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
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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?”
