Gravity (Artistic Pricks Ink Book 1) (11 page)

My eyes glance around Shelby, to where Luke walks up the hall, followed by Mitch. “Hi, I just wanted to stop by and bring these.” Mitch’s eyes go straight to the bag while Luke’s stay on me. My feet carry me past Shelby until I am standing in front of Luke.

“Are those,” Mitch asks sniffing the air like a dog on the hunt. “They are!”

Taking the bag from me, Luke pulls out a box. “You brought us Leah’s?” He asks, a grin playing across his face.

I nod. “I figured I’d drop it off as a thank you. I also wanted to stop by and pay you back for the car parts.”

Mitch yanks the box from Luke’s grasp. Holding it to his nose he inhales deeply. “Oh yeah,” he moans opening the box only to inhale again. “Consider us square.” Popping one into his mouth, Mitch starts up the hallway toward the front of the shop.

“You get nothing Bitch.” He mutters smugly, walking past Shelby.

“You have nothing I want, Whore.” She replies as if it’s a common thing they do.

“Shelby,” Luke says, his eyes still trained on me. His gaze only heats my skin more and more with every passing second. “We’ll be in my office. Keep the boys in line.”

“Is there ever any doubt?” She huffs playfully. “Nice to meet you, Ki.” She sings, swaying her hips as she makes her way back to the counter.

“You too, Shelby,” I reply.

Luke reaches out and grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together. “Come with me or they’ll never leave us alone.” He says, leading me into the office they must have come out of moments ago.

Kicking the door closed behind me, Luke places the bag on the large wood desk. Hitching his hip onto the corner of the desk, he pulls me closer. The smell of everything Luke floods my senses, making me dizzy. If he notices me stumble, he doesn’t say. His arms drape around my waist loosely while his fingers toy with the belt loops on my jeans.

“I didn’t know how much the parts were that you had to buy, but I’ve got some money on me. If it’s more, I’ll go to the bank and just…” I stop mid-ramble when he leans in, brushing his lips over mine softly.

“Ki?” He asks, running his lips along my jaw.

“Hm?” I ask, but it comes out more like a moan.

“You should really stop talking now.” Luke whispers, before taking my mouth again.

My arms find their way around his neck, steadying me as he consumes me breath by breath. Every inch of my skin is on fire and I couldn’t put it out, even if I wanted to. Even though I didn’t know it until now, this is what I came here for. To see if I would feel this again. To be this person I get to be when I’m not focusing on Sabrina and what needs to be done.

Now that I have my answer it only gives me more questions. More complications. My life isn’t ideal by any means, but up until the other night it was safe. Now, I am labeled as ‘Luke’s girl’. That could be a problem. It is exactly the thing that is getting him too damn close to the walls I have up. The walls that keep everyone happily in the dark from who I become when the spotlight is on me every night. With every caress of Luke’s tongue, my resolve begins to crack. Those walls I keep up all lowering now against my better judgment.

You need to stop this now, Kionna.

Pulling back, Luke’s eyes roam over my face. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing, everything is fine,” I reply, slipping from his arms. I need to get a handle on myself, and I can’t think straight with him touching me. “I’m late for work.” Yanking the fifty from my pocket, I hold it out to him. “Thank you for everything you did the other night, Luke. I really do appreciate you helping me out.”

Luke looks at the money like I have just shit in my hand. “I don’t want your money,” He bites out, clearly insulted. “Some people, Ki,” He emphasizes, taking a step toward me. “They do things to help people without expecting
anything
in return.” When I flinch, he continues. “I didn’t fix your car and hang out with you because I was hoping for some cash. I’ve got plenty of it.” The look on his face tells me that I fucked up, monumentally. “I also didn’t hang out with you all night to get in your pants.”

“What the hell do you want from me, Luke?” I ask, throwing up my hands. The bill slips from my fingers causing it to sail through the air before landing at his feet.

Shaking his head, he blows out an exasperated breath. “Nothing, Ki. I’m just trying to figure you out.”

Turning, I yank open the door. “I gotta go,” I shout, before stomping up the hall. The buzzing of Skinner’s tattoo gun and the chatter of people in the shop, nearly drowned out by the blood roaring in my ears. I got what I wanted, didn’t I?

Did you?

