Temporary indelibly mark.., p.7
Temporary (Indelibly Marked #2), page 7
“You are really peddling those iced teas.”
“I am only trying to make sure you stay well hydrated.” He opened a bottle and with much flourish pulled a straw out of the drawer and popped it in the top.
“I’m not planning on doing anything that would require me to become dehydrated.” She studied the pages in front of her but the words blurred together.
“Let’s not rule anything out. Anything can happen at a tattoo shop.” He moved behind her, peering over her shoulder at the book. “I have a plan. I think if we do everything together we should get through the day without incident.”
Since last night, sexy Ivan had reappeared. The man wanted sex, and in his universe he didn’t understand why things couldn’t continue the way they were. Until the arrival of her niece or nephew, like it or not, they would be working together. She needed to make sure she could maintain some sort of separate life, but her life seemed completely intertwined with his.
“Em-Lee.” He tried again.
Once again her body vibrated, but this time it was her cell phone. She lifted her phone.
On my way. James.
“He’s texting you?” He plucked her phone out of her hand. “What the hell?”
“He’s our lawyer. We need him.” She held her hand out for the phone. “No offense, but we aren’t in the kind of relationship where you get to look at my device.”
“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” He slid his phone out from his pocket and put it in her palm.
At one time she would have paid good money to have look though Ivan’s link to the world. She both wanted, and didn’t want, to know who texted, called, and messaged. “If you’re offering, there’s nothing there to see.”
“Then let’s see what you’re hiding.” As he redirected his attention to her phone, it rang. “Who’s this?” He turned the screen toward her.
“None of your business.” Thankful for the intrusion, she glanced at the unfamiliar number. “Let’s work on Lindsay’s list first. I’ll be right back.”
“You can talk here.”
She pressed the button on her phone. “Hello.” With a smile in Ivan’s direction she tiptoed into the back.
“Emily Elliott?” a man’s voice asked.
“Yes, can I help you?” She couldn’t help her stomach seizing. With the baby, the lawsuit ,and Ivan, it felt as if all she did was dodge anvils falling on her.
“This is Mark Markson.”
Her breath left her and she clutched her phone for fear she might drop it. “Oh, my God.”
“Do you know who I am?” He chuckled.
She stood absolutely still. There was no way would she allow any cell phone carrier to ruin the call for her. “Well, last night your black jacket with the zippers, the one featured in Los Angeles Style magazine, showed up in my dreams.”
“A woman with taste. One of my assistants swears by your brother’s work, but even more than that, he said he saw you do some incredible makeup, right on trend. Tell me what makeup you would do with the black zipper jacket.”
She closed her eyes to envision the look. “Tons of black eyeliner, lashes for days and a nude but glossy lip.”
“You earned an audition. I need you to see the new line before my show at LA Fashion Week.”
“New line?” She turned behind her. Ivan paced. He was on the phone, too.
“Yes, we like our models in makeup when they walk the runway.”
They both laughed.
Since the day she put makeup on her dolls, her brothers and her father, she’d waited for such a moment. All the bridal parties, sweet sixteen shindigs, and tattoo shows were merely preparation for the moment when a true designer wanted her. “When do you want to see what I can do?”
“We need to meet as soon as possible.”
“Hold on.” Of course her break would happen when she was needed at home. Her opportunity could not be missed, but she wouldn’t take a chance with her family’s business. She would have to figure out a way to do everything without asking for help and without telling anyone. If she didn’t succeed she didn’t want anyone to know, but she couldn’t sit stagnant. “I need to meet early or late in the day.”
“That’s fine. I’ll text you the information.”
As she hit end on her phone, James walked in and she dashed to the front. “Hi!”
He turned around the shop as if he were looking at balloons in the sky. “So this is a tattoo studio.”
“Do you want to get inked?” She laughed; sure he didn’t have the guts.
“Not today. Today I need to work on several things, one being your lawsuit.” He patted his briefcase.
With Ivan still on the phone, she took hold of James’ sleeve and guided him to the back. She needed to keep things moving forward.
They sat at the table in her brother’s empty station and her chest tightened, wishing he were there.
“Okay, here is the letter for you to approve.” James opened his briefcase, took out a file folder and handed her the page.
She gave the letter a quick scan. “It’s is very formal.”
“Well, we sort of want to scare them.”
Without Ivan she wouldn’t approve a thing. In search of him, she leaned over. He was still on the phone. “Are you charging us by the minute or something?”
“No, take your time.” He laughed and gave her a second paper. “I also need you to have Shane sign power of attorney of the shop over to one of you.”
She bit her lip. Shane couldn’t sign anything. Not sure what to say or do, she ran her fingers along the page. “This is really nice paper.” The paper was more like fabric, with texture and raised letters.
“Thank you. Paper selection is an important part of being an attorney. They don’t let you pass the bar unless you can choose the correct stationery.”
She pressed her lips together to stifle a laugh and peeked at him. “Well, your stationery is better than the jerk’s attorney’s, so that means we’ll win right?”
“It means it’s an official letter.” He gave her a light elbow.
Once more she glanced into the front. Ivan was no longer on the phone and her brother had arrived. She rushed toward them with disjointed steps.
