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"I think I need to refresh estures toward his walled-off section I walk in and sit in a chair that looks like it belongs in a dentist office His area is very neat, al lined up evenly and all labels facing outward It looks as if there are about five other guys in this shop and all of their areas clearly show their personalities Pictures and drawings cover their walls, along with various metal band music posters But Max’s area is a blank canvas There are no personal belongings in sight, only the tools he needs to do his job

"Do you have soh the look books?" he asks

I pull out a piece of paper and hand it to him "These are the words I want I’ll leave it up to you how they’re written"

He reads over the quote and asks, "Damn, Jim Morrison? I like you even more now" He flashes me a smile, which showcases two dimples that are way too adorable to be on such a ot froood taste in"Where were you thinking of getting it?" I point to the right side of reeirl up"

It takes him some time to draw up the stencil perfectly and on paper it looks beautiful I have to take my bra off, but he letsand I can just push it up After thoroughly sanitizing the area, he transfers the script onto my skin

"Stand up and check it out in the mirror"

With ht arm to viehat he’s done so far I’m mesmerized by the way the curls on each letter flow into the next one, al a beautiful love letter I could stare at it for hours I can’t wait to have it permanently etched into ently drapes ht arm over hmix Before I can hit play, he taps me on the hand and I look at him to let him know that I can still hear him

"The first few lines are pretty close toyour chest," he says, alht and lean on you a bit at soh!" He raises his hands in genuine innocence and in this moment, I feel completely comfortable with his abilities and professionalism

"Don’t worry aboutto ht then, let’s do this," he says, while pulling on black latex gloves "It’s gonna hurt at first, but usually it fades to a dull ache after a fewhout ht , you can prepare yourself and refocus your thoughts elsewhere I’m an expert at this, thanks toneedle hits ood type of pain, the kind I can control, and it slowly beco I knohat true pain is and this isn’t it The hu noise of the machine can be heard over e chair froh one whole alburab soht back At this point, I hope I can lie in this chair all day Tattoo to your heart’s content, Max

JACE -

My workout was exactly what I needed I was surprised to see that Lane attends the saym as I do It was cool to spar with hiood hits in on me I’ll definitely need to learn a few pointers fro out, I notice Max’s brand-new pair of gloves lying outside of the ring His can easily be identified by the tattoo-like drawings on the leather The right one, in particular, has a pretty ferocious-looking tiger that extends all the way to where his knuckles would be

Since his shop is right across the street, I decide to run them over to him I try to sneak past Jinx as I enter the shop, but she spots hts up as she calls out my name

"Hey Jinx, Max here?"

"He’s with a client I can help you though," she says in a low voice A few uys in the shop and I nod my head to all of them Max walks out of his workspace, so I excuse aze

"Heytoward the storage room, so I follow behind

"Shit, thanks That’s er"

"Yeah, forget the expensive-ass gloves, it’s the tiger we’re worried about," Isome ink from the shelves "Dude, you have to check out this chick I’ht now" He sucks his lip in between his teeth and whistles "I think I just foundalready? That’s fast, even for you" He jabs ?"

"The exact opposite! Virgin skin I’h, she’s co it It’s like it turns her on She hasn’t flinched at all, and when the needle touches her skin, she gets this almost serene-like look on her face"

"Dairl," I reply

"Walk over there and check her out She’s fking gorgeous"

"I think I’o down? Ah, forget it, you still need to see s for days, and I kno you enjoy a good pair of legs" He pulls me across the shop floor and just to appease hi flat on her back with her eyes closed and h her earphones

"What the fuck?" I say, a bit too loud

"Nu-uh, back your predatory ass up I don’t like that look on your face I already called dibs You have your own girl, re into his area Audrey doesn’t budge from her relaxed state, and she still hasn’t opened her eyes to see her audience

"Back off, Max That’s irl!" I point at her His eyes widen and he looks back and forth between Audrey and ot a pen-"

"A penny," I interrupt

"Noooo," he whines "This is ht! And you better believe I don’t plan on leaving her alone with you a second longer" I gaze at the work he’s done so far "Especially since you’re practically working right on rumbles and walks to the sink to wash his hands After he slides new gloves on and sits back down beside her, I pull up a chair on her opposite side Her milky white skin is now stamped with fresh ink and I’m not sure how I feel about it On the one hand, it looks pretty damn hot But on the other hand, I loved her smooth, untouched skin Mostly, I think it bothers rab her hand and kiss her knuckles lightly Her whole body locks up and she iht

"Max!" she exclai her hand while she looks at Max, who has his hands in the air in surrender "Wasn’t me! I sure as hell wish it was, but it wasn’t me, babe"