Imprinted Tattoos (The Lost One's Book 1) Read online

  I rush over to the mirror and stare in shock at the large Imprint Tattoo that rests just below my boobs on my sternum. It measures about ten centimetres in diameter and is by far the biggest one I have ever seen.

  I just stare at it.

  The large mandala heart is split equally into five separate parts. Each part has its own mandala pattern inside and each one is a different colour. There's a deep forest green, bright sunshine yellow, rich Royal blue, dark maroon red and a dark almost black, purple.

  I study it for a few minutes longer almost suspiciously as I try to figure out what it could mean. It gives me a sense of peace and happiness, feelings that I haven’t felt for an extremely long time, if ever. I don't understand. My other two Imprint Tattoos never felt like this, with them I felt a foreboding doom and emotional hurt.

  They certainly didn’t comfort me.

  This feeling is such a contrast to the emotional turmoil the other two gave me that I just don't know what to do with it. I snap out of my thoughts as soon as I remember that I should be getting ready for school. Quickly running into my room, I pull out some ripped blue denim shorts, a black tank top, lightweight black zip up hoody and black Dr Martens boots, an immensely lucky find, that I purchased for an amazing price from a local thrift store.

  I throw my hair up into a messy bun, apply a layer of foundation to cover up the bruise that's on my cheek and just underneath my eye. It’s still swollen but has gone down a bit since last night. So I’m not too worried that I’ll get any uncomfortable questions. Like I said no-one is close enough to me to notice anyway.

  I carefully add eyeliner and a quick swipe of mascara. Grabbing my well-worn backpack as I quickly and quietly make my way out of the front door. Just as I finish pulling the door closed behind me I hear a bottle smash against it from the other side. Well at least the door was shut this time.

  I start the three mile walk to school, damn I miss my car. As soon as I make it through the gates to the drab and boxy looking school, I glance around at all the other students, everyone looks so happy. I frown slightly as I watch the different groups of friends greet each other after a summer apart.

  I wish I could have that; I want someone to laugh with, someone to share my secrets with and someone to rely on as well as someone who can rely on me. I shake my head to get rid of those ridiculous thoughts. I can't have that and the sooner I accept it the better. I'm fine by myself and I’ll continue to tell myself that until I fucking believe it.

  I trudge through the throng of students, no-one notices me, no-one says hello and a pang of loneliness hits me in the chest.

  Pushing forward I finally make it to my locker, placing in all the books that I don't need until my afternoon classes and shutting it. I reach into my bag for my schedule and study it as I make my way towards my home room.

  Easily finding the right classroom I walk in and pretend I’m ignoring everyone when really I’m invisible to them. I take a seat in the back corner. Once I’ve sat down, I take out my pen and notebook and start doodling small pictures of absolute nonsense. I'm in my own little world drawing stick men and spirals, (I never said I could draw) when I hear the chair next to me scrape against the worn floor.

  No one ever sits next to me, it’s like social suicide.

  Trying to be inconspicuous I peek up at the person out of the corner of my eye. What I see has me involuntarily turning to face him fully so that I can make sure my eyes aren’t deceiving me.

  My jaw nearly hits the floor once I get a good look at him.

  Heaven help me, he is gorgeous. He's wearing light blue jeans with white hi-tops and even sitting down I can tell that he would easily tower over my own 5"4 frame. I'm guessing he's about 6"1. My eyes travel up over his legs which he's stretched out under the desk as he leans back in his seat almost as if he’s posing for me.

  That’d be ridiculous though right?

  I continue my perusal regardless, unable to stop even if I wanted to, I’m committed now. His dark blue shirt is pulled tight across his broad shoulders and hints at a well sculpted figure underneath.

  His dark as night hair is styled just long enough that I'd be able to run my hands through it and his strong jaw has a couple of days’ worth of rough stubble peppering it. My eyes continue to trace over his impossibly gorgeous face, and I get sucked into an amazing pair of mischievous deep sapphire blue eyes. I don’t think I have ever seen eyes quite like his.

