2.

I came down stairs to the smell of bacon and sausages. My father, Glenn, was at the stove in a small apron, a white shirt and black jeans.

"Morning." I yawned. It was nearly ten in the morning, I hadn't even changed for breakfast, I was still in my dressing gown and slippers. It was hard getting used to the cold weather here.

"Morning. Sausage and bacon sandwiches okay for you?"

"Is that even a question?" I snickered. Anything greasy and tasty was definitely a yes from me. Food was a massive guilty pleasure of mine, my ass probably showed that.

"It's all I've got time for I'm afraid, birdie." His nickname still stuck. He had called me it ever since I was born, he never told me why. God, I missed my father so much. I was so happy to be back. He truly understood me and I was a massive daddy's girl. We both had tattoos, sleeves full. He loved me for who I was. "I've got to open the shop."

"No worries. What time do you usually open?" I questioned. I had worked yesterday but not until late in the afternoon. I was asleep before I even saw my father leave. I was pretty much jet lagged.

"Now, but I'll open half an hour later today, just for you." He turned around and gave me a wink. I smiled.

"Christ, I am flattered."

"I'm glad to hear that." He gave the pan a shake with his highly tattooed arm and I smiled.

Before I was born my father worked in an office somewhere in the city. He discovered I was a talented artist when I had started to grow up and I then discovered he was too. It wasn't until then he had decided to make something out of his talents, he was already tattooed then, not as much as now but he was definitely fascinated. The shop he owned now was the result. I was very proud of what he had accomplished.

I'm happy his genes were passed down to me.

"There you are." He laid a plate down on the counter. My belly grumbled in response. He kissed my forehead. "I'll go and get ready. Eat up."

"Cheers, dad." And I got tucked in.

I had practiced tattooing when I was living with my mum, many of my friends were interested in it and I had trained up for around a year. It came naturally to me just like it did my father.

My first shift with my dad was yesterday in Tattoo Rogue and I loved it there. Plus, I had met some of the most fascinating people. One person had stuck in my mind all day and night afterwards. Nick, I think his name was. I wasn't really listening, he was a fine specimen of a man and I couldn't help but stare.

I tried to play it cool, I really hoped it had worked because I really didn't want to make a fool out of myself, especially when he was so composed and cool.

"So about that number?" He had asked. I didn't give it to him, I couldn't even remember the number quick enough. Secondly, I knew how men like him worked, he wanted fun not anything serious.

I was almost 23, young and looking for fun, of course, but I didn't want to be used. I had already had my fair share in foolish men thinking they could use me, my body, when I didn't want that, not now, not ever. I wasn't 18 anymore, I wasn't looking for that.

He effected me anyway, in more ways than I wanted to admit.

Dad said he came there often, I could see that, he was tattooed literally from chest to foot. He was so hot, it was hard trying to concentrate on tattooing him when he looked like he did. I had managed it by some unknown miracle. Glenn had also mentioned how close he was to Nick, they were almost the best of friends even with the considerable age gap.

I didn't like to admit it, but I think I'd be seeing him again and a part of me couldn't wait to feast my eyes upon him.

I could look, after all.

"I'm going now, you'll come up when you're ready to help though yeah?" He came into the room and I swallowed the remaining bit of food on my plate. I stood up and took it to the sink. I'd wash them later.

"Sure." And I couldn't wait to get started again.

Once he had left, I went upstairs to take a shower. Afterwards, I chucked on a white t shirt, skinny jeans and converse.

I wasn't ever self conscious of my apprearance. I was a little bit of a tom boy, there wasn't an ounce of glamorous in me. I wore what was comfortable rather than what was stylish. I had tried to be a little more glam, but I thought I just looked weird.

Once I had done my makeup and my hair, I grabbed the set of keys in the bowl which was left on a table in the hallway and left.

The shop was down the street from the house so it was easily accessible and dad could keep an eye on it from home. It was convenient.

The walk was nice, yet short. It was chilly out, that time of year. I had missed it.

Living with my mother meant hot weather constantly in Australia. I loved it, don't get me wrong, Australia was amazing but here was my home town and it meant more to me than any other place in the world. I missed it like mad when I was away and I missed my dad more than anything.

Once I opened the door to the shop I spotted him at his desk drawing and designing a new tattoo.

"Interesting." I mused once I had rounded the counter to look at it. The drawing was bold, colourful and floral. My dad could draw pretty much anything.

"This would suit you." I snickered.

"Flowers aren't really my thing." I stated. I had one flower tattoo and that was about it.

"Can I do you another tattoo soon?" He asked. He continued to draw.

"Definitely." I loved his work even when saying that was being biased. We bonded in the only way we knew how.

"I had missed you so much, Birdie, nobody entertains me as much as you." He swivelled around in his chair to face me. He was a vibrant colour even when the walls were full of colourful pictures and designs.

"I missed you too, dad, you soppy git." I squeezed his shoulder before turning around and making my way to the coffee machine.

"Can I have one too?"

"I knew you wanted something." He laughed in the background.

