Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 23578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
“When she talks, she moves,” I snap back at him. “You want her bear tattoo to be cross-eyed?”
“You want a black eye?” he says, standing up so fast his stool rolls away.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Magnus says, rushing over, trying to calm everyone down. “Julian didn’t mean any harm, did you, Julian?”
“No,” I grunt as I dip the tattoo needle into the ink cap. “It’s just hard to work when she’s constantly moving.”
“Sorry about him,” Magnus whispers to the heaving brute. “He’s having a hard time waiting for his mate to arrive. You know how it is.”
The shifter’s shoulders are heaving up and down as he turns to me. His face softens a little when he sees how pathetically mateless I am.
“I don’t like the way he’s talking to her,” he says, but there’s less bite in his voice. He shakes his hands out as he walks over to get the stool. “He needs to learn some manners.”
I’ve heard that before.
“Maybe this is a good place to stop for the day,” Victoria says, pulling out the large appointment book. “When can we schedule you in for the next session? Maybe in three weeks to give time for your skin to heal? How’s Tuesday, June 17th?”
I keep busy with my tools as the newlymates get up and head to the front desk to speak with Victoria. I can feel Magnus’ eyes on me. He keeps shaking his head and I know I’m about to get an older brother lecture as soon as those two leave.
As soon as the door closes, he laces into me.
“Are you trying to shut us down?” Magnus says, crossing his arms over his massive chest. He’s larger than me, but I’m sure I could take him. I’m way more fierce. He wouldn’t stand a chance. “How many one-star reviews have we gotten because of your shitty attitude?”
“We’re booked solid for the month,” I say, shaking my head. “So, what’s the fucking problem?”
We’re lucky we’re all so talented. People don’t mind dealing with a grouchy attitude for an afternoon if it means they get a work of art on their body.
“The fucking problem is,” Magnus says, raising his voice, “is that we’re running a goddamn business and we have to stay professional.”
“I was being professional,” I say. “She kept talking. I can’t work with her constantly moving. You know that’s annoying.”
“I thought they were sweet,” Victoria says, putting some final touches on the tattoo for her next appointment.
“And you were no help,” I say, shooting her a dirty look. “You know how my grizzly loves to hear about new mates.”
“She’ll come soon enough, Julian,” she says with a shrug. “Just stay patient.”
I hold back a growl. She has no goddamn idea how hard it is for me. How merciless my bear can get.
“You have to be nicer,” Magnus says, standing over me. “Or, you’re fired.”
I laugh. “You can’t fire me.”
“I’m the boss.”
“You try to fire me and I’ll break your arm.”
“Real mature,” Victoria says, shaking her head.
Magnus throws his arms up in frustration. “I can’t work like this.”
“Just ignore him,” Victoria says. “He’s just pissy because he wants his mate.”
No, I need my mate. I need her like I need skin. She’s a part of me that’s been ripped off. I’m empty without her. I need need fucking need her.
“We all need our mates,” Magnus says with a roll of his eyes. “Doesn’t mean we get to hate the world until they get here. We’re not wild animals.”
My grizzly bear disagrees with that. He’s practically feral from waiting.
The bell over the door rings and someone walks in. I take a breath of relief for the distraction.
“Hi, Curt,” Victoria says with a big smile. “I have your dragon ready.”
Curt is a male stripper who’s one of our most regular customers. My sister has tattooed his arms, back, and neck. She’s working on his chest now.
I’m not convinced that he’s here for the tattoos. The only thing he seems to want is to get into my sister’s pants.
A part of me wants to tell him he has no shot. Not a chance in hell.
Victoria is a grizzly bear shifter and he’s… not.
He’s not her mate and therefore she has zero interest in him no matter how many times he flexes his arms or flashes his baby-blue eyes at her. It’s kind of pathetic to watch, thinking he has a chance, while we all know he absolutely does not.
“Think that would look good on my chest?” Curt asks as he pulls off his T-shirt in dramatic fashion. He flexes his chest like he’s on stage in front of screeching women at a bachelorette party. Instead, he’s in front of my not-so-amused sister and her two older brothers.
“It will look great,” she says, nodding as she looks at his left pec.
“What about on the side here?” he asks, pointing to his abs. “Or, would that ruin my six-pack?”