Whatever It Takes Read online

  Whatever It Takes

  Julianne Reid

  [email protected]

  Whatever It Takes

  Copyright © May 2017 by Julianne Reid

  First E-book Publication: May 2017

  [email protected]

  All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction, transmission, or distribution of any part of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  This literary work is fiction. Any name, places, characters, or incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.

  This book is intended for mature, adult audiences only. It contains extremely sexually explicit and graphic scenes and language which may be considered offensive by some readers. This book is strictly intended for those over the age of 18.

  All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older. All acts of a sexual nature are completely consensual.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Whatever It Takes

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Epilogue

  Excerpt: Alone With Her

  About The Author

  Whatever It Takes

  Hunter

  I don’t tattoo women. I did when I was a punk kid and still an apprentice, but I learned my lesson real quick. Women are fickle. They tell you one thing, then change their mind; they say they like their tattoo, then trash your name because they hate the design that they picked. I don’t waste my time on them anymore. I’ve built my reputation and business, and I can pick and choose who I will or will not tattoo. I’m firm: Absolutely no women.

  Elaina

  Hunter Helms is the best tattoo artist in the state. He’s got a tough as nails reputation and I want him to work on my body so bad I can’t even stand it. I’ve been told to not even bother and have been warned that there’s no way in hell that Hunter Helms will tattoo me. I’m not intimidated. I’ll do whatever I have to to get that I want.

  Hunter

  This chick thinks she can annoy the shit out of me until I give her what she wants. No fucking way… What pisses me off even more though is that I want her. She can play hardball but she has no idea who she’s up against.

  Elaina

  I’d almost given up when Hunter texted me at 1am telling me to come over. I couldn’t even believe it… No way he changed his mind… but I couldn’t wait to find out what he had in store for me.

  You like tension, blackmail, and insta-everything? Well, this story is full of it. If you’re into pissed off tattoo artists and women who do whatever it takes to get what they want, go ahead and strap yourself in for this one. Disclaimer: You may or may not want another tattoo after this.

  Chapter 1

  Elaina

  “You know he’s going to turn you down before you can even open your mouth,” Alex huffed, crossing his arms. I knew he was pissed that I wanted a tattoo done by someone else. Alex always had a bit of a jealous side.

  I rolled my eyes. “He’s the best. I want a Hunter Helms tattoo and that’s what I’m getting.”

  Alex cocked his head. “Really? He’s the best? Who the fuck has been working on you for years?”

  I tossed my hair, sucking in my cheeks. He had a point. I’d been loyal to Alex ever since I met him and I couldn’t deny that he was incredibly talented. I wouldn’t let anyone work on my body if they weren’t.

  But he wasn’t Hunter Helms.

  “And who’s been bringing you business and been responsible for your fan base and internet success?” I countered. I’d run Alex’s social media accounts for a few years and referred everyone I knew. He still would’ve been a nobody with no reputation without my marketing for him.

  He was also annoyed since it had been a while since my last tattoo; he didn’t quite understand why I wasn’t completely covered.

  I had a few large tattoos, which weren’t much for someone like me who fucking loves getting them, but I loved my job more. When you have to be conservative and professional, your canvas of skin greatly diminishes. The few tattoos I had weren’t enough for me… but I had to be patient and wait for what I really wanted… I had to fight the urge to let Alex tattoo every last inch of space I had available, but the truth was, I’d been saving the rest of my skin for someone else.

  It wasn’t that Alex wasn’t good enough for what I wanted, he was… But he wasn’t Hunter Helms and I didn’t want my prized possession, the tattoo I’d spent years dreaming of, surrounded by lesser work. Compared to Hunter Helms, anyone else looked like an amateur.

  Alex smirked, stepping away from the counter where he leaned. “I shouldn’t be worried. You won’t even step two feet inside his shop before you’re back here begging me to work on you.”

  I leaned back in his chair, crossing my legs, an invitation for him to look, which he did. It made me smug as hell.

  “Please, you’ve been dying to get your hands on again for years,” I purred, batting my eyes, “You gotta give up, babe.”

  He hardened his jaw, trying not to smirk. “I’ve had you in my chair before, sweetheart, and believe me, we’re not done together.”

  I winked, drawing him in. “You’ll always be my first.”

  His cheeks heated and he chuckled, shaking his head. I grinned. It wasn’t often that I could make him blush. I toyed with him, but the truth was he impressed the hell out of me. He was fucking talented. He had that raw energy I admired in artists, the kind of energy I could never have. I didn’t have a creative bone in my body. Any time Alex touched a pencil to paper, or a needle to skin, ideas and talent just spilled out of him like it was nothing. He always seemed to be buzzing, concepts and images under his skin bursting at the seams to get out. It’d been hard to resist letting him give me something amazing all these years I waited. Although he’d designed all my tattoos, he’d gotten even more creative and extraordinary as the years passed. He tried to tempt me with designs and drawings just for me… but I had to resist… I had to deny myself what I wanted for what I really craved.

