Read Online Under Your Skin by Shannyn Schroeder - Free Book Online Page B

couch beside her.
    As he walked out the door, he called, “Don’t forget your exercises.”
    She mumbled something back at him, but he tasted freedom and didn’t wait. Instead of turning on the air conditioner in the car to combat the heat, he rolled his windows down and turned the music up. He hadn’t realized how much he needed to escape.
    His freedom was short-lived, however, because his phone started ringing before he even reached the shop. He turned the music down and answered. “What’s up, Mom? I just left you.”
    â€œI know. I’m not senile. You need to go grocery shopping. Get some food in this house.”
    He sighed. His grocery shopping tended to consist of buying frozen meals and some fruit. “I’ll call Jaleesa and have her bring stuff when she comes later.”
    Lani huffed out a breath and then hung up. Kai cranked the music and drove the last few blocks in peace.
    When he strode into the studio, Tommy was working on a woman’s ankle. A thorny rose twisting around. Kai stopped to check his work. It looked good. The kid had talent.
    After making sure his station was prepped for his client that afternoon, Kai sat at his desk in the office and focused on drawing a scene from Hell. With every line, he felt like he was filling in the illustration of his current life. He worked for more than an hour, doing a simple line drawing in pencil to make sure he had it right. He’d send a copy to the client and then talk about colors and fill. The guy wanted the complicated picture on his back. He would need at least three sessions, maybe more.
    His phone buzzed in his pocket. A text from Jaleesa.
    Â 
    You were supposed to tell me to bring groceries?
    Â 
    Fuck. He’d totally forgotten to call Jaleesa. Sorry. Forgot.
    Â 
    I brought her lunch, but I don’t have time to go
    shopping. Kids will be getting out of school.
    Â 
    I’ll handle it. He slid the phone back in his pocket and stowed the drawing for later. His client should be here soon. It was a touch-up and fill job on a tattoo he’d finished a couple of weeks ago.
    At his station, he checked his tools again as his client pushed through the door. Joe called, “Hey, Kai. Ready for me?”
    Kai nodded. “Have a seat. Let me take a look.”
    Joe pushed up the sleeve of his shirt. The tattoo had healed well.
    â€œYou’re good,” Kai told him. “Take the shirt off and we’ll get started.”
    Just as he snapped on his gloves, his phone rang again. He was tempted to ignore it as he usually would in front of a client, but knowing his mom was home alone made him check. It was her. He tapped Joe’s shoulder. “Sorry. I have to take this.”
    Joe shrugged and relaxed in the chair.
    Pulling off his glove, Kai answered. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œYour sister didn’t bring food and I need more books.”
    Kai pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course it wasn’t a real emergency. “I forgot to call Jaleesa. I’ll handle it. What about books?”
    â€œI’m on the last chapter of the book I’m reading and I only have one more. It won’t last the night. I need more.”
    He couldn’t believe she was bothering him at work over some fucking books. “I’ll see what I can do,” he bit out, and hung up. How was he supposed to focus on work? Kai looked up at Tommy, who was staring at him. “What?”
    Tommy shrugged. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you take a personal call at work. It’s weird.”
    A sudden thought hit him. It might not be the best idea, but it would solve his immediate problem. He pointed at Tommy. “Your sister still looking for a job?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œIs she trustworthy?”
    â€œOf course. She doesn’t have a record and she’s clean.”
    â€œTell her to get her ass over here now. She’s hired.” As soon as the words left his