Chapter 2

"Jensa, answer your phone." Tabitha sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, hating it when she got the answering machine. "Jensa...there's a new tattoo parlor I want to check out and I need someone with a level head to go with me." She pleaded excitedly. "Answer the phone!"

Great, what did Tabitha want now? Jensa sighed as she picked up the phone, only half paying attention to the message, but couldn't ignore the urgency in her voice. "What do you want chica?" She demanded, working on her latest project for the newspaper and raised a slow eyebrow as Tabitha explained about a tattoo parlor she wanted to check out someone told her about. "You know that's not my scene..." She sighed, why was she ever friends with this woman? Reluctantly nodding, Jensa didn't have a choice. "Fine-fine, I'll go. Give me an hour to get ready."

She hung up and went to change, wondering what a person of her stature wore to a tattoo parlor. Deciding on a jean skirt and blue shimmery tank top, Jensa went to shower, knowing Tabitha would be there shortly. Tabitha was soon there looking like the punk she was, grinning broadly.

"You know you love me." She teased when Jensa opened the door, ignoring her friend's exasperated sigh. "LOOK, it is run by some guy who's supposedly very good and a bit scary and I don't wanna go by myself!" She stuck out her lower lip. "So..."

"So you call your rich bitch friend?"

Jensa laughed when she began pouting, draping an arm around her shoulders, shaking her head. In truth, Jensa was as down to earth as most people and hid her wealth well. Her white tennis shoes clomped on the marble flooring as they headed outside, after taking the elevator, since she was on the top floor. She slid into Tabitha's Ford Focus and they were off toward the new tattoo parlor.

"Oh joy, oh rapture!"

"I know, right?" Tabitha shouted, cranking up the music, which was an alternative rock band, driving like the madwoman she was. "So, you should consider getting one, you know?" She glanced at her hand, where she had written down the directions to this joint. "Deadman? Who the hell calls themself that?"

"No idea, sounds morbid and NO THANK YOU."

There was no way in hell Jensa would ink herself. Was Tabitha out of her mind? Jensa was scared to death of needles, only having her naval and ears pierced because she got drunk and let one of her friends in college do it for her. NEVER AGAIN.

"No, you stick with your tattooing and just let me tagalong okay?" She patted Tabitha's hand, smiling when they arrived. "Here goes nothing." They stepped out and headed inside.

"Wow, this place is...wow." Tabitha said, looking around and actually gasped when she spotted the man behind the counter.

He sat on a stool with one leg propped on a rung. While that wasn't anything special, his size and look was. He had long black hair that spilled over his bare shoulders and tattoos from sleeve to wrist on both arms. Tabitha's eyes shot open, trying to examine them all from a distance. When he stood up, she blinked again nudging Jensa. He was sexy in a dangerous sort of way and, the fact he wasn't wearing a shirt, only a pair of skintight black jeans didn't help.

"Did I say wow?"

Taker almost smiled.

Jensa felt her breath catch in her throat at the sight of her savior, not believing he was a tattoo artist. Then again, it wasn't all surprising since he was inked heavily. Damn, he had an incredible body with muscles in places she'd never noticed on any man before, those jeans hugging him like a second skin. She could already tell he had a great backside too.

"Well hello there again." Jensa finally greeted with a soft smile, seeing Tabitha's jaw drop. "I met him last night. He's the one who beat Randy's ass."

Taker did smile, nodding at her, before examining her friend. If they were here for a tattoo, he guessed the punk was his customer. "Ladies, what can I do for you?" He asked, propping an elbow on the counter, green eyes moving back onto Jensa. Or what he could do to her, he mentally added, stroking his goatee thoughtfully. Taker wasn't stupid to say it aloud.

Jensa grinned back at Tabitha, who still gaped at the man and nudged her. "Come back to earth, Tabby. The man just asked you a question and it's rude not to answer."

Jensa walked over to a chair and sat down, the skirt she wore falling two inches above the knee as she crossed one leg over the other. Tabitha stammered out what she thought about getting on her lower back, which made Jensa smirk. Why the woman tortured herself for decoration was beyond her. Jensa took one of the biker magazines, beginning to sift through it impassively.

Tabitha shot Jensa looks that said 'go to hell', gesturing her friend to follow because, while the guy was sexy, he was also scary. Her source hadn't lied about that part, not at all. Swallowing, she stepped back into the hallway, arching an eyebrow when she spotted a bald guy who was sexy in a less scary way.

