Page 7 of Under Kid’s Protection

“Okay.” She put her hands on her hips and continued to smile as she worked things out in her mind. “I’ll meet you at the studio. I doubt I’ll drink all that much, so if you need me to, later tonight, I can be your designated driver.” She winked playfully.

He couldn’t help but chuckle. The number of times in his youth, and maybe on a few too many occasions as an adult, he’d ridden his motorcycle when he shouldn’t… “Sure. That sounds like a plan.”

Another delightful squee came from her, and his heart flipped.

When her arms wrapped around him, squeezing him tight, he went rigid in more places than one.

His brows rose, and he wasn’t sure what to do. Did he return her hug? Would that be too much? He didn’t want to freak her out.

But…

Offending her would be wrong. She’d initiated the contact. Therefore, he could reciprocate carefully.

Slowly, he returned her affection.

“I’m excited,” she admitted.

Closing his eyes, he brought his head down and inhaled a deep whiff of her hair. Feminine and flowery, she smelled like heaven.

“Me too,” he murmured, lingering in the hug longer than necessary.

5

Carrie

Opening a tattoo studio in Oklahoma City was crazier than Carrie had ever expected. Perhaps the hype had to do with the fact that tattooing had only been legal in this state since 2006. She found that out while chatting with one of the guest artists after she brought him some water while he took a break during a massive back piece.

Apparently, Kid hadn’t anticipated this kind of showing either. To help out, Carrie and Kelsey tended to the people waiting in line and ran to the food trucks so the artists, who were busting their asses, could get something to eat.

Between the vibes, the buzzing from the machines, and the constant running around, Carrie didn’t have the opportunity to overthink the crowd. For the first time in eight months, she was comfortable in public around people she didn’t know.

Her life was hers again. People didn’t scare her anymore. She hoped this high never ended.

As she swept the floor, Kelsey busied herself with counting the remaining stock of T-shirts, and Kid saw the last customer to the door. The first day was officially in the books. From what Carrie had seen, she’d call it a success.

Kid locked the door, turned, and pressed his back against it.

The guest artists, and the four tattooers he’d hired, were gone for the night. Kevlar, Kid’s brother and Kelsey’s boyfriend, had already left for the bar to set up for their after-party. They were the last three in the shop.

Kid scrubbed his face. “That was insane.”

“Can you feel your hands?” Carrie asked.

He held them out and stared at them a moment before flexing his fingers. “Not really.” He chuckled.

Should she be concerned?

Throwing his fist in the air, Kid jumped and let out a holler.

Carrie and Kelsey exchanged a look before erupting in giggles.

“I’m going to close out the register,” he declared as he marched through the front of the shop. “If you ladies want to head on over to the Knucklehead, I’ll meet you there after I do a bank drop.”

Kelsey cocked her head. “Wait.” She peered at Carrie. “You’re going?”

Carrie nodded eagerly.

Her friend bit her lips together in a tight line.