INKED 8: A Tattoo Shop Reverse Harem

We're so similar on the outside that even our own mother sometimes gets us mixed up, but where my brother is tough and assertive, I have an easier temperament. Dex might push too hard, but I know I won't.

"You do remember what you talked about with Dex last night, don't you?"

On cue, her pupils swell, making her eyes darken with arousal. Her tongue flicks out to moisten her lips as though she's thinking about kissing me. "He didn't mean it. It was all just the alcohol talking."

"Oh, he meant it," I say. "And I think you did too."

"Carl won't like it," Kyla says, and I have to bite my lip to stop myself from smiling. She's relying on Carl to put a stop to it because she can't do it herself.

"I'm sure Dex told you that Carl is our problem, not yours. All you have to do is pick a date and leave us to the rest."

"You guys are crazy," she says, taking a step back and pressing her hand over her heart. I bet if I did the same, I'd feel it skittering as fast as a mouse's.

"Maybe," I say. "But I don't think so. I think we know exactly what we're doing, and you're going to love every minute of it."

I reach out with my hand and entwine my fingers with Kyla's. She's so warm, and uncertain, but when I take a step closer, she doesn't push me away. "Do you want to know what we'd do on my date night?"

A little whoosh of breath leaves her sweet lips, and she nods, sending a rush of heat to my cock.

"I'd cook you your favorite meal and serve your favorite drink, and after, I'd lay you naked on my kitchen table and eat dessert off all the delicious parts of you." On cue, Kyla shivers, and I lean closer to whisper in her ear. "But that's just one date, and you're going to experience eight."

"What about my job?" she says.

"Nothing about this will affect your job here. What happens outside of Ink Factor stays outside of Ink Factor. Tell me you want to, and everything will be set. You can choose your first date later on. If you want, we can keep the discussion about it outside of work. What do you think?"

Kyla blinks again, lowering her eyes as she inhales a quick deep breath. There's still a flicker of doubt, but when her hand squeezes mine, that flicker is snuffed out. "Okay," she says breathlessly.

"Okay."

I'm shocked by the rush of relief that passes through my body. It's not the sex that's driving it either. It's something else entirely.

How long has it been since I really spent time thinking about giving someone the perfect date? Too long. How long has it been since I went on a date with someone that I actually enjoy spending time with? Just as long.

Kyla's sweet and interesting, pretty, and funny. I can't wait for her to pick my date out of the bowl.

How long will I have to wait? I hope it won't be too long.

Now I just have to tell Dex that his plan is on.

And leave him to deal with Carl.

11

KOLE

I catch the tail end of the hissed discussion between Dex and Carl. Noah and Lex are involved too, and by the time I enter the back office, it all seems to be calming down.

“This is the bowl,” Dex says, holding out a white plastic bowl we usually fill with chips. “Everyone needs to write down three things. Their name, the details of the date, and the kink.”

“Now, this sounds interesting,” I say. “Is this Kyla thing going ahead? Because my plans for her are already well and truly drafted.”

“It is,” Dex says firmly.

“I’ve been overruled,” Carl says, running his fingers over his intricately braided blond hair. It’s the first time I’ve heard Carl agree to be overruled in a long time, so I guess his cock is driving his surrender this time. Even the strongest men get driven by their cock rather than their minds sometimes. It’s the reason that the human race has propagated for so long. Those base urges are powerful. “But that doesn’t mean I’m getting involved.”

“What?” I ask.

“I’m not putting a date into the bowl. At least one of us needs to remain professional and on the outside of this. As the person who hired Kyla in the first place, I think that person should be me.”

“I don’t know how you’re going to resist,” Noah says. “I know I couldn’t pass up the chance.”

Carl shrugs, his blue eyes flicking to the ceiling as though he’s trying to draw on reserves that are just out of reach. “I’m a man. I’m used to dealing with the fact that life doesn’t always go as we want it to.”

Is that a hint that we should all be stepping back and resisting like men? Because I call bullshit. Sometimes, men need to know when to step forward, and this is one of those times.