Without Exception (The Without Series Book 1) Read online

  K E Osborn

  Without Exception

  K E Osborn

  Copyright 2019 K E Osborn

  All Rights Reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to real events, real people, and real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, organizations or places is entirely coincidental.

  All rights are reserved. This book is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the express written permission of the author. All songs, song titles, and lyrics contained in this book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.

  Disclaimer: The material in this book contains graphic language and sexual content and is intended for mature audiences, ages 18 and older.

  ISBN: 978-0648491743

  Book design by Swish Design & Editing

  Editing by Swish Design & Editing

  Proofreading by Swish Design & Editing

  Cover design by Kellie Dennis at Book Cover By Design

  Cover Image Copyright 2019

  All rights reserved

  Alex Scott is an asshole!

  He’s rude, obnoxious, and hell-bent on evicting me from the tattoo studio my parents and I worked so hard to perfect. It’s not just a shop to me, this place holds life, it affirms love, it contains memories, and when my world fell to pieces twelve months ago, it’s what kept me from doing the same.

  But through the darkness, there’s one shining light. A client. Xander. He’s secretive, he comes and goes whenever he pleases, but our connection is obvious. However, his identity remains a mystery.

  While Alex Scott’s constant emailing regarding my eviction is driving me crazy, at the same time Xander’s sweeping me off my feet. The two men couldn’t be more polar opposite. One’s a brooding warmonger, hungry for action. The other’s a kind, sweet, caring soul who’s only out to look after my autistic brother and me.

  Conflict - Betrayal - Lust - Angst

  Without exception, my heart will break, but who will be the man to put it back together again?

  To Kim and Josh.

  Your struggle and fight every day are both real and hard.

  I just hope that you know how much I love you.

  Levi’s character is so special to me, as is Tomi, and I see them both in you two.

  The protector and the fighter.

  Never give up! You both deal with the daily struggle, but together you are a team tougher than nails.

  Klinefelter Syndrome and Autism are wildly misunderstood, and in my eyes, you’re both unbelievably resilient.

  You amaze me both with how strong you are.

  This book is for you.

  First and foremost, I would like to thank my mother, Kaylene Osborn, for her work as my editor. You believed in this story and helped me to make it the best it could be. Thank you for always helping me bring the best out of every book.

  To all of my awesome beta readers – Thank you so much for all your efforts that you put into Without Exception. Your thoughts and ideas are always above and beyond what I could possibly ask for, and I couldn’t want for a better team of betas than you ladies.

  To Nicki – Thank you for all the work you put into my books, and Without Exception is no exception. You continue to do the best work possible on my manuscripts, and I am always so grateful with everything you manage to find and point out. Thank you. For everything.

  To Kellie – Thank you so much for another outstanding cover, this one came about a little differently than our others. Without Exception was a pre-made, and as soon as I saw it, the idea for the book flooded into my mind. Without your cover, this book wouldn’t have been a possibility, so thank you, Kellie! From the bottom of my heart.

  To my beautiful, playful, and utterly adorable pup, Bella. We’ve had some ups and downs this year. You’re getting older, and it’s getting harder watching you age, but you’re still running around even though sometimes your health throws us a curveball. I love you to the moon and back, and I’m glad you’re still by my side watching me write all these books. You’ve been here from the start, and I love you for it.

  Last of all, I want to thank YOU, the reader. Your continued support of my writing career is both humbling and heartwarming. I adore my readers so much, and honestly, couldn’t keep going without the love and support you all show me each day. Thank you for believing in me, and I hope I can keep you entertained for many, many years to come.

  Much love,

  K E Osborn

  Blurb

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Epilogue

  More Books To Check Out

  Connect With Me Online

  About the Author

  TOMI

  Without exception, Alex Scott is an asshole!

  I’ve worked damn hard for what I have, built my tattoo studio from its bare bones to the shining star that she is, and he thinks he can come in here and demolish her?

  No way, sir.

  Not on my watch.

  He might be some up-and-comer in the acquisitions and building development hoo-fucking-ha bullshit business, but Hope & Faith Ink is like my second home. It’s my brother, Levi’s home, and I won’t let Alex Scott take my baby from me.

  Not on my life!

  He’ll have to knock the building down with me in it.

  I bet he’d like that.

  Yeah, like I said, asshole!

  “Tomi? Tomi… you look a million miles away. You wanna maybe concentrate while you have a needle stuck in my arm?” Xander teases as I bring Betsy, my favorite tattoo machine, to a stop while taking in a breath. I swipe my forehead, wiping a strand of my platinum-blonde hair out of the way with the back of my forearm and swab at his partially inked arm.

  I glance at Xander, the hunk of a man who comes in here every now and then for me to continue working on his simple black line art. His right arm’s covered and up along his chest, so now we’re concentrating on his left arm in the same style.

  He’s hot as sin.

