Tattoos and Transformations (18 page)
Read Tattoos and Transformations Online
Authors: Melody Snow Monroe
Dakota understood that the eyes in the photo would be the most important part of the painting. With care, she drew the outline. When she was content with the shape of them in proportion to the face, she let her mind wander as she began to fill in the drawing with paint. She turned off her internal critic to let herself get lost in the creation.
Before long, her stomach grumbled and she realized she’d skipped breakfast and it was a little after noon. She had nothing in the house, so she decided to go to the Eatery and get a bite to eat. She’d just finished cleaning her brushes when the chime over the front door dinged. Her heart lurched until she remembered that Harley was safely in jail.
She came out from the back, wiping her hands on a towel. She stopped. “Dad?” She wasn’t sure how to react. He never came over.
“Is something wrong?”
148
Chapter Fifteen
“I wanted to see for myself that you were okay.” From the way his voice shook, she almost expected him to give her a hug. Instead, he stood there.
She held out her arms and patted her arms. “See? No bruises. I’m fine.” That wasn’t the whole truth. Her heart was bruised, but she was sure he hadn’t come by just to see for himself that she hadn’t been harmed. “What’s really going on?”
“Is it a crime to check up on my daughter?” It was when he never had before. She shook her head. From the strange way her dad was acting, the world must have tilted on its axis today. “I’m just about to head out to the Eatery for a late lunch. Care to join me?” His answer would really convince her that aliens had taken over his body.
“Sure.”
She was almost tempted to see if there was a large spaceship hovering above the town. The last time she’d gone to lunch with her dad had probably been three or four years ago.
Even though the Eatery was only a half mile away, her dad wanted to drive. She still wasn’t sure why he’d stopped by. Once he saw that she was okay, that should have been it.
“How is the gallery coming?”
Most of the time, her father said little and rarely did he express interest in her plans. He was there to help with whatever she needed, but as far as telling her he loved her or that he missed her mom, he was sparse when it came to words. She’d given up a long time ago on having a deep conversation with him. “Fine, until Harley smashed the
149
window and ripped up my favorite painting.”
“Oh.”
Now that was the dad she knew. He parked in front of the café.
Inside, the place was mostly empty, which allowed them to get a table in the corner. After she ordered food and her dad got a cup of coffee, she decided she’d take advantage of him being here.
“I know this may be a strange question, but as you know, I’ve gone through a lot of phases over the years.”
“You mean like how you used to starve yourself then eat everything in sight? Or how you would only wear black before you decided to pierce your face and dress rather wild?”
Wow!
She didn’t remember him saying so many words at one time.
There was something in the air. “Yeah.”
“What about it?”
“I never thought you’d noticed.”
He blew on his coffee, added a pack of sugar, and drank some.
“How could I not?”
The man was possessed. “Why didn’t you tell me to straighten up and conform or something?” Having some parental guidance would have been nice.
He looked over the edge of his cup. “Would it have done any good?”
He did have a point. “Probably not, but I think I did a lot of it to get your attention.”
Holy shit. Is that true?
“I figured.” Her comment didn’t seem to faze him.
The waitress brought over her ham-and-cheese sandwich. “Why not say something if you disapproved?”
“Who said I disapproved?”
That was true. “You didn’t compliment me, either.” He shrugged. “I loved you no matter what you looked like.” His works sunk into her like the final stroke of a brush on a painting. “You do?”
He did?
He’d never told her he loved her. His actions might have shown it, but growing up without a mom should
150
have clued him in that she needed more.
Her father set the cup back on the table. “Men are simple. I’m not the kind who goes around verbalizing what I feel.”
No shit.
Clint was great at telling how much he wanted her.
Morgan? Not so much anymore. “Okay.”
Her dad finished his coffee, almost acting as if the conversation had never happened. She had a lot to digest. Maybe she sucked at reading men. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d messed up a relationship.
When they left the café, she told her dad she wanted to walk back home. He nodded. “You know, if anything else happens or if you just want someplace comfortable to go, you’re welcome to move back home.”
This was shock number two. “Are you lonely or something?” Or did he need a cook or a maid?
“A bit, but don’t worry about me. I’ve been seeing a lady friend.” That did it. Mercury was in retrograde, and the city would be invaded any day now by little green men. Maybe that’s why he wanted to stop by. He wanted to break the news about moving on with his life. It was about time.
“When do I get to meet this lady friend?” He shrugged. “When the time’s right.”
Not expecting any kind of hug, she waved and walked back to her store. She needed to give a lot of thought to how her appearance affected people. Jade always said she was hiding behind her black lipstick and rather wild attire. Clint, and now her dad, said they loved her no matter what she wore. Maybe all this hiding behind her dark eye makeup really didn’t have the effect she’d been going for. She was the same on the inside no matter what color her hair happened to be. In reality, not having to mess with her appearance would be refreshing. The big question she needed to answer was who was the real Dakota Smith? The funky dresser or the sophisticated woman who ran a gallery?
151
As soon as she got back, she took out the piercings, sanitized them, and put them away for good. Next, she took a shower to wash out the magenta, blue, and green spray. It would take a few washings, but at least the hair gel would be gone.
