounds like its own story.” Jake crossed his arms. “But right now I need to talk to you about another story.”
“Emily, why don’t you make sure the camera crew gets all the right shots?” Ivan helped her sit up and put her shirt in her lap. There was no doubt as to the topic Jake wanted to discuss, and the last thing he needed was her getting sick again.
“I’d rather stay.” She put her shirt on and took hold of his arm. “We can handle it together. We’re a team.”
Her trembling betrayed her words, and not caring who or what ended up plastered all over the Internet, he stood and took his place next to Emily. “You said you would delay any story.”
“You know how I feel about all of you, especially Shane. Hell, it was Lindsay who fixed my money matters, but I’m getting heat about the other story. That’s part of the reason I came here today. The tattoo story can help blunt the other.”
Emily stared down at her lap.
“We had a deal.” Ivan straightened up. “We made your magazine. You have to give us some time. I’m working on it.”
“If we don’t run the story soon, we will lose every bit of our credibility.”
Emily stayed perfectly still.
“Do you or do you not remember who gave you full access to the shop when you had only two views on your blog? How many exclusives has Shane given you when you know we could have gone to a bigger outfit?” The urge to jump off the table and shake the man overtook him, but he forced himself to stay put.
Jake leaned forward. “Because of that, I got the exclusive on the story.”
He clenched his jaw to the point his bones threatened to snap. The exclusive only meant Jake controlled the first mention. After the story broke, the world would run it.
“Let’s face facts. It’s an open and shut situation. It happens. The sooner we get it over with the sooner people can move on from it.”
“Not for us.” Permanent was always in the spotlight. The publicity wouldn’t go away or be forgotten. “How long do we have?”
“The story is running next Friday.” Jake’s voice lowered as if that would soften the blow.
Nothing ever made it easier. Over the years people made comments on his mother’s death, told him it was better that it happened fast, or decided on their own it was better that she didn’t suffer. Others simply pitied him and said it was easier when there was a warning. The truth of the matter was, it didn’t matter. No matter how anyone was slapped with their fears, it sucked.
“The baby’s due any second,” Emily whispered.
“You need to leave.” He jumped off the table. “If you ruin anything for Shane and Lindsay and the rest of us, I will make sure you go down with us.”
Jake stood. “Ivan, if it was anyone else, you wouldn’t have gotten a warning.”
“Ivan.” Emily laid her hand on his shoulder.
He quite literally bit his tongue and took a breath. “Next Friday.”
“I’m sorry. His attorney threatened us, said we were showing favoritism to Permanent and told us we wouldn’t have given the same consideration to any other shop. He even cited some shops that are up and coming.”
“Oh yeah, like who?” Needing to end the conversation for Emily, he corralled Jake over to the rest of his crew.
“I don’t know. Twisted Tattoo.” Jake shrugged. “They’re coming back after being featured in the greatest tattoo fails several years in a row.”
Ivan froze. Since taking over Permanent, he’d heard the name Twisted Tattoo too many times. One of the stories flashed through his mind, one on a horrible portrait. The tattoo looked nothing like the picture. Who did the touch-up work? “Hey, I didn’t mean to get so upset. I am doing my best to keep everything copasetic for Shane.” He held his hand out.
“Something tells me Shane’s not the main reason.” Jake shook his hand and they both turned to Emily. “She was right. You’re great in front of the camera once you get going.”
“Thanks.” With his mind still buzzing, he returned to her and slid his phone out of his pocket.
“Ivan?”
“Do you want to see your tattoo?” He became lost in staring at the screen.
“Not like this.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “Is there anything we can do?”
“Hold on.” He held up a finger and brought up his web browser. A few clicks later the name of the artist who had done the Twisted Tattoo touch up was revealed. He wasn’t sure if he was onto something, but he was damn sure he was going to find out for both of them. “I’m done waiting for something to happen.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Are you sure it’s okay if Tamsin meets me here?” Emily sat on the edge of the bed and watched Ivan in the bathroom.
“Why? Where were you supposed to meet her?” He tightened the towel around his waist and grabbed his toothbrush. After putting a huge dollop of his special toothpaste on the brush he shoved it into his mouth.
“Well, I could have met her at the shop, or my apartment, but I invited her here.” To prove her point, she pointed down at the floor.
Before answering, he scrubbed his teeth, taking great care to go over every last bit of enamel. “But you’re here.” His voice came out muffled through the toothpaste froth.
“I am aware of where I am.” And that it’s where she had been every day and night since she passed out. In fact, she hadn’t been to her apartment in quite some time. Along with her clothes, the rest of her stuff seemed to end up here. The other day Ivan even presented her with a box from her kitchen.
