Two weeks ago, I had a surprise visit from not one person. But two. One who I didn't mind seeing and talking with. And the other, I much rather had gone without seeing-Ginger. Talking while inking her confirmed everything I needed to see and hear why I ended things with her when I did.

When I finished inking Ginger where she wanted to be tatted and was out of my shop, I was so pissed I headed to see Emerald and gave her a piece of my mind. She, of course, found it hilarious. Emerald knew about the tattoo and where Ginger wanted it placed. Knowing it would piss me off, Emerald explained why she didn't warn me, and it was because she noticed how sexually frustrated I seemed to be lately. She had an inkling I'd been missing Ginger and felt it would have me wishing to run away once I saw and talked with her.

In a way, she was right... I was missing her, but I also wasn't.

It was the damn sex I missed.

Emerald claimed it was something she had to do to get me to see and make me realize I needed to walk away and find the one remarkable woman destined to be mine-a more suitable woman for me.

I get it.

But it still didn't mean I was happy with Emerald for what she did. And because of what she did, I made it adamantly clear to her that it would never happen again. And that if Ginger came in for another tattoo or piercing, she needed to set an appointment with Jagger. Not me.

Hopefully, she listens. Because after satisfying Ginger with her ridiculous tattoo, I never want to see, look her in the eye, or have to deal with her ever again.

In my spare time, I drew to help keep my mind from thinking I needed to get laid. So far, I've completed four different sketches for Lindsay. And I'm just about finished with the fifth sketch. To be honest, I like this drawing the best. The longer I sit and stare at it, I hope she picks this. And I'll use whatever drawing Lindsay doesn't want as a template for another willing soul who comes in looking for something similar to these.

Finally, I finished the last drawing, and as I spread each one out, comparing each one to the other, Emerald came in and over to me, looking at the illustrations over my shoulder. "Oh wow, Roscoe. Those are awesome. Are these the sketches for that Lindsay girl?"

I nodded. "Yes." With my eyes still on the drawings, I cupped my chin, pinching my bottom lip, then asked, "Which one do you think is the best?"

Emerald pushed me to the side and lowered to study the drawings, humming as she looked at each one, then stood straight, pointing to the one I liked the best.

"That's the one I like too. But it's not up to me or you to decide what Lindsay has inked on her thigh."

Emerald picked up the template and gazed at it. "I don't know her, but this one stands out a lot more than the others. And if she wants to cover up those scars, I think this is the one she should choose. But you're right. It's her body and her decision of what'll be on her for life."

I looked at her as she set the drawing back on the desk. "What did you need, anyway?"

"I came in to let you know that she was here. But then I saw your drawings laid out on the desk and felt the need to take a sneak peek," she grinned. "Hell. If she doesn't want this one, I think I'll have you ink that one on me," she winked.

"The price of this one just doubled. After what you did to me, you owe me," I teased.

She laughed, headed to the door, then turned to me before leaving. "We've been friends for eighteen years. Don't forget, I know you well. You may have acted like you were mad at me, but you didn't fool me one bit. That was your way of thanking me. You know damn well I did you a favor. Now get out there and let Lindsay know you're ready to show her the drawings you drew for her. Your next appointment is also here, and she's due to be seen in ten minutes."

I followed Emerald out, and when I entered the lobby, my eyes caught another blonde sitting next to Lindsay. And like an idiot, I stood like a doe in the headlights. The woman was so outstandingly beautiful that I couldn't keep my eyes off her.

"It was nice seeing you again," Lindsay said to the woman, breaking my stare as she stood.

I looked from Lindsay to the woman, asking, "Are you here to see Roscoe or Jagger?"

"Roscoe," she replied.

My lip twitched, and my heart palpitated, hearing she was here to see me. But then it hit me as to how somber she was and felt whatever her reason for being here was why she looked and sounded gloomy.

That was my sign to keep everything cordial.

Not to mention businesslike.

"That's me," I admitted, showing her a warm smile. I looked at Lindsay, then back at the beautiful blonde. "I hope it won't be a problem, but I'm running a few minutes behind. I just need to review some designs with her, and then I'll be out."

Her lips curved into a partial smile. "You're fine. Take all the time you need. I have nowhere to be..."

On the way to my room, I couldn't help but look over my shoulder, taking another look at the blonde, and after I closed the door, I looked at Lindsay. "Do you know that woman?"

"I do. However, it's been a while since I last saw her. High school, to be exact. Her name is Sawyer."

"So you went to school with her."

