Free Under Your Skin by Shannyn Schroeder

mouth, his muscles relaxed.
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œI’ll tell her when she gets here.” He sat down beside Joe and got to work. If things went as he planned, he wouldn’t have to worry about stupid calls again.

Chapter Four
    Norah dug through the pile of maternity clothes at a frantic speed. She had no idea what to wear. What does one wear to work at a tattoo parlor? Tommy didn’t know what Kai wanted her to do so he’d been no help. She didn’t want to wear a pretty dress only to find she’d be scrubbing toilets.
    Then again, she didn’t know if she’d take the job if she had to scrub toilets.
    Yeah, she would. She was desperate enough to do just about anything. And the thought of just about anything sent a surge of lust through her again. She remembered the way Kai had looked at her. She shook her head. That was wrong. Hormones were interfering with her thought process again. Between the hormones and her ongoing loneliness, her body didn’t have a chance.
    She grabbed the sundress and slipped it over her head. The sneakers on her feet would stay because once she removed them, her ankles started to swell. Then nothing would fit. After brushing her hair, she twisted it into a braid and grabbed her keys.
    From the couch, her dad looked at her. “Where you going?”
    â€œJob interview.”
    He hadn’t spoken to her much since she’d come home. He tolerated her nagging at him about his meds, but he didn’t mention her pregnancy once. She didn’t know what to think of it. He was like this extra body in the house that she cared for but didn’t know.
    â€œGood luck,” he said.
    â€œThanks.” That was about as real as any interaction with Seamus O’Malley went for her. She didn’t have time to diagnose her relationship with her dad. Far too many things already crowded her brain.
    She walked out the door into the oppressive August heat and humidity. The air was so thick she almost had to swallow it to fill her lungs. At least the AC still worked in her car. She started the engine, but stood outside until the air in the car circulated.
    Once she was on the road to Ink Envy, her nerves attacked. She knew nothing about working for a tattoo artist. Maybe he had some office busy work for her. But Tommy said he’d asked and Kai shot him down. She wondered what had changed.
    It was early enough in the day that rush hour traffic hadn’t started yet, so she made good time getting there. Her luck held as she found a parking spot two doors down. It was about time something went in her favor.
    She pushed through the door of Ink Envy and saw Kai working on a client. For a moment, he froze, looking at her. He didn’t say anything so she sat on the old leather couch at the front. She wondered where Tommy was.
    â€œYou ready for a break?” Kai’s low, rumbly voice danced over to her, even though he spoke to the guy less than a foot from him. “You want a drink or something?”
    â€œSounds good.”
    â€œHey, Tommy.”
    Tommy came from the back somewhere. “Yeah.”
    â€œGet Joe something to drink. I’ll be right back.”
    Norah stood and that’s when Tommy noticed her. His face brightened with a smile. That was something she worried she wouldn’t see again. Tommy’s easy smile directed at her. Kai peeled off gloves, tossed them in the trash, and walked toward her. Then he kept walking to the front door.
    Weird.
    She followed him outside. She squinted in the sun, but Kai moved and blocked the glare. Her own personal eclipse.
    â€œTommy says you’re trustworthy.”
    â€œOkay. Is there a reason we’re out here?”
    â€œYeah. I don’t take care of personal matters at my business.”
    â€œSo hiring me is personal?” She was so confused.
    â€œI need someone I can trust. I assume with the exception of your condition,” he said as he pointed at her belly,