  I can’t seem to pull my eyes away from him, it's then that the corners of his mouth turn up into a small smirk. I instantly snap my attention away from him and back down to my notebook, my cheeks heating with embarrassment. I'm sure I'm as red as a tomato right now, I can't believe I got caught staring at him!

  I hear a low chuckle come from beside me, but I refuse to glance back in his direction. I think I've embarrassed myself enough for today thank you very much!

  I have to be cautious; I need to remember the lesson I had to learn the hard way. Men are dangerous. A small part of me says that this guy would never hurt me, but right now I'm not willing to take any chances. I’m waiting for the thinly veiled insults and for his chuckle to turn cruel and condescending, so it surprises me greatly when he quietly speaks, his deep voice rumbling through me.

  "Hey, I'm Jax."

  I glance up at him from under my eyelashes searching for any form of deception but all I see is sincerity and curiosity. I take a deep breath. It's just my name, no harm can come from telling him that, right? It's not going to instantly make us friends and he won't get dragged into my dark world. Besides, he won't remember me tomorrow anyway.

  "Sage" I say quietly glancing away again but it's not long before my eyes get unwillingly pulled back towards him. I can’t seem to help myself.

  He has a large smile on his gorgeous face, his mischievous eyes sparkling. He opens his mouth to reply but at that moment Mr Thomas walks in and calls the class to order. I let out the breath I have been holding. To be honest I'm both relived and disappointed that our conversation got interrupted. If you can even call the few words, we exchanged a conversation. I'm confused by how strong my reaction is to him. I only met him ten minutes ago, but I felt strangely safe with him. No one makes me feel safe.

  I wanted to tell him more about myself and I wanted to learn everything about him. Feeling like that though is dangerous. I can't get close to anyone. I frown deeply at my thoughts but focus back on what Mr Thomas is saying. I refuse to look back at Jax no matter how much I want to. I can feel his curious stare burning into the side of my head almost as if he's imploring me to glance his way again. I refuse to do it; I have to be alone.

  I didn't hear a word of what Mr Thomas said during the lesson and as soon as the bell rings for second period I’m up and out of the door before it has even finished chiming. As I’m rushing away, I think I hear someone calling my name, but the concept is so unlikely that I dismiss it immediately. I make it to English with time to spare thanks to my speedy and admittedly cowardly exit from home room and walk over to my preferred spot in the back corner.

  The lesson passes by uneventfully and for that I'm glad. At least I keep telling myself that I am. Yep, I absolutely do not want to see Jax, not even a little bit. I scoff quietly at myself and my ridiculousness.

  Sure, you don't want to see him again, liar!

  The morning goes by quickly and I stop off at my locker to swap my books over before I spend my lunch break in the library. On the way there I hear a group of girls, that are in my senior class talking about their Imprint Tattoos and showing them off. Only two of them have one but the way that they are so freely showing them off in the hallway where anyone could see is shocking.

  I don't understand how they can be so casual about them. I have always kept mine private. To me they are a very personal thing that I haven't wanted to show anyone. Even whilst being intimate I kept the one that I had at the time covered. Maybe it's because my first two were warnings of pain and they don't bring back happy memories.

/>   I like to think that the events that were foretold by my Imprinted tattoos have made me stronger, at least I hope they have. My newest Imprint Tattoo, the one that showed up this morning is different. I don't know why it’s different but simply from the feelings of hope and happiness that it gives me I know that it is.

  I'm so lost in my own head that I don't see the wall right in front of me and walk straight into it. I bounce off it, gasping in pain as my ribs protest the sudden movement. Closing my eyes, I prepare myself to land in a painful heap on the floor. Just before I land though, I feel strong arms wrap around my waist stopping my fall and pulling me back up to standing with ease. I open my eyes and look up, way up. This huge deliciously muscled guy before me could easily be 6"4 and towers over my short frame.

