She peers up at me, wearing a sweet smile, and lifts the phone so I can see she’s not shitting me.
“Wanna come?” she asks, fluttering her eyelashes.
I grit my teeth. She’s baiting me. She knows there’s no way in hell I’d let her do something like that alone in the middle of the night, in a random city. But she’s tempting me again. Am I just supposed to sit there and watch her nipples harden while someone else touches them? Wait, will it be a dude?
“Lead the way,” I say, and she squeals.
16
ELLIE
The piercing shopis the only thing on the block still open. It’s just after 2 a.m., and I’m not the slightest bit tired. The buzz from the alcohol was quickly replaced with adrenaline after the argument with Katie. I was this close to scratching her eyeballs out before Travis dragged me out. Ever since then, I’ve been too keyed up to sleep.
The door chimes as we pull it open and walk inside. The place is dark and edgy. Deep-red paint covers the walls along with framed tattoo examples and abstract art. There’s a naked mannequin couple off to the side, locked in a sexual embrace, and rock music plays low in the background.
A couple of people are hanging around chatting, but otherwise, it’s dead. I strut to the reception desk in the middle of the room. “Hi! I have an appointment to get my nipples pierced.” I beam at her, excitement thrumming through me.
She smiles warmly. “What’s your name?”
“Ellie Williams.”
She clicks away at her computer. “Just need your ID and for you to fill out this waiver, then you’ll be all set.” I dig mywallet from my crossbody and hand her my license as she gives me the paper and a pen. I take a seat on the couch and get to work.
Travis drops down beside me. “I can’t believe you’re going through with this,” he says, then laughs. “Actually, of course I can.”
I simply smile, writing quickly, my nerves flapping all over the place like deranged birds.
Travis follows me as I deliver the form to the receptionist. I tuck my ID back in my wallet, and shift on my feet, unable to stand still.
“Our piercer tonight is Jess,” she informs me. “Will he be going back with you?” She glances at Travis.
His eyes slide to mine, his brow arched in question. I hadn’t thought about that. This might be a breach of my contract. I mean, I doubt Tanner put ‘seeing my nipples’ in there, but I wouldn’t know for sure. “Uh,” I start, but a man appears behind the desk, stealing the words from my mouth. He’s huge with ripped muscles, tattoos, and a sexy man bun.
“Is this my next appointment?” he asks, grinning at me.
My heart jumps, nervousness hitting me. God, I hope he’s a gentle giant.
“You know what?” Travis interrupts. “Give me one of those papers. I wanna go next.”
My head flies around. “What?”
He shrugs. “I want mine done, too.”
My mouth drops open, vaguely aware of the girl handing him the waiver and him bringing out his wallet.
“Sorry, Roman, these are Jess’s clients,” the receptionist says.
My mouth snaps shut, and I turn my attention back to the massive wall of muscle behind the counter. He shakes his head, letting his eyes roam over me. “Too bad.”
Travis clears his throat beside me and hands the girl his form.
“If you’ll both have a seat, she’ll be with you in a moment.”
We move back to the couch. I tilt my head and stare at Travis, who plays dumb. “What?”
“Really?”
He lifts a shoulder. “Why not? I have everything else pierced.” Well, when he puts it that way. I’ve never seen anyone with so much artwork and holes in their body. But heisa work of art. Delicious ink all over, sexy nose ring, a tongue ring that is magic on your clit, and don’t even get me started on his dick.