“Carson.” She gasped and turned to James in his blazer, his button down shirt, and pleated pants. Yes, they had plenty of businessmen there for tattoos, but his papers, briefcase and the fact he still had all his clothes on, betrayed him as something other than a customer.
Behind Ivan she spied a flash of brown hair flipping back, her brother was only a few feet away. No matter what, Shane couldn’t find out. Carson couldn’t keep a secret if his hair depended on it. Acting on instinct, she crumpled the papers and snatched the file folder away from James. With no time to second-guess her actions, she jumped into his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck and planted one on him.
In an instant James caught on, taking her into his arms, bending her back and opening his mouth.
Treated to soft lips, a strong hold, and a man who didn’t shy away from kissing her in public, she went with it. Her tongue met his and for a moment becoming lost.
“Get away from my sister, now!” Carson yanked her away from James and pushed her into Ivan’s arms.
Ivan squeezed her. “What are you doing?”
She didn’t need to look at him to know he spoke through clenched teeth. Good.
“Do you know who I am?” Carson pulled his fist back.
“No!” Both she and Ivan ran forward. She slid between them shielding James, while Ivan grabbed Carson.
She patted James, with wide eyes and her lipstick on his lips the poor guy looked a bit stunned.
“What are you letting happen here?” Carson spun around to Ivan.
Ivan had the same dazed expression as James.
She cleared her throat, straightened up and went to her brother. At least her plan worked, her youngest big brother wouldn’t be making any reports to bigger brother Shane, except about her indiscretions.
“Carson?” She linked her arm in his.
He stared her down.
She gave him a sweet smile and prodded him back to James, taking hold of his hand.
Carson groaned.
“Carson, this is James, I didn’t say anything about him because you have been so busy with Shane and Lindsay, but everything is cool, okay. I’m happy.” She gave him a sweet smile and rested her head on his shoulder. “James, meet Carson, my brother.”
“Emily is always telling me how important your opinion is to her.” James laced his fingers in hers and held his free hand out to her brother. “I was just on my lunch break and came by to see Emily, so I could ask her out for tonight in person. Phones and texts are so impersonal.”
Emily held her breath.
“There are certain things a brother shouldn’t see.” At last Carson shook his hand. “You better stay personal, but not too personal.”
She wrinkled her nose, did all the Elliott brothers read from the same script?
“I understand.” He straightened his blazer. “But now I must get back to the office.”
“Office?” Carson leaned forward. “What kind of office?”
She dug her nails into James’ hand.
He winced. “I work with computers.”
Well, he must be an amazing lawyer, because even she believed him and she knew the truth.
“Good.” Carson nodded. “Good. We don’t have a computer person yet.”
“Why are you here?” She needed to stop the interview.
James let go of her hand and bent down to collect his papers.
“I just thought I would stop by. Mom and dad came over and mom sent me to the store for Lindsay’s cravings.” Carson glanced around the shop.
The thought of her mom and dad was way too comforting. She wondered if she could get one of them alone. “Well, don’t keep Lindsay waiting. I’ll come by later.” She pushed him.
Her brother narrowed his eyes, studying the three of them.
Luck was on their side, because his phone went off making the sound of a bullhorn.
“I need to get back.” He shrugged and lifted his chin. “Later.”
James put his arm around her and waved.
“Later.” Ivan echoed his sentiment.
The three of them stood motionless until the bell on the door rang their freedom. They all exhaled.
“I need to talk to you.” Ivan pointed at her. “Privately.”
“I also would like to speak with you.” James pulled her in closer. “Alone.”
No good could come of private talks and she tensed.
“Emily.” Ivan crossed his arms.
She untangled herself from James. “Stay here, we still have to go over the papers.”
“I’m good.” He continued collecting the items she tossed earlier.
“Shall we?” Ivan guided her into one of the private rooms in the back.
Unsure what move to make she leaned back on the counter trying to be casual. “What’s up? James has papers for us. He said Shane needs to sign some Power of Attorney thing, but he can’t know about it. Maybe we should go out there before he increases his fee.”
“Maybe he should give us a discount for that kiss,” Ivan said and made a noise.
“Well, I kissed him, so maybe I should charge the fee.” She offered him a toothy grin. Actually, the kiss wasn’t bad. In fact, some might say the kiss was good, intriguing, different. Some might be her.
His expression did not change.
“Ivan, it was the first thing I thought to do.” She stood her ground.
“Making out was the first thing you thought of?” He approached, putting one hand on either side of the counter, caging her in. “You couldn’t have said you were looking to buy a computer?”
“I didn’t know he was in computers until Carson asked.” A giggle escaped and she licked her lips, abating the flutters in her stomach. The energy around her changed anytime he entered her personal space.
He leaned down, moving her hair away from her ear with his nose. “Let’s go out tonight. Just me and you.” He brushed his lips behind her ear.
The man possessed the ability to arouse her with barely a touch. Her mind lost all reason, but if she forced herself to think, she would realize the evening would only end up the same as the night of her tattoo, and the walk of shame might not be nearly as short. She pushed him back. “Not tonight.” She couldn’t bring herself to say no and ducked under his arm. “I’m putting you in charge of the Shane signature thing, since I kissed our attorney.”
