INKED 8: A Tattoo Shop Reverse Harem

“I’m sure Noah will be fine.”

The man of the hour pops his head around his booth. “Come on in,” he calls, totally undaunted by the famous woman he’s going to be talking to. I like that about him.

We all make our way over, and Luna perches on the reclined chair, her hands folded in her lap. Hudson watches everything with cool assessment, including the bodyguards.

Noah rests against the counter that runs down the side of his booth, folding his well-muscled arms across his broad chest. “So, you want a tattoo?” His soft, caramel eyes drop to Luna’s swollen belly. “We wouldn’t recommend it now, but when you’ve had the baby…”

“I’m not going to get it until after the birth,” Luna says. “I just want to get an idea of what it will be like. I’m a planner.”

Noah smiles. “Well, is there something in particular?”

“My brother’s name,” she says softly. “Jake.”

“Okay,” His expression softens. “So, something that reminds you of who he was?” Noah reaches for a pad and pencil, jotting and already sketching. “Do you just want his name in cursive, or with a photographic-style image of him, or an object or something that you associate with him?”

“I’m not really sure. This is my first tattoo.”

“She likes mine,” Hudson says. Without hesitation, he unbuttons his crisp white shirt, revealing an elaborate cursive name across his heart.

“That’s great lettering,” Noah says. “But I’m thinking something more illustrative for Luna. Tell me about Jake.”

“He was always smiling like he had sunshine pouring out of him. He loved running and being outdoors.”

“I’ve got an idea,” Noah says. Scribbling on the pad frantically, he draws his lip ring between his lips. Luna shuffles back a little, crossing her legs and shaking her black spike-heeled boot. I guess women who get chauffeur-driven around don’t need to worry about inappropriate footwear. My worn Converse are hardly sexy, but who has time to worry about that when I’m on my feet all day.

Carl hangs around outside the booth as though he’s worried that Noah will fuck things up, but when Noah tucks the pencil behind his ear and turns the pad to Luna, her reaction is extreme. Her hands fly to her mouth and her green eyes fill with tears.

The image is stunning. A sun rests in the protective crescent of the moon, with the lettering of Jake’s name curled around the bottom. “You can have it in color or black, whichever you prefer.”

“I love it like that.” Luna brushes a tear from her eye, her hand going to gently touch the crescent moon at her throat. “Can I take that with me? I want to show it to Asher.”

Noah nods, tearing it from the pad. With his phone, he snaps a quick picture. “I’ll save it in case you lose it before you want to come back.”

Luna presses the drawing to her chest, smiling sadly. “I won’t lose it.”

“Do you feel better now?” Hudson asks softly. When she nods, he rests his big hand on her shoulder.

“Wow,” Dawn says. “I told you these guys are awesome.”

Her comment is directed at me, and I nod, smiling at Noah, who winks with self-satisfaction. I guess there was no worry on his part about whether he could design something fitting. By the time I glance back to Carl, he’s already disappeared.

Luna stands and holds out her hand for Noah to shake. “I’ll be back in a few months when this one is safely in the world.”

“Good luck with that,” Noah smiles. “Getting a tattoo won’t be half as painful.”

Then Luna grimaces and then turns her attention to me, taking my hand and walking out of the booth. The bodyguards hustle around us as she leads me back to the sidewalk. “Thanks, Kyla,” she says, pulling me into a gentle hug. “Oh, and if the other six are as gorgeous as the two I met, you should definitely go for it.”

Her grin is just about as wicked as I have ever seen, and my blush feels like a raging inferno across my cheeks. “What should she go for?” Dawn asks, only hearing the tail end of the conversation.

“That would be telling,” Luna says. Reaching out, she takes Hudson’s hand. “Let’s go home,” she says. “The others will be wondering what’s keeping us.”

“Don’t worry,” Hudson smiles. “I already messaged them. Do you think Connor would expect anything less?"

As they disappear into the limousine, waving as it pulls away, I can’t help but think about what Luna said. Eight men.

That little woman handles seven, but she’s a firecracker. I’m just an ordinary girl. Seven might be lucky for a superstar, but eight would be impossible for little old me.

5

NOAH

I arrive at work earlier than usual, knowing that it’s Kyla’s first day. My brothers don’t believe my excuse that I left my station in a mess. I’m meticulous when it comes to my art, and there has never been a day when I’ve left Ink Factor without getting everything clean and tidy.