“This is why we’re here.”
He pulled up in front of a small row of shops. There was a convenience store on one side and on the other side was a Chinese take-out. Ahead of them was a white building with the words Ink Inc written on the front.
“Umm, well, I don’t think you’re hungry and I’m certain you didn’t drive this far to get something from the convenience store so I’m guessing you’re getting a tattoo?”
“Good guess, little darling.”
“Really? You’re getting a tattoo? Oh my God! Am I getting one?” She bounced around on her seat.
He raised his eyebrows. “Do you want one?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” They always looked so pretty and cool. Ooh, what would she get? What was Clint getting?
“What are you getting, Daddy?” she asked, slipping into Little space in her excitement. “Can I pick? Please let me pick! Please!”
“And what would you pick?” he asked suspiciously.
“Hmm.” She thought about that for a moment. “A horse.”
“Okay, that’s not so bad.”
“With a rainbow mane. And wings. And stardust. And it has to be white, of course.”
“So in other words a unicorn,” he said dryly.
“You’d look great with a unicorn on your back, Daddy,” she told him. “So can we lock it in?”
“No. We cannot lock it in.”
“Well, it doesn’t have to be on your back, but I thought that was where it would fit best since it needs to be quite big. I suppose it could go on your butt.”
“Did you just imply that I have a big butt?” he asked with mock-sternness.
“It’s a manly big butt, Daddy. All firm and stuff. Not saggy or anything. Which is impressive given how old you are.”
“How old I am?” he growled. “Little girl, are you asking for a spanking?”
“I don’t think anyone ever asks for a spanking, Daddy,” she informed him.
“You’d be surprised.”
“Are you sure you want to get a tattoo? What about when you get all wrinkly? Then you’ll have a wrinkly unicorn on your butt.” She sighed. “But don’t worry, I’ll still love you.”
“Oh, you will?”
“Of course, Daddy. I’m not just with you for your unwrinkly unicorn butt.”
“Glad to hear it. Wouldn’t want to think that once I have a wrinkly butt, you’d leave me.”
“I’ll always love your wrinkly butt, Daddy.”
“Good Lord,” he muttered.
“Ooh, I just had a great idea.” She clapped her hands excitedly.
“I can’t wait to hear it,” he replied dryly.
“The unicorn can be on one cheek and facing your butt crack and if it has its head down it will look like it’s about to horn you.”
“H-horn me?” he said in a strangled voice.
“Yeah, horn you. Like boning you, only with its horn up your—”
He placed his hand over her mouth. “Did you take your smarty-pants pills this morning?”
She shook her head, looking at him with wide eyes.
“Brat.” He removed his hand and she burst into laughter. “I am not getting a unicorn tattoo nor am I getting anything on my ass.”
“So what are you getting?” she asked once her giggles died off.
“You’ll just have to wait to find out. Come on, I’m going to be late for my appointment.”
He undid his belt then reached over and did hers.
“Appointment? So you chose to come to this place?”
“Hmm. Apparently, it’s got the best reputation in the state.”
“It does?” It didn’t look like a place with a good reputation. But then she shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Clint climbed out of his truck then walked around to lift her out. Taking hold of her hand, he led her into the parlor. The inside was clean and tidy, but worn. There were photos and drawings of different tattoos up on the wall and she tried to walk over to look at them, but Clint kept a firm hold on her hand.
“Stay with me, little girl,” he warned.
“Hello! Sorry, I was out back making coffee,” a cheerful voice said. A petite woman with dark-blonde hair that was pulled up in a ponytail walked in. She wore a pink sweater with the tattoo parlor’s logo on the front. Diamantes had been added around the logo in a circle.
That was cute.
“You must be Duke’s next appointment. He’ll be out in a minute. Would you like some coffee?”
“No thanks,” Clint said.
“Sure? I have pumpkin spice creamer to go in it.”
“Ooh, that sounds yummy,” Charlie said, bouncing on her feet. “I’ll have some.”
“No, she won’t,” Clint replied, giving Charlie a stern look. “You drink caffeine now and you’ll never sleep, little darling.”
She blushed slightly, wondering what the other woman thought of his name for her. But then, there was no reason she’d ever suspect anything. Although there was a glint of something in her eyes. Curiosity?
“I could make some decaf,” the woman offered.
“I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble,” Charlie said. “I’m not sure how long we’ll be here anyway.”
“You are Duke’s next appointment, right?” The woman looked down at her computer screen. “Clint?”
“Yes, and this is my wife, Charlotte.”
“Call me Charlie,” she offered.
“I’m Sunny.”
“Wow, cute name,” Charlie told her.
Sunny grinned. “Thanks. It’s nice to meet you both. You’re booked in for an hour. Plenty of time to drink coffee. And I have whipped cream for on top.”
“Sunny, is my next appointment here?” A dark-haired, frowning man walked towards them. He had a confident stride. He was obviously a man who was used to getting his own way. His eyes were hard, but they seemed to soften as he took in Sunny, who gave him a big grin.
Wow. If Charlie was wearing a hat, she’d take it off to her. This man was kind of intimidating. Mind you, some people thought that way about Clint. To Charlie, he was just a big teddy bear with a bit of a growl.
“Yep, they’re here.” She turned to Clint and Charlie. “This is Duke. He owns this place. You’re in great hands with him.”
Duke grunted. “They don’t need to be sold on me, babe. They’re here, aren’t they?”
“Never hurts. Sometimes people take one look at you and run.”
Duke eyed Clint up. “He doesn’t look like the running sort.”
Clint smiled. It wasn’t a friendly smile. Charlie stiffened. Uh-oh.
“Duke, huh? So you’re the guy who locked my little sister in a closet.”
Oh hell. Oh hell. She’d heard of Duke. Now this trip made sense. Only why was Clint doing this now? Especially with her here. Wait. He wouldn’t do anything with her here. Was he just having this guy on?
Duke reached out and drew Sunny slightly behind him. “Hey! What are you doing? I’m holding coffee!”
“You shouldn’t be drinking coffee this late. You’ll be awake half the night.” Duke snatched the coffee from her hands, putting it on the desk then looked down at the computer screen. “The booking just says Clint, but I’m guessing your last name is Jensen.”