“What about this?”I moved to the padlock around his neck. My fingers lingered, tracing the cool metal. It seemed uncomfortable to sleep in.
“No. It stays on. Do you ever take out your clit ring? It seems uncomfortable to sleep in.”
“I can’t do this.”I dropped his choker andsat up.“I’m leaving.”
“Did I do something wrong?”He feigned concern as I climbed from the coffin. He knew exactly why I had to go—I could tell from that stupid sexy smile.
“Goodnight,Dennis.”I continued out and shut the door, leaving his faint laughter behind.
Exception
I strode into the living room, content to start my day. It was morning now—maybe early afternoon?—and I was dressed and ready for adventures.
“Good morning.” I sat beside Ari, who was studying on the couch.
“You’re finally up.” She smiled and set the thick book aside. “I wanna go shopping. Do you think it’s safe? It’s overcast and I don’t see any sunlight.”
“I don’t know,” I realized. Dennis had said as much, but I was still suspicious the sun might melt us and he was plotting to get rid of me that way. “I’ll ask Dennis.”
I left to do just that. I hadn’t seen any of the guys yet, but it was safe to assume he was in or on his coffin setting things on fire. I made it halfway down the hall before realizing I’d forgotten my meds. I veered into Mateo’s room instead and beelined to the dresser, where I’d left them beside a glass of water.
“Time for your happy pills?”
I turned to see Dennis leaning against the doorframe. I nodded and finished swallowing pills.“Is it safe to go outside right now?”
“You’ll be fine. What’re you shopping for?”
“How’d you know we’re going shopping? Never mind, I don’t care. I’m thinking clothes and maybe a new tattoo…” I trailed off at the way he was watching me. “Why?” I asked suspiciously. It was weird he even cared.
“Because I have something in mind.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what?”
“Like the things you’d keep in here.” He was suddenly beside me. He tapped Mateo’s top left drawer—the same spot I kept my lingerie at home. My stomach flipped as he smiled. “I prefer black. Although Idolike you in red. Lace is sexy. Maybe cutouts. Easy access is always fun. Skirts, thigh highs. I trust your judgement. Get us something nice.”
“Your audacity is insane.” I brushed past him to leave, ignoring the jolt through my body when we touched. He followed close behind.“Dennis,” I stopped in the doorway and turned, placing a palm on his chest,“I have a rule. It’s very important to me. Stop trying to make me break it.”
“I can’t hear what this rule is, but I’m guessing it’s something I wanna break?”
“I’m sure it is, but we’re not breaking it.I’mnot breaking it.” I spun and started down the hall.“Ari, are you ready? I need to get away from Dennis.”
“Yeah, we can go.” She was already waiting by the door with keys in hand. She said a polite goodbye while I waved an annoyed hand over my shoulder.
“Don’t forget something for me.”
I turned to see him watching me with that same devious smile. I titled my head, wondering if he honestly expected me to buy something for him, before deciding. “Nope. Bye.” I laughed and closed the door.
* * *
Some hours and one new tattoo later, I ran up the stairs ahead of Ari, more than excited to show everyone my new baby. We’d spent a while shopping for clothes before returning to the tattoo parlor, and now my left side had a gorgeous vixen that started beneath my bra and ended a couple inches past the top of my shorts. It was perfect. Probably my new favorite.
“We don’t have a key,” I remembered as we reached their door.“I hope they’re still home.”
“They’re probably in the same spot as usual playing the same video game,” she said, turning the knob. Lo and behold, it swung right open.
“Hey,” Mateo greeted as we entered.
Ari and I fell into a fit of giggles. They were playing the same game in the same exact spots they always sat. Only Dennis was missing this time.
