When We Fall (Take the Fall, #2)(49)

I close the door after he walks inside and turns to face me.

“Piper go crying to you?” His smug smile makes me want to punch him. “Whatever she said, it’s not true.”

“Actually, she was worried about causing problems for us. She didn’t want to come between us and suggested that we meet to discuss our business goals.”

Smug gives way to ashamed. The bastard can’t meet my eyes now. “Oh. Huh. You have to admit that getting that letter is bad timing.”

“It’s a complaint from a customer, whose name is on the complaint. And if I remember correctly, that was the same woman who wanted us to ink her fourteen-year-old daughter with a tramp stamp. You can bet your ass I’m saying no to that. Everyf*ckingtime.”

Emmett strokes his jaw. “I wasn’t saying yes to her, either.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I’m under a lot of pressure. You wouldn’t get it.”

“Try me.”

“People are spreading rumors about our business. Before you dated her, no one had shit to say.”

“By people, you mean?”

“Mark Williams—my sister’s dating him. I f*cking hate him. He’s been trying to pump me for information about Piper, too. Even told me about how she was having dinner with her parents.”

My blood runs cold. “He’s stalking her?”

“Don’t know,” Emmett mutters. “He says his dad and Piper’s dad are tight and want to see them together. Meanwhile, my sister thinks she’s in love.”

Emmett’s sister is barely nineteen. “You need to do something about that. Kinsey doesn’t need to be anywhere near that f*cker.”

“Why do you think I hang out with them so much?” Emmett leans against the desk. “If I say stay away, she’ll date him in secret, but if I act like I want to be around them, then I don’t worry. As much.”

“I get that, man. It was all I could do to keep Rowan safe. Luckily, she fell hard for the world’s nicest guy.”

“Yeah.” Emmett nods. “Guess I owe Piper an apology.”

“You do, and in front of the entire shop, too. That * comment was out of line.”

Emmett’s face turns beet red. “She told you that?”

I shake my head. “No, my three o’clock touch-up did.”

“I’ll apologize as soon as she comes in.” He holds out his hand. “Are we straight now?”

I grab his hand and pound his back in a bro hug. “Soon as you’re done apologizing we are.”





Piper


Weeks pass by as Jase and I find a routine that works for us. He takes me out on dates and we always end up making love in bed…or the shower, the floor…the sofa. Jase is very inventive and persuasive.

My cheeks heat at the thought.

I don’t mind. I love being with him. I love him. All I need to do is tell him how I feel, but I’m holding back a little. Okay, I’m holding back a lot.

Rowan suggested that I don’t say it during sex because he might think that it’s the orgasm talking, which wouldn’t be too fantastical to believe since I’ve had to bite my lip to keep from shouting those words.

I cash out the next two customers and give them a bottle of healing gel as well as instructions for taking care of and maintaining their new tattoo. Most people are nice, but some do give me odd looks since I’m not sporting ink anywhere they can see.

Office Hunter Sloan walks through the door and I do a double take. “Hey there. I didn’t know you had an appointment.”

“I don’t. I came here to talk to you.”

“Oh?” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jase’s face go dark. He is not happy with Hunter being in here, although I don’t know why. He can’t be jealous. I talk to customers on a daily basis and he doesn’t bat an eye.

“Yeah…I probably shouldn’t be asking you this, but…how is Evangeline doing?”

My mouth drops open before I can help it. “She’s…that’s confidential.”

He nods grimly and runs a hand through his dark hair. “Let’s pretend I didn’t ask you.”

“Ask her what?” Jase joins us at the counter, placing a possessive hand on my back.

“Police business,” Hunter snaps, looking extremely guilty.

Jase’s mouth flattens. “Try again, and while you do, mind telling me how you’re so friendly with my girl?”

“We know each other from the shelter,” I blurt. I don’t think it’s against policy to say that. “He brought in a guest.”

“Huh.” Jase’s gaze turns even sharper. “That part of your cop duties, Sloan?”

“I wanted to check up on her,” Hunter says, crossing his muscular arms across an equally muscular chest. “That’s all, Simmons.”

“The two of you know each other?” I ask.

“Something like that,” Hunter replies.

“He left town and forgot where he came from,” Jase says.

Hunter grunts. “Looks like I found my way back.”

Before Jase can make another comment, I step in front of him and wrap his hands around my waist. “It’s so good of you to stop by and ask about…her.” I lower my voice. “I’m only saying this because I know you didn’t hurt her and because you brought her in. She’s talking and wanting to leave.”