  The wall I thought I walked in to was actually him. Not only that but his arms are still around me and I'm strangely okay with it, more than okay if I’m being completely honest. He has a tiny smile playing on his plump lips. I blush scarlet for the second time today and hastily take a step back from him looking up to thank him for catching me and to apologise for walking into him in the first place.

  I freeze, as for the first time since this embarrassing moment started I really see him. Just like when I first saw Jax my jaw nearly hits the floor.

  Holy yum batman.

  His tall frame means that he towers over me and instead of me finding it intimidating I feel strangely safe. His black t-shirt is stretched taut across his large chest and clings to his huge arms. I can just about see the outline of a well-defined six pack through the tight material. His strong thighs are encased in extremely well fitting dark blue jeans and I have an almost overpowering urge to ask him to turn around so I can see what I'm sure will be a delectable ass.

  I have to bite my lip to keep the request from spilling out. On his feet are black combat boots the laces left un-done. By this point I'm very aware that I am openly checking him out but just like I did with Jax I can't seem to pull my eyes away and decide that right now, I don't care.

  My eyes follow the delicious path back up until they reach his strong angular jaw. He has a scar about two inches long on his left cheek but instead of detracting from his beauty it merely adds to his rugged good looks. His long dark brown hair is pulled into a small ponytail at the base of his neck. I look up into his hazel eyes, different shades of green, brown and gold mixing together in an entrancing way.

  I stiffen immediately when my eyes finally meet his. Gone is that tiny smile and in its place is a frightening scowl as he stares at my face his eyes seemingly zeroed in on my cheek for a reason that is un-known to me.

  Fuck.

  I start to back up slowly. He's angry and from my experience bad things happen to me when someone's angry.

  "I-I'm s-s-sorry" I stutter an apology for running into him. Hoping that it's enough to appease him.

  "Wait!" His deep baritone sends shivers of pleasure down my spine, confusing me.

  He lifts his hand up, reaching for my face causing me to flinch, as I expect pain to follow. His eyes widen in shock before confusion quickly follows making him frown slightly. The confusion dissipates and is replaced with understanding, surely, he can’t know why his fast movement made me flinch. He ever so slowly lowers his hand rubbing the back of his neck.

  "I'm Hunter, there's nothing to apologise for. It was my fault anyway, I wasn't paying attention" he seems sincere and although the glare is still on his face, I'm starting to think that's just him and not directed at me.

  I relax, somehow knowing that, like Jax he will never hurt me. This time it's easier to form the words I want to say, maybe talking to Jax has helped me feel more comfortable talking to others.

  "I'm Sage" I reply thankfully not stuttering and let a small smile slip out.

  He looks at me shocked for a moment before letting out a smile even smaller than mine, but it changes his entire face. He goes from being utterly gorgeous to breathtakingly stunning. My feelings are overwhelming me, and I decide to make a hasty retreat mumbling a goodbye and practically running down the corridor to the library.

  I can’t help but glance back at Hunter one last time and when I do I see him standing in the exact same spot that I left him in, staring after me with an indecipherable look on his face. Whatever it means it sends a thrill down my spine.

  Everything is about to change. I can only hope it's for the better.

  I make it to the library and slowly move through the aisles of books and over to my favourite chair hidden at the back and surrounded by shelves that block me from the view of the other students.

  Just how I like it.

  As I get to my chair however, I notice someone is already sitting there. I seriously can't catch a break. I'm about to turn back around and try to find a different secluded spot, when the guy stands up and turns around to face me. I audibly gasp as I take him in. He has a lean but strong looking body similar to a swimmer, black well-loved Dr Martens are on his feet, black jeans encase his long legs and a ribbed white tank stretches across his muscular chest with a black and white plaid shirt over the top. He has a slimmer face than Jax and Hunter with high cheek bones and a square jaw.

  His lips capture my attention next, the twin piercings making me wonder what they would feel like pressed against my own. His dark red hair can only be dyed as it's such an unusual colour but it surprisingly suits him. It's shaved short on either side with a longer section on top that sweeps down into his gorgeous grass green eyes.

