Heart of a Tattooist: Dark Romance MC Club Alpha Bad Boy Obsession (Tattooist Series Book 3) by Lexy Timms

Junior.”
    “Really?”
    “Even if he did, it doesn’t matter because he’s riding right toward a life sentence. No way is he ever making bail either.”
    Relief filled her. Was it really over?
    Then anger set in. Had her old boss really been such a coward that he would let her get raped rather than help her out?
    Yes.
    And she had been on the run for what amounted to no reason at all.
    She jerked her thoughts away from there and tried to decipher the rest of it. “I don’t know how to be in a video.”
    “Do you know how to dance?”
    She grimaced. “Awkwardly. Dancing isn’t my strong suit.”
    “I doubt it’ll matter. Think about it, Cara. A cameo in a video for a song that’s already in the Top Ten on the country charts, and rapidly crossing over to the rock charts? This is just what you need to help boost visibility and get you back in the public eye.”
    Mitch had a point there, and a damn good one. She had been gone for a matter of mere months, but months in the tat world was like years in other professions. She sighed. “I don’t want to be seen as a sexpot, Mitch. I want to work.’
    “That’s the awesome part. He actually wants a tattoo as well. So there you go. He’s agreed to do the video with you tatting him up in the video.”
    Mitch had set this up for her. She knew it. She looked away. “I don’t need you to do favors for me, Mitch.”
    He scoffed. “It’s not a favor for you. I did it because I’m hoping to keep you here. Nashville’s a growing city, and it’s got a few shops. The best one would probably be more than happy to take you. If you take a job here we can see each other more. I hope you want to see me again, anyway. So you see, it isn’t for you at all. It’s for me, because I’m selfish enough to want you to stick around.”
    He was a good man… An idiot to want to fall for her, but a good man nonetheless.
    Except… she wasn’t a good person. She crossed her arms over her chest in a defensive gesture she wasn’t even aware of. “I see. Look, I know…I wasn’t always such a mess. I don’t want to be a mess either. It sucks. I can take care of myself. I will admit I spent everything I ever earned. Unlike guys like Hawk or a few others, most tat artists are not exactly swimming in spare cash. I can make my own money, though, and…”
    “And all I did was tell you about someone who is dying to have you work on him, and wants you to do it on-camera, which would most certainly give you a better edge.” He was mad. It showed in the way his eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched and then loosened. He looked sexy as hell in the mornings too, with his hair slightly mussed and his jaw lightly covered by stubble.
    The hard throb of desire that hit her made her have to lick her lips to wet them before she could speak. “I’m not your ex. I didn’t show up here hoping you’d be willing to shower me with shit; I’m not that way. I’ve always taken care of myself.” To her horror, tears stung her eyes.
    Mitch stared at her, and shook his head. “You sure as hell aren’t April. If you were, you would be flipping through maps trying to find the nearest haute couture store and asking me of you could pretty please have some pretties. Oh, and by the way, could I help your poor old mama with a new car.” His large, muscular arms crossed over his tight chest. “Do you think for a single second that I want that again? I know you are capable and independent and can earn your own way. Hell, that’s part of why I’m so drawn to you.”
    He was definitely pissed. She stared at him hard. “So you’re saying you just want me for my money?’
    He gawked at her. Opened his mouth and closed it again. Ran his hands through his hair and then roared laughter. “Damn it! Do you always have to have the last word?”
    She shrugged, pretending to be coy. “I’m afraid so. I’d love to stay here, Mitch, but let’s be reasonable. I don’t have money to move and, no, I don’t want you