Everything was so relaxed and normal here. This was definitely where I wanted to be.

Suddenly, the phone rang. It was situated on Glenn's desk and he reached over to answer it. I turned around to watch him as the coffee brewed.

"Hello?" He continued to draw whilst the phone balanced on his shoulder and his cheek pressed to it. I didn't know how he did it, he was a better multi tasker than anyone I had ever met. "Nick, what do I owe this pleasure?"

My heart stuttered at his name. I was a pretty confident girl, but my belly couldn't help but flip.

"Again? Jesus, you don't hang about do you." He flipped the page over in his notebook. "You're a pain in the arse." I snickered. "Yes, I know you pay me but bloody hell, Nick."

I turned around to continue with the coffee and listened.

"I'll design one now. Come in around two." He put down the phone. Come in around two?

"What's up?" I asked.

"Nick wants another tattoo, that boy will have no room left on his skin soon."

"What part of his body?" I asked and brought the two mugs over to the counter. The shop was dead quiet at the moment, some tattoo artists already were at work.

"His other knuckle apparently."

"Sounds good." I loved a tattooed man.

The day flew by and my dad had been laying it on easy for me. I wanted to work, but he hadn't been giving me much to do. I sat there most of the day and stupidly thought about Nick.

I was nervous, I was. I wasn't used to being so close to someone so hot and intense. He had effected me so much on our first meeting.

I didn't know why I was so fascinated with him.

Just as I was about to get up to check on my father, the door opened and the air changed. I could feel him even before I saw him.

Nick.

I wasn't mentally prepared, especially when he came in to the shop in his uniform. He was a police officer? God, this was just getting better and better.

I rubbed at my jeans nervously and waited until he had sauntered his way to the counter.

"Hello there again, you." His voice was like rich melted chocolate. My skin buzzed at the sound. His uniform was so hot.

His muscles bulged out of his tight top and his legs looked lean in his tight trousers. Shit. He had the most intense green eyes I had ever seen.

"Hello, sweetcheeks." I batted my eyelashes his way even when my belly was flipping inside. Keep cool, keep cool.

"You look radiant this afternoon." His eyes twinkled.

"As do you, officer." I smirked his way as his eyes darkened.

"Less of that, Angel." His voice lowered. I shivered at the nickname and everything else about him. "Are you tattooing me today?"

"I'm not sure, I need to ask dad." I stated. Nick leaned against the counter as if it were the most natural thing to him. He looked damn fine.

"You're free aren't you?" He raked his eyes down my body. I wanted to blush under his gaze. Christ, I never blushed. "I want you to do it."

"I thought you preferred Glenn?" I questioned as I flipped through his notebook to try and find the drawing he drew for Nick earlier.

"Glenn isn't fucking sexy, though." I looked to him, he watched me as I bent over the counter. I straightened and pulled the book up to the top of the counter so I was standing. He smirked. Cocky ass.

"You have a beautiful way with words." I stated sarcastically.

"You want to hear more?" His smirk grew.

"Maybe, are you free after work?" I joked. He stood up straighter.

"Sure." And he looked dead serious. I couldn't help but laugh at his face.

"I was joking." I stated.

"Tease." He breathed before going into his back pocket and pulling out a pack of cigarettes. "I'll be back in five, call me in when you're ready." He pulled one cigarette out of its packet and put the packet back into his pocket. I couldn't help but stare. Tattoos and cigarettes.

"Do you have a motorbike too?"

"Huh?" He turned around to look at me, one perfectly arched brow risen.

"Tattoos, cigarettes, you're the ultimate bad boy, where's your motorbike?"

"Why? Do you want to ride it?"

Just as I was about to reply, my father came in from the back room. He looked at Nick and smiled. Nick did the same. I could tell they had a great relationship together, they looked at ease with each other and they bantered back and forth.

"Nick, I'm getting tired of seeing your ugly mug around here." Nick put the fag back into his pocket, forgetting all about it and coming back to the counter.

"Ah, Glenn, you're just jealous." He snickered in reply. "Is your daughter tattooing me again today?" He looked hopeful.

"I have a name."

"Cathy." It rolled on his tongue so elegantly. His voice when he said it, all my hairs stood up on end.

"Thanks for clarifying that." I replied, yet my voice came out a little shaken.

"If you carry on flirting she won't even be in the same room as you." The small threat was heard and Nick only laughed in reply. My dad could be quite protective even when he was so easy to get along with. "Cathy?" Glenn asked the unspoken question. I nodded my head.

I didn't know whether I was going to regret this.

"Sure, let me just familiarise myself with the design and then I'll get you seated." I stated. I looked down at the small design and sketched underneath it. It was pretty detailed and I didn't quite have the talent like my father did, but it only took me five minutes and then I was done.

Nick took a seat on one of the plastic chairs by the wall. I could feel his eyes on me. It was unnerving.

"Right, are you ready?" I asked. Nick didn't have to be told twice, he knew this place well, he was seated and ready before I had the chance to tell him what to do.

I carried out the same ritual before I was ready to start. I could smell the musky scent of him even before I had began to sit down. It was going to be a long afternoon, I could already tell.

