Table Of ContentINKING AARON
Cheryl Dragon
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Inking Aaron
Cheryl Dragon
This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual
historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and
incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used
fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business
establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Copyright © April 2008 by Cheryl Dragon All rights reserved. This copy is
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Editor: C. B. Calsing
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Chapter One
Mohan hated meeting with the suits, especially unscheduled meetings. Looking
down at his black boots, black jeans, and the contrasting white T-shirt, he didn’t
really belong in the executive suites. But here he sat in the office of the hotel
manager, Mr. Regan, and the VP of Special Public Relations, Aaron Chase.
Mohan tried not to fidget as Aaron shot him a smile.
The two men waited while Regan finished a phone call. Aaron’s spiky, golden
brown hair reflected the Vegas sun from the huge windows. Mohan tried to
ignore him. A meeting with the one guy he’d wanted to strip and screw ever
since he’d moved his tattoo parlor into the hotel was more than he’d planned on
today. No doubt messing around at work would be a bad idea. With Regan in the
room, Mohan knew he’d behave.
At thirty-five, Mohan had started over a few times between Michigan and Las
Vegas.
He liked Vegas, but he still attracted the wrong men, despite several lessons
from bad breakups. No more screwed-up guys crashing with him and being into
him until they moved on. Aaron didn’t seem like a user unless you got in his
way up the corporate ladder; the guy was a VP at twenty-eight, a big achiever in
expensive suits with a BMW convertible. He didn’t need money.
2 Cheryl Dragon
The guy filled out his suits with a strong frame. Mohan saw him in the hotel gym
all the time, glimpsing just enough to tempt him even more. Aaron’s blue eyes
caught his and gave Mohan the sensation of being tangled in the fantasy.
The heat between them grew every time they were in the same room. Mohan
wanted to take off that suit of Aaron’s and get to the real man. To date, Mohan
hadn’t made a move.
A boyfriend on the executive level, who could potentially end up an ex-
boyfriend, would be bad. If Aaron ever left the hotel, things could be different.
But he’d never do it while either of them still worked here. He didn’t want to be
seen as using Aaron for perks in the hotel.
The competition in the tattoo business grew more cutthroat every year. He’d
tried it with partners, and it had cost him all he’d put into it and more. Now
Mohan went solo, even if it meant lonely nights working on his art and a tattoo
shop that happened to be located in a hotel with a pirate theme. A business-
minded guy like Aaron might not understand that all Mohan wanted was a
decent life on his terms. He’d be able to do his art without the fallout of
executives or the politics of a boss someday.
“Sorry about that.” Regan hung up the phone. “Mr. Patel, we’ve got things to
discuss about your lease. As you know, your one-year contract is almost up.”
It didn’t sound good. Mohan cleared his throat.
“I realize I’ve lost a few key artists, but I’m working on replacing them.” One
girl had fallen for a guy in a hot band and followed him to L.A. Another, his best
portrait artist, had moved down to San Diego and opened his own shop. That left
Mohan’s place staffed with two designers who lacked extensive experience.
People loved Mohan’s art, but he didn’t have the flare for marketing. He had the
temperament of an artist and knew it.
“It’s not about the turnover. That happens in a large hotel. However, your name
recognition and that of India Ink Tattoo Parlor hasn’t grown as much as we’d
like.” Aaron leaned forward in his chair. “There are a lot of tattoo parlors in
Vegas. Being in the Pirate’s Cove Hotel is a great convenience, but India Ink
needs to be a draw on its own.”
Inking Aaron
3
Mohan watched Aaron’s body for business signals as well as for pleasure. The
business message was clear. The suits had decided to kick out India Ink. “You’re
not renewing my lease?” He saw no reason to extend the meeting and waste
more time. Mohan knew rejection well. The son of a businessman and his young
bride, who’d moved to America from India, Mohan couldn’t live up to their
pressure. He’d been kicked out of better and worse places, but an artist’s life
meant struggle at times, not the stability his parents wanted to see for him.
“We realize your place is making money, but other, more profitable businesses
have put in bids for that space, and we have to consider all our options.” Mr.
Regan’s monotone left the room cold.
“I can pay more rent.” He didn’t know how, but he hated to give up after all the
work he’d invested.
Aaron’s hand hit his arm in a supportive gesture. “It’s not just that. The statistics
expected from a tattoo parlor aren’t matching up with your numbers. We need a
draw.