  Fuck me, where have all these gorgeous guys suddenly come from? I don't think I can take much more of this!

  "Fucking hell" he breathes out suddenly, making me look at him curiously, "you are fucking beautiful."

  I look behind me to see who he’s talking to and to get out of their way, feeling a pang of jealousy for whoever gets this gorgeous stranger’s compliments but squash the feeling quickly, I have no right to feel jealous. He’s not mine. He chuckles and it sends tingles racing through me as I turn back towards him not seeing anyone behind me and wondering if maybe he's not all there in the head. He can't have it all right, looks and brains?

  "I meant you Beautiful Girl" he states looking directly at me with a wide grin. My cheeks instantly colour, he's the first person to ever call me beautiful.

  "Thank you" I say shyly.

  "You're more than welcome Beautiful Girl!" He says his eyes twinkling at me. "I'm Kai" he introduces quickly as if sensing that I’m a flight risk.

  "Sage" I reply not being able to stop from smiling back at him, his smile is infectious.

  "Come on" he grabs my hand and I flinch, unfortunately it’s become my bodies automatic reaction to being touched since I’m always expecting pain.

  Please don't let him have noticed.

  I don't dare glance up at him to check. After being tense for a few seconds I slowly relax, his warm slightly calloused hand engulfs my tiny one sending sparks of warmth up my arm. I'm surprised to realise that I actually really like holding hands with him. We are out of the doors to the library and halfway down the corridor before it occurs to me that I have no idea where we are going.

  "Um where are we going?" I ask glancing up at him, he smirks cheekily down at me.

  "We're going to lunch" he states.

  I gape at him; did I just get invited to sit with someone at lunch in a roundabout kinda backwards way? He chuckles lightly at the confused face I’m certain I’m pulling right now. I duck my head to hide behind my hair, I have never blushed so much in my damn life.

  It’s getting annoying.

  We walk into the cafeteria and he pulls me over to a table in the middle of the room. At least I'm guessing it's the middle of the room, I'm still looking at my feet.

  "Sage?"

  I know that deliciously deep voice.

  I glance up to find Jax looking at me a smirk on his handsome face. Timidly I return his smile then glance around at the rest of the table. Of course, they'd all be friends, gorgeous people attract gorgeous
people it's how it always works. I spot Hunter leaning back in his chair his arms crossed over his massive chest and a glare decorating his handsome features, it's not nearly as intimidating as it was the first time we met.

  "Hey Jax and Hunter" I say quietly tucking my hair behind my ear and standing up straighter.

  See I'm a bit odd like that, the more I feel comfortable around someone the more I come out of my shell. I become confident, sarcastic and swear like a sailor. Somehow despite my best efforts even with only brief encounters between us, I am already becoming more comfortable and less shy around them.

  As I continue to glance around the table I spot two new faces staring at me curiously. They are completely and stunningly gorgeous. In fact, they both have similar facial features as Kai, although that’s where the similarities end. Leading me to believe that they must be brothers possibly even triplets since they all look about the same age.

  The one on the left although still lean obviously works out at the gym daily, he has sandy blond hair that's cut close to his head and his eyes are more of a stunning pine green colour, than Kai’s grass green ones. He looks more serious than Kai.

  The one on the right has a swimmer build closer to Kai's, the same sandy blond hair as his brother but his is wavy, shoulder length and left loose. His eyes are a stunning green gold colour and completely unique; he seems quite laid back and is grinning lazily at me but holds a level of authority about him that most people wouldn’t pick up on. Kai starts almost bouncing up and down beside me.

  "You know Hunter and Jax?"

  I'm not even fully nodding before he's continuing excitedly making me grin.

  "Awesome, have you met my other brothers?"

  My grin falters slightly, other brothers? I glance back at Hunter and Jax. Nope there are absolutely no similarities, they are both shooting matching warning looks at Kai though who rubs the back of his neck in a nervous gesture.

  "We all grew up together so Hunter and Jax are like my brothers" he explains.