Read Online Marks on My Skin (Love & Ink #1) by J A Howell - Free Book Online Page A

gave her an apologetic look. His cheeks flushed and I turned my attention to the hot calzone on my plate, giving him a chance to recuperate.
    “So ya said ya had ta pick up a few things fer the shop?” He asked, finally looking up from his plate.
    I smiled. Of course he changed the subject.
    “Liam wanted to find some more furniture for the front of the shop so I thought we could drive out to this second-hand furniture store outside of town a little ways. They usually have some funky stuff. I can take you back to the shop if you don’t want to go.”
    “No, I’ll come with.” He answered quickly, though some traces of embarrassment still colored his cheeks. We finished our lunch in companionable silence, then headed out to the furniture store.

    I followed Shayne through the maze of mismatched furniture that cluttered the interior of The Dirty Rich Hippie. Liam and she had apparently furnished most of their shop with finds from here. She strolled ahead of me, running her fingers over a curved red velvet sofa. It looked like something she’d put in her place. From the small grin on her lips, I guessed I wasn’t that far off in her tastes. I liked hanging out with Shayne. She was cute, funny, and I was finding myself thinking about Kendall less and less. When I did, I found I didn’t feel as devastated as I once had. It had happened, and it hurt me, but I felt like I could start moving past it. I hadn’t even turned my phone back on since that night at the pub. It was strange being completely disconnected, but also a bit freeing in its own right.
    “What do you think? Anything stick out?” Shayne asked me. I glanced around the shop, at the assorted chairs, sofas, and lounges, then back to her. She bent over another sofa, inspecting a fringed pillow and I couldn’t help admiring the perfect curve of her arse. What the hell would have happened if I’d said yes? Heat rose up my neck at the thought. I’d never so much as tried to slap a girls’ arse, and Kendall had only been the second woman I’d slept with. It couldn’t be that hard , I thought, pulling myself up straight. Just a swat of the palm against her arse, right? My da had given me a few lashings once when I’d gotten in a fight at school. Surely it wasn’t a matter of great skill.
    “Kieran?” I lifted my gaze to hers. I’d been caught. Play it off, jackarse. Play it off.
    “Yes?” I flashed her a bright smile.
    “I was just asking you what you thought of this table.” She nodded down at a wrought iron coffee table with a colorful mosaic glass top.
    “I like it. It’s a nice work of arse—errr art. Nice work of art.”
    Shayne’s lips pulled tight in a poor attempt to hide a smirk at my slip-up. I turned away, pretending to admire another piece of furniture.
    “I think it would look nice in the front. We could put magazines and our portfolios on it for clients.” She called after me. I grinned. At least she didn’t mind my blatant ogling. There was a large four-post bed in the corner, the wood stained a dark chocolate. She came up beside me and tilted her head, eyeing the carved posts and reaching a hand out to touch the polished wood.
    “Looks like something ya’d have Darren tie ya up ta.”
    Shayne whipped her head around and gave me a wide look.
    “Feck! I shouldn’t have said that.”
    Her features softened and a giggle bubbled to the surface. “You really should loosen up. If that had offended me, you would know. Trust me.” She spun back around and continued around the bed. “And actually, it’s a gorgeous bed. I’d love to have it, and not just for that…though yes it would certainly be sturdy enough.” She gave one of the posts a tug in demonstration and her gaze flickered to mine with a playful gleam.
    “So, ya do have him tie ya ta the bed?” My words tumbled out before I could stop them. Apparently I was suffering from a severe case of verbal diarrhea today.
    Shayne gave me a thoughtful look before returning her