Page 44 of Ink & Desire

She looks at me as if seeing me for the first time. Then she gives me a dismissive wave and a half-hearted smile as I turn to go. I almost laugh at her attitude as I walk away. She’s clearly only got eyes for Corbin. Something warms inside my chest as I realize why that shared moment between us felt so good. He’d been just as annoyed by Izzy as I was. It was his way of silently agreeing with me. Which means her interest is one-sided. That shouldn’t make me as happy as it does, so I try my best to pretend something else is responsible for my sudden good mood. I’m not sure it works though.

I make my way over to where Jessie is talking to a client about a piercing. I’ve watched her pierce several people over the past few weeks. It’s interesting to watch her process, and now I know there’s more to it than just stabbing flesh randomly. There’s a science to it. An art that I can appreciate, even if I don’t think it’s for me. At first, I’d been worried I might be squeamish when it came to watching the needle puncture the flesh, but it doesn’t seem to bother me. And Jessie has been extremely forthcoming when it comes to explaining piercing techniques and protocols. I’m sure she won’t mind some company for this one. She turns to me and smiles when I walk over to join her.

“This is our new apprentice, Avery,” she says, introducing me to the man.

He smiles. “Nice to meet you. I’m Paul.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“The policy at Elemental Ink is that all piercings that are of a sensitive nature have two employees present in the room,” Jessie says.

I glance between the two of them, wondering what exactly this man is planning to pierce. I don’t ask though because the man is nodding.

“Of course,” he says, unbothered by the stipulation.

“Are you comfortable with Avery being in the room with us during your piercing?” Jessie asks. “I’ll be doing the piercing, but she’ll be there for propriety and for learning, of course.”

Paul nods again. “Fine by me.”

Jessie smiles. “Great. Let me get your paperwork and ID scanned in and get everything set up. I’ll take you back in a bit.”

He dips his head in acknowledgement. “Sounds good.”

“Just have a seat out front and Avery will bring you back when we’re ready.”

With that, Jessie turns and walks back toward the computer and scanner. I give Paul a sheepish smile before hurrying to follow Jessie.

“What’s he getting pierced?” I ask in a low whisper.

“He wants his frenulum pierced,” she says in a tone that suggests I should know what the hell that is.

I run through my mental list of anatomical parts and come up short.

“What’s that?” I ask.

Jessie grins as she looks over the paperwork Paul filled out and signs it.

“It’s a piece of connective tissue on the underside of the penis. Near the head.”

Chapter 20

Avery

Jessie says this in the same casual tone someone would use to talk about the weather.

I blink at her. “He’s getting his dick pierced?” I whisper, trying to hide my shock. My face immediately goes red, though I don’t know why. Of course, I know that people get their genitals pierced. I guess I just hadn’t considered the process.

“Yep,” Jessie says, pulling me back to the present.

I turn back to look at the client. He’s sitting casually in one of the chairs in the waiting area scrolling on his phone. He doesn’t look nervous in the least. Though I suppose he might be hiding his nerves. I try to imagine how I’d feel if I were about to get my genitals pierced. My stomach does an uncomfortable flip at the idea. No, thank you. I don’t judge anyone for their choices, but I don’t think I could let someone stick a needle through such a sensitive part of my body.

“Why?”

I don’t realize I said the word aloud until Jessie shrugs.

“I don’t ask their reasons,” she says. “Unless they’re totally misinformed about the end result. Then I might set the record straight. Just to make sure they’re getting the right piercing for what they want.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, genuinely curious.

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