I pull back and grab my phone.
Agent Harper
It doesn’t look like you’re following protocol, Riggs.
And just like that, I remember why moments like this can’t happen. Finding myself alone with her will only end in breaking the rules. I made a deal. Make sure she’s safe and she can stay. Or else she’s gone again.
15
Giselle
“You can’t even seeit anymore. Shit, G, I don’t know how you did it, but wow. This is good.”
“Thanks, Mac, I really like how it came out. If you want me to add some color, we can do that, but why don’t you see if you like the black and shading first. Live with it for a couple of days and then let me know.”
Mac has become a good friend of mine. As a retired MMA fighter, you’d think he’d be rough around the edges, or just a full-time asshole, especially with the level of swagger that he emanates. It’s intimidating, but he’s a sweetheart. The man does a great job of putting people in their place if they need it, but really, he’s a lover or teacher, less of the fighter. He may have held a title for a decade, but this man was born to build people up, and show them how to move around a mat.
“She’s officially erased from my life,” Mac says on a sigh. The hopeless romantic got his ex-wife’s name across his chest in massive roman lettering when things were good. Then they weren’t. It’s been more than a few years now since she left, and he was finally ready to erase the reminder.
“I know I did it, but damn, I’m good,” I say as I start wrapping it.
“A little bit of good and a bit of evil. Couldn’t have imagined it, but the way it’s designed. It’s badass, G.”
“Spread the word. Keep your shirt off.” I smile back at him. “You know, for advertising purposes.”
“What do I owe this time?” he asks as he stands and moves toward the door. The shop opened a week ago now, and I’ve been booked solid. Mac is my last one for the night.
“Nothing. I’ll take some private lessons, so I don’t keep getting paired with the new high school kids in classes. And seriously, take your shirt off when you’re around some of the guys training. I want their business.” I wink.
“I’m not going to argue. I know it won’t get me anywhere.” He pulls his flannel on and laces up his boots. It was a good three hours in the chair, which meant he needed to be comfortable. “Do me a favor and work on getting some more girls over to the gym, okay? I want to do that self-defense class more regularly.”
I salute him in response. “On it. Bring women.”
He laughs at me. He’s one of the easy ones. Always willing to smile.
“You done for the night?” Mac asks. I look at the clock and it’s still early. Since it’s summer, the sun is going strong at 6 p.m. I have plenty of time to get to the hot springs as planned.
“Why, you going to ask me for a drink?”
“G, you’re sexy as fuck, but you’d destroy me. I know you’re not looking for anything long-term. So, I think we’re good as friends, yeah?”
I jut out my lip and pout. “We are. Friends have drinks.”
“I’m still a man and I know having a few drinks, just me and you, would end up being more. We need a buffer.”
“Fine, fine. And you’re right. That was a long while touching and staring at that chest. You may be retired, but your body didn't catch the memo.” He’s stupidly hot, a bit older than me, but we flirt enough to know that if you add some alcohol, we’d end up hooking up.
I prefer sex only. No relationships. I have no interest. But a sexy retired MMA fighter could be an excellent distraction from a certain bulky Riggs brother. Too bad Mac’s the kind of man that you take off the market, not just sample.
“Mac, you’re a good guy.” He waits with me as I move around the shop to lock up.
“Don’t tell anyone that. I’m sayingweshouldn’t cross that casual sex line, not that I don’t want all the casual hooking up I can get.”
The man has no clue, he’s click-bait hot. “How long has she been out of the picture now?” I ask.
“Not long enough. But I’m ready to see what I missed when I was being the faithful one.” He laughs. We walk a couple of doors down to where his truck is parked out front. I give him a few instructions on the aftercare of his tattoo and wave him off as he drives away.
The best part of living in downtown Strutt’s Peak is the lofts above the shops on Main. What’s even better is owning one of those shops. Hideaway Ink ismytattoo shop.I still can’t believe it sometimes.