Chapter 3 The Tattoos

Alix's POV:

We got back from the nightclub around four o'clock in the morning. My feet ached terribly; I really wasn't used to wearing heels.

Marina had introduced us to two guys who raced motorcycles in the city. She was already planning to meet them tonight, but I honestly wasn't interested in that kind of outing. My father had been hit by a motorcycle gang, so it was the last place I wanted to be. Still, knowing Marina, I doubted I'd have much of a choice.

My mother was working today, so I had the apartment to myself. I stretched out on my bed, pulled out my pencils and sketchbook, and stared at the blank page. The only thing I could think about were the tattoos I'd seen on his arm.

I tried to remember every detail and started to draw.

I had no idea how long I spent on the sketch, but eventually I finished the main outlines. That was when his intense gaze came to mind, sending a chill through me as I remembered how it felt.

Almost without thought, I began to sketch his eyes on the paper. A gaze so intense it looked like it could pierce right through someone's soul.

By the time I finished, another shiver ran down my spine just from looking at it. All the desire and strength in that gaze came through in my drawing.

The sound of the apartment doorbell pulled me out of my thoughts.

I got up to open the door for Marina, who walked in as if the apartment were her own. Honestly, she probably spent more time here than at her own place.

"You're not ready yet? We have a meeting with the guys in thirty minutes," she said, rummaging through my wardrobe for clothes.

"Marina, I've had enough after last night," I said, collapsing onto my bed.

"Absolutely not, we promised them we'd come."

As always, Marina paid no attention to my protests and tossed a pair of short denim shorts and a black crop top at me.

"Wait, are you serious? It's cold!" I exclaimed.

"Don't worry, the temperature will rise quickly," she said with a laugh.

I gave up, picked up the clothes, and went to change in the bathroom.

Derek's POV:

That day, I headed to the spot chosen for the night's races. We changed locations every evening to avoid getting caught by the police. Though it was sometimes a close call, but I'd never been caught. Now we actually had our own place in Brooklyn, and for some reason, the cops never showed up there.

I arrived with my red and white Ducati, just as I did every night I planned to race, and parked beside Sophie's Mustang.

That one already had her eyes on the poor guys she planned to leave behind in her rear-view mirror once the race started. I got off my bike, took off my helmet, and slipped on my sunglasses. I loved the impression of being untouchable, even though everyone knew there was probably no one more approachable than me.

I walked around the Mustang to join Sophie.

"You're already tormenting your opponents," I said, leaning against her car.

"Derek, darling, don't scare them. You know I'm not that cruel," she replied with a wink.

I rubbed my hands together, smiling; she definitely seemed fired up tonight.

A group of kids showed up near the starting line with their brand-new little Suzukis. I watched the newcomers, and my gaze landed on the girl who had come with them.

She wore short denim shorts and a black crop top that hugged her curves, but her body language told me she felt embarrassed. Her friend, on the other hand, looked completely at ease, laughing and reaching out to touch the guy on the motorcycle every chance she got.

"What are you looking at?" Ayden asked, handing me a Corona.

"I'm watching the new kids and their girlfriends."

"Small fry for you, isn't it?" Ayden said with a smirk as he headed their way.

I smiled to myself; he was really about to make me race against these kids.

Ayden's POV:

"Hey there, guys!" I called out as I approached them.

The group gave me a once-over, these brats acting as if they were sizing me up.

"Do you want a little race?" I asked them.

"You think we're just here to stand around?" the little blond shot back, trying to sound clever.

"I've got a good plan for you. My buddy over there is looking for opponents, if you're interested."

I pointed to a guy standing across from Derek by the Ducati, hoping to make them feel comfortable. If I pointed at Derek directly, they'd probably back out right away.

"No worries, we'll take him on whenever," the blond kid exclaimed.

"OK! OK! Let's say in twenty minutes then."

"No worries!" He confirmed.

I headed back, bursting out laughing, to where Derek and Sophie were leaning against the Mustang.

"You didn't trick them like you did with Tom, did you?" Sophie asked, giving me a stern look.

"Who, me?" I laughed. "It was Derek who wanted to have a bit of fun."

Sophie glared at Derek, who only turned his head away and laughed.

"I'm going for a ride," he said, leaving me with Sophie, who gave me a quick smack.

