Page 31 of Extraction Play

She felt Meg’s gaze boring into her as she quick-walked away from the table and over to the counter, but she couldn’t turn around and deal with it. Not with the way numbness swept through her like the flu at the thought of her friends moving on like she’d never existed. Pixie wasn’t naïve enough to believe Meg wouldn’t track her down later to demand answers, but she also needed time to deflect without everything pouring out.

Her therapist would say to confide in her friends. They were probably right. However, as much progress as she’d made, that one thing she struggled with ripped open her shoddily covered wounds.

Pixie stopped in front of the counter, and Micah moved over with his usual smoothness.

“Going to try the special?”

Pixie leveled him with a look. “Am I that predictable?”

He snorted and steamed the milk for it. She didn’t need to worry about paying—anyone who worked there got free drinks—though she would for the hell of it. The idea of not getting asked to take on classes anymore crushed her a little bit.

“One blackberry chai right here,” Micah said, handing over the drink. His earnest grin sliced right through her heart. Maybe she didn’t deserve her friends here. After all, Micah would be so pissed off if he knew she was sleeping with Eva. Last night should never have happened, but these stolen moments with Eva were the only times Pixie didn’t feel lost in the fog that had obscured her as of late.

“Thanks, babe.” She wrapped her hands around the cup of warm chai. Would Micah be sad or relieved if she had to leave? If she headed to Portland, he’d be free to move in with Parker, which seemed to be the trajectory they’d were heading.

She swallowed hard and turned around, scanning the tables again. She could join Parker and Fin, but a sneak glance at Meg showed the woman hadn’t stopped watching her, so if she headed back that way, she’d need to explain her obvious retreat.

The door to the café opened, and a tall guy wearing a leather jacket entered. He froze, his shoulders tight, his gaze darting around. He had newbie written all over him—whether new to kink or the local scene, whatever. However, the lost look in his hazel eyes had her walking his way at once.

“Hey,” Pixie said, stopping in front of him. “Are you here for the munch?”

His features crinkled with his grin, which made it clear how gorgeous this guy was. With his olive skin, solid frame, and Greek model good looks, he would find himself with plenty of interest.

“Is it that obvious I’m floundering?”

Pixie shrugged. “We get newbies on the regular. So, is this your first munch?”

“First munch, yeah. And first time going out socially since I moved.”

She guided him over to the counter. “Start with a drink, and I’ll introduce you to everyone. Where did you move from?”

“Collier’s Creek. All the way out in Wyoming.”

“Well, damn, that’s the jump. You landed in the right place if you’re looking to meet people at least.”

“Oh, who’s this?” Micah looked him up and down with a slow perusal. Chances were Parker was watching, and Micah flirted on purpose. The little shit was such a brat. Pixie was shocked she’d known him so long as vanilla, given how easily he’d slid into the lifestyle.

“My name’s Kai,” he said, offering a palm to shake, just like a small-town boy. Pixie had to bite back her grin as Micah extended a delicate hand, feigning being overwhelmed. Kai’s brows wrinkled in confusion, but when a shadow loomed over a second later, Micah had clearly gotten his intended attention.

“Hey, man,” Parker said, the big guy introducing himself. “Welcome to Whipped’s munch.” He paused to cast a firm look to Micah, reaching over to tip his boyfriend’s chin up and plant a kiss on his lips. It lingered the slightest bit. The two were so ridiculously in love she had to look away sometimes, the intensity reminiscent of staring at the sun. Deep down, she wanted that too, even though she rarely let those dreams surface. When Parker pulled back, he apologized. “Sorry. My bratty boyfriend needed some attention.”

Kai lifted his brows. “Ah, so that’s what it’s like around here.”

Pixie snorted. “Welcome to Whipped. We all tend to overshare here.”

“And the other kind of sharing’s welcome too.” Fin slung an arm over Pixie’s shoulders.

Kai blinked a few times, clearly in overload.

Pixie swatted at Fin. “Don’t scare him away. We like new people.” She turned to Kai. “Before the rest of this lot overwhelm you, get your drink and join us at the tables.”

“What? No hello?” Fin pecked a kiss against Pixie’s temple. Hell, she didn’t know why she hadn’t gone around to give the usual hugs. Her subtle withdrawing had been more and more common as of late, retracting in little ways without her even realizing it.

“I’ve been a bad, bad girl,” she said, even though her heart wasn’t fully in it. She enjoyed playing with Fin, but the person whose attention she really wanted wasn’t there. Micah had mentioned the munch to Eva, but given the bomb that had exploded in her life, the probability of her showing up was low. Most likely for the best. This riot of feelings toward the woman was difficult as fuck to navigate, especially because she couldn’t let Micah know.

“Don’t tempt me,” Fin said. “I’m itching for another scene again. Last week was fun as fuck.”

Pixie’s cheeks heated at the memory of last Play Night. That had been her first experience with Eva, but last night, the intimacy, the need to be quiet, the way Eva had been filthy and caring in the same breath, had brought some of her deepest fantasies to life.

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