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

attention to the bed. “Yeah, I do.”
    I dropped my gaze to the intricate lines running through the quilt that laid on the bed. More thoughts and questions pulled at me, and though I knew it was none of my business, I couldn’t help myself.
    “What else do ya have him do ta ya?” My mouth went dry and I chanced a look back up at her when she didn’t answer. She stared back at me, her lips pursed in contemplation. Not a frown of disapproval as I had expected.
    “You really want to know?”
    I should have said no, but my head nodded in complete disregard for the rest for me.
    A small smile crossed her lips and she turned, continuing to browse the other items crowding the shop.
    “I serve him. When I step into his apartment I do whatever he tells me to do. A lot of times he makes me tell him about my day, any dirty thoughts I had, things I did or wanted to do.” Her gaze flickered to me briefly and I swallowed hard, listening intently as she continued. “He punishes me when I lie, or when I don’t do what he says. Sometimes he punishes me because I enjoy the pain and he knows it.”
    “Last night, was he,” I hesitated. “Last night, why was he punishing you?”
    She stopped in front of a large antique vanity, lifted the price tag, then let it drop before looking at me. Shayne stared off with a distant but wistful look and for a moment I wondered if she’d heard me.
    “I wouldn’t admit something to him.”
    I thought maybe I should back off, but I couldn’t help myself. I was pulled in. I wanted to know more.
    “What wouldn’t ya admit ta?”
    Panic spread through her features for a moment, but she quickly pulled it back under. Then she smiled, a melancholy smile as her gaze met mine.
    “Fantasies I had about someone yesterday.”
    I started to ask who, but a thought struck me then. After lunch yesterday I’d spent most the afternoon with her. We’d walked around downtown, laughing and joking with each other. We’d taken our time going back to the shop, people watching and window-shopping.
    The words didn’t leave my lips, but she knew what I wanted to know. I gripped one of the bedposts, eyes fixed on her.
    Was it me?
    Shayne pulled at her bottom lip with her teeth and let out a sharp exhale. She didn’t look away from me, and my own breath left my lungs.
    Was it me?
    Her mouth moved, attempting to form words, but the sudden shrill ring of her cell phone forced her attention away.
    “Hello? Yes this is her…yes, okay I’ll be there as soon as possible.” Her frown deepened with every word and she hung up the phone with a sigh.
    “Is everything okay, Shayne?”
    “No. We need to go. I have to go see my mother.”

    “Shayne, ya alright?” Kieran asked.
    “I’m fine.” I nodded, keeping my attention on the road.
    “Yer nails are digging into the steering wheel.” I glanced down and loosened my grip.
    “Sorry. It’s just…my mom’s sick.”
    “I’m sorry. Is she going ta be okay?”
    “It’s more of a mental issue.” I admitted. I supposed Kieran already thought I was a freak. Admitting my mother was nuts wouldn’t come as that much of a shock.
    The car fell into silence and I turned on the radio to fill the awkward void. My mind drifted back to the conversation at the furniture store…and last night. My stomach lurched. He’d known, hadn’t he?
     
    “Tell me, Shayne. Tell me what you really want.”
    Silence.
    Thwack!
    “You were with him today, weren’t you? I can tell.”
    “We’re friends. That’s all.”
    “Hmmph. You’ve been over here every day for the last two weeks. I know it’s because of him.”
    “No, it’s not. I’ve just been stressed.”
    Thwack!
    “Don’t lie to me, Shayne. Just admit you want him.”
    “But I don’t.”
    Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
    “What are you afraid of, Shayne?”
    “Nothing.”
    Thwack!
     
    I didn’t want him. Not like Darren thought. Sure, I was attracted to Kieran, but I was attracted to plenty of men. I shifted against