Derek's POV:

Ayden was like a kid when it came to making newcomers sweat. Anyone familiar with these races knew my bike was the one to fear. Those two had just shown up to show off in front of their girlfriends, and I knew I'd have to crush their pride with a twist of the throttle.

I wandered off to greet a few people I knew; after all, I'd been racing for twelve years and recognized almost everyone here. I grew up in this environment since childhood; my only other option had been joining a gang, but since I didn't like weapons or drugs, my choice was easy.

I was just about to join a group of friends and grab a beer when the blonde from the club last night appeared right in front of me.

"Do you remember me?" she asked, gazing at me with a languid look.

"Of course," I replied, running my tongue over my lips.

In less than three minutes, we ended up pressed against a car, kissing.

"I suppose you don't have time now?" she asked, her eyes wide and pleading.

"No, I have a race in ten minutes," I replied.

"Ten minutes is enough, isn't it?" she pressed.

I turned away for a moment to check where the newcomers were, only to catch another gaze fixed on me.

I stopped paying attention to the girl kissing my neck and pressing herself against me. My eyes found that other girl-the one who had been staring at me just like she did that night in the nightclub.

Her gaze cut straight through me.

Alix's POV:

I watched the people around me, letting Marina chat with the boys; their macho, narcissistic conversation didn't interest me in the least.

While I focused on the line of cars and motorcycles in front of me, my eyes drifted to a couple kissing, and I recognized the tattoos on his arm.

I started drawing the tattoo in my mind again, realizing I'd missed a lot of details in the sketch I drew earlier. Once more, I found myself completely mesmerized by his ink. Then I remembered his stare and looked up.

He was still watching me, even with his sunglasses on. His face was turned in my direction, and I could feel his intensity from across the lot.

A shiver ran through me as I recalled the way his gaze pierced me last night. Once again, I couldn't look away, caught by that strange rush of sensations building inside me. There was something about his presence that sent chills all the way through my body.

"What are you doing?" the boy we'd come with asked, slipping his arm around my waist.

I immediately shifted, breaking my gaze from the tattooed man.

"Nothing, I was just watching the cars," I answered, crossing my arms to keep him from touching me again.

"We'll be moving soon. Come on or you'll miss the start," he said, this time keeping his distance.

Derek's POV:

Was I imagining things, or did that girl just pull away when he put his arm around her?

"Sorry, I have to go," I said to the girl next to me, who by now was getting pretty worked up.

"Shall we meet later?" she asked, her eyes full of desire.

I gave her my most charming smile, gently touched her face, and pressed my lips to hers. Honestly, though, my mind was elsewhere right now. I was far more interested in that girl who kept staring at me.

I made my way back toward Sophie, Ayden, and the others gathering around my Ducati.

I glanced toward the girl in question, and she didn't seem to notice me at all, even though we were only a few meters apart.

"Are you ready to beat those kids?" Ayden shouted as I climbed onto my motorcycle.

I grinned and pulled off my T-shirt.

"You're not going to start again, are you?" Sophie called out, a teasing smile on her lips.

She knew exactly how well-motivated I was to give the newcomers a real scare.

Alix's POV:

I was still stunned by the sheer presence he carried. As I struggled to concentrate on what Marina was saying, the roar of a motorcycle next to us snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Oh my gosh, who is this guy?!" Marina exclaimed, clearly thrilled. "He has an incredible body, did you see those tattoos?"

I lifted my head toward the sound of the motorcycle as it rolled to a stop beside the two guys walking with us, and I froze where I stood.

I recognized that tattooed arm right away-I'd drawn it so many times since yesterday.

But that was nothing compared to the rest of his body. His chest was covered in tattoos, the centerpiece a Tibetan face reimagined in a pop-rock style, tongue sticking out, surrounded by swirling mandalas that climbed all the way up his neck, where a red lotus flower stood out.

And then there was his back, fully inked with a massive skull, mouth wide open and teeth bared as if it were about to devour us, all of it set against a background of mandalas.

If I'd already been fascinated by the tattoos on his arm, I was completely mesmerized by the artwork covering his body. Every detail was beautifully depicted.

"Alix," Marina called out, catching me as I tried to take in every small detail.

Marina nudged me with her elbow.

"What?" I finally managed to ask.

"Do you know him?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the man on the motorcycle. "He's practically devouring you with his eyes."

I turned my gaze back to the man on the motorcycle, and a sudden shiver ran through me.

His gaze really was devouring me-then, just as a gunshot rang out, he took off at full speed.