Armed and Inked Read online

  Thanks to a friend of mine that worked in a tattoo shop while I was in high school, he taught me how to do the basics with piercing people. It was fun, but I still felt the need to do more. Then I decided to go be a hero for a while, and now that I’m back home, this place makes a nice adjustment in my attempt to live a normal semi-quiet life these days. Needless to say the urge I had to save the world has been filled, so I can finally just be me again. A more improved and smarter version of course.

  Lilly

  Jenny had to go back out to get ready for an appointment of hers that was coming in and aside of the way Shane acts when my friend, Everly, is brought up I’d say that it feels so good to be back. The smells of the shop and the people in it are my home. First it was me and Shane, and then Jenny and Maddox came in, then Sill and now Dylan. Plus another new artist that starts next week, apparently he is going to be a great addition to the shop. So we will see how that goes.

  Still, Dylan is by far the most interesting one this morning. While Jen has her long red hair and Maddox and Shane both have their own bad ass personas going on …there is Dylan. He just has this look about him, he could easily be passed off as the strong silent type no doubt, but still there is just something else. Standing at about 6 foot or so, with deep blue eyes, short dark hair that’s a little wild but styled, he is neatly put together but with a bad boy edge. Hence the tattoos up his neck and the ones that go all the way down to the back of his hands. He comes off as confident with a mix of mysterious and I have to admit…I like it. What got me first was his wicked grin when he shook my hand, followed by him actually engaging in conversation. Not exactly a sign of someone who is shy, hell even our handshake lasted a lot longer than a normal handshake should, but I’m not complaining.

  A knock on the door way leads me to looking up from the organized chaos of stacked paperwork on my desk that I have no idea what it is yet. As Dylan fills the doorway almost shoulder to shoulder I take in the look of a well-disciplined man who is standing before me smiling. It’s almost intimidating. “Hey.” Is practically all I can say, because my brain isn’t functioning at the moment. “Hey, I just wanted to let you know that sometimes it gets a little noisy across the hall so I am just apologizing in advance.” His voice is dark and deep with a raspy edge and it sends chills down my skin. “It’s…ummm…it’s okay I understand.” My attempt at a sentence was a total fail as I try and snap myself out of this apparent trance I’m in where I look like a fool. I’m never like this, and now I feel the heat fire up on my face as he can obviously see me checking him out. “Well, I just wanted to warn you that people tend to scream from time to time so don’t be worried. Plus if it gets to loud you can always close the door.” He offers. “Okay, thank you. I’ll be sure to not come running in thinking someone is dying or something.” I say to lighten myself up a bit. He chuckles and takes a step in further towards my desk and I feel my heart begin to pick up the pace. “You can always come in and watch if you want. In certain cases I like to have another person in there with me anyway.” I’m pretty sure I get what he is saying. Certain piercings are in certain areas where I could see the person feeling a little awkward. “I get it; it’s nice to have a buffer in there to make it feel less… intimate.” I finally begin to relax a bit the more we talk. “Yes, usually Sill comes back if I need him, but since you’re right across the hall I might not have to wait an hour for him to come back.” We laugh because well… Sill is just Sill; he would do anything for anyone, as long as its convenient timing. “Sure, you can use me anytime, just give me a yell.” Holy shit did I just say he could use me? Yes…Yes I did, and my comment gets me a grin from that mouth of his, which in turn gives me the funny feeling in my stomach. I’m so embarrassed.

  “Dylan, your first appointment is here.” Sill pops his head in the doorway and announces. “Ok, send them back.” Dylan answers but doesn’t take his eyes off of me, and when Sill leaves Dylan takes one more step towards me which puts him right next to my desk. “It’s nice to finally meet you Lilly.” Of course I can’t help but smile, seriously though, where did he come from and why is it that I can’t resist being affected by his presents. “Nice to meet you too Dylan.” I genuinely return the pleasantries, and with that being said and his smile still not wavering, he turns to leave.

