Page 20 of Time To Learn

No sooner have the words entered my mind than she stands up, the file opened to a page, and as she walks closer towards me, I lean on the counter. I try to smile casually at her, but it’s hard when my whole body is screaming at me to fuck her senseless.

“Did you find one you like?” I ask her, keeping my voicelow.

She purses her lips andnods.

“I think so, yes.” She places the file in front of me and I look down at the simple, understated font—American Typewriter.

Frowning, I raise my eyes toher.

“Are yousure?”

“Positive,” she confirms, her gaze not wavering from mine. I can’t help but admire that kind of determination.

“Most women pick a font that looks handwritten or cursive,” I start slowly. I want to make sure she’s certain of this, especially since this will be her first tattoo.

“Well, I’m not most women,” she states as she crosses her arms and juts her hip out. I smirk when she straightens up, because a woman her size puffing out her chest like that, telling me in no uncertain terms that she’s not swayed from her decision, is a little bit funny.

It’s also cute ashell.

Intrigued, I nod and try to ignore my now throbbingcock.

“I guess you’re not. Okay, let’s get you all set up. When would it suit you to come in and get your virgin skin inked?”

Hesitating, she takes out her phone. “I’m free at two p.m. next Thursday?”

I open my mouth to answer, but don’t get the chance to get a word in when her phone immediately starts to ring in her hand. She jumps a little and then smiles apologetically at me before she answers.

“Hello?”

Patiently, I wait, but when a small crease forms between her eyebrows, my shoulders tense up. Then I wonder why the fuck do I even care? It’s messedup.

“Hello?” she repeats, her voice a bit firmer and she looks down at her feet. Then she shakes her head a little and ends thecall.

“Sorry,” she shrugs at me, “it must’ve been a wrong number.” She places her phone back in her handbag. “So, Thursday nextweek?”

I nod when I check our calendar, slightly annoyed that it’ll be another week before I see her again.

“No problem.”

“Thanks.”

I jot her name down, and then smile ather.

“I need your phone number as well, please.” When she narrows her eyes at me, I shrug. “In case something comes up and we have to reschedule.”

“Oh.” The suspicion disappears from her gaze immediately and she quickly rattles off the number for me. As I write it down, I wonder if I can say or do anything else that’ll prolong her stay, but I’m blank. A-fucking-gain.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you in a week, then.” Itching to feel her skin on mine again, I reach out my hand. When she hesitates, I school my lips into a polite smile.

“Goodbye,” she murmurs as she takes my hand. Her grip is stronger this time, more confident.

I jerk my chin ather.

“Untilthen.”

I watch her retreating back as she leaves the shop. Then I lean my arms in front of me on the desk, wondering for the millionth time why she intrigues me somuch.

Alex walks back inside and stops abruptly in the middle of the room, bags dangling from his hands.