Page 4

I really shouldn’t have, but I slept in his jacket. It felt a little creepy to do, but I couldn’t help it. He smelled so nice, and for once I liked that something made me feel safe. Even if it was some random biker taking pity on me.

It’s probably smart that he left it with me, though. When I woke up this morning, I considered not going in for the job interview. It feels wrong to when he’s seen me dressed like a two-bit hooker. The jacket reminded me I have to go. Then I remembered the money he handed me.

I’m sitting at the kitchen counter staring at the jacket as I give myself a pep talk when the door opens.

Looking up, I find Candy. She looks like she had a wild night. Her hair is a complete mess. She has tear stains from her makeup all over her cheeks. The lipstick she put on painstakingly slow outside of the clubhouse last night is smeared all over her cheeks. She’s not wearing a bra underneath the T-shirt on her body. If I had to hazard a guess, she’s not wearing panties.

She looks like she was ridden hard then put up wet.

“They will kill you if they find out you stole from them.” Her eyes are on the jacket on the counter.

“Not stolen. Borrowed. I have a job interview at Dynasty this morning,” I tell her.

She rolls her eyes. “Only Little Goody Two-shoes would go to a Lotus MC party and come out with a job interview. Your cherry still intact?”

It’s a shitty thing to say. She knows I’m not a virgin. We got drunk my third night here and shared stories. It’s when I found out that Candy has no limits when it comes to sex, whereas I am practically a nun in comparison.

“Sorry not all of us want to give it up for every man that comes their way. Not that what you do is wrong, but it’s not the life I want.”

“Whatever. I’m not covering your rent, so you might want to go pack.” She folds her arms over her chest.

Pulling the cash I pre-counted out of my pocket, I hand over the eight fifty I owe in rent.

Her eyes widen as she looks at it. “You did it, huh? Which one did you fuck?” She looks giddy now.

“No, I borrowed it from a friend.” I lie a little.

I don’t really know if Midnight is a friend, but it sorta feels like he is.

Her excitement falls. “Of course. Whatever. You live to see another month. Would love to see what you do to earn next month’s rent.”

She stalks off to her room, the door slamming behind her, and I take a deep breath.

I won’t do what she does for money. If I want to keep a place to live, I have to figure my life out. That starts by getting a job, and I happen to have an interview for one.

Grabbing the jacket and the leftover money that he gave me, I head out the door.

The bus ride over to the tattoo shop doesn’t take nearly long enough. As I get closer, my stomach ties in knots.

What if he changed his mind? What if I can’t hack it?

When the bus finally comes to a stop, I’m a ball of nerves. I keep a tight hold on Midnight’s jacket as I get off, walking down the street toward where I know Dynasty is.

Everyone knows Dynasty. It’s a well-renowned tattoo studio. People travel from all over the world to get a tattoo here. It’s outside of Vegas, yet people will brave the traffic to come over to our little slice of the state to see the artists here. I heard that they take mostly appointments, but that the owner still allows walk-ins because he doesn’t want to become some exclusive place.

This place is legendary, and yet here I am standing outside of it.

Gathering my courage, I open the door.

The inside is not what I was expecting. I figured it would be dark and grungy. Instead it’s bright. The walls are a light beige color with art all over them. Not only in frames, but there is legit graffiti art all over the walls. As if they painted it the plain color with intentions to make it a blank canvas.

The front desk is empty, and I can hear a tattoo needle in the distance. It stops, and after a few minutes, a man comes to the front. He’s blond with grey eyes, a lip piercing he can’t stop playing with, and covered in ink.

“Can I help you, darling?” he asks, a flirty smile on his lips. His eyes fall to the jacket in my hand as I shift in place.

“Midnight told me to come here for an interview?” I hate how shaky my voice is.

The man smiles even wider. “You’re the new receptionist? Fuck, Midnight likes to tempt me. Come on back. I’ll show you to his office.”

I follow him past the front desk and into the back. There are several rooms off the main hallway, and I spot the one he was in. A large, burly man is in the chair snoring. It’s clear he was in the middle of a tattoo.

“I’m sorry I interrupted you,” I whisper to the man.

He snorts. “Nah. Big Al always sleeps through his appointment. He won’t even notice. Name’s Jerico, by the way. What’s yours?” He stops outside of a closed door that must be the office.

“Lainey,” I tell him.

“Well, it’s wonderful to meet you, Lainey. Do me a favor, though?”

“Sure,” I agree too easily.

“Don’t go looking for a better job. We need someone here permanently. I promise boss man will treat you right if you do well.”

I nod. “Yes. I won’t. Promise.”

He smiles at the way the words rush from my mouth. “Good.”

Then he knocks on the door. I hear Midnight’s voice call for us to come in.

“This is where I leave you. Have fun.” He opens the door, not saying a word as he ushers me inside.