  With his broad chest, gorgeous sapphire-blue eyes, and five o’clock shadow, and not to mention the guns his arms carry, the guy obviously works out. A lot. Can’t say I haven’t checked him out when he comes in here in those baggy ripped jeans and his black tank top.

  The man is sex on legs.

  But I have no idea who he is.

  The first time he came in, and I asked for his name, his reply was simply ‘Xander, Just Xander.’

  It’s our running joke now.

  “Sorry, man, I’m tired today. Levi had me up all night, swore there was something in the shadows in his room. Had to
turn every light on in the house and stay with him a while to help him go back to sleep.”

  Levi’s my kid brother, also nine years my junior. My parents had him a little later in life, in a not-so-planned way. But he’s the light of my damn life. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a handful for sure, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything. Levi’s my world. He’s also special needs which is hard when you’re all on your own with no one left but us.

  Xander’s lips turn up in that way they do, his left cheek dipping just enough for his cute dimple to pop in. Shit, he’s so damn swoon-worthy. But he’s a client—one who comes and goes with no warning. He’s unreliable, definitely not someone to be looking at as anything other than a customer.

  Plus, I have one rule I never break—I don’t date clients.

  “It’s great the way you take care of Levi. He sounds like a good kid.”

  My body warms. “He really is. This last year… since the accident… well, it took him a lot to adjust and to get to where he is now, but with the help of Greta, our nanny, plus all the guys here at the shop, we get by.”

  Xander reaches out, his hand touching mine in a show of support rarely seen from him. A soft tingle shoots through me like something from the damn movies, but I choose to ignore it. I have bigger things to worry about than getting involved with a man right now, even if he’s looking at me with those gorgeous blue eyes and a chiseled jaw.

  Fuck. Snap out of it, Tomi, you’re a grown woman, control your damn hormones!

  “It was the anniversary last week, wasn’t it?” Xander asks making me tilt my head in confusion. I’m not sure I ever remember telling him the date. It’s not something I generally disclose to people. I mean sure, people know about the accident—there are pictures around the shop of them everywhere—but I didn’t think the general public knew the exact date my parents and sister died in a car wreck. A wreck I blame myself for.

  Shaking my head from the thought cycle which could lead down a dangerous path, I look back at Xander, clearing my throat. “Ahh, yeah. It was last week. Levi and I stayed home watching episodes of Nailed It.” I let out a small laugh. “Levi loves that show.”

  Xander smirks as I crack my neck, then get back to work on his arm piece. The vibration of the tattoo machine flows through my hand, the sensations sending a calming feeling through me. For me, it’s almost a euphoric feeling—the needle piercing the flesh. Some might find that strange, but to me, I’m creating a masterpiece forever etched in skin. It’s like ascending into another realm, a place where art is the be-all and end-all of everything. It takes over my senses, so I’m awash with color and lines. They dance through my mind, and all I see are patterns and shapes creating a beautiful work of genius. Here, I feel safe, the outside world and all the pain-filled memories associated with it can’t hurt me. Here, I’m truly happy as the slight push against the tip of the needle drives back and forth into his tanned skin. It’s a beauty to behold as I concentrate on the task at hand.

  “You ever thought of opening a bigger shop, Tomi? You have the skills, definitely the personality to pull off more clientele—”

  He pulls me right out of my happy place, so I interrupt him. “Stop right there, Just Xander, I know what you’re doing,” I murmur, my tongue half hanging out of my mouth as I carve out some smooth lines on his arm.

  His eyes widen as if he’s surprised by my answer. “What?” he snaps defensively.

  I snort out a laugh at his tone. “Geez, lighten up, princess. Anyone would think you’re about to have a coronary. I just mean, I know you’re only looking out for me with this whole Alex Scott bullshit. Fucker’s trying to push me out, and you’re worried he might succeed. You think I should look at some other options, right?”

  Xander takes a deep breath tilting his head. “I think Scott Enterprises is a big fish in an even bigger pond, and they’re not going to go away without a fight. This shop is awesome. I love coming here, having you work on me, spending this time with you. I don’t want to see you fighting for something so hard when maybe you should be looking into other avenues instead?”

  My stomach rolls at Xander’s words. Fuck knows he’s probably right. But this place means everything to me, so I can’t lie down and roll over.

  I just can’t.

  “Well, I realize it sounds like the right thing to do, but Hope & Faith Ink isn’t just a name, and let me tell you why…” I pause. “Hope was my mother’s name…” I pause again glancing over to the picture of her next to my workstation. “She’s the reason I went into art. And faith…” I hesitate closing and opening my eyes. “My father always told me to have faith. That one day I’d make it and be good enough that I would open my own tattoo studio…” I take a long, deep breath to steady myself. “They helped me build this place.” I wave my hand around with Betsy firmly grasped in my fingers. “They’re here with me every damn day. I can’t let this place go. I can’t let them go.”