“Look out,” Mitch shouts from behind the counter when he sees me. “There’s trouble in paradise already,” he taunts earning him an elbow to the gut from Shelby.

“Shut the fuck up, manwhore,” Shelby growls, leaping to her feet. “You okay, Ki?” Rounding the counter, she strides toward me.

“Kionna!” Luke shouts from the hallway. “Wait.” His voice getting louder.

“I’m late for work,” I mutter, shoving through the door unable to make it to my car fast enough. Fumbling with my keys, I unlock and open the door only to have it slammed shut. In seconds I’m spun so that my back is pressed up against my car. Luke’s eyes are blazing, the gold flecks burning like torches on a cloudless night.

“You think I’m just going to let you leave like this?” He grounds out. “I’m sorry I snapped at you, but everything about you makes me crazy. I’m just trying to make sense of this, baby. You’re hot for me one minute and then cold the next. I can’t figure you out.”

Leaning down, Luke runs his nose along mine before burying his face in my hair and inhaling deeply. My knees go weak, but Luke holds me in place. My nipples harden painfully against his chest and I know that he feels it. Luke presses into me, evidence of how much he wants me pressing into my belly, making desire pool in the pit of my stomach. The pull, that electric charge is so strong I can feel it all the way to the soles of my feet. My mind torn between kissing him and running like hell. “Here’s how it’s gonna be, Dollface. You want to run away now and think this shit over, okay. Use being late for work as some bullshit excuse to create distance? That’s fine, baby, but remember this. You won’t be able to forget how good it feels when I touch you.” His arms slide around my waist as he presses his lips to the skin just below my ear. “How good it feels when I kiss you.”

“I’m not looking for a relationship, Luke,” I breathe, hoping to hell that I sound convincing.

“I didn’t ask for forever, Kionna,” he replies, pulling back he meets my eyes. “Just don’t say no, not yet.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Because saying yes is so much more fun than saying no,” He replies, smirking at me. His thumb runs along my bottom lip, tracing the edge still swollen from his kiss.

“Okay,” I reply, sighing in defeat. “Yes.”

Luke chuckles. “Saying yes is supposed to be fun,” He responds, then releases me. Reaching behind me, Luke pulls the handle opening my door for me. “Have a good night at work,” he says, holding it open for me. “We’ll talk later.”

I don’t say anything. Sliding into my car, I start it and pull away all while Luke watches from the curb. By the time I make it to Heaven on Heels, I am cutting it close. It takes me a lot longer than the other girls to get ready because of all the extras I use to hide my identity.

“Cutting it close, aren’t we?” Kelly asks when I walk through the door. Her eyes widen as she looks me over.

Rolling my eyes, I walk up the hallway to my dressing room to get ready. “Wait a minute!” I hear her shout behind me, her heels clicking furiously as she attempts to catch up with me. “How was your weekend?” She asks waggling a brow.

“It was fine,” I answer, tossing my bag onto my vanity. “I need to get ready,” I ground out before slamming the door behind me. If I can’t even begin to sort through being steamrolled by Luke Hanlon; I definitely don’t need to have Kelly in the thick of it with me.

Glaring at myself in the mirror, I pull my hair up to prepare it for the black wig. The door opens behind me, instantly my eyes lock on Kelly’s reflection. “So, who do I thank for your cheery attitude?”

My brush sails through the air landing on the floor at her feet. “Seriously, let it go. I need to get ready,” I say, but it holds no real anger. A smile quickly spreads on my face.

“If you don’t start spillin’, I’m gonna shove my stiletto down your throat.” Settling in the chair, she crosses one leg over the other. “It’s more therapeutic if you let it go. Tell me about your day, honey,” she teases.

“Thank you for the insight Dr. McGlawn. I’ll alert the media that after curtain calls you’re going to start counseling sessions.” When she doesn’t waiver, I rest both hands on the vanity and blow out a breath attempting to give her anything other than the truth. “I just had a shit weekend. My car broke down and everything that could go wrong, did.”

“Mhm,” Kelly replies, her blue eyes watching me in the mirror. “And now? The car is fine right, everything good?” She asks, tapping her manicured nails on her thigh.

“Yes, everything is fine. Thanks,” I reply, attempting to brush her off. I don’t feel right talking to her about Luke now for some reason.

