Surrender of a Tattooist: Obsessive Dark Romance Alpha Bad Boy (Tattooist Series Book 2) Read Online Free

moment and asked, “How do you know about this place?”
    He shrugged like it was no big deal. “Oh, Randy’s my uncle.”
    “I’m jealous,” she said wistfully. “I wish like hell my family was as cool as yours.”
    He turned away from the peacocks. His eyes rested on her face, watching her intently. “I take it they’re not very cool?”
    “Hell no. I told you they think almost everything is a sin. They’re also narrow-minded bigots who hate anyone and everyone who doesn’t look like them or believe what they believe.” She shrugged. “Just to sum it up.”
    His finger tilted her chin and face toward him so that her eyes were right on his. “I take it you weren’t very happy there.”
    She sighed. This was one conversation she hated having, and always tried to avoid it. With Cliff, she suddenly just wanted to tell him and then forget about it. “No. My childhood was disgustingly normal. My parents weren’t unkind to me, even if they didn’t get me. They just weren’t people I could comprehend. I couldn’t understand their mindset and how they could be so normal, or why how they think is even normal. I also couldn’t figure out how I could be so abnormal.”
    “How did you wind up in L.A.?”
    She smiled. His fingers were still on her chin. She liked the feel of his flesh against hers, even if it was in just a small way. “I went to college and met Joy. I didn’t really have any plans. I wanted to teach, but I didn’t know what to do about that either because none of the positions that were open where I’m from suited me.”
    “Joy, eh?”
    “Joy suggested I come out here. So I did. She already had a condo and all, you know, because she’s filthy rich. Not that she acts like she’s wealthy, though. And now… I live there still. Her condo, I mean. At least, most of the time.”
    The peacocks uttered their low and slightly rude cries. Cliff took her hand and led her onward. They went in to look at the smaller hawks, some of which were obviously dejected. “Why do they look so down?”
    Cliff shook his head. “I don’t know. It’s sad. Maybe it’s because they can’t make it out there.”
    She watched the beautiful birds a few moments. “Maybe you should turn them loose anyway. Maybe they would rather die trying than live in here.”
    He waved a finger at her face. “Don’t you even think about it. I already heard about you and that truckload of pigs and the cattle hauler. Besides, come look at this.”
    They moved on and she gasped as she saw a stunning owl sitting on a nest with its chicks. Cliff said, “Their father’s teaching them to fly. So are we. Their father is allowed to fly free; see that window up there? He can come right through it and he does. He feeds the chicks and her.”
    Pixie stared in wonder. “Why, if he can hunt and fly, is he still here?”
    Cliff sighed. “Because she is. She can’t fly anymore. Her wings were broken. They’ve never healed properly. Her mate is free; he flies wherever and whenever he wants to. He doesn’t have to stay, but he does. He roosts here at night and he feeds her. Randy feeds her when he knows hunting is bad. That way the father can eat too. He always brings his kills to her first. Randy feeds her while the male’s hunting, so when he comes back she has the carcass and he can have his meal. Even though she’s eaten, he still offers her the choicest morsels before he eats.”
    Tears came to her eyes. “That’s beautiful.”
    Cliff smiled. “That’s true love. No matter how hard it is, no matter what, they’re together.”
    Just then the male came flying down through the open window on the roof. He landed on the nest and immediately went to his mate and their chicks. Cliff slipped his arm around Pixie’s waist. “That’s our cue.”
    Pixie looked up at the male and winked. “It is. We’re leaving, mister. Love your family. They’re beautiful. So are you.”
    Cliff’s hand met her back again. The gesture was sexy and