"I did, but she's two years younger than me. She was in my brother's class, actually. Why?"

"I noticed the two of you talking, and it got me curious, is all."

Lindsay giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"I saw you checking her out; that's why."

I didn't want to admit what I was doing and turned it around. "I was trying to figure her out. She seemed down about something. You should know I like figuring out a person's story by now."

"Yeah, I do know. Shiloh mentioned how she thought you were eye-fucking her all the time. And what you did back in the lobby, I'll admit, it looked as if you were eye-fucking her also," she snickered.

Maybe it's because I was.

Shit.

"Was it that noticeable?"

"Yep..." she playfully shoved me, grinning. "You were!"

I sighed. "Don't say anything. Please. I want to keep my good reputation the way it is. And for the record, before you think differently, I never did that to Shiloh. I was trying to figure out her story."

Her mouth curled into a mischievous smile. "Don't worry; I won't tell her you were."

"I never did. I swear. Now that blonde babe out there? That I can admit to doing just that..." Now, I'm highly embarrassed, and before I say anything else I might regret, I should change the subject. "Anyway, I drew five drawings. Would you like to see them?"

"I would."

I waved her over and pointed. "These are them. Before you decide, study each one and imagine it on your skin. You're more than welcome to put it on your leg to better see how it will look on you. If these aren't what you have in mind, for whatever reason, please let me know. I'll draw more."

"No, Roscoe. All these are perfect!" she said in awe, picking up a drawing and placing it against her leg, over the scars.

"Whichever you decide, let me know. Then I'll need you to allow me to match it to your scars, ensuring everything is in the right area. I may need to adjust the flower placement and size, which is no biggie. That's an easy fix."

"Okay."

I eagerly watched her, noticing that her eyes kept jumping to mine and Emerald's favorite. And the smile that appeared on her face every time she rested it against her leg in front of the mirror. My instinct tells me Emerald will be disappointed she's not getting this specific tat.

Lindsay faced me, smiling. "This is it. This is the one I want. I absolutely one hundred percent love this one."

I knew it!

"Excellent! And to be honest, it's my favorite as well. I was hoping it would be the one you'd pick." I took the paper, had her lay on the table, then double-checked my sketch, matching the scars with the flowers. "It's perfect."

"When can you do it?" she excitedly asked.

"Check with Emerald. This one will take a while to do."

"Can you do it one day, or will you have to do a couple of sessions?"

"It depends on my schedule. But... if you'd like it done in one day. For you, I'll come in on my day off and do it. How does that sound?"

Her face saddened. "I can't come in on your day off. You have a day off for a reason."

Pfft...

"Who cares? This is what I do. It's my life. It's not like I have any reasons to take off. And when I do, I just go for a ride, anyway. It's no big deal. Really... Besides, I did it for Chaz, and I can do the same for you. Any friend of Shiloh's is a friend of mine," I assured, winking.

"But you also said you're doing it for damn near nothing. I'd feel guilty."

"I did say that. And don't feel guilty. As I said, who cares?" I grinned. "Plus, I'd like to help you get your confidence back. The sooner, the better, right?"

"Right," she smiled. "I just don't want you thinking I'm taking advantage of you."

"Believe me. I know you're not." She's identical to Shiloh, and that makes me smile. "Are you sure you're not related to Shiloh?"

"I'm sure; why?"

"Because. You two are a lot alike. It's no wonder the two of you are such good friends," I grinned, gathering the drawings and placing them on the side of my desk.

"She's always been the sister I've never had."

I know what you mean.

I walked Lindsay over to Emerald. "She'd like to have the work done in one day; see what you can do," I instructed, pushing Emerald to make an exception to fit her into my schedule.

Emerald looked at Lindsay with a curious look in her eye and smiled. "So, which one did you choose?"

"The one you're not getting," I quipped, chuckling.

"Damn..." Emerald hissed, snapping her fingers.

I rubbed the back of my neck as I looked at my next appointment. Suddenly, my hands felt like they were sweating. My deprived dick felt like coming alive, and my heart raced like I was a teenager again-the feeling I once got when I was about to ask the first girl I had a crush on out on a date.

I looked at Lindsay. "Excuse me. I have to get to my next client."

The smile on Lindsay's face says she knows what's running through my mind. "I understand," she quietly giggled, then leaned closer, quietly saying in my ear. "I expect a full report the day you ink your beautiful work on my skin." She looked at Swayer, adding in just a whisper, "Plus, I have to be the first one to spill all the details to you know who..."

