It’s insanity. The last few days have been a whirlwind of confusion and revelation. I couldn’t imagine a better human soul to be with, and I find myself grateful. His expression softens as I pray that he can read as much from mine.
Not long after, the buzzing of the gun stops. Benji begins aftercare and instructions, wiping the tattoo down before covering it with salve. Easton inspects it in the mirror, his flawless olive skin only enhanced by the tattoo. Appreciation for it runs clear in Easton’s features as Benji wraps his muscular torso in plastic.
“Fucking sick choice, man,” Benji prompts as I study the finished project, my fingers itching to trace and soothe the lines of the angry, red skin. Easton turns back to me.
“It’s beautiful…and wicked.”
“I agree,” Easton says, buttoning his shirt and turning to Benji. “Thanks, man.” Easton plucks his wallet out, and Benji holds up a hand, his eyes filled with a hard edge.
“Don’t fucking insult me.”
“I’m going to get you paid one way or another.”
“Someday, I’ll call in a favor,” Benji assures him.
“Bet,” Easton says as they clap each other’s backs.
Benji grins at me over Easton’s shoulder as they separate. “How about you, Texas Belle? Up for a little ink tonight?”
Smiling, I shake my head. “Not for me.”
“You sure? It’s on the house,” Benji offers as Easton glances over to me, brows raised.
“Some other time.”
Benji chuckles. “You mean the next time you have a meltdown and fly to Seattle on a whim?”
I can’t help my return smile, the beer buzz prominent as I reply. “Exactly.”
“Bet,” Benji grins as the parlor door opens. A good-looking and beautifully inked man—who looks to be in his late twenties—saunters in, his eyes zeroed on Benji before he glances between the three of us.
“You need me to come back?”
“You’re good. We’re just finishing up,” Benji replies to the new arrival while giving him a look that’s anything but friendly. It’s more a look that says he’s about to devour him.
Oh.
Oh.
“We were just leaving,” Easton assures him as a searing sexual tension fills the room, and my blood starts to heat from the loaded looks being exchanged.
“I’ll text you tomorrow,” Easton says to Benji as he turns to me, a rapid storm brewing in his dark ocean eyes.
“Nice meeting you, Tex, and don’t worry, I’ve got your back.”
“Same,” I say with a smile. “Promise.”
I stand, discarding my empty pint glass as Easton grips my hand and guides me toward the door while Benji walks us out.
“Stay safe, love you, bro,” Benji adds, clicking off the parlor lights and locking the door just after we both step out of the shop, the only light coming from a nearby streetlamp.
Sliding into Easton’s truck, unable to help myself, I peer into the parlor as two shadows collide in a heated kiss just behind the reception desk. I manage to make out just enough so that my eyes bulge before I turn to Easton, whose gaze is trained on me. I let out a nervous laugh and a “Wow,” my face rapidly heating. “I’ve never seen two men kiss. I mean, I have, but not like that.”
“Yeah?” One side of Easton’s mouth lifts. “And what do you think?”
“Honestly, it’s hot as hell.”
“Into voyeurism?”
“I just may be if it’s that hot. Others though, not my own.”
“Poor bastard,” Easton glances up briefly as he turns the engine over.
“Is Benji really that bad?”
He sighs as he puts the truck into gear. “He warns every single one of them, but they fall anyway. He was being one hundred with you when he admitted he has no plans of falling for anyone. But what he omitted is that he already fell, a long time ago.”
“Who is he in love with?”
“A girl we grew up with.”
“Girl?”
“Yeah. He has no preference other than what he’s attracted to. He’s got nearly two years on me, so I’ve laid witness to his bed being a revolving door since he was fifteen. Shit,” he glances over at me. “He would fucking kill me if he knew I told you that.”
“You’ll learn in time that his secrets are safe. I can only promise you in the here and now, they are.”
Nodding, Easton pulls out as I let my inner perve go a little wild, imagining what’s happening back in the parlor.