“You’re here.” He rinsed his mouth, rubbed his hands over his face and got the can of shaving cream.
“So it’s cool Tamsin comes here to meet me?”
He shook the can and held it up to his ear to give it another shake. The can sputtered out a small sampling of foam and he applied it to his face. “Are you using this too?”
“Yes.” She tried to sound innocent. “Yours smells better.” Well, it smelled like Ivan and was all creamy.
“Is this safe?” He picked up his razor.
“Completely.” One lesson she’d learned from having three older brothers was to never use their razors to shave her legs. Never. She shuddered.
“Sweet.” He focused on the mirror.
“Are you going to answer my question?”
Once he finished shaving, he went to his crowning glory. “What question?” He combed his fingers through his hair causing the still damp strands to fall around his face, some even stuck to his cheeks.
Lord, his hair. She leaned back on her elbows and stared, mouth half-open. Was it possible the man became more gorgeous as time went on? She went into complete gawking mode as he applied his special gel to those luscious locks.
“What is it?” He glanced at her on his way to the closet, dropping the towel on the way.
She flopped back on the bed, but turned, not wanting to miss the scene in front of her. It went without saying the man was built with the perfect ass that made her want to take a bite. His smooth, muscular back boasted an amazing tattoo consisting of interlocking gears, springs and pieces of an old-fashioned clock.
After pulling on a pair of black boxer briefs, he turned to her. “Are you okay?”
Not sure how to answer, she widened her eyes. Technically she was okay if she didn’t count the lawsuit or the guilt that crept around her whenever she forgot the lawsuit for a moment to drool over Ivan. “Are we at the point where I can say you look hot?”
He raised his eyebrows and smiled. “I suppose, since we’re at the point where you watched me get ready and it didn’t feel weird.”
Her heart sped up, her center heated and she put her nail in her mouth as she focused on the front of his black boxer briefs.
“If you keep staring there, you are going to suffer the consequences.”
“Who said I’d be suffering?” She lifted her knee, letting her skirt fall down her thigh. “You’re the one who said we could do it any time.”
“It’s about time you listen to me.” He inched toward her.
“Is that what you want? A woman who listens?” She put her fingertip to her bottom lip. “Maybe one who obeys?”
“What if you don’t obey?” With his gaze laser focused on her, he stopped short of the edge of the bed.
“Oh, I don’t know.” She turned over on her stomach, hiking her skirt over her backside and gave Ivan a little wiggle. “Maybe there would be a punishment in order.”
“Holy shit.” He came up behind her and joined her on the bed, cupping her bottom and kissing the back of her neck. “Do something naughty so I can discipline you.”
Unprepared for him to take her up on her offer, she paused, arched her back and pushed against him but her creativity was saved by a knock at the door. “You need to stop, Mr. Harlow.”
“Oh, that’s bad, keep going.” He moved her hair aside and gently nibbled her ear.
Another knock came.
“Ivan.” She peeked behind her. “I’m serious.”
“If you make me stop, I may have to give you a spanking.” His low laugh vibrated through her and he gave her rear a little pat. “Don’t worry, I’ll make it better later.”
The knocking amplified.
“Ivan!” Summoning her strength, she pushed up and shimmied out from underneath him. “Tamsin is here.”
“What?” He turned to his back and motioned down to the bulge in those briefs. “What am I supposed to do with my situation?”
“I’m sorry.” She backed away toward the door. “Save it for later and I’ll fix it.”
“What do you want me to do? Put it in my pocket?” He flung his arm over his eyes. “Go to your play date.”
She winced, but with no choice she double-checked her outfit was in place and opened the door.
Tamsin lowered her sunglasses down bridge of her nose. “How goes it in the land of pink?”
“Pretty good.” She let Tamsin in and tilted her head. Aside from the shop and a few restaurants or group things, she never hung out with her. “How are you?”
“Let’s cut to the chase, Pinkie.” Tamsin put her hands on her hips. “At the shop I can ink with the best of them, but today I need you to take the lead.”
Emily chewed the inside of her cheek. “Can I do your makeup?” She figured she would go for the universal language of girls.
“After you show me the stuff for the kid.” Tamsin nodded. “We don’t have to go to the mall or anything, right?”
“Nope, I got it all.” Emily motioned to the couch and ran to the front closet, to pull out her shopping bags and her makeup kit.
“Look at your options.” She plopped down next to Tamsin and laid out her wares.
“What’s this?” Tamsin lifted a miniature yellow infant pajama with feet between two fingers.
