Gravity (Artistic Pricks Ink Book 1) (21 page)

“Yeah, but it’s gonna be hell listenin’ to that for three hours,” she teases as I check her skin and prepare to get to work. “I’ve been lovin’ country music lately. How about you let me change the station?”

“Woman, there’s a time and a place for that stuff,” I scold as she hops up onto the table. “When I’m prickin’, I’m pickin’.” Reaching over, I crank the volume causing her smile to turn into a full on pout. “There, now you can appreciate it properly.”

Turning on my gun, I settle in and get to work. The sooner I’m done with Leanne, the sooner I can get back to Ki. There’s a lot we need to talk about, a lot we need to be on the same page about, and no real opportunities to work up to the discussions. Ever since I met her, it feels like I’ve been shaken to the core. Constantly pulled and pushed in the directions I never expected to be going. And though I am never in control of it, I am not one bit surprised when I end up looking into her eyes.

Everything about the woman upstairs sleeping makes me want to shelter her, protect her. To hold on and ride out the storm that is brewing around us. I know I take care of everyone around me to a point, but with Ki it’s different. It’s a powerful drive, this deep-seated need to do everything in my power to make her smile and to know that the way her eyes brighten when she laughs was because of me. Because of something I did for her.

What I feel for Ki is beyond a crush, it’s something almost undefinable. This woman, who is so strong and determined to be independent that only the ones she really lets in can see past the layers to the quirks and imperfections that lie beneath, has me drawn to her in a way I have never felt. She doesn’t give much away willingly, but when she does, it’s fucking beautiful. Every ounce, the good and the bad, it’s captivating.

Today, whether she meant to give that to me or not, I saw it. I saw her. All the loss she felt, the grief in her eyes at seeing her home destroyed. All while knowing those tears were from the girl who lost the only physical pieces she had left of her mother. Though she tries to keep from showing it, she can’t hide it from me. Those eyes give her away every time. I just hope I can dig further into the layers. With Kionna, every piece of her I get only makes me want more.

The crashing of something onto the floor makes my eyes fly open. Bolting upright in the bed, I take in the unfamiliar surroundings. “Hey, give me the remote back!”

“Leah, as much as I love you, there’s no amount of baked goodness you can give me to save you. I’ll beat your ass bloody if you rewind that scene one more fucking time. It sets unrealistic expectations for you to repeat that sex scene eleven times, back to back. How could poor Chuck ever keep up?” Shelby shouts, reminding me where I am.

“For one, men are nothing like that in real life,” Leah argues back. “And two! You’re going to piss Luke off if you wake up Ki.”

Climbing from the bed I stretch my arms, hoping to work out some of the kinks from sleeping and stress. Walking across the room, I step out into the hallway, hoping to find Luke, or, even better, the bathroom. After the last twenty-four hours, I have to look scary as hell.

“Congratulations Shelby, you and your foghorn mouth woke her up,” Leah says from the other end of the hall, making me jump. “Hi, sorry about the noise.”

“Psh, she’ll get used to the loud around here,” Shelby replies. “We’re her new best friends. Three peas in a pod.”

“I…”

Leah raises a finger to stop me, her brows knitting together in confusion as she turns her head away from me and stares into the living room. “There’s only two peas per pod, Shelby. Not three,” she corrects. Looking back at me, she rolls her eyes.

“There’s three of us girls now, Leah.” Shelby argues right back.

Leah’s hands go to her hips, turning her entire body this time to glare at where I assume Shelby is sitting. “I know that! You’re the one talking about the damn peas.”

“Um, Leah,” I interrupt. “The bathroom?”

“That one.” She points to the partially opened door beside me without taking her eyes from the living room. “Seriously asshole, why are you so hung up on peas?” Leah continues, as I walk into the bathroom and close the door behind me.

Once I’ve taken care of things, I wash my hands and splash some water on my face. Dragging my fingers through my hair, I attempt to tame the unruly strands into something less horrifying. Looking in the mirror, I cringe at my splotchy face and eyes that are red-rimmed and blood shot from crying. I don’t know how long I slept, but from the dusky sky out the window it looks like I was out for a while.

Opening the door, I head up the hallway to the living room. Shelby and Leah are sitting on the same couch I fell asleep on after talking to Kelly. On the television a girl screams all her hopes and dreams at a man, only to have him walk away.

Sorry sister, that’s what they do. People always leave in one way or another.

“Hey,” Shelby says meeting my eyes. “Grab some grub and get cozy.” Reaching out, she pats the chair arm beside her. “Luke had an appointment downstairs and we’ve been impatiently awaiting girl time.”

Leah nods as I grab a water and bag of chips. “For real, give us details.”

“Details?” I ask, settling in the chair. “I’m sure you got the idea about how bad everything was. The police don’t know much yet, it’s still early in the investigation and…”

“No, no,” Leah interrupts. Leaning up, she settles her elbows on her knees and cups her face with her hands. “Luke! We want to know about you and Luke.”

“Wait, what?” I ask, my gaze drifting between them.

“Oh come on,” Leah whines, sitting up she crosses her arms over her chest. “Don’t hold out on us, Kionna.”

“It’s just Ki,” I correct her.

“Okay, Ki,” Shelby says. “We have nothing better to do since all Leah brought was her entire sappy love DVD collection, so we’ll just talk about the guys.” Taking a long drink from her beer, she smiles.

“I’m married to Charlie. He’s the big guy that was up here earlier,” Leah chimes in.