She managed to get away and headed straight for the other man who needed to speak to her…alone. Maybe he forgot.
“Welcome back.” He held the now wrinkled pages out to her. “Why don’t we let Ivan review the documents and we will have our chat?”
Great. He remembered. “Okay.” She took the papers and handed them to Ivan while he both glared and grimaced at her.
James guided her back into the private room.
In a bizarre repeat of three seconds ago, she leaned back on the counter. “What’s up? Do we need to give you a deposit or something?”
“Stop worrying about the charges.” He moved forward, but rather than caging her in, he took his place next to her. “I certainly wouldn’t want to lie to your brother, so I thought I would formally ask you to dinner tonight.”
No one ever formally asked her anything, and could have sworn he bowed slightly. She put her hand over her stomach. While her middle didn’t twist and flutter, a welcome warm and calm sensation enveloped her.
She glanced at James with his sleek good looks.
“I thought I could make some reservations and pick you up around eight?” He tilted his head.
Different. James was most definitely different. She had never dated a professional man. Maybe she needed to see what the other side of life held for her. Look at Shane. It sure worked for him. “I would like that.”
“Very good,” he said and lightly kissed her on the cheek.
“We better get back.” James followed her as she left the room again.
“Letter is fine, and I will take care of this.” He thrust the letter at her and kept hold of the document Shane needed to sign. “Let’s get going.”
She took the paper and gave it to James. “The sooner, the better.”
“I’ll go have my assistant print a pristine copy on my fancy paper.” James returned the page to his briefcase and nodded at her. “I’ll see you tonight.”
She stood completely still as James left the shop, wanting to kick the butt of the sick guilt that crept up over her. They had nothing. But Ivan did everything but skywrite his stance in the clouds for all of California to see.
She couldn’t stop staring at him, maybe silently willing him to do something.
“Have a good time tonight.” He stepped forward, stood less than two inches away and took his time looking her over before walking away.
Damn those shivers to hell. For once she had better things to think of, namely her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Mark Markson, if she could pull it off and didn’t make a dumb mistake. She glared at Ivan and walked the opposite direction.
Chapter Six
“It’s raining?” Kathleen Elliott ruffled Ivan’s hair and gave him a hug.
“Yeah.” The rain started as soon as he entered the canyon on his way to Shane and Lindsay’s, and he didn’t want to think of Emily driving out there. If she knew he was coming to the house he would have taken her, but then of course she didn’t know. His plan hinged on the element of surprise, and the fact he needed to get that document signed by Shane, without Shane knowing.
He turned toward the front door. “It’s really coming down.”
“Come on you must be starving.” Shane’s mom guided him away from the door as if the rain might suddenly attack them. “Go to the living room with everyone else.”
“Living room.” Strange. One of them owned a living room. The name of the room denoted adults, homes, and babies.
“I made tuna fish.” She pushed him ahead. “Lindsay and my grandchild were craving tuna fish.”
“That sounds reasonable.” Shane, Carson, Shane’s dad Ronald, and Lindsay waved, their mouths full of the said tuna. Kathleen Elliott’s tuna. Though he’d already eaten, he peeked over his shoulder at her, widening his eyes to ensure she’d notice that he was malnourished.
“Do you want a tuna fish sandwich?” She grabbed his cheek and pursed her lips as she spoke.
“Two please.” Shane’s mom did something to the tuna. No one could figure it out, but the woman took seemingly normal ingredients and made them into something amazing.
“Coming right up.” She gave his face another squeeze but it was a small price to pay for the tuna.
Shane motioned him over and he took his spot with the other men on the couch. Maybe it was now a sofa since they were in an actual living room.
“Tuna.” Shane held up his sandwich half. “Lindsay can’t make the tuna, but I married her anyway.”
“I wonder if Emily can make the tuna.” Ivan glanced at his watch and at the window and the rain. A strange tightness took over his chest and he stood.
“What’s wrong with you?” Shane hit him in the leg.
“Look at that rain.” He pointed at the window. “No one should be out in this.”
“It’s just rain.” Lindsay laughed. “It’s not a conspiracy against Los Angeles.”
“Oh, says the woman from Ohio.” Shane shoved the rest of his sandwich in his mouth and joined her on the sofa bed. “It doesn’t bother you because I don’t allow you to drive in the rain in Los Angeles.”
Ivan watched the exchange. “Your sister is out in the rain! She should be here eating the tuna.”
“Don’t worry, she doesn’t like the tuna.” Carson sat back and patted his stomach.
“Shane!” Ivan held out his hands.
“Chill,” Shane said through a full mouth.
Why didn’t anyone understand? He inhaled, priming to yell when the perfect storm of comfort crashed into him.
“Tuna fish!” Shane’s mom entered from the dining room with his plate.
Better than the magic tuna, the front door slammed. “Oh, my God!” Emily’s yell cut through the pound of pouring rain on the roof and she rushed into the living room with her purse and her makeup bag. “It’s raining.” At catching sight of Ivan she skidded to a stop.
