Page 5 of The Influencer

“Not at all. Calm down. Why are you so extra today?”

“Because I’m always extra,” I say.

“No, that’s why I’m asking. Today it’s like—more.”

“I’m nervous,” I admit. Piercings hurt, and I’m not a big fan of needles, but the fans have been screaming for me to pierce my nose, and the stars aligned because Gideon’s appointment to have his sleeve worked on by his tattoo artist coincides with my stay on his property. “Wanna scroll Grindr with me?” I ask him. “That usually calms me down.”

Gideon scoots closer. “Sure.”

We pass the time on the short ride selecting my next potential lays. I find a promising top with a huge dick less than one mile away and send him a message as we’re pulling up to the tattoo shop.

I snap some selfies as we go inside, but I know better than to hand my phone over to Gideon to get a recording of me. The last time I did that, he had it zoomed in on my ear the entire time. The footage was useless, and I’d looked really cute that day.

The tattoo parlor is quiet when we enter. Only one man sits behind the counter—and what a man he is. His smile breaks loose at seeing Gideon, and Jesus, I’m fucking blind. His long dark hair is swept back messily to reveal a handsome face with a dark beard, tanned skin, freckles for fuck’s sake, and dark amber eyes the color of strong tea. When he stands, he’s enormous. Not in the Incredible Hulk sense, but he’s very, very tall. He gives Gideon a hug, and I find myself pouting, waiting for my introduction.

“Right. Asher, this is Jade. Jade—Asher Haas.”

Asher brushes a hand on his jeans before offering it to me to shake. “What? No hug?” I ask.

He freezes a moment and meets my eyes. I smile, giving my lashes a quick flutter.

Asher seems to come back to life, and he laughs. I shake his hand. It’s all rough and inky. I catch the end of his own tattoo sleeve on his wrist, and his fingers are covered with thick silver rings. “Nice to meet you,” he says with a low voice that somehow makes my balls hum. He’s not my type at all, but he exudes an energy that makes me horny. Pheromones or something. “We’re doing your septum, right?”

Oh, God, he’s staring at my nose. What if there’s something in it? Hanging out of it? I take a step back and wipe it self-consciously. “Yes.”

“You want to get it over with and get out of here, or were you planning to hang out?”

“Definitely hanging out.” Fuck the Grindr guy. I’ll find him again later if it’s meant to be. I wave a hand at Gideon. “You can do him first.”

“You sure?” Asher asks us both. “He’s scheduled for two hours.”

“No problem,” I say brightly and smile up at him again. A new venue means fresh content, and the shop is vibrant and edgy as a backdrop for me. I chose the perfect outfit for this.

“So how do you two know each other?” Asher asks, amusement clear in his tone.

“Jade is a dancer on my tour, and he’s squatting in my guest house at the moment.”

“My condo’s being renovated,” I speak up. I can’t have this man thinking I’m some homeless nomad. I do very well for myself. Hence, the renovation. “It’s almost finished.”

“Cool,” Asher says.

Cool. So, he’s straight. I sigh. Boring.

Asher turns his attention back to Gideon. “What’s Jax up to today?”

“He’s at the boxing gym,” Gideon says. “But more importantly—we have a wedding to plan.”

Asher ushers Gideon over to a long, cushioned table, which Gideon lies down on. As they each get ready for the tattoo, they continue their conversation.

I linger by the counter, draping an arm and trying to arrange my body to show it off at its best, but I’m also listening.

“As best men, we’re in charge of the bachelor party, not much else,” Asher says. “At least according to Liv.”

“Do you seriously trust your brother to plan something other than a backyard barbecue with family only? No. We need to create a vision now that they’ve set a date.”

“They set a date?” Asher asks, pausing over his tray of tools.

Gideon looks sharply at him. “Did you not know? Sawyer only told me last week.”

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