Page 7 of The Sounds of Her

“Quit it,” Carina slaps her husband’s arm. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me Archer Harris is getting inked here today. We have tickets to your show tonight,” she says, a little calmer.

I shake her hand and after Chez gives her some shit, I sign an autograph and take a picture with them both. Carina stays to watch Chez finish the tattoo. They keep me occupied and I have fun.

I make a quick call to the tour manager while Chez is cleaning up his station. Then give Carina the surprise of her life, backstage VIP tickets to the gig.

She freezes in shock, then jumps up and hugs me. Chez’s eye twitches, watching my hands on his wife’s waist. I step back, but Carina doesn’t seem to notice as she jumps on him, squealing.

I send Chez the info after he gives me his number. “Next time we’re in town, I’ll make an appointment,” I say.

“Anytime, man.”

I drive back to the hotel. Nick and Elsa are getting back at the same time, Nick’s carrying a lot of shopping bags. I laugh and he tells me to fuck off. Stone checks the street as he gets out of the car, ensuring there’s no danger.

“Where’ve you been?” Elsa asks me as we head to the hotel entrance. “Sightseeing?”

“Not as much as you three,” I grin. Stone doesn’t look at all pleased. He’s used to following us around, but I doubt he enjoyed going on a shopping spree.

“I made better use of my time,” I say, showing them the tattoo, visible through the clear wrapping.

“Oh, that’s beautiful,” Elsa says after she bends down for a closer look.

“Next time, come with me, Els. Leave this schmuck to do his own shopping.”

“Kiss my ass, Archer.”

I flip him off, opening a bag to see what they’ve been buying. Elsa laughs when Nick drags the bag away. He tries to punch me, but I jump out of the way and wink at him. I saw that sexy lace underwear.

“Fucking children,” Stone mutters. “I’m hungry. Can you go back to your rooms?”

I salute our bodyguard and grin at Nick. “You want to watch out for those thongs, man. They can get stuck right up your ass crack.”

“You would know,” Nick fires back.

“Hot pink isn’t my colour,” I say, pointing at his bag.

“Nah, you prefer leopard print, right?”

“Crotchless.”

“Get inside,” Stone grabs our shoulders and pushes both of us into the hotel.

Chapter Three

“Oh fuck, yes.”

I throw my head back and close my eyes as Ciro grinds his hips against mine. He holds himself up, his back arching, using his knees to push himself into me in rhythmic, slow thrusts. His corded arms bracket my head, and his fists clench the sheets until he raises one hand and wraps it around my throat, allowing me to take in a breath before he puts pressure into it. My body hums and it takes a few more thrusts for me to lose all control.

Ciro doesn’t say a single word as he releases my throat. He runs his hand down my breastbone, feathering over my nipple and stomach. Grabbing my thigh, he wraps it around his hip, opening me wider. I am still catching my breath, everything inside me pulsing and fluttering as he thrusts harder, almost drilling me into the mattress. Then he comes too.

Ciro rolls off me, lying flat on his back, one hand over his stomach.

After a few minutes, I turn my head to him. As always, he’s staring at the ceiling. I should be used to this, it’s always the same. We meet, we fuck, he barely speaks and then we leave wherever it is we’ve met up. He’s only kissed me once.

I don’t know why I still do this.

Sure, the sex is amazing, especially after a bad day in court. But it isn’t enough. Ciro sees this as a convenience when he wants to get laid.Don’t get me wrong, when this started, I felt the same way. We are exclusive, I made it clear if we keep doing this, we aren’t doing it with other people.

In his own weird way, he cares, perhaps not about anything serious, but he respects me. It’s been going on for months, long after Jenna’s engagement party.

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