  When I feel the crazy energy leave the room I take in a deep breath and let it go. It’s been a while since I have even paid attention to the detail of another man since my break up with Brandon 8 months ago. Even though I know Dylan and I have to work together and nothing could ever happen, it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a good looking man every once in a while. Or, maybe it just means that I’m ready to get back out there and date again. I’m sure there is someone out there who would treat me better than Brandon did and still look as sexy as Dylan. That thought makes me laugh a little bit as I begin to organize this mess that is my office.

  See, Brandon wasn’t bad looking or anything in fact he was cute, in a preppy frat boy kind of way. He came from money and he flaunted it. With his expensive cars and frivolous spending, there was really no self-control involved when it came to him one upping someone else. Not my type actually but all of that came after I met him at college orientation and he seemed nice, so I had no idea there was that side of him at first. He listened when I told him what happened to my parents and the first few months together he actually pretended to care. It was nice. That is until he met Shane and then decided that I was beneath him by having a brother who looks the way my brother does. After that he began to cheat on me and lie about it while turning into this prick that had his nose in the air. He even came up with a stupid nickname for me and I absolutely hated it. I hated him actually. So I ended things and he would always guilt me into taking him back. Every time. He’d say that he would change and be nicer to me and the people around him. Then with me being so hopeful I’d give it another chance since I wanted him to learn how to not be so judgmental. Until 8 months ago I finally decided that I am better without him, and that he was toxic, not only to me but everyone he was around. Not a day that went by in the following months after the split that I didn’t feel so much better without him. Like a whole new woman. Brandon on the other hand still to this day texts me and tries to get me to come back. But hell would have to have central air first.

  Chapter 3

  “What are friends for”

  Lilly

  My first day back has been great, plus it was interesting to see how the shop is functioning on a whole new level. Now I’ve been around the tattoo shop setting for many years and still to this day I have none to speak of…yet. Not for lack of wanting one, it’s really quite the opposite actually because the one I’m planning on will be a very large piece and I know it’s going to hurt. However, since I’m done with school I can finally schedule it. Between Jenny and Shane, they have both agreed to do certain parts of it, so tonight at Vinnie’s I plan on telling them I’m ready. It’s time to finally live. No school to take me away, no asshole boyfriend to make me feel like shit. Nothing but the life that I call normal now, and I’m so excited to live it!

  Then there are the other options at the shop now. Such as the piercing side of things. All morning I spent reorganizing my office and secretly listening in on Dylan while he was working. For the most part he did gauging and typical cartilage ear piercings which I’m guessing that’s a normal steady thing for him. Then there were times when I ran into him in the hallway and he would wink at me while showing off his wicked grin, and it made my stomach do flips, in fact I’m pretty sure I blushed every time I saw him today. As for being able to talk, well there wasn’t much time for that, but sadly I wish there was.

  The last appointment for the evening was a belly button ring on an 18 year old girl who begged her mom to come with her. The mom seemed pretty cool I must say, she held her hand while her daughter hyperventilated slightly, but in the end Dylan was great with her. Very professional with his deep voice that seemed to calm her right down whi
le I went to grab her some water, then he proceeded to tell her how to take care of it. By the time they left he had her laughing.

  Now that the shop is closed everyone is cleaning up and getting ready to go eat a late dinner. Since it was a busy evening we didn’t get any time for that, but on the plus side we all made money and I got my office back in order. Win/win. So Jenny and I decided to start our walk down to the local bar that we tend to hang out in from time to time, while the guys trail behind bullshitting and locking up. Luckily it’s only a few blocks away.

  “I love that it’s cooler out tonight.” Jenny claims as she zips up her hoodie. Even though it’s the end of summer we tend to still have the air set on ”fucking cold” as Jenny describes it because for one: it’s still hot outside during the day and for two: people tend to be calmer when it’s cooler. So we always keep our black A&I hoodies on us especially when we are working.

  “Hey! Slow down.” Maddox yells to us and Jenny rolls her eyes. “No, we’re hungry!” For a woman who’s in almost perfect shape she tends to get angry when she goes too long without food. I however find it hilarious.

