Sleeping With the Entity Read Online Free PDF Page A

into overdrive? She’d put her hand on his arm and gotten to him with a simple touch. He refused to acknowledge that she might have rattled him. He refused to give her that power. But he knew he’d hidden his reaction well.
    She appeared rattled by the physical contact as well. Good. That meant he could get to her. Nick took that discovery with him as he abruptly made his departure. He’d sensed her rapid heartbeat in a way that made him hunger for her. Next time he approached her, he’d be better prepared … and fed.
    *   *   *
    Daniella began the next morning with her plan to win over the neighboring businesses. She wasn’t going to waste her time trying to convince Nick any longer. Instead she’d go directly to the other entrepreneurs on her block. Nick’s abrupt exit last night was a clear indication that the man had no intention of siding with her. He also had no manners.
    He hadn’t even bothered coming up with an excuse or one of those white lies like I’ve got somewhere else I need to be. No, last night he’d simply turned on his heel and walked out, leaving her standing there wondering what had just occurred.
    That was all in the past. She’d moved on to Plan B. Her first stop was Pat’s Tats. She’d grown up in this neighborhood and Pat’s Tats had been there for as long as she could remember. Even so, she’d never actually gone into the tattoo parlor before. There was no need. It wasn’t as if she’d ever want a tattoo. That was so not on her bucket list.
    The first thing she noticed was the buzz of needles inking skin. Her stomach turned and her squeamish self wanted to abandon Plan B and run back to the safety of her own shop.
    But her Inner Cupcake Diva insisted she stay. The noise soon stopped as her presence was noted.
    “Don’t let me interrupt,” she said with forced cheerfulness.
    She recognized the owner, Pat Heller, who set down his tools and came toward her. “Are you here for a tattoo?” he asked.
    “No way.” She quickly realized that her emphatic refusal might be rude so she added, “I mean, no thank you.”
    The tattoo victim checked out the addition to his arm, which was already covered in blue ink. He reminded her of the creatures in Avatar. Pat didn’t have many tattoos on his arms, but those he did have were nicely done. Not that she was any expert on such things. He also had some strange kind of symbol tattooed below the knuckle on each of his fingers, a different one on each digit.
    “I thought you and your customers might want to try some of my cupcakes,” she said. “And I wanted to introduce myself as a new fellow entrepreneur. I realize I’m the new kid on the block in a manner of speaking and that you’ve been successful in business for a long time.”
    “Are you saying I’m old?”
    “That wasn’t my intention, no. Not at all.”
    “And you’re hardly the new kid on the block. You were born here.”
    “Well, not right here in this tattoo parlor. I was actually born in a hospital, but I know what you mean. I am a local. Like you.”
    “Not really like me,” Pat said.
    “Well, of course not since you’re a man and I’m a woman and you’re doing tattoos and I’m baking cupcakes. But there is a creative element in both our lines of work. In fact, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs includes both our professions in their latest online survey.” Realizing she was getting off the beaten path conversation-wise, she paused to take a deep breath before continuing. “Are these your tattoo offerings displayed on the wall?”
    Pat nodded. “Are you interested in getting a tattoo?” he asked her.
    “No way. I mean, it’s not my thing. But I can still admire your artwork without having it embedded in my skin.” She studied them closer. “Many of these designs are really unique. I mean, I’m no expert obviously, but you’ve gone beyond the standard motifs of hearts and butterflies and barbed wire. Were you trained as an artist?”
    Pat