  His face falls like he’s having a hard time hearing all of this as if maybe he has his own past to deal with. What I wouldn’t give to know more about the mysterious Xander. He’s such an enigma. The fact I hardly know anything about him only makes him all the more interesting. I move back in to continue slinging ink into his arm. I wipe away the excess ink then sit back admiring my handy work.

  Xander lays quietly like he’s pondering the world when the door opens, and Levi rushes in with his trusty backpack on, his face beaming with utter happiness and without a care in the world as he rushes toward me. My eyes widen as I stand abruptly moving out of the way of Xander, so he doesn’t face the full force of my brother’s impact.

  Greta chuckles to herself as she walks in miles behind Levi while the ritual commences. He bolts up to me as I throw my hands out to the side, preparing to catch him. He’s getting so big now, it’s all I can do to keep upright as he slams into me and laughs, wrapping his arms around me tight, nuzzling his face into my neck and shoulder. Levi’s the same height as me—I’m short, and he’s tall for a sixteen-year-old boy. But with his Klinefelter Syndrome, one of the many side effects is tallness. He’s also on the spectrum. My baby brother was dealt a harsh blow when he was born. Not one, but two disorders that no one deserves. We cope, but honestly, I wouldn’t have him any other way.

  To me, he’s perfect.

  “Tomi, I learned about art today. Now I can be like you,” he chimes into my ear a little louder than I was expecting.

  I embrace him, kissing the side of his head. “I’m so happy to hear that, kiddo. We’ll have you doing Just Xander’s tattoos in no time!” I joke turning to look at Xander, expecting to see a horrified expression, though he seems anything but.

  His eyes are kind as he watches my interactions with my little brother, and a warmth alights his face. “For sure, maybe we can sit down sometime, and you can design something with me, Levi. Then you can tattoo it on me?” Xander states, shocking the fuck out of me.

  I was totally joking when I said that.

  I gasp as Levi’s eyes widen, and he lets me go spinning around to look at Xander. He’s not always hugely social around other people, but he rushes to Xander squatting down to his eye level. “Can it be a lion?”

  Xander lets out a small laugh. “Whatever you want, buddy.”

  Levi stands, clapping his hands together once as I narrow my eyes at Xander.

  He can’t promise shit like that to Levi. It’s not fair. The thing with my brother is he never forgets. You promise him something like that, he’s going to want you to follow through on it.

  For starters, I think Levi using a tattoo machine is not a great idea, and I conclude that Levi tattooing a lion on Xander will never come to fruition.

  I fold my arms over my chest. “First of all, a lion won’t match the masterpiece I’m creating on your…” hot as sin, “… body.” Xander pulls his lips in tight. “Secondly, Levi doesn’t know how to use a tattoo machine, so this is a terrible idea. And thirdly, I don’t think you should promise things you can’t follow
up on.”

  Xander raises his brow like he’s either insulted or impressed.

  I don’t particularly care which one.

  This isn’t happening.

  “Okay, just know you’re the one breaking his heart, not me.”

  Levi blinks rapidly at me as he takes in what’s being said. I know that look, it’s the look just before he’s about to break.

  Shit.

  “Okay, well, how about this? I’ll think about it if you can prove you’re a little more reliable,” I propose to Xander. He tilts his head and draws his eyebrows together, obviously in confusion. “Come in for your sessions more regularly, and on time, then I’ll think about it.”

  Levi’s eyes practically beg Xander with his pleading features, and Greta walks over in case we need to prepare for a meltdown if Xander denies him.

  But Xander’s bright demeanor beams at Levi. “We got this, Levi, you’ll be inking me in no time.”

  Levi lets out a loud squeal in excitement, making all of us grimace as he rushes off toward the back room obviously to prepare his lion sketches.

  Letting out a long exhale, I go back to cleaning Xander’s tattoo as I glare at him. “That wasn’t cool, man.”

  He lets out a stifled laugh. “Way I see it… I made your brother happy, and I get some more ink. Two positives there, Tomi. Plus… I get to see you again.”

  My eyes snap up to meet his as my stomach flutters with butterflies. His piercing blues stare right into mine, causing my breath to catch as we stare at each other. My chest heaves as my entire body tingles. I don’t know how he does that to me, but something about Xander works my entire body into a frenzy. He’s so cool, so calm, and mysterious that I can’t figure him out. Xander’s like a broken puzzle I just can’t piece together, no matter how hard I desperately want to.

  But maybe that’s the fun of it all.

  I see him every now and then, we share this amazing chemistry, then he disappears for god only knows how long until he shows up again unannounced. He’s like a drug I don’t even know I need until I’m getting a fix. But there’s something different about this time—this time he met Levi, and I saw how he interacted with my brother. As much as I want to be angry for the way he promised Levi something he shouldn’t have, the gesture was so freaking sweet, it has me melting. This guy is an issue, and I need to be careful because if there’s one thing I can’t afford, it’s a distraction.