Midnight looks up as the door closes behind me. I thought he was attractive last night, but right now he looks even sexier. He’s wearing a tight black T-shirt that showcases all the ink all over his arms. He looks like every woman’s wet dream.

“Take a seat, Lainey.”

That gruff voice. God, I cannot be crushing on him. It’s got to be some kind of savior thing. Like I feel like he saved me, so now he is even more attractive to me. I cannot give in to it, though.

I sit in the chair across from his desk before leaning forward and holding out his jacket. “Here, I brought it back,” I tell him lamely.

He sets his pen down, taking it from me. He sets it on the corner of his desk.

“Before I forget, here is some of your money back. I was too shocked last night to tell you that you gave me too much.”

He eyes me as I hold out the money. He looks like he is sizing me up.

“Keep it,” he tells me after a moment.

“I can’t. I shouldn’t have taken it at all, but I was desperate. Please, I don’t want to take advantage of you. I don’t need it.”

“It’s your sign-on bonus.”

“What? No. You said this was an interview.”

“I changed my mind. You’re hired. You will work forty hours a week. I need you to fill out some paperwork to get you added to the health insurance and all that. It won’t kick in for thirty days, but if you need anything before then, let me know. You will get a one thousand dollar sign-on bonus, already paid to you. As for wages, I will pay you, say, twenty an hour for the first three months. We will reevaluate then.”

I know I have to look like an idiot. I keep trying to speak, but my mouth only opens and closes.

What in the actual fuck?

“That’s way too much. You told me it was a loan. Twenty an hour? Seriously?”

“You’re right. Twenty-five an hour. It is a demanding job. We are open from ten in the morning until two in the morning. You won’t have to be here that entire time, but I would like you here as many days as you can be. If you get overtime, no problem.”

“No. Twenty was too much. Twenty-five is obscene. Seriously, Midnight. I don’t need charity. Please just take the money back.” I stand, tossing it on his desk.

He stands, moving around to tower over me. “You live in a shitty apartment on the shitty side of town. You don’t have a car. You were so desperate for money that you came into my clubhouse last night willing to sell yourself in order to keep a roof over your head. Stop me if what I’m saying is untrue.” His tone is dark.

He is daring me to contradict him.

I never said I was smart.

“I wasn’t selling myself. I thought I was selling shots for tips.”

His hand comes up, grabbing my neck, making me startle.

“Little Flower, you are a delicate thing. What do you think shot girls do? They might not fuck for money, but they are still selling their bodies. I saw that dress you were wearing. It was so short I could see your panties. What do you think men want to do when they see that? It’s nothing good, I promise you.”

I swallow, but it’s hard with his hand on my neck. I’m a little afraid of this man right now. He could snap me like a twig.

“You will work for me, and you will take what I’m giving you. It’s not generous. It’s selfish. You are what? Nineteen?”

“Twenty-one,” I rasp.

He nods once. “Twenty-one then. You walked into my world in trouble. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything were to happen to you when I happen to have a job available. Swallow your pride, Lainey dear. Take the help. The only words I want to hear come out of your mouth next are ‘Thank you.’”

He releases me, and I’m finally able to take a breath. He doesn’t rush me. He lets me consider his words.

He’s right. I was going to go to a club last night and get groped by men for money. At least here, I would be safe. I doubt he would let anyone touch me. The money is obscene as I said, but it means I could save up and maybe find a place of my own. Get a car even.

Maybe this is what I needed to get back on my feet.

I look up at Midnight. I hate charity, but this once I’ll take it.

“Thank you, Midnight.”

I don’t miss the way his eyes flare at my words.

This is a terrible idea, but what choice do I have?

I shouldn’t have touched her. If she didn’t want the job, I should have let her leave.

I did neither of those.

Instead, I gave her a job with a salary way more than I would ever pay anyone else. I wiped her debt away by calling it a sign-on bonus, as if I’ve ever offered that before.

I bent all the rules until she accepted the job. Something about her being young and helpless speaks to my soul.

Then there was the way I felt when she agreed to my demands. It was like getting high. All I wanted to do was praise her for listening, but I stopped myself.

She is my employee. I need to keep things professional.

Fuck, she is only twenty-one years old. Older than I thought, but she still doesn’t need me hitting on her. I’m much too old.

“You can do it easier if you do it like this.” She takes the mouse and keyboard from me, doing what I needed done, but in half the time.

“How’d you do that?” I ask.

She smiles. “Easy. Like this.”

Then she shows me again.

“You learn that in school?”

She laughs. “YouTube University. I can’t afford college. My last job required using a lot of different systems, so at night, I would use the free WiFi at the library and teach myself different skills.”

That has me more proud of her. I shouldn’t feel that way. I barely know the girl, but she took the initiative to learn on her own. She’s in a rough spot right now, but she is going to thrive one day.

Speaking of her last job…

“Where did you work?”