Kelly’s eyebrow arches, her lips pressing into hard line. “Yeah, okay,” she replies, standing to her feet. Grabbing the door knob, she sighs. “You realize you’re a horrible liar. See you out there.”

***

Not dancing for two days has me off my game tonight. My usually precise moves falter and everything just feels wrong. I miscount the beats in my head and it causes me to stumble on more than one occasion. Mitch is in the crowd watching, but luckily not up front like he usually is since there is a bachelor party hogging his favorite table. Still, I can feel his eyes burning into me from across the room. Avoiding eye contact with everyone tonight, I finish my set and book it to my dressing room.

Standing in front of the mirror, I stare at ‘Sabrina’. I try to see through the coats of make-up and dark hair that I hide behind as the water runs in the faucet. I scrutinize every detail as I attempt to see the girl I really am beyond her.

“Here you go, Ki,” Doug says from the doorway, setting the envelope on my bag. “Not like you to falter on stage.”

“I’m fine,” I reply, as I begin to work cleanser into a lather on my face. “Just a rough night is all.”

“At least that guy wasn’t as aggressive while asking for you tonight,” Doug says, turning to leave. Cupping the water, I rinse the soap from my face washing Sabrina down the drain once again. “Guess he finally got the clue.”

“I don’t even want to know if he does ask again. Can you just deal with him and leave me out of it?” I ask.

“Sure thing, Ki.” He responds. “Don’t give it another thought.”

Closing the door behind him, Doug leaves me with my thoughts once again. Cleaning up and changing quickly, I pack up to head home. I don’t even bother counting the money, the lightness of the envelope makes it obvious that I didn’t do anywhere as well as I usually do. That will sting come the end of the month.

Stepping out into the hallway, I look for Doug to walk me out. Peaking around the corner, I see him by the bar talking to Mitch and another man I don’t recognize.

“Bad night, huh?” Turning around, I see Lynsey giving herself a final once over in the mirror, ready to dance. When the single mom started here six months ago, Kelly immediately asked me train her. She had no dance skills, and with an eight year old little boy at home to raise, she was sinking fast. Needless to say, the single mother pulled at my heart strings. I didn’t hesitate, teaching her everything I could so she can finish college and provide a better life for her little boy.

“Yeah, it happens. Hey, how’s school and Riley?” I reply, changing the subject to something that isn’t about me.

“It’s all good. Only one more year and I’m set.” She replies, fluffing her brown hair.

“I’m heading out for the night. Knock ‘em dead girl,” I say, starting past her. Not wanting to wait for Doug, I head toward the back door to my car.

My heels click across the lot as I make my way to my car that I safely tuck beneath a street light every night. The hollow sound echoing in the emptiness that surrounds me has me wanting to wrap my arms around myself for comfort. I hate the silence almost as much as I hate the dark. Unclasping my key ring from the strap on my bag, I unlock the door. Hurrying inside, I start the car and crank the radio loud, to drown out the silence that has my mind racing.

Giving my car a minute to warm up, I retrieve my phone from my bag and find a message from Luke waiting for me on the screen. Opening it, I read as the smile spreads across my face.

Still running, Dollface?

Can’t run in heels, Prick.
I reply, happy with my cheeky comment.

What else do you have on?
He asks, making me laugh out loud.

Wouldn’t you like to know?
I answer him, still grinning like an idiot.

After a couple minutes, I get another text.
I asked.
My body heats. The fact that he has been thinking about me, just as I have of him, has me wanting things. Things that only complicate my life and confuse me. It’s also something that I think I want to explore like he had said earlier.

Deciding to let the drive home give me time to think about my reply, I toss my phone into the passenger seat. Grabbing the steering wheel with one hand, I go to put the car in reverse but something catches my eye. An envelope is shoved between my windshield and the wiper. “Damn it.” I groan.

Rolling down the window, I reach out and yank it free from the blade. Noticing that it’s my real name scrawled across the front and not Sabrina, I open the unsealed flap and remove its contents carefully. My eyes going wide in shock at the photo of Luke kissing me outside my house the other night. The tender moment that I had thought about almost constantly, now thrown in my face like I were a common whore.

Rolling the window up quickly, I lock the doors. My nerves on high alert, I scan the parking lot as I fumble with my phone. Hitting the speed dial, my shaky fingers hold the phone to my ear as I wait for him to pick up.