He’s your uncle, Mila.
Well, step-uncle, if that’s even a thing.
As much as that mantra replays itself in my head, I can’t stop the dirty thoughts of him from running through my mind. A knock at my door jolts me from the images.
“Sweetheart, you ready?” His deep, gruff voice calls to me.
“Yes, I’ll be out in a minute,” I respond, hoping to have a moment to myself.
“Okay, I’ll be in the kitchen. Don’t be too long. I need to get going.”
“Yes, Grayson . . .” I drag out his name, which earns me a chuckle, and I’m sure he’s shaking his head at me.
Even though I have a physical reaction to him, it’s also my heart that seems to be aching each time I see him with someone else. I can’t love him. I mean, of course, he’s family, and I love that he’s around, but . . . Can I really fall in love with a man I can’t have?
Grabbing my phone and purse, I make my way down to the kitchen to find him drinking his coffee. “I’m ready when you are. Where’s Dad?”
Lifting his gaze, he corners me with those deep, chocolate pools. God, how I would love to drown in them. “He’s getting ready now. He’ll meet me at the office,” he responds quickly before downing the last of his drink and grabbing his keys and wallet. As we head out to the car, I can’t help dragging my gaze over the way his shirt hugs his chiseled torso.
When he’s working with Dad, he's styled with formal dress shirts and suits, along with a tie that always matches his handkerchief in the breast pocket of his jacket. However, when he’s on a night out, it’s an experience in itself to see him in jeans and T-shirts that always seem to be painted on his muscular body.
He pulls out of the driveway in silence. Something in the air has the hairs on the nape of my neck raised in anticipation. Reaching over, I turn on the radio, hoping the music will drown out the silence.
“I want to get a tattoo.” The confession spills from my lips, and I turn my inquisitive gaze to his. He doesn’t flinch, eyes trained on the road ahead.
“And what is it you’d like inked on your skin forever, sweetheart?” he questions with an indifferent tone.
I shrug. “I want something small. Nothing over the top, since Dad would kill me.” I smirk playfully at the thought of having the tattoo on me forever.
“And when you’re tired of having it, then you’ll want it removed,” he responds confidently, but still doesn’t meet my gaze. “Where did you plan on getting this tattoo?”
“It’s a surprise. I think I’ll get it today.” Lifting my chin, I inform him of my decision, waiting on a reaction which doesn’t come. All he does is nod.
When we pull up to the mall, he turns a darkened gaze on me. His mouth lifts on one side into a wolfish grin that turns my insides molten. “You do realize your father is going to have a fit when he sees his little girl with ink on her?”
“Possibly, but where I’m planning on getting it, Daddy won’t see it,” I quip playfully with a wink. Hopping out of the car, I blow him a kiss and make my way into the large building that houses an array of stores with incredible designer clothes and a couple of bookstores. There’s even a large cinema. Although, that’s not why I’m here. My appointment is in ten minutes, so I make my way directly to Rusted Ink.
Stepping into the intimidating store, I take in the deep blue and red colors that decorate the walls and chairs. There’s only one other person sitting on the sofa in the waiting area as I approach the counter. “Can I help you?” A thick, husky voice beckons for me, and when I turn around, I’m knocked breathless.
The man must be in his late twenties with dark stubble dusting his jaw. A deep set of green eyes, the color of grass, pin me to the spot, holding me hostage as if he’s got his hands all over me. Tattoos cover every inch of visible skin, and I find myself licking my lips involuntarily.
“You can. I, uhm . . . I’ve made an appointment for ten o'clock to get a tattoo.” I step forward, holding out the email confirmation. He glances at the book in front of him and nods.
“Mila,” he affirms in a smoky tone. “I’ll be doing you today. What are you getting, and where do you want it?” His question catches me off guard because of the way he says it doesn’t sound like he’s talking about a tattoo, more like an invitation to find out what he’s hiding in his boxers.
I may look innocent, but I’m far from it, so I know when a man’s tone changes from an everyday one to a low, growly rasp that’s filled with lust. That’s how I know Grayson wants me because I’ve heard it in his voice before.
“I’m getting the word sweetheart on my lower abdomen, just beneath my belly button. I want a script font that looks like handwriting.” I point to where my shorts currently hang low on my waist, and he nods.
“Great. Let’s get you in the back.” He pushes off the stool, and as soon as I enter through the black door, the sound of a needle buzzing grabs my attention. There are two cubicles separated by curtains, and the tattooed man ushers me into the empty one on the left. He points to the empty bed. “Lie down and shift those shorts down so I can see what I’m working with.” He heads back into the main area of the store while I close my eyes, inhaling deep breaths.
Hooking my thumbs in the waistband of my shorts, I shrug them down just enough for him to be able to see where I want to be inked. When he returns with his phone in hand, his green eyes take in my position, and his gaze darkens considerably when he notices the sheer black material of my panties.
He doesn’t say a word while he works, cleaning the area on either side of my hip bones and along my stomach, which is fluttering with nervous energy. “Did you have a personal preference on color, or are you happy with just black?” I notice he’s got two printouts of the script I sent them when I made my booking.
“Black is perfect. Thank you.” I offer a shy smile, and I’m afforded a wicked one in return. One that slowly disintegrates my nerves and has my heart thudding in my chest.
My father is going to kill me, but I can’t deny the thrill of doing something forbidden. I close my eyes and think of Grayson’s hungry gaze filled with desire. Soon, he’ll see me as a woman, and then I’ll make sure he shows me exactly how badly he wants to spank me.
Chapter 4
Gabriel
“Is that all you needed from me?” My brother nods. The meeting went well since we’ve just signed a deal with an affluent software company to have them on our books. We’ll be doing all their marketing and upcoming branding campaign.
“Yeah, they’ll email us the finalized contract, and we’re good to go,” he affirms with a nod. Grayson and I didn’t have the easiest childhood growing up, and since we partnered up to open Connor Media, we’ve grown closer. “I wanted to take my niece out for her birthday,” he says smoothly, meeting my gaze. I know he loves younger women, and my protective instincts kick in when he mentions Mila.
“Oh?” My response clipped, and I get the look. He narrows his dark eyes, fixing them on me. Even though he’s younger, he’s got a good head on his shoulders. At thirty-two, he’s four years my junior, but the way he conducts business, you’d never guess.