Page 56 of The Ninth
“Hey guys,” I smiled softly.
They all took turns hugging me. I half expected Duke to hug me, but he didn’t. He didn’t move at all. We briefly discussed my tattoo style which was very open. Most of them only did certain types. Over half of them also did piercings as well.
“Devyn will be joining the fam if all goes well with training. She’s very talented at drawing so we’re going to see what else she can do. If she’s officially brought on, I’ll let y’all know. That coo?”
“Yup!” they all agreed with a smile.
“You ain’t say she looked like this...” Kilo smiled.
Duke just shook his head, “Let the woman get in the door.”
“You smoke?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Thank GOD because the last girl didn’t!” Latrice laughed.
“Maybe we can step outside real quick and—” the door opened, cutting Kilo off.
A man walked up to Duke, slapping hands with him. He gave him a waiver before walking up to us.
“Devyn’s finna shadow that. Don’t keep your customer waiting back there.”
“Coo, coo...” Kilo nodded. “Well, I’m throwing a party soon and you’re invited, Devyn.”
I chuckled at his persistence, “Thank you.”
“Aight, let’s get to it,” Duke clapped his hands.
Just as I was starting to feel like an employee and not Baby, his big hand slid across my lower back, dipping to my shorts a bit. Everyone was ahead of us while his body blocked the view of the customer. It felt like he was rushing me to walk faster inside of his office. The moment the door closed, he snatched me into his chest.
My arms tightened around his neck, burying my face into its nook. His hand stroked under my jacket and to the bottom of my back. I smirked hearing him take a deep whiff of my perfume.
“You smell good, Devyn.”
“You think so?”
“On my mama. You’re not some dirty ass secret to me either, folks. As much as my business means to me, I just want to remain professional. But most importantly, I care about what other people think of you. It would kill me if they thought you fucked your way into here. Because you’re way more talented than that.”
“Thank you. Although, I wouldn’t have given a fuck. As long as I got touched by you...”
He laughed, letting his head roll to the side. “You ain’t been touched by me for real for real. And you won’t be touched by no other mothafucka in here for that matter. I kept it coo, but don’t piss me off, G.”
“OUUUUUU!” I cackled.
“Be quiet. I got you some snacks, an iPad to write down your questions, and a blanket. You just gotta chill and watch,”
“An iPad?! What happened to pen and paper!”
He shoved the dark blue iPad into my hands with the Apple Pencil. Next, he put a bag on my wrist. My questions and astonishment were left in the office, because he didn’t say another damn word to me. He told me on our date he’s tired of me questioning his purchases, so I guess he meant it.
I introduced myself to the client before settling into a cozy chair in the corner. I had a perfect view and was beyond comfortable. In reality, I should’ve been paying attention to the way he spoke to the customer, agreeing on a size and color. But all I could do was smile.
Of all the color iPads, he got me blue with a clear case and screen protector. He didn’t ask me my favorite color, but every time I had the chance to pick something out on our date, it was blue. That just showed me he was paying attention and cared. Several snacks in the bag were things I told him I usually ate back home.
We haven’t kissed or had sex. Just through his physical affection and his attention to details, he was beyond intimate. I don’t know what either of us are waiting for. Maybe it’s the simple fact that we know it’s coming.
Duke’s first client got a portrait of his deceased mother. He moved through the tattoo as if it was his hundredth time doing this exact one. There was low music playing, but not overly loud. He spoke with the client about his mother. Gave him tissues when he teared up. Asked about funny moments with her or what she loved to eat. The session felt so healing.
