Page 36 of Inked Heart
Chapter Ten
A Better Kind of Man
Quinn
There are moments when your brain suddenly decides to re-evaluate everything you thought you knew about a person.
For example, five minutes ago I thought Damien Grey was the quiet, slightly nerdy accountant who occasionally helped me carry groceries and had an unhealthy respect for spreadsheets.
Now?Now I know he’s also a walking piece of art with tattoos that could make a biker blush.Which is a lot for one brain to process before noon.
I sit on the black leather couch at House of Ink pretending to scroll through my phone while my thoughts run in a dozen different directions.Across the shop Damien is back at his desk like nothing unusual happened.
Laptop open.Glasses on.Typing calmly.Like I didn’t just walk in on him shirtless ten minutes ago.
I look away and then glance up again.Immediately.Because apparently I have no self-control today.He’s focused on the screen, completely unaware I’m watching him.Or he’s pretending not to notice.
Suddenly, my brain is replaying the image from the supply room like a slow-motion movie.The phoenix across his chest.The flames curling along his ribs.The way the ink moved with every stretch of muscle when he pulled his shirt over his head.I can still remember the low, surprised sound he made when he realized I was standing there.That image flashes in my mind—bare skin, heat in his eyes, and the unspoken tension that crackled between us even after he covered up.I quickly look back at my phone.Good grief.Get it together, Quinn.He’s your friend.
Yourvery tattooedfriend.But still.Friend.
“Earth to Quinn.”I look up and see Skye is standing in front of me with her hands on her hips.
“Hello,” I say.
“You’ve been staring at Damien for the last thirty seconds.”
My face immediately heats.“I have not.”
“You absolutely have.”
“I was thinking.”The words fall from my lips without thought.
“About Damien?”
“No.”Too loud.
“Yes.”
I glare at her.“You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re blushing.”
I groan and drop my phone onto the couch.“I walked into the supply room earlier.”
Skye’s eyes light up instantly.“Oh, my God.”
“That’s not the reaction I was hoping for.”
“Did you see the tattoos?”
I blink.“You knew?”