After she dried off, she put on her yellow dress and matching heels. This wasn’t the real Dakota either, but at least she fit into society’s definition of a businesswoman. Her makeup was applied lightly, using only fresh colors. When she studied her reflection, she smiled. She did look kind of pretty. She was more feminine and more approachable.
She wasn’t sure if the men were home or out doing their chores, but she would take her chances and go for a visit. Hopefully, they’d forgive her for her transgressions and welcome her into their bed.
* * * *
By the time Clint got back home, his anger had built to a boiling point. His brother was an ass, plain and simple. Clint barged through the front door ready to do battle. He knew his brother loved Dakota.
He wasn’t sure why he insisted on living in denial.
Morgan was in the living room drinking a beer. Two empties sat in front of him.
“Why did you shun Dakota?”
Morgan looked up as if he had no idea what Clint was talking about. “I didn’t say anything to her.”
“Did you or did you not act rather cold after you found her in the studio shaken to the core from the attack?” Morgan looked off to the side. “The old Dakota was gone. The woman I found in the studio had her piercings back. She was in that old ratty print dress she always wore.”
Clint couldn’t believe his ears. “What do you care what the fuck she was wearing? Couldn’t you tell she’d been traumatized?”
“I checked her out. She wasn’t hurt.”
152
His brother may have been born first, but he wasn’t very bright, at least not now. “I bet she was shaking and upset. Right?”
“Yes.”
“She thinks you hate her because you didn’t fuss over her.” His brows pinched together. “You know that’s not true.” He guzzled half the contents of the bottle. He dropped his head. “Fuck. I couldn’t even touch her.”
Clint’s muscles froze. “Because she wouldn’t let you or you didn’t want to?”
“Both.” His lips firmed. He waved a near-empty bottle. “I told you this soft, pretty woman act was a sham. She’s fooled me for the last time.”
“Bullshit.” This was going to take a while. “I need a drink.” He got up and slipped into the kitchen. He came back with a beer.
“Here’s my question to you. Before all this crap happened at her store, didn’t you think she was the one?”
He placed the bottle on the coffee table, leaned back, and closed his eyes. “Yes.”
“So you admit that you loved her.” He wasn’t sure if it was a statement or posed as a question.
“God help me, but yes.”
He let out a long breath. “I can’t believe you’re so shallow that you can’t see why she put her studs in her face or colored her hair or whatever the hell she did to change herself.” Morgan jacked up. “I’m
shallow
?” He wanted to take his brother and beat some sense into him.
“What would happen if someone burned down our barn with all the horses inside?”
“That’s not funny, bro. You know I’d be devastated.”
“Do you think your attitude would stink more than it does now?”
“Fuck yeah.”
He wanted to cram the analogy into his brother’s thick skull.
When he didn’t seem to get it, he knew he had to spell it out. “When
153
bad shit happens, it scares you.”
“So?”
“People don’t always act rationally. Do you remember that stupid teddy bear you used to drag around with you when you were little?” His mom often referred to the bear and Morgan in the same sentence.
“What about it?” His hand was fisted at his side as if Clint was about to find the little animal and burn it in effigy.
“Every time you got upset, you’d scrounge around for that bear and carry it around until you felt better.”
“I was five.”
“You were fragile. I mean that in a macho, good way.” His brother’s eyes narrowed. “Dakota was hurting, and you pushed her the fuck away.”
He shook his head “She pushed me away. I tried to gather her in my arms and she practically shoved me back.” His brother was an idiot. “You don’t know anything about women.”
Morgan shot to his feet. “Like hell I don’t.”
“It’s when they push you away that they need you the most.” Morgan grabbed his three bottles and picked them up in one hand.
He stomped to the kitchen. This conversation was not over. Clint followed him.
Morgan dumped the bottles and spun around. “She doesn’t want me, and I don’t want someone who becomes a different species every few weeks.”
Clearly, his brother needed time to figure out what the fuck he wanted to do, but time was one thing they didn’t have. “I was talking about the fact that you emotionally pushed her away by not accepting the fact that she felt more comfortable in her old attire. That doesn’t mean she’s changed on the inside. She’ll be just as loving and wonderful no matter if she’s wearing combat boots, high heels, or is naked.”
He stilled. “I guess that if she were naked, I’d see her as the
154
woman I love.”
Finally, his brother was coming around. “Fucking A.” He leaned back against the counter. “Maybe I’m just scared that she’d reject me. Dakota is everything I wanted to be. She’s adventurous whereas I always took the safe route. Once she’s around me for a long time, she’ll decide I’m not for her.” Morgan’s brain was finally reconnecting again, but not about Dakota not wanting them. “We’re both scared. Finding the one woman we want to spend the rest of our lives with is a big commitment.”
“I fucked up. She’s gone.” He drew in his bottom lip.
Clint pulled a second beer from the fridge for himself. “She’ll come around once she thinks about it.”
Morgan dragged his hands down his face. “I’ve been an ass.” Thank God he saw the light. “Yup.”
“What are we going to do?”