"Leave that to me," I warned, patting her shoulder. "She's just a client."

"For now," she winked.

I shook my head, grinning. Yep. She's exactly like Shiloh. Pushy. Nosey. Friendly and smiley.

Not wanting to put my foot in my mouth, I walked away and headed to the gorgeous gloomy babe, patiently waiting for me. "I'm sorry for the wait."

She stood and said with a smile, "No worries."

She may have smiled. But anyone wise could tell it was a forced one.

"So, what am I doing for you today?" I asked as she stepped inside my room. Closing the door, I continued, "My assistant never enlightened me about this appointment-what you were looking to have done and where."

She lowered her purse to the ground as she sat on the chair. "A month ago, I made an appointment with Emerald to have one of your designs inked on my shoulders backside, but today, that's changed."

My brows drew together. "Oh? How come?"

"Life change."

Now she really has my attention.

As I studied her, I noticed her eyes glossing over, struggling to keep her tears from exposing.

She wiped away a tear that escaped and said, "I need you to add to this." She flipped her arm over, showing me her wrist.

I noticed she had some scabbing and slight bubbling in the colors of her tattoo. "Recent?"

She nodded. "A little over a week ago."

I don't remember seeing her here, and it wasn't one that I had done, so I asked. "Was this done here? In my shop?"

She shook her head. "No. My sister and I had these done when we were in Miami."

I checked the healing, studied the artwork, and then looked at her. "How did you want me to add to this?"

"I would like my sister's name added somewhere around it, along with a heartbeat. Is that something you could do for me today?"

She already had an appointment, so that'll be no problem. I nodded. "I can do that. But you'll have to explain exactly where you'd like it, how you want the tattoo to look, and your sister's name."

She sniffled, and using her pointer finger, she ran it along her forearm, saying, "A heartbeat with a heart formed on one end and a flat line on the other end of it. Underneath the heart, I want it to say, With you. And above the flat line, I'd like it to say, Without you. And then I want her name inked right above it."

I swallowed hard.

I wanted to ask about the situation but didn't want to pry since she knew nothing about me.

"Can you do that for me?"

Of course, I will. It's her sister, for crying out loud.

"Yes, I can."

"Can you free art it, or would you need to draw it out beforehand?"

I smiled warmly. "Free art is my best work. I've already got it envisioned in my mind. How do you spell her name?"

"L. I. L. I. A. N. A."

"She has a beautiful name."

"She's beautiful," she sadly breathed.

I swallowed hard again.

She mentioned they got these together over a week ago, but how she's talking and what she wants added to the tattoo has me thinking something terrible happened to her sister.

As I prepped the area and cleaned her skin, she quietly said. "Thank you for doing this."

"It's no problem," I assured, putting on my gloves.

She attentively watched as I drew what she wanted to be added to her tattoo. As badly as I wanted to strike up a conversation with her, asking for details and wanting to learn more about her. I couldn't do it.

Oddly, I'm fucking nervous.

Very fucking nervous...

Something I never am while drawing my art on someone-especially a woman.

My hands were still sweating, my eyes wanted to stay on her beautiful face, and my stomach nervously twisted and turned. I also couldn't stop looking at her left hand. Curious about any unity. And when I saw nothing was tying her to another man, I secretly smiled.

However, that doesn't mean anything, either.

I wanted this tattoo to be perfect. And I wanted to turn Sawyer's frown into a beautiful smile. A smile I can picture her having.

Her face stayed blank, and she remained silent as I pierced the ink into her skin.

Finally, she said, "My sister would love this... hopefully soon, I can show her what I've done."

Hmm.

I stopped inking and looked up, locking my eyes with hers.

"She's in a coma," she sadly enlightened.

Shit. How the hell do you respond to that?

"I'm sorry to hear that. I hope everything works out."

"Me too," she sighed. Then, sounding resentful, she said, "The asshole will pay for what he's done to her."

***

"I can't believe you're doing this for me today. It's Sunday," Lindsay said as she met me at the door. "You should be out riding that beautiful bike of yours."

I guided her into the shop, locked the door, then walked her back to my room. "Stop feeling guilty, would you please? We wouldn't be here if I didn't want to do this."

"I know. But still..."

"No buts. Just hush your mouth and lay on the table," I ordered, grabbing the drawing and setting it beside Lindsay. "You want to feel beautiful again, do you not?"

"Yes."

"Then, lay there and be quiet," I demanded, my mouth curving upward. "Not another word about me doing this for you today. Capeesh?"