  When the double doors come within reach I hold one open for her then proceed to follow her to our usual corner booth. It’s bigger and it’s by the pool tables. “Why did Sill leave early?” I ask out of pure curiosity because he tends to have the best gossip. “He has a date.” Jenny explains as she pulls out a menu. “He could have brought him here with us.” I say with a shrug. “He said something about the guy being intimidated by all of us.” She puts her menu back and flags over Tom the waiter not even bothering to wait for her husband. “That’s’ ridiculous.” The words fly out of my mouth with a bit of anger because assholes always tend to stereotype people who work in tattoo shops, and I just hope Sill doesn’t get caught in a relationship like I had. “I know that’s exactly what I told him before he left. So hopefully he drops this guy before the nights over, he can do better anyway.” She speaks with the same annoyance that I feel about it.

  “Hey Lilly! You back to stay this time?” Tom, the waiter slash bartender, asks me with a smile just as the boys come in and fill the seats around us. Tom was always really nice to me. “Yep, I’m here to stay this time, Tom.” “Good! Now what can I get you guys?” He asks but his eyes linger a little longer in my direction.

  After we all order everyone seems to physically relax. “You should just put that poor man out of his misery Lil.” Jenny says as she takes a drink of her water while Shane gets this disgusted look on his face, and Dylan looks at me to see what I’m going to say. I can’t help but laugh as I look at my brother. “What’s that face for?” “No offense or anything but that guy is weird. Who wears a button down shirt with a bowtie and khakis to work in at a bar? I bet his mommy dresses him.” Shane finishes and Maddox laughs. “I saw him pick his nose and eat it not too long ago.” Maddox adds in as we all laugh as discreetly as possible. “He’s nice. And you guys are mean.” I give an effort to stick up for the man. “Is he your type?” Dylan asks me with a raised brow as he looks across the table at me. “Well, no, but he is still nice.” I explain as Shane rolls his eyes and gets up to shoot Maddox a game of pool. So Dylan takes the opportunity to switch his seat next to me. Instantly I feel his rather large presents closer to me as if we were more than just sitting next to one another.

  With the scent of Dylan that is slightly addictive I feel the heat rise in the space between us. “So what is your type then?” He catches me a little off guard as Jenny looks from him to me and back again with wide eyes as a smile forms on her mouth. So she discretely gets up to go watch Maddox shoot, which leaves just us alone. I have to remind myself not to kill her later. When I look up to meet his eyes I try my best to think of a good response and decide to have fun with it instead. Especially since he’s off limits. ”Oh you know, like a bad ass prince charming or something.” I hold back a nervous laugh because I can’t believe I just said that to him. “I hate to break it to you but you pretty much just described me.” His charm is fun and interesting while his confidence makes me laugh.

  “Here’s your drinks, food will be another minute.” Tom pops back over with three beers and two sodas. When he sees Dylan sitting so close to me the smile he had earlier is gone and is now replaced by repulsion plus maybe a little sadness too. Hard to tell which before he storms away. “Wow, he really does like me. Now I feel bad.” I find myself saying as Dylan slides my soda to me and takes a drink of his beer. “Well it’s not like you were actually going to go out with the guy right?” He looks over to me with one brow raised in question. “No, but I just feel bad. I don’t like to hurt anyone because I know what it’s like to be hurt.” I confess as I see his jaw tense from my comment. “Well don’t feel bad because that guy is one step away from being a creepy stalker and I’d hate to have to knock him out and be barred from here.” His reply shocks me a bit but I hate to admit that I totally could see that happening come to think of it. “You’d do that for me?” Sweet sarcasm implied as I smile up at him to lighten the mood. When he grins back I know that we are back to having our fun but stimulating conversation. “Damn right darling!” He says before Maddox comes back and sits down only to grab his beer and drink half of it. “You’ll win one.” Jenny says as she slides in next to him and pats him on the shoulder. “He’s been on a winning streak Jen.” Maddox pouts. “Quit being a baby, you can try again after we eat, okay big guy.” Shane pretends to coddle him like a child as he follows suit and sits next to Jenny. “Shut the fuck up, I’m going to kick your ass.” Maddox tells him as he looks around Jenny at Shane and we all laugh.

