Page 20 of Unleashed

“Well, maybe I can change your mind. I’d love to brand you.” Fuck me. Her amused smile complements her bronze skin, glowing in the overhead light. Her striking eyes, encircled with black makeup, flicker with thoughts, none of which are tattoos. When I stare at her without a response, she laughs. “I’m Tansy.”

I laugh because I don’t know how else to react. “I’ve never heard of that name before.”

She shrugs. “Now you have.”

Tansy walks around the counter, showing off her short, pleated skirt with comic strip scenes screaming over the fabric and multiple chains draped around it. Her black shoes are old-fashioned from around one of the world’s wars. “You got a name?”

I forget what the fuck it is for five seconds before stuttering, “Uh, Greg.” Somehow embarrassed about my ineptitude, I point to the display. “What are these?”

Tansy grins. “Those are nipple rings.”

“Oh, shit.”

Her giggle is husky. When I glance at her, she says, “Like mine.”

I don’t even know what to say. Tansy reaches past me to spin the display. Her bold, flowery perfume surprises me since her vibe is more of a barbed-wire-and-chains type. “You could do those, but then there are also these.”

“I’m afraid to ask.”

“They’re for cock piercings.”

My breath comes out in a whoosh, and I snort. “Not happening in this neighborhood.”

She laughs and pulls back. “They’re not for everyone. However, clits love them.”

“Uh...” I mean...

Seeing my internal meltdown, she grins. “No piercings. Are you also a tattoo virgin, Greg?” She bites her shiny maroon lip, and I blink several times, confused about what the hell is wrong with me.

I clear my throat. “Uh, yeah. I guess.”

She nods toward a wall. “Nothing interests you at all?”

“Not that I’m aware of.” I swallow, and it’s louder than the music.

Down the hall, I hear buzzing, reminding me of walking past Betsy’s office when Gloria was in court.

“We could do one on your arm to start.”

“To start?”

“Something small but meaningful, of course. We could put it right here.” Her fingers trace an invisible design along the inside of my forearm through my dress shirt.

“Yeah. I don’t know. There’s nothing I’m dying to display on my body forever.”

“No girlfriend or wife?”

“What if I have both?” I joke, but it’s the story of my life.

We both laugh as she grabs my shoulder with her left hand while her right draws on me. My heart pounds and my nerves buzz in this unexpected situation. When the bells ring as the door swings open, Tansy and I look to see a familiar blonde enter.

My pounding heart screeches to a halt. Simone gasps as Tansy drops my arm and says, “Hi. Can I help you?”

“Uh, I’m here... Hadley Wilder is...”

“Oh! She’s in the back. Are you a friend of hers?”

Simone’s surprised gaze hardens as she looks at me and then back at Tansy. “Um... I’ll wait outside.”

---