Draw Me In Read Online Free Page A

sign in the window.”
    Neill nodded, one corner of his mouth curled in a lazy grin. “Yeah, I just put that up. Our receptionist is leaving.” He indicated the woman at the counter, who was laughing with the customer. “You interested?”
    “Well, actually, yeah,” I said quickly, my mouth running much faster than my brain. “I mean, if you’re okay with that. I love art. I’m a graphic design major over at Leesville, and I thought tattoos, hey, why not?”
    “Come over here with me, and we can talk about it.” Neill gestured toward the back wall of the shop.
    He started walking through the lobby area, and I hesitated for a split second. A tattoo shop? Really? But it was beautiful, and if anyone understood how I felt about art, it would be these people, right? And Jesus, was Neill gorgeous. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings to look at him every day. I pinned a confident smile on my face and followed him, passing by the array of doors. Some of them were closed, others were half open, and the sound of a harsh buzz assailed my ears. Laughter and conversation flowed like water through the studio, the whole assortment a happy, comforting sound.
    I followed Neill into the room at the back corner of the shop. The decor in here matched the lobby, with blues and blacks and silver accents all around. A large drafting table was set up against one wall, and a light box occupied the majority of a nice desk. Unsure whether to sit or stand, I hesitated.
    “Have a seat,” he said as he pointed at a comfy armchair nestled in the corner. Instead of sitting behind the black and chrome desk, he grabbed the seat next to me and turned it so we were facing each other. His knees were only an inch or so away from mine, almost close enough for me to feel his body heat. I wondered, only for a second, what it would feel like if he pressed forward, touching me. Innocent enough, but I wasn’t sure I’d want innocent with him.
    Ease up, girl! What the hell? I slammed those thoughts into a locked box and shoved them behind a curtain in my brain. Think about the hell Mom and Dad put you through. No way do you need to get involved with a guy. Besides, if you’re lucky, this will be your boss. Total bad idea.
    My knees started a rhythmic bouncing. It was the only way I could keep my hands from visibly shaking.
    He gave a gentle smile as he propped his elbows on his thighs. “Hey, there’s no need to be nervous. I promise we’re easygoing around here.”
    My laugh was high-pitched and nervous. “That’s good to know.” I tensed my quads to keep my legs still. It worked—sort of.
    “So, Hailey, what do you do now?”
    I tucked my hair behind my ear self-consciously. “Just school, actually. I’m looking for a job, though, obviously.” I groaned inside. Of course, you idiot, you already told him that .
    “Graphic design, huh? Do you like art, or were you looking for the easy way out?”
    I shook my head vehemently. “No, I love art. Really.”
    “What do you do?”
    “Drawing and painting, mostly. Some digital stuff, photo manipulation, that kind of thing. I love ceramics, too.” I almost let my glance dart away, but something in his gaze was magnetic. Those eyes were incredible. They made me long to pick up a pencil, try to capture their depth, their lusty deep blue color. “I guess you love art?”
    Neill nodded, giving another lethal smile. “I’ve loved drawing since I was a kid. I used to tag a lot. I got into tattooing when I was pretty young. I apprenticed here, I tattoo here, and now I own half the business.”
    “That’s great,” I said, unable to cover the surprise in my voice. Seriously? “I know this might seem like a rude question, but how old are you? You don’t look old enough to own half this place. Actually, you look close to my age.”
    He laughed, and it rumbled straight through my body again. I willed myself to be still, to turn my insides into steel instead of molten mush.
    “I’m twenty-four. And if