  Somehow everyone in this booth together kind of forces me closer to Dylan. As we are leg to leg and shoulder to shoulder. Still I’m not complaining, but I can’t help but feel a little dirty as the thought of him touching me under the table plays in my head. Dammit, I need to start going out, it’s been way too long.

  When the food comes everyone is mostly quiet as we eat. When Jenny texts Sill to see how he is, she gets no response. “So, I’m ready to start my tattoo!” I say to my makeshift family as everyone is finishing up their meals. “Yay! That’s awesome; I can’t wait to mark your virgin skin!” Jenny says all evil like but as a joke and Dylan stops chewing to look at me. “You mean you don’t have any yet?” He asks in disbelief. “Nope, I am a tattoo virgin as Jenny says, but we have been planning a rather large one so it’s going to take some time, and I wanted to finish college first.” I say with a shrug. “Any piercings?” He continues to ask questions but with a spark in his eyes this time and Shane gives him a look. “Dude! I don’t want to know that shit, she’s my baby sister.” His remark makes me laugh. “Relax, and I’ll gladly answer that.” I say to Shane and then turn to look to Dylan. “Only my ears. I have three holes in each side. That’s it.” “Huh.” He huffs out. “I never would have thought it’s possible to work in a tattoo shop and never have one. Guess you learn something new every day.” He says before he drinks the last of his beer. “I’ll go get us a pitcher since Lilly seemed to piss of Tommy boy.” Shane says before he gets up and heads to the bar.

  Maddox and Jenny start to talk about shopping for food as we all push our plates to the end of the table. “So this tattoo, how big is it going to be?” Dylan asks me. “I’m going to have it start below my ribs and go down to the top of my thigh.” I explain and he seems to approve as he leans back to look at my side. “That’s going to hurt. I hope I get to watch though.” He says playfully with raised eyebrows as I laugh. “You’ll have to tell me what it’s like to get piercings done and which ones hurt the worst.” I say because who knows what I will decide to get in the future. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know sweetheart.” The back and forth playful flirting thing we’ve got going on is getting intense and it’s going to get us into trouble too. We have to stop. The hard part is actually doing it though. How the hell does any sane woman walk away from a dangerously sexy man who clearly wants to get to know her? Here’s how.
You start asking personal questions and he’ll be the one to walk away first.

  Shane comes back with two small pitchers and some change for the pool table. “Come on Mad dog, how’s about a rematch?” Maddox nearly pushes Jenny out of the booth as he obviously wants the chance to beat my brother.

  Here it goes; in order to be able to work with this man I have to make it so there is no desire or obvious attraction; sadly it’s there but too far out of reach. Since this is like the super bowl of pool games, the other three are busy which leaves only him and me once again.

  “So Dylan, tell me about you.” I scoot away a little bit since the booth is pretty much empty now and turn to look at him. “I’m an open book sweetheart, ask away.” Of course he is. “I assume you know about my parents, so tell me about yours, where did you come from?” Seemingly unfazed he looks me in the eye to begin this torturous conversation. “Well your brother only told me that they are gone, sorry by the way, he didn’t get into much detail though. Guys don’t get too in depth as females tend to. However, I haven’t seen mine since I was ten which was about twenty years ago. My Aunt and Uncle raised me about 30 minutes from here, and I think I turned out just fine.” He finishes with a shrug and a smug smile. I feel like shit for asking him, but I know I have to continue.

  Chapter 4

  “I wasn’t born yesterday “

  Dylan

  As Lilly sits on my side of the booth but facing me she starts firing off questions while playing with her straw wrapper nervously. If I didn’t have to worry about Shane and the shop I’d so throw her over my shoulder and take her to a place more private where I’d gladly tell her anything she wants to know about me. I mean sure there is physical attraction between us. Even Tom the idiot nose picker can see it, but maybe she just doesn’t know how to handle it yet.