"Steve, feel up to...What the fuck are you doing, cue ball?" Taker demanded, growling.

"Remodelin', jackass." Steve grunted in return.

Jensa raised a slow eyebrow when Tabitha practically came over and DRAGGED her out of the chair, pulling her toward the big men. "Tabitha, if you don't release me I'll stick my foot up your ass, sweetheart." She threatened in a deceptively sweet voice, smiling when the woman loosened her grip. "He's not going to bite you, that wouldn't be good for business." Chuckling, Jensa rolled her eyes when Tabitha scowled at her. "Are you getting inked or wasting his time?"

"Wastin' Taker's time?" Steve snorted, ducking a jab to his shoulder. "Try that again, jackass, and I'll hit you so damn hard your grandmother's gonna feel it."

Taker wondered why the hell he kept Steve around and inwardly rolled his eyes. "Don't you have work to do?" He inquired, keeping his voice even.

"Depends."

He folded his arms over his chest, arching a black eyebrow.

"On how much you're payin' me."

"2 cases of beer and a day without me beating the shit out of you."

Jensa ignored their bickering, both her and Tabitha looking over a tattoo that was sort of punkish, knowing that's what she wanted. It would require a LOT of pink, but that was Tabitha's style. As long as her friend was happy, that's all that mattered to Jensa. She smiled and wrapped her arm around Tabitha's shoulders, knowing she was nervous.

"Tell you what sweetie, consider this your birthday gift."

Tabitha gaped. "Really?! Jen, you don't-"

"I can and am. Now we just have to wait for these 2 gentlemen stop their antics."

"Did you decide yet?" Taker asked Tabitha, snorting when Steve smirked and smacked his friend upside his bald head. "Enough with that. Back to work. I'll handle this."

"Bet you will." Steve chuckled, appraising both women, trying to figure out which one Taker was interested in. He rarely took on annoying customers and he had a feeling the honey blonde was...interesting.

Jensa simply smiled amiably, patting Tabitha on the back encouragingly. "Get anything you want, I got it." She winked and Tabitha looked down at the paper, pointing out the pink skull with a black rose wrapped around it, totally Tabitha's style. Jensa grinned as Taker nodded, guiding them both to the back. "Happy early birthday, honey."

"Jen you are the BEST!" Tabitha was ecstatic, eyes sparkling. "I want it on my left shoulder."

"Do I seriously have to watch this?"

"Yes, pretty please?"

"Fine and if I faint, it's on you."

Pink, she wanted pink. Well...he'd just have Steve do that. Steve was better at filling in, while Taker's expertise was detailing, something Steve couldn't do very well.

"Sit down." He grunted, muscles flexing as he rolled his shoulders, glancing at Jensa.

Jensa could feel the heat radiating from his eyes as they seared through her, but didn't show it. She was a master at hiding how she felt and simply took a seat beside Tabitha, who hesitantly laid down on the sterilized bedding. She made sure to bring the magazine with to look at something, instead of undressing this man with her eyes. Jensa could only imagine what his name was and flicked through the magazine while he prepped the instruments.

"Any second thoughts?" She teased, laughing when Tabitha stuck her tongue out. "How very 5th grade of you."

"So...I heard you were, um…good." Tabitha said, glancing over her shoulder at Taker then back to Jensa, wiggling her eyebrows.

Taker did not miss the way her shoulders moved, like she was laughing. "Been told I'm the best." He replied with a straight face, voice going husky.

Tabitha groaned and hid her face. Jensa tried so hard not to laugh, but it was nearly impossible. She buried her face in the magazine while Tabitha did the same to the bedding.

"Just shoot me right now."

"Now why would I do that when you amuse me so much?" Jensa laughed when Tabitha's jaw dropped, giggling, trying to stop. "You know I love you chica."

"Yeah, sure..."

Steve walked in, arching an eyebrow. "Threesome?"

"Just stop talking before you put your foot in your mouth."

"Foursome, if you count yourself. Was there something you wanted?"

"Just wonderin' who dared to laugh in your personal domain, Satan."

Taker narrowed his eyes, pulling on a pair of gloves. "You are now down to a case and a half, Austin."