“Chuck or Chuckle, if I’m feelin’ frisky to rile him up,” Shelby corrects her, “is a big ol’ softie. Closest thing to a living, breathing teddy bear you’ll ever meet, until you piss him off. Skinner, which is his last name by the way, hasn’t been here as long. He’s a good guy, but there’s something more there,” she adds, tapping her index finger against her temple. “I can just tell.”

“As for Mitch and Luke…” Leah starts.

“Mitch is a whore with a tiny peen,” Shelby interrupts. “That pretty much sums him up.”

“Oh my God, Shelby!” Leah squeals, laughing so hard she snorts. “You don’t know that.”

“Don’t care,” she shrugs, looking at me. “The man may have been handed more shit in life than is fair, sure. My problem is when you have more dick in your personality than between your legs, you’re not worth the cost of a bikini wax.”

“Okaaaay…” I say, not sure where this is headed, other than the store for bleach for my brain. Images of Mitch’s junk looking like a turtle peeking out of its shell is a visual I didn’t need. “Have you and Mitch…”

Leah shakes her head frantically while Shelby’s eyes go full on rage. “Never. I’d rather give oral to a porcupine.” Shelby grounds out, taking a breath. “Listen, I’m going to level with you here. I’ve worked here a while now. Which means I’ve gotten to know these men very well. So much so, that for me to say that for our fierce leader behaved so… uncalculated, is a major understatement.”

“What Shelby is trying, very badly I might add, to say is we care about the guys,” Leah clarifies, while Shelby nods in agreement. “Even Mitch,” Leah adds, though Shelby rolls her eyes she doesn’t argue.

“Understandable,” I reply, then take a drink of my water.

“You look to be the real deal and that makes us happy,” Shelby blurts. “We’re a close knit bunch, so this,” she gestures vaguely with her free hand, “It’s not just us casing you out for Luke, who doesn’t know by the way. It’s also us here for you, girl, because you’re his girl.” Leaning back against the couch, she grins. “Of course, with the hopes of getting the down and dirty details on the
Hanlon hottie
.”

I spit my water, choking and sputtering while Shelby laughs. “The what?” I ask.

“The
Hanlon hottie,”
She repeats with a completely straight face, making Leah snort. “I have nicknames for them all. Some they get to hear, some not so much.”

“You can’t tell me you didn’t nearly fall over the first time you saw him,” Leah says with a giggle. “I love Charlie, but damn girl, I’m far from dead.”

“Since we’re self-titling ourselves as your new best friends and all,” Shelby informs me. “I think you should just get used to our nosy asses now.”

“That and me telling you to eat something,” Leah continues, tossing me a sandwich wrapped in brown paper. “You’ll get used to that too; I can’t sit and watch you eat just chips.”

Unwrapping the sandwich, I take a bite and groan. My appetite is nothing like it should be for not eating all day, but this is so good. Leah and Shelby have me talking and even laughing by the time I finish my food. I relax and even give them some details about Luke. Nothing near what they want, but they are satisfied with the stories I do give them.

“You can stop laughing now, Shelby,” I grumble after telling them about the attack of the eight legged menace. “It’s really not that funny.”

“It is!” She roars, slapping her thigh. Tears streaming down her face. “Luke runs in prepared to kill a serial killer and it’s a fucking spider.” Of course Leah’s giggles are nothing but snorts by now. She’s sobbing into her hands as she tries to breathe.

“It’s all fun and games until someone gets caught in the web of death. Seriously, those bastards are ninjas waiting to kill off the human race.” I defend, only making them laugh harder.

“Did you at least thank him with your boobs?” She asks once she can contain her laughter.

Leah slaps her in the arm, “You’re such a guy sometimes.”

“No,” Shelby corrects. “I think like a guy, which makes me a damn near perfect, woman. I work in a shop with four of them at all hours, of course it’s easier to think that way. But, if a guy were to save me from something that scared the shit out of me, like full on die from a heart attack terror,” Shelby shrugs and looks down at her sizably larger chest encased in a v-neck tank top. “Yeah, that’s totally worth some tits. You’ll wanna save the anal sex for something big though.”

“Oh my God!” I giggle, covering my mouth with both hands. “I’m not saying ‘thank you’ with my ass. Or my boobs. Thank you very much.”

“No seriously,” she defends. “Anal sex is like the Omega of tools in a woman’s arsenal. You go through all you have in your bag of tricks before pulling that little gem. It’s not a thank you. Guys are a visual species. Sometimes, they need a reward system.”

“A T and A system,” Leah giggles.

“Yes! What man would turn down tits and ass?” Shelby shouts, jumping to her feet as the door opens.

“Looks like someone forgot their filter at home again,” Luke says, closing the door behind him. Meeting my eyes, he grins at me. “I need a shower. Leah, Charlie is ready to go he says. Shelby, Skinner and Mitch are covering the night shift tonight. If it gets busy they’ll buzz me. Thank you for hanging out.”

“Anytime, boss man,” Shelby says as we start cleaning up the mess in the living room. The coffee table is covered in wrappers, empty beer and water bottles, and packages from Leah’s. “Once we get cleaned up, we’ll get outta your hair.”

Walking over, Luke kisses the top of my head. Tipping my chin up gently; he searches my eyes, no doubt to read me as he does so well. Everything I want to say, but can’t, he seems to know before I can form the words. I get lost in his eyes, as one of the girls grabs the empty bottle from my hand.

Everything in my life has been in shambles for the past days. My house is now unlivable, while I wait in limbo on what will happen next. Right now, none of that seems important. Luke’s thumb traces my bottom lip, making my body tremble. Taking a step closer to him, I anticipate his kiss.