  “So what’re you going to do?” Alex asked, rearranging the ink bottles at his station, cleaning up before his next client.

  I raised my eyebrows, waiting. He clearly wasn’t finished.

  “If you try to make an appointment, he won’t even take you,” Alex finished, like I’d expected, “And you can’t just be a walk in…”

  I chewed on the inside of my lip. I’d been brainstorming for a while. I thought about using a gender neutral name or lying and saying I was making the appointment for my fictional boyfriend, but lying wouldn’t get me anywhere. It’d probably only piss off Hunter Helms more.

  “Exactly,” Alex tapped a finger on my nose, satisfied that he’d shot me down, “It’s not going to work.”

  I ran my hand through my hair, scratching my head. There had to be something. Alex watched me for a moment; I could see his mind working, but also debating. He looked me over again, from the first tattoo he gave me to the last.

  “Fine,” Alex said, decidedly, turning over apart of his machine in his hand, “Here’s what you do…”

  Hunter

  This tattoo was going to be so sick. This was my third session on a biomechanical sleeve and I could see so many more hours I could pour into this thing. This piece had layers on layers of gears and shit; I spent hours going into so much de
tail that this guy could look at his tattoo for years and still see different angles in it. Rick was going to fucking love his tattoo.

  I smirked, looking over my work. This is going exactly how I wanted it.

  I glanced up at Rick to make sure he was still good. I hadn’t heard so much as a fart from him in hours. He was scrolling through something on his phone, almost like he didn’t even know I was there giving him perfection through ink into his skin.

  This is the kinda shit I like. Guys who just sit there and take it. A fucking woman would’ve been crying and asking me to stop hours ago.

  I cleaned off the excess ink off Rick’s skin, spreading Vaseline into areas that needed more moisture. I could spend a few more hours on Rick’s bio-mech tattoo, but I had another appointment in two hours and I liked to get some rest in between. I could do it without taking a break, but didn’t like risking my work being anything less than perfect. I worked my ass off to be the best and the first time I fuck up, all that work goes straight down the shitter. No fucking way I’d let that happen.

  “That your girl?” Rick asked, jerking me out of my zone. Fuck. I’d been on a roll.

  “What?”

  Rick nodded towards the front door. A brunette with wavy hair stood at my counter, in a button up shirt that barely contained her tits and shorts. Damn. She has some good-looking legs.

  She caught my gaze but I looked back to Rick’s arm and got to work.

  “Nope,” I said to his new tattoo, ignoring the chick at the door. “Not mine.”

  “I have an appointment,” Brunette said and I could tell already that she was going to be a bitch.

  “Kevin’s off today,” I told her, not even looking, still giving my tattoo all of my attention, trying to get back into the rhythm. Distractions pissed me off.

  “My appointment is with you,” she said, confident like she knew exactly who the fuck I was and exactly why I’d think this was hilarious as hell.

  Rick laughed, looking down at me working on his arm. I could tell he was waiting for me to tell this bitch to fuck off. I’m sure he knew it was going to be quite a show.

  “Not a chance,” I retorted, “I don’t tattoo women.”

  I imagined the pout on her face when I said that but I was still too deep in gears and levers that I didn’t even bother looking up.

  “You must’ve changed your policy,” Brunette said coolly, “I have an email confirmation of the appointment.”

  That made Rick shoot me a look. It was pretty well known that I didn’t tattoo women. He probably thought I was some fucker who said one thing but did it anyways on the side to make some extra cash. Or to get a fuck once in a while. Either way, I wouldn’t have my clients think I fucked around like that. No way was I going to damage my reputation.

  “Listen,” I barked, leaning back, pissed this bitch was breaking my concentration, “I don’t care what you have, it’s not going to happen.”

  I got more black ink on my needle, leaning back into Rick’s arm, waiting to hear the front door shut.

  “I have an appointment,” Pain In The Ass said, “I’m not leaving until I get it.”

  I grit my teeth, sat back up, turned off my machine, and pulled my gloves off. I was fucking steaming. I left Rick sitting there in my chair as I thundered towards the annoying bitch. She actually looked a little scared. She should’ve. She had no idea what I was capable of.

  “Let me see the email,” I growled, challenging her.

  She fumbled with her phone, pulling it up. I took it out of her hand before she offered it. Sure enough. My confirmation email. My name. Her name. Date. Time. I deleted the email. She saw, mouth opening to protest.

  “There,” I stated coldly, “No email. No appointment. Have a nice day.”

  I winked at her to really piss her off.

  Her eyes narrowed. She sized me up and held her ground, lips curling into a smile. “If you don’t see me today, I’ll be back every day until you do.”

  I scoffed at that one, this was genuinely amusing now. She was trying to shoot daggers at me but I wasn’t one to be messed with. Pathetic. I could fucking snap her like a twig.

  “Listen, Sticks,” I growled, “I don’t give a fuck if you’re here everyday for the next five years. You’re not getting an appointment, a tattoo, or anything from me. The sooner you get that into your head, the better. It’s not happening.”