Something to bring them in and keep them here for other things. We haven’t
made any firm decisions yet, so I suggested we run it by you in case you had any
new publicity coming up.”
Mohan felt a rush and tried to focus on his business problem instead of the
intense attraction. Aaron throwing him a bone wouldn’t help matters at this
point. He had his pride, and if nothing else, moving meant no more Aaron
temptation. “Nothing planned. I have a few more weeks.”
“And it’s not decided yet.” Regan held up his hand. “At this point, we don’t plan
on extending the renewal offer. If you have any other locations in mind, we
wouldn’t discourage that.”
Aaron shot Regan a frown when he wasn’t looking. Mohan knew Aaron had
superior people skills; he handled celebrities and the housekeeping staff with
equal charm. His tanned good looks and flawless smile kept all the women
speculating. The smooth professional detachment he displayed often confused
Mohan.
4 Cheryl Dragon
The suit went stag to every event. Mohan didn’t need to guess. Aaron went solo
for the same reason he played golf. Even in Vegas, rich white guys mostly ruled
the world. You played by their rules unless you had the money to make your
own.
Deep down, Mohan couldn’t fault Aaron for keeping things quiet if he had a
boyfriend, but Mohan had been the secret before and never intended go there
again. As tempting as Aaron looked, even in a suit, Mohan had kept his distance
with good reason. He had to watch his own back.
After a few moments of silence, Mohan stood and shook Regan’s hand. “Thanks
for your time. Let me know when you’ve made a final decision. I’d like another
year or even six months to rebuild my staff and do some publicity. The timing
hasn’t worked out for the best, but I understand either way.” He nodded to Aaron
and headed for the door.
Aaron followed. “I’ll walk you out.”
Once they closed the door, Aaron shook his head. “Sorry. Regan is good with
the big picture, but not people. You really just need a splash.”
“Splash?” The word choice amused Mohan. Aaron looked like a buff surfer, not
the type to say such a buzzword.
“An event. A celebrity. Publicity that isn’t bought but covered by the hounding
press.”
Aaron stood close as they walked away from Regan’s office. The six
administrative assistants on the floor listened while trying to look busy. This
hotel had quite a grapevine, and Mohan didn’t want to be on it.
“Isn’t it your job to keep those harassing press guys away? The hotel is supposed
to protect the guests’ privacy.” Mohan did his best not to study the line of
Aaron’s suit. All buttoned-up, with a checkered tie, the man looked trapped, but
he didn’t seem to mind.
Aaron flashed a big grin. “Sure, if they really want me to keep the press away.
Celebs get their fame and fortune from the press, and the press makes a living.
You get a reporter
Inking Aaron
5
who goes too far now and then, but we control the access. Sometimes they don’t
want their picture taken, but then there are the rare ones. Elody Trut, she wants
to be left alone.”
“That nineteen-year-old singer who’s in rehab again?” Mohan didn’t follow the
Hollywood world much, but he heard his employees talking. His appointment
boy loved to have E! on in the background all day.
“Yeah, and she wants to start off here after rehab instead of going right home to
her old habits and friends. She’s from Vegas originally; her family and friends
who knew her before she was famous are here. So we’ll protect her and keep it
quiet.” Aaron paused outside his office.
Mohan refused to fantasize about pushing Aaron into that office and ripping his
clothes off. He had a business problem. “Why tell me?”
Aaron leaned in close. “She’s over eighteen. She might visit your place, so make
sure none of your employees spill it by accident, or on purpose. Those reporters
are good with a bribe.”
The smell of him sent sparks down Mohan’s body. “You ever give in?”
“If I leaked news about the celebs here, I’d lose my job. Lots of temptation to
resist around here, but I’m tough.”
Mohan couldn’t agree more. The temptation to make a move pounded in his
veins.
Even if Mohan’s parlor relocated, his attraction to Aaron wouldn’t disappear.
Aaron was the sexiest man at the Pirate’s Cove Hotel and Casino.
“Aaron!” a light, feminine voice called from the elevator area.
Both men turned, and Aaron grinned at the two young women. One of them was
curvy and tanned with enough attitude to see it coming blocks away, and the
other blonde and thin. She looked like Aaron.
“Hey, sis.” Aaron crossed the open area and hugged her. “You all checked in?”
