“Where did you get this art? It’s gorgeous.”
My collection was a smattering of gothic art I’d found over the years and personal creations, and all of it filled me with such joy whenever I entered my home that I continued to add more and more pieces over the years. “I can get you the names of the artists.”
She paused on one of my pieces, a bloody heart entwined with metal spikes. “And this one?”
“Mine,” I admitted, a prickle coursing over my skin. People came to see me daily to get my art on their skin, but somehow showing my private drawings to Becky stripped me down in a way that surprised me.
“Fuck, you’re so talented.” Those words caressed my heart, soothing my nerves as soon as they’d started. “I know you’re an artist, but it keeps surprising me to see your work in real life.”
“The No Regrets sampling wasn’t showcasing my skill,” I joked, trying to off-play how much her comment meant. They hit differently, coming from the girl I was wildly attracted to.
“Okay, so, wine?” She glanced around the room as if she still absorbed the details.
“Sure thing.” I meandered to my kitchen, where I opened my wine cabinet. “What’s your preference?”
“Dry whites. Yours?”
“Sweet wines. Like, tooth-achingly sweet.”
Her eyes widened, and I reveled in her response. I loved throwing people for a loop, delivering the unexpected. When they saw me, they thought tough and growly, and I liked my prickles because they stabbed out anyone shitty. But once people got to know me, they realized fast I was a total sap.
And I wanted this girl to know all of me. Fucking terrifying and exhilarating in the same breath.
“How about we compromise with a semisweet white.” I uncorked a bottle from Star and Moon Winery, a local spot. They did a great job with blends, and I’d been to too many tastings.
“That sounds perfect.”
I passed her a glass and then poured one for myself. Before I could take a sip, the sight of her glossy lips stopped me still. Ngh. My clit thickened at the sight of the perfectly pink curve of her lips, how lush and fucking decadent they’d been to taste.
“So, how come you don’t have any pets?” she asked. We stood mere inches away, the air vibrating with tension from our proximity. I wanted to close the space and taste the wine on her lips, but I understood her question had weight. I sucked in a breath. This wasn’t a topic I visited often.
“It’s been a year since my cat Luna passed away. She was only seven, and I thought we’d have a lot longer together.”
Even speaking her name out loud sent a little dagger through my heart.
“Oh fuck. I get it. Was she your ‘one’?” Becky took another sip of wine. Her lips grew darker and that much more tempting.
“Oh hell yeah. Total salty soulmate. She got me through the roughest parts of my twenties. When I cried, she used to shit in my shoes.”
A laugh exploded from Becky. “What the fuck? Trying to distract you?”
“Mmhmm. She’d curl up with me for hours after, but I think she just tried to get the tears to stop in whatever way she could.”
“God, that’s amazing. My Bast is fifteen now, and she’s been judging me for years on all my terrible life choices.” Becky gave me a wry little smile. “I know it might seem odd, but that tidbit about Luna makes you hotter.”
“Yes, yes, talking about dead pets is the latest aphrodisiac.” Fuck, I’d let my dark humor out to play. However, Becky just laughed, and my heart did cartwheels.
“The fact that you care about animals,” she said. “I see a lot of ugly shit in my line of work, so it tends to be a bit of a litmus test for human decency.”
“I fucking get that. Also…hotter?”
She gave me an arch look. “Of course you’re hot. Why do you think I’m here?”
“Uh, my sparkling personality.”
“If Kevin wasn’t an indicator, I’m bad at personality gauges. But so far, you’re funny, you’re kind, and yeah, you’re fucking hot.” The plain way she stated the words, combined with the heat in her gorgeous blue eyes, sparked my insides to life. I was burning up, and she was the ice water I craved.
“God, you’re so fucking pretty I could devour you whole,” I said, my voice growing low as I forgot to pitch it.