He’d never seen this side of his brother before, but it convinced him that Morgan was human after all. “What we do best. We convince her that we’ll love her no matter what she does, how she dresses, or how she acts.”
He inhaled and blew out a big breath. “I’m in.”
* * * *
Thank goodness both cars were in the drive when Dakota arrived.
She shouldn’t be nervous, but she was. What if no matter what she said, Morgan still didn’t want her? If they’d give her a chance to explain, maybe she could convince them she was what they needed.
She’d been indecisive because she’d been scared.
When she thought back to all the times she’d been with Morgan, it was clear he really cared for her, despite the crappy way he’d treated her the last time. She tried to convince herself that when he saw her in Harley’s grasp, he’d freaked. Perhaps he needed time to process what
155
had happened, and that was the reason for his standoffish attitude. His seeming rejection might not have been a rejection at all, but one of a man who was scared to death of losing someone he loved.
Okay, that might have been a line of bullshit, but it was bullshit she could live with.
Then there was the concept of forever loving two men. It was a big step, but it was one she wanted to take.
Here goes!
She rang the bell, praying she’d been right about Morgan. Clint answered the door. His eyes widened, almost as if he didn’t expect to see her again, or at least not so soon. He stepped outside, picked her up by the waist, and swung her around. “You came back!”
“I needed time to think.”
He set her down, grabbed her hand, and led her inside. “Morgan!
Look who’s back!”
His excitement bolstered her courage. Morgan trotted out from the hallway and stopped. Her heart flipped. His lips parted and his shoulders tensed. Was he waiting for her to make the first move or wasn’t he happy to see her?
“Hi, Morgan.” Her mouth turned dry and her pulse raced. This seemed to be the most important moment in her life.
He eased his way over to her. She tried to keep the smile on her face from faltering.
Morgan took her hands in his and brought them to her lips. “I’m sorry.”
She tamped down her enthusiasm. His apology was a good start, but she needed to know more. “About?”
“You want me to grovel, don’t you?”
A giggle bubbled up when she realized he hadn’t meant to reject her. Now he was going to pay. “Yes.”
Clint wrapped an arm around her waist. “How about if we all sit on the porch, and I’ll get us some drinks?”
“I’ll have a soda.” She wanted to keep all of her wits about her.
156
Her shoulders wouldn’t relax as she and Morgan stepped outside, but the distant view of the mountains helped calm her soul. She sat in a lounge chair and Morgan sat across from her in a chair.
He leaned forward. “Look. I behaved badly the other day.”
“No kidding.” Maybe she shouldn’t have expressed her dismay, but the man had put her through hell and he deserved to know how much he’d hurt her.
He dragged a hand through his hair. “When I saw Harley grab you, I lost my mind.”
She figured he’d been maybe more frightened than she’d been. “Is that all that bothered you?”
“I guess I’m kind of transparent, huh?”
“I know you didn’t like that I’d put back the studs and gone back to looking like the old Dakota, but I had a good reason.” He nodded. “Clint thought that you used the black nail polish and mega eye makeup as a way to push people away. He said you thought you wouldn’t be a victim again if you wore that garb.” Hearing someone explain her issues in words gave her a new appreciation of what she was going through. “Clint’s a smart man.” The door banged open. “Did I hear my name?” She looked up and smiled. “Yes. You heard right.” Clint handed her a soda and Morgan a beer.
Morgan sipped some of the liquid. “I wanted you to know that I’ve always loved you even when you were too skinny for words or chunky or had purple hair.”
She let the soothing words seep in. “For real?”
“Yes.”
“You sure had a funny way to show it.” Every time she got near those two, they found something else to do.
Morgan glanced between Clint and her. “You two don’t know this, but when I bought Harley’s store a few months back I changed the name.”
She remembered when the artist came and redid the design on the
157
front window. “I know.”
“What you don’t know is that I named it after you.” His gaze focused on her.
“How is D’Ink Coda named after me?”
He waited a beat. “Take out the apostrophe and say it fast.”
“Dinkcoda.”
“Faster.”
“Dicoda. Oh, shit. Dakota.” Her pulse raced. Joy spread through every cell. “You really did!”
He winked. “See? I always wanted you, but I was sure you’d never settle for me. I was too staid.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ve been chasing you two for years.” Like since she was eight.
“Once you caught me, I figured you’d get tired of me real fast.” She couldn’t believe someone as self-confident as Morgan would have doubts, especially about being with her. “Maybe I need to show both of you how much I’m not tired of you.” Clint was the first to stand. “Well, come on, darlin’. I’m up for some show-and-tell.”
A big bubble of laughter drove up her stomach and escaped out her mouth. “One question.”
Morgan stood. “Shoot.”
“I’m not saying that I plan to, but if I were to put back my piercings and dye my hair and did all that other stuff, would you still accept me?”
Morgan grinned. “In a heartbeat. If there is one thing I’ve realized it’s that I want you no matter what you look like.” That was all she needed to hear. “Then if I’m stark naked and my pussy is dripping wet, you won’t toss me out.” Both Clint and Morgan faced her. “Hmm,” Morgan said. “I’m not sure about that. Maybe if you showed us, we could decide.” She so loved her two men.
158