She quit protesting and sighed. "You win."

"I always do. Just ask Shiloh."

"She already warned me about that. Oh, before I forget. I talked to her last night, and she wanted you to know that she and Chaz said hello. Summer misses you, and... she's pregnant again."

My heart instantly melted. Shiloh and Chaz make beautiful, loving babies. And I could use another niece or nephew to spoil.

"I've got to get my ass back to Malibu and visit them. I miss Summer like you wouldn't believe."

"I miss Shiloh in general."

"Yeah, me too," I quietly breathed. "Shiloh was a good neighbor. Now I have neighbors that I'd like to strangle. They're loud as fuck."

She laughed. And after a moment, she laughed even harder.

"What?" I asked, preparing her leg.

"You must've forgotten how loud you were when she lived beside you."

I remember.

"I fixed that situation. But these neighbors are just loud all the time. They're young and partying all damn day and night, blasting their shitty music."

I turned on my inking gun, then reminded her of the pain before I started.

"A shark mauled me. I'm pretty sure what you'll be doing won't compare to the pain I felt then."

She's right.

I chuckled. "I forgot."

I still wanted to ease the pain she was about to feel and flipped the switch on the bed-turning on the soothing massage.

"So, how did everything go with Sawyer?"

"Who?" I teased.

"Nice try, Roscoe," Lindsay returned dryly.

I shrugged. "Fine, I suppose. There's nothing to say, really."

"We're you able to figure out her story?"

"Somewhat... she didn't talk much. But she did say her sister was in a coma, and the asshole would pay for what he'd done to her. Whatever that meant, I don't know. I can only guess what she meant by it."

"Liliana? What happened to her?"

I shrugged again. "I didn't want to pry into Sawyer's business."

"You did with Shiloh."

"That was different. Shiloh was my neighbor. Sawyer was a client who didn't feel like talking. If she returns, which I'm sure she will, I'll try talking to her. Hopefully, she'll be in better spirits."

"I wonder what happened to her sister? I remember them well, and they were always joined at the hip in school... They're twins, you know."

"I didn't know that. But I gathered they're pretty close by the tattoo on Sawyer's wrist and what she had me add to her forearm."

"I saw Liliana a couple of months ago with a guy. It was the same guy she dated in high school, and it shocked me to see they were still together. I remember him as always being an asshole."

The asshole will pay for what he's done...

"He must be the asshole she referred to the other day."

"I wouldn't doubt it."

"Make him pay... her statement and what you say about him has me wondering if her sister's in a coma because of him or if he's an asshole for not visiting her while she's in a coma."

"Honestly? Because I know how he is, I can almost guarantee she's in there because of him."

I cringed...

God, I hope that's not the case.

"There's one thing I strongly believe. And that is a real man would never hurt a woman. They'd respect them. Because if they had any heart at all, they'd know the feeling if someone were ever to hurt their mother, grandmother, or even their sister. A real man doesn't like seeing their woman hurt. So if he hurt that woman, and it caused her to lie where she is right now, then he better not ever run into me. It won't be a pretty sight. That's for sure."

"You're a good man, Roscoe. And any woman who wins your heart will be one very lucky woman."

I smiled. That's a true statement right there.

I finished Lindsay's scar cover-up eight hours later and proudly photographed the final results. My best deep scar covering to date. "This before and after is going up on my wall for sure."

Lindsay smiled while checking out her new skin. Seeing her brightened face, the excited smile, and happy tears, along with hearing the happiness in her gasps, warmed the fuck out of me. Seeing and knowing how satisfied she was with her new tattoo gave me great pleasure.

"You did an outstanding job on the hibiscus, Roscoe. The coloring, the shading, the covering up of those horrendous scars! I'm in love! And I could fucking kiss you right now!"

I laughed. "So it's safe for me to say you like it?"

"You're fucking right; I do! And now I want to wear my bikini and proudly walk around the Vegas strip. All while smiling ear to ear... thank you so fucking much."

"You're welcome."

"What do I owe you for this?"

Now she's going to get mad.

"Nothing... but if you really want to pay me back. Maybe you could help me land that Sawyer chick. That is, if she's single, of course."

She didn't like hearing I wasn't going to charge her for my work, but then a massive smile appeared on her pretty face. "There's no point in arguing with you on the price...so, because of that, I think I can handle helping you with Sawyer," she beamed. "If she knew how true and big your heart is, she'd jump right into your arms."

I laughed at that remark. "I can only wish."

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!!🤞🤞