charcoal conveys bold confidence for everyone to see.
Despair unfurls in my chest, but it’s entirely unexpected. Jealousy? Maybe acknowledgment because I could never write so indiscriminately. It’s why my father doesn’t see this as anything more than a silly hobby and why Branden won’t take my attempts to stand on my own seriously.
I’ve become so good at being numb that I’ve let it stifle the only other passion I possess.
But he’s stifled as well, a realization made apparent in every piece of artwork. How? They’re all here, locked behind glass. Without bothering to ask, I suspect he’s never shared them beyond this space. Beyond his skin—or anyone he may tattoo.
This place is his journal, and he’s just as secretive with it as I am with mine.
“Your mouth is open, rabbit,” he taunts when I’m halfway around the shop. “I’m surprised you aren’t waggling that pretty little tongue—”
“And I’m surprised you spent all day stalking me.” I cock my head to shoot him a cold glance. To my chagrin, he winks. “Don’t you have a job?”
“This is my job.” He lifts his arms, gesturing around us.
“It’s pretty empty,” I point out.
“Because I don’t take just anyone,” he counters. “My services are invitation only. But that’s not what you meant, is it?”
I turn around to find him standing closer than expected. His eyes bore into mine, his body heat an oppressive wall that drives me back against a wooden surface—a desk, I realize. Beside it is a sturdy leather swivel chair, presumably where people sit while having a tattoo applied.
“Why did you bring me here?”
“For business,” he says. “I’ve decided how you can repay me, rabbit. From now on, if you work for Zhang, you work for me. That means you come when I call. When I say jump, your feet leave the ground.”
“How?” I croak, though I don’t think I want to know the answer.
“You bring me Zhang’s payments from now on,” he says. “On time, bunny.”
“Payments?” I frown, my nostrils flaring in anger. “I paid, remember? That’s what you said—”
“You paid off that debt,” he corrects, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’re that naïve to think he won’t rack up more?” He lowers his gaze, raking me over. “Especially when he has such an eager little bunny to do his bidding.”
I cringe at the assessment, but I don’t argue. “How do I pay?”
“With money. He’ll give it to you, and you bring it to me,” he says as though it’s obvious. “Unless you want to offer up something else…?” His eyes deliberately linger over my chest, and he chuckles when I cross my arms, blocking his view.
“I’m leaving.” I turn for the door, shoving it open.
“Hop away, bunny,” he taunts. “The view from the back is just as nice as the one from the front.”
I freeze mid-step over the threshold, preventing the door from fully closing.
“What now?” he prompts, his tone cutting. “If you have something to say, rabbit, then don’t be shy.”
“Fine. You mock my sexuality like it’s a game,” I hiss as I turn to face him. “Like I’m some stupid prude. Like it’s funny. But yesterday? I wasn’t the one who ran away, was I?”
He blinks, his jaw tensing. Something indecipherable darkens his gaze and hardens his expression. “Ran away?” he echoes softly. “Or refused to fall for your little trick?”
“Trick?” I’m so confused by the word choice that I step forward, entering the shop fully. “What are you even talking about?”
“I’m talking about you, bunny.” He crosses his arms, eyeing me with a scoff. Real anger seeps into his voice, deepening the gruff baritone. “Letting me think you’d want it. Get carried away. All so you could turn around and cry assault the moment your boyfriend noticed a pretty little hair out of place? I’m not that fucking desperate for ass. I’m not some toy you can play with, either.”
I hear myself laugh, and I barely recognize the strangled, mocking sound. “You thought I was the one playing games? So all that crap about feeling? Bullshit! You came after me, remember? Though you’re right. Someone like me could never want someone like you.” My lips sting. I never talk like this. Ever. No one else has ever pushed me to this point. “This is all just a game to you, but you don’t even have it in you to back up your own stupid words. You wanted me to feel? Well, the only thing I feel for you is pity.”