  She smirked, lips glossy. “You’d better get used to seeing me then.”

  She turned and headed for the door, knowing fully well that I’d check out her ass. She’d be right about that one. Fucking bitch.

  Pain In The Ass Brunette turned in the open door. “It was nice meeting you, Hunter. I’m Elaina. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Elaina

  Fucking fuck. I could barely breathe. I did it. Holy fuck. I tried to keep my composure all the way to my car. Fuck, I was smooth.

  I didn’t think Alex’s fake appointment email would be convincing, but I also didn’t think Hunter Helms would actually look at it. And damn, I didn’t back down. Fuck, he was intimidating!

  I got into my car, blood pounding in my ears. I was going up against Goliath and although I hadn’t won, I hadn’t been defeated either. I knew it’d take quite some time to convince Hunter Helms to tattoo me and now the hardest part was over.

  Fuck. I wonder if he’s going to be that much of a dick tomorrow. Who cares. This will be so fucking worth it.

  Chapter 2

  Hunter

  Sticks was fucking back again. She’d been here everyday for three fucking days already. She pissed me off more every time she came in. If women saw her coming in here, they’d think they could come and get tattooed, too. Hell fucking no.

  “I don’t know what you’re trying to do here, Sticks,” I called to her as I worked on a back piece, “This cute shit isn’t going to work.”

  She put down her phone, glancing in my direction. “It’s working already. You’re noticing me more today than you did yesterday. Progress.”

  My client shifted uncomfortably under my hand. This bitch being here was going to fucking ruin my business. I’d told a few clients that she was someone else’s girlfriend but as soon as she talked to me or I told her to get lost, they knew exactly why she was there.

  My balls were on the line and what could I do about it? The longer she hung around, the more uncomfortable she’d make my clients. I fucking hate arguments and drama, especially at work; which is exactly what this bitch brought every day. I had to get rid of her. But I definitely couldn’t give her what she wanted. That would absolutely ruin me.

  “You realize that I could get you arrested for trespassing,” I informed her, trying to give her as little attention as possible, “Because that’s what this is going to come to.”

  She didn’t respond. I wanted to look and see what stupid expression she had on her face but that would feed into her ego. Just gotta ignore her.

  She was still quiet. Finally. Fuck. I finally got to her and she’ll get the fuck out of here.

  The front door opened and the lobby of my shop was suddenly filled with a crowd of people. High pitched voices. I looked up… Girls. 20 something fucking girls. Goddamn, did they bring their whole fucking sorority?

  I looked to Sticks. She smirked with responsibility for this shit show. You fucking bitch.

  The Sorority started grabbing clipboards and pens, giggling and grinning like this was some sort of joke.

  “No,” I barked, throwing my shit down, done with this fucking parade, “Not happening, you need to leave.”

  A pouty blonde in front tossed her hair. “We were told you changed your policy.”

  My jaw hardened. I stuffed my hands in my pockets to keep from knocking someone out.

  “I don’t know where you heard that from,” I growled, knowing full well who was responsible for this shit show, “But the policy is the same. No women.”

  Pouty Blonde smirked, putting her hands on her hips, jerking her head towards St
icks, who still sat smug as fuck where she’d been for the past three days. “Then why is she here?”

  I thought my head was going to explode out of pure rage. This fucking bitch was doing it. She was fucking ruining my business for kicks.

  Sticks got up calmly, still smug as hell. It pissed me off.

  “Girls,” she said sweetly, “Hunter’s booked for the day. I’m sorry but you’ll have to come back another time.”

  Pouty Blonde sized her up but Sticks held her ground. What the fuck was going on? Some chick rumble? This is the kind of bullshit I got rid of a long time ago.

  Pouty Blonde looked back at me, realizing that she was no longer being told flat out no, Sticks was telling her to come back later. She was fucking baiting me.

  “Fine,” Pouty Blonde said, dropping her clipboard on the counter, “We’ll be back.”

  The rest of the Sorority followed her out. She blew me a kiss through the glass. I thought the inside of my cheek must be ground beef now from chewing it so hard, trying to control my temper. I’ve never hit a woman but fuck, today might be the first.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” I growled at Sticks through clenched teeth. If she was a guy, I would’ve knocked her damn teeth in.

  She smirked. “Why don’t you tell your client to go take a smoke break?”

  I wanted to fucking knock her lights out. “Paul-”

  “Fuck, I heard that,” Paul said, getting off the chair, “Jesus. Now I know why you don’t work on women. Fuck.”

  I grit my teeth. This bitch was fucking destroying everything.

  Sticks leaned her elbows on my counter, tits presented as she made her offer. I couldn’t help but look. Fucking smug bitch.

  “I can make them all go away. I’ll tell them your policy stands and that you refused to give me a tattoo,” she bargained, “Only if I get what I want. If I don’t, I’ll get every sorority girl in the state here every weekend, begging for sparrows and dandelions and shit.”