“Jinx Inc. It’s some start-up. It paid decently and was fine for a while, but my boss developed a crush on me, I guess. When I wouldn’t go out with him, he decided to hold my paycheck over my head.” She shrugs as if it isn’t a big deal.

“You still haven’t gotten it?” I ask, my fists clenching at my side.

“Nope. I probably won’t. It’s not worth the fight to get it, so I’ll just let it go.”

In that moment, I know she will be getting her money back. I’ll make sure of it.

The bell over the door rings, so we both look up.

“Welcome to Dynasty. How can I help you?” Lainey quickly says before I can greet the two college-aged girls.

The one looks at me, smiling as she twirls her hair. “We were hoping for a walk-in appointment. We want to get matching kitty cats right here.”

Lainey stiffens when the woman pulls down the front of her shorts, pointing to right above her pussy.

“Let us check,” I tell her. “Lainey, go to the calendar.”

She does as I ask, pulling it up. I withhold my smile when I see Elle is available.

“We do have an artist available. Let me go make sure they are cool with it,” I tell her. “Come on, Flower.”

Lainey startles when I grab her arm. I nod my head toward the back, and she follows me into the hallway.

“Flower? Is that a thing now?” she hisses at me.

“Until you prove you aren’t delicate, yes. So when walk-ins come in, we always check the calendar, but then we check with the artist. Sometimes they won’t feel like taking them or maybe don’t think they will have time. It’s always up to them.”

I tap on Elle’s door. It opens a moment later.

“What’s up, boss?” she asks.

I introduced her to Lainey earlier. She was polite, but I can tell she’s not sold on her yet. I don’t blame her. Lainey looks like she should be teaching Sunday school, not working here.

“Got two college girls. Real flirty. They want kitty cats on their kitty cat.”

Elle bursts out laughing. “Of course they do. Let’s go get them.”

We all walk to the front again. Lainey takes her place at the desk once more as I stay standing with Elle.

“Elle is happy to take you back. She will figure out what you want and give you a price. Once you agree, you can come back up here and pay before you proceed.”

The blond frowns. “Can’t you do it?”

“Yeah.” The brunette pouts her lip out, “You look like you have capable hands.”

“I’d hope so since I’m the owner, but no. Sorry, ladies, I’ve dedicated all my time to my flower here tonight.” I take my seat next to Lainey. “Enjoy your appointment. Elle is an amazing artist. You’ll love her.”

They grumble as they follow Elle back to her room.

“What was that about?” Lainey asks.

“We get that a lot. When they come back, I’ll show you how to check if their IDs are even real. They come in asking for something crazy hoping to bag me or Jerico. Hasn’t happened yet, though. We don’t shit where we eat and all that.”

She nods. “You think they will go through with it?”

I shrug. “Sometimes they do. Can you imagine having a cat above your pussy?”

Lainey giggles. “That is a bit much.”

I love the sound of her laugh. Ignoring it, I turn back to the computer. “Okay, so let me show you what we do next.”

The rest of the evening goes by quickly. To both of our surprise, the girls go through with their tattoos. Lainey takes their payment and is more professional than anyone else we’ve had in this position.

I was able to show her how to check their IDs and even showed her how to spot a fake with the drawer of fakes I keep from past patrons trying to use them. Then I show her how to confirm appointments, order supplies, and keep track of inventory.

Before I know it, it’s two in the morning. Jerico and Elle have both left, leaving us all alone.

“Shit, it’s late. You should get home,” I tell her.

She nods. “Yeah. Thanks for this. I know I was a bit stubborn earlier, but I really needed this job.”

“You’re better at it than I am, so I should be thanking you.”

I start shutting off the lights and getting ready to lock up. When we get to the door, I realize she doesn’t have a car. It didn’t dawn on me until just now that she won’t be able to get a bus home.

“You need a ride?” I ask her.

“No. You’ve done enough. I’ll take some of this cash you made me take back and get a cab.”

It doesn’t sit right with me, though. I don’t want some stranger taking her home. I’ll never be able to sleep not knowing if she made it there safely.

“Come on, get on. You’re on my way home anyway,” I tell her.

“Really? The clubhouse is in the opposite direction.” She folds her arms over her chest, pushing up her tits.

Don’t look at her tits.

“I never said I lived there. I have a house,” I tell her.

It’s not a lie. She lives in a bad area, but not far from it is a nice suburb. It’s where I decided to buy a house after Miranda left me. I wanted to have a nice house for the girls to come visit. I never gave up hope that one day I would get them full time.

“You really don’t have to,” she tells me.

“I know. I am, though.”

I hand her the leather jacket over my arm. She rolls her eyes but puts it on. Then I hand her my helmet. I really need to get her one if this is going to become a regular thing. With the way things are going, I think it will be.

I climb on the bike, waiting for her to climb on behind me. I hate how much I like the feel of her there.

Ignoring the errant thoughts, I start the bike and drive off into the night.

Lainey might be a little flower, but she’s not for me.