“It’s a little outfit.” Her teeth hurt, the tiny PJ’s were so sweet. She reached into the bag and presented her with the matching hat. “This goes with it.”
“The baby is this small?” Tamsin dropped the garment and picked up a pair of booties.
“Well…” She was the baby, the youngest of her generation. Her brothers would know. Maybe she needed to call Dillon. “The tag said for infants.” She put some more clothes on the table and arranged them to attract her picky buyer. “I also got toys.” She put a stuffed giraffe, a lion and a hippo in a row, and some rattles.
“I don’t get it.” Tamsin inspected the offerings.
“Here are some blankets.” She hoisted a stack of bedding on the table.
“Did the entire shop ask you to do the baby shopping for them?” Tamsin sat back.
Before she answered, Ivan emerged from the bedroom dressed in jeans and tight blue striped button down. He stopped in front of her.
“Are you okay?”
“No, but you can fix it later.” He narrowed his eyes as if trying to send her a telepathic message.
She gave him a salute and attempted to keep her eyes anywhere but the front of his jeans. “Tamsin’s here.” Maybe now he would understand she invited someone there. Though they had been together every second, slept together every night, and he said he would talk to her brother, would he acknowledge they were a couple? Where exactly were they in their relationship?
“Tam.” Without skipping a beat he went to the dinette table put on his watch, slid his wallet in his back pocket and disappeared into the kitchen.
“What do you need to fix?” Tamsin waved her hand in front of her face. “What’s so interesting? Did I miss something?”
“No.” How could she explain that watching Ivan completely and utterly fascinated her? Simple things like him putting his change in his pocket captivated her, but she wasn’t even sure if she was supposed to have Tamsin here, let alone tell her what she would fix?
“Cool you got pineapple juice,” Ivan called from the kitchen.
“It’s his favorite.” She sighed. He loved the little cans that most people put in kids lunches and when she saw it the other day she needed to buy it for him.
“Pineapple juice?” Tamsin wrinkled her nose, first at the table full of baby things then in the direction of the kitchen. “You go grocery shopping?”
Again before she answered, Ivan joined them. “Are you going to go to the store today?”
Tamsin turned to her as if it was vital she know the answer.
She straightened up. “I wanted to make that chicken dish with the gravy you like for dinner.”
“Nice. Can you add shaving cream and something coconut to the list?”
Tamsin crossed her legs and put her hands behind her head.
“Sure. Do you need more blades?”
“Yeah, that would be great.” He lifted his chin in the direction of the table. “Where did all the little person stuff come from?”
“Everyone at the shop gave me money for the baby stuff.” She frowned. Apparently she was all things shopping.
“I knew it!” Tamsin high fived the air.
He laughed, picked up the giraffe and spoke to the animal. “I better bolt.” He made the giraffe nod and returned it to the table.
Tam gave him a wave.
“Later.” He turned on his heel and left.
She glared at the door. A kiss would have been nice, an acknowledgment. Anything.
“Pinkie.” Tamsin jolted her out of her self-loathing.
“Yes?” Emily picked up her makeup bag.
“Can you just pick something for me?” Tamsin closed her eyes and allowed the makeup to be applied to her clean skin. “You’re good at that. Shopping, all that stuff, it’s an art.”
“No it’s not.” Though Tamsin’s skin was already pretty perfect, she made it positively porcelain, but natural. Thankfully she didn’t have to worry about models and their quirks, or the clothes or the look. She decided to play, and tested some eye shadows on a little tissue.
“Yes it is. You don’t know how lucky you are.”
She took a moment to truly look at Tamsin, study the shape of her face and the little bit of sadness Emily never noticed; it was usually masked behind layer of toughness. A vision of what look she wanted for Tamsin entered her mind. She wanted to work with the true beauty, not try to come up with avant garde looks.
Suddenly, the door opened and Ivan reappeared. “You didn’t lock the door.”
“I didn’t stand up yet.” She blended a few different colors and swiped it across her lid. Tamsin needed something natural to play up her features.
“I don’t like the door unlocked.”
“Is that why you came back?” If memory served her, and it did, she never remembered him locking anything, except at night.
He stopped, not saying a word until she finished with the shadow.
“Mr. Harlow, did you forget something?” Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at him.
“I was just watching for a second.”
She continued, adding in some contours and highlights and finishing off with the liner and the mascara. With a bit of a smile, she moved her hand away to show Ivan.
“That’s perfect for her. It’s like she has makeup on but doesn’t. Just turns up the dial.”
“Shut up,” Tamsin mumbled.
“That’s what I wanted. So will you now tell me what you want?”
