Read Online Razor's Edge (Afflictions) by Racquel Reck - Free Book Online Page A

my head of all things Morgan. "It's okay. Just don't move."
    I’m a bundle of nerves. This is Morgan—the man who entranced me last night on stage. A replay of his performance runs through my mind and has me feeling like I am a rookie doing my first tattoo. It’s damn important that I don’t mess this up. So I try banishing the wayward, wanton thoughts and focus on the lines in front of me.
    "You’re good with a needle." Morgan’s observation sounds a little strained, but he doesn’t flinch or make noises like some of my clients do.
    "Thanks." I keep my focus on my needle work and do only the thick lines. I’ll have to change out the size of the needle for the thinner ones. Keeping my calm, I slowly slip into my zone. That’s where I need to be. If I talk to him, my nerves will get the best of me.
    Normally I don’t have a problem concentrating and talking to the client. But the way my body is reacting to him, it’s hard to keep my focus.
    "How long have you been doing this?" His words startle me, and lucky for him my hand didn’t jump.
    "Since I was eighteen."
    He chuckles.
    I raise the needle just in time so that I don’t slip the needle or tear his skin, and let out a breath.
    "Sorry. Didn’t mean to move. I don’t know your age so that doesn’t answer my question." He smirks.
    God, get a grip. It’s only a ring. Tons of clients come in here with piercings all over the place, but never has a lip ring been more attractive on a man. Some men look a little fruity with one. Not him. Hell no. I wipe his skin and continue with my line. "Thirteen years this May."
    "So you’re thirty-one?"
    I laugh, wipe again and put the needle to skin. "Thirty. I was born in October."
    "Not much younger than me. I’m thirty-three. Born in June."
    He’s watching me. I can feel his eyes, or maybe it’s the lamp. I stop, wipe again, and glance at him. No, he’s staring at me.
    "Mom."
    I jump, then notice my son standing next to me. Why is he out of bed? I didn’t hear him come down the stairs. In fact, I haven’t heard much of the conversation going on with our friends. I’ve been too wrapped up in not fucking up with Morgan. Not messing up on Morgan, I mean.
    Morgan quirks a brow.
    What will he think of me now that he knows I have a kid?
     
    Morgan
     
    Shay’s got that “oh shit, he found out I have a kid” look on her face. It’s freakin’ adorable. I don’t know why, but I need to see this chick again, outside the tattoo shop.
    Her hands on me send vibes of electricity through me. The feeling it leaves is warm and soothing. Like I could spend all day rubbing myself up against her just to prolong the sensations she gives me. Her skin is soft and she smells like an orange blossom. I wonder what a morning in bed with her would be like.
    "Why are you awake?" She’s looking at her son. He’s freakin’ cute too, in his black PJs with white skulls. And are those skull slippers? His hair is black like hers, and other than the eyes he looks just like her.
    He eyes me and the rest of the people in the shop. “I had a nightmare.”
    "Aw, sweetie. I’m sorry." She bites her lip. "Do you mind if we take a break for a minute, Morgan?"
    What am I supposed to do, say no? I shrug. The poor kid had a nightmare.
    "Your kid sleeps in a tattoo shop?" I regret the question as I’m asking it. I don’t know her situation, so I should have kept the question to myself. If I had my damn pot and was high, my mouth wouldn’t have shot out an offensive question like that. I would have been smoother about it.
    She shuts off the machine, wipes my chest, and removes her gloves. "No, he doesn’t sleep in the shop. He sleeps in my loft above it." She places a paper towel over my pec. "I’ll be right back." She turns to her son. "Come on, Ben. I’ll tuck you in."
    The kid stares at me, wide-eyed, as if to say, “Help, I don’t want to go back to bed.” He’s not my kid and I can’t tell her what to do with him.
    "Mom, it’s dark up