Jensa needed a new change of panties due to this man's voice. Of course, he didn't know that, but somehow she could just tell he knew how it affected women. Tabitha looked like she was about ready to crawl in a hole and die while Steve snorted. Jensa simply buried her face in the magazine again, arching a brow when Tabitha reached her hand out.

"I'm not holding your hand by the way, Tabby."

"I didn't ask you to."

"Good, you want the pain, you're going through it."

"Yeah-yeah bite me." Tabitha snorted, rolling her eyes.

"I would honey, but your ass is too boney."

Steve looked like he was caught between a rock and a hard place, groaning when they kept bantering. When the blonde said, 'bite me', again, he nipped her backside, hearing her squeal. "Now stop teasing." He growled, walking out.

Taker snorted, trying not to find that amusing and lowered his head, knowing he couldn't work until he was done trying not to laugh.

"He bit your ass literally!" Jensa rolled with laughter, trying not to fall out of the chair as she held her stomach, doubled over. "Oh my god, I'm crying! Damn it, my makeup is going to smear, you bitch!" Tears fell from her blue eyes from laughing so hard.

Tabitha was red in the face from the top of her head down to her toes, wishing she could disappear at that moment. "He bit my ass..."

"Literally! Damn I should've taken a picture!"

"Shut the hell up before I come in there and bite you next!" Steve bellowed, sounding amused.

Taker got up, slammed the door shut and locked it just in case, sighing. "Whenever you're ready."

"Just...don't bite my ass."

He slapped it instead.

Jensa completely lost it, unlocking the door and ran out, needing air before she ended up dying back there. Tabitha was insane! She found the restroom to do some business and then went outside for a smoke, still laughing. Oh the irony, Taker was doing her best friend's tattoo. Jensa flicked ash away and knew Tabitha was probably cringing right about now.

Tabitha had actually chatted him up and found out quickly Taker wasn't having it. However, that didn't do anything to dissuade her. Though, when the needle dug into her back a little bit, Tabitha clamped her mouth shut and waited for Jensa to return and rescue her. Jensa walked in 20 minutes later, needing two cigarettes and to get over her laughter. The bald man Taker referred to as Austin busied trying to do the remodeling, only to end up smacking his thumb with a hammer. That had sent Jensa into another fit of giggles, which in turn made her smoke a second cigarette. Knocking, Jensa walked back in, seeing Tabitha clinging to the bedding and took her seat, not saying a word.

Taker didn't glance up when Jensa came in, though he was well aware she had because her scent for one. The electricity had also filtered the air and Taker knew it had nothing to do with his tattoo gun. On the bright side, her friend had quieted and gotten the message that he wasn't interested.

The tattoo took 3 hours. Jensa knew her backside was probably bruised from the hard chair she sat in, having taken several smoke breaks because Taker lit her body on fire with just his presence. She found out from Tabitha that was his name. Morbid yet very sexy at the same time, Jensa thought, and it suited him. Tabitha was in a lot of pain as she walked out while Jensa paid at the register with a smile.

Steve grinned, having done the shading and watched as Taker pulled on a vest, ringing Jensa up. "Going out?"

"Visiting your mother."

Steve rolled his eyes, looking at Jensa. "Gotta love his sense of humor."

"Indeed." Jensa took her credit card back from him, placing it back in her wallet, nodding when Tabitha hugged and thanked her again, grinning. "Not a problem chica, its chump change." She just dropped nearly $600 dollars on a tattoo. Jensa was well-off thanks to her grandmother and had EARNED every penny left to her. "You ready to go, Tabby?"

"Chump change?" Steve echoed, almost spitting out his beer and glanced at Taker, who just shrugged. "Woman..." He trailed off, deciding not to say anything and just cleared his throat.

Taker was going to have to put a muzzle on Steve, next sliding on his riding gloves.

Tabitha giggled softly and winced, trying to look over her shoulder. "How does it look?"

"Painful." Jensa replied wryly, taking out her cigarette and lighter, needing another smoke. "Come woman, I'm starving." She pulled Tabitha gently toward the door, nodding back at the guys. "Thanks for everything. Have a good one." They walked out and Jensa allowed the air to assault her. It was surprisingly cool in New York in the middle of Indian summer. "Do you regret it?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Okay," Tabitha froze and looked at Jensa. "You need to go back in there and try getting Taker's number. He's gorgeous, hot, sexy, dangerous and…and…and…he's right behind me, isn't he?"

"My number is on the business card you got with the receipt."