"Your tattoo addiction is getting out of hand." I stated jokingly. I pressed the needle to his skin after gathering the ink on the end. He didn't even flinch at the sharp pain.

"I like them."

"I can tell." I replied. My father was back in the back room tattooing another customer so I was left alone with Nick. I didn't know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing.

It was hard trying to sit still when your body thrummed and buzzed with Nick's presence, I'm sure pretty much every girl reacted the same. I knew he got a lot of female attention, with a face like that and the body he had, it was inevitable.

"Does this not hurt you?" I asked. He seemed perfectly fine under the needle.

"Nothing hurts me, Angel." His breath fanned across my skin, he smelt like mints and the slight scent of cigarettes.

"What's with the nickname?" He shrugged in reply.

"It suits you." I smiled. Angel wasn't an adjective that I thought would suit me. Nick was a flirt, he probably said it to every girl he had met. I smiled anyway, even though secretly I wished I was the only one. "I want you."

The statement came out so bluntly I nearly choked on my own spit. So long to keeping it cool.

"Pardon?" I almost squeaked.

"I want you, Cathy."

"What do you want me for?" I asked dumbly. My heart was beating so fast I couldn't comprehend what he was trying to tell me. I looked to him and stopped the needle.

Nick looked to me with a twinkle in his eye and an arched brow, as if to say you know what.

Shit.

"Not happening." I replied. I shook my head with emphasis. "Who do you think you are?" I said quietly. I didn't want to attract attention from my father and the others in the building.

"Look-"

"No." I finalised. "I'm not some woman you pick up at the bar and take to your house, I'm not the type of girl who puts out. Christ, Nick." I spun in my chair to turn my back against him.

I didn't know who he thought I was but I was rather insulted.

I could feel his hand against my arm before I had the chance to prepare. My skin arose in goose bumps and I shivered at the contact.

"I effect you." Nick stated the obvious. He did effect me but I wasn't just a notch on his bed post.

"Nick, please, I don't know you, I like dates and things, not this, not like this." And it reminded me of when I was back at home. The thought petrified me. I moved back here for a reason.

"So you're a romantic?" He asked. I turned around, the spark in his eyes gone.

"No, but bloody hell, I'm not that type of girl."

"Shit." He lifted a hand to his face, his muscles bulging.

"What?"

"I don't do dates, I'm doing this in the only way I know how."

"You need a personality change." I tried to lighten the mood, my heart was beating too fast, I wanted to change the topic. This felt all too familiar.

Nick laughed, "its what I'm used to."

"I'm sure other women will be more accommodating to you." More than sure. Nobody else would say no to a night with Nick. He was so hot I wanted to slap myself and tell myself to get a grip, I'd love that too, but no. We were not going to do this.

"Yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck.

I swivelled back over to him trying to ignore the way I felt when I was so close to him. I tried to ignore the nagging thought in the back of my mind telling me to go for it and the nagging thought which told me I was just another body for him to use.

I got back to work.

The atmosphere felt different now. It wasn't light hearted, it felt a little awkward but I could feel the sizzling charge around us growing.

Nothing was said. It felt like Nick was sulking whilst I worked on his knuckle. I could feel his breath still hitting my skin, I ignored it. I got lost in the drawing.

"How's things holding up?" Glenn came into the room. I knew he was doing so to keep an eye on me. He was extremely proud of his place and I knew he trusted me more than anyone to make him proud but he was always still checking.

"Good, I'm almost finished." It didn't take long to do this part of the body and because Nick never asked for colour, it was a lot quicker.

I was glad it was nearly over, I had to keep reminding myself to breathe.

"And you're done." I leaned back to admire the handy work of the small design on his knuckle. I wiped it and put cream onto the hand.

My dad came over to look.

"Wow, good job, Birdie." I squirmed in embarrassment at the nickname when Nick was sat so close to me. He smirked at the nickname, his earlier sulking now gone.

I grabbed the wrap to wrap around his tattoo, by the look of disgust on his face at the sight I knew it would be off by the time he left through the door. I instructed him on the rules but he brushed it off, he knew what he was doing.

"Get back to work then, son." Glenn gave him a clap on the back as he stood up and left through the back door again.

I went to the customer desk and wrote all the details down like usual. I could feel his eyes burning holes in my back and his body was so close to mine I could feel him.

Not this again.

It was so hard trying to keep cool the last time I felt his body against my back.

"Nick, please." I pleaded. I couldn't help the way he had already effected me. He was so intense and he came on so strong. I was a sucker for temptation.

"What's up, Birdie?" He whispered in my ear.

"Don't." I breathed. My body shivered against his touch.

"One day I'm going to put you in the backseat of my car and have my way with you, it will happen, Cathy, believe me." I couldn't get the words up my throat and out of my mouth, my heart lept, my body shivered.

I couldn't reply.

"I will see you again and I'll be looking forward to it, Angel." And with that, he slapped my arse and sauntered through the door leaving me panting and wanting more.

Damn you, Nick.