Page 40 of Hear Me Roar

“Cross my heart, Big Daddy. He didn’t expect the session to run over, but it turns out” – she held a hand to her mouth and whispered – “guy in the chair is a totalpussy.”

“Do not. Go there, Brie,” I snapped. “In fact, why don’t you show yourself out and have Pixie comein.”

“I would, but, she’s kinda sorta piercing a clit right now, so you’re stuck with me. And don’t even ask about Troy because he’s gone for the night. Besides, you can’t tell me this doesn’t bring back goodmemories.”

“It doesn’t, actually. Just do what you gotta do and run along your merry littleway.”

“Yes, Daddy, whatever you say. The piece is going on your chest,correct?”

“Yeah, left chest. And please, fucking stop with that shit,seriously.”

“Shirt off,” she said dismissively, skimming through my thick assfile.

Begrudgingly, I whipped my shirt off over my head and laid it across the armrest just as she muttered a “Fuck,” and stretched a colorful arm out to press a button on the intercom not too far away. She called for Pixie three times until, finally, the lavender-haired fairy answeredback.

“What’s up,B?”

“I need Knox’s design. It’s not in thefile.”

“It’s probably still in Pun’s room. I’ll bring it right in. Give me asec.”

“Thanks, sugartits.”

Turning back to where I sat, Brie’s mischievous eyes darted to mine. Then they roamed over me in an appreciative fashion that made my skin crawl. She licked her lips on her ascent and trapped the ball of her piercing between her teeth, a habit she’d developed since the damn thinghealed.

“Take a picture, it'll last longer,” I growled,annoyed.

“Oh, believe me, I still have tons,” she purred, opening a drawer for a fresh pair ofgloves.

My head jerked back. “Tons ofwhat?”

“Tons of old pics. Of you, of your dick, of us, of usfucking.They're great orgasmenhancers.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I muttered under my breath, thankful I hadn't brought Hazel with me. She would've had Brie on the floor in a headlock bynow.

“Don’t act so surprised, baby. Together or not, I’m never getting rid ofthose.”

“You should, though. I don’t exactly care for you fantasizing about me while you’re getting yourselfoff.”

Knock,knock!

“It’s me,” Pixie said sweetly as she pushed open the door, abruptly halting our heateddiscussion.

I flashed her a look that screamed“Thanks a lot,”and she flashed an apologetic one in return, handing Brie yet anotherfile.

“Thanks,Pix.”

She nodded and gulped under my unappeased stare pinning her in place. “Need somehelp?”

“Naaah, I got it,” Brie drawled, rendering Pixie useless in theequation.

With another remorseful peek in my direction, she retreated to the door and quickly scurried back to the front of the shop, leaving me – once again – all alone with myex.

After a silent beat or two, Brie pulled the small design from the folder and held it out to me, looking hardlyamused.

“Her name? Really? And above your heart, noless?”

I grinned, knowing the sight of it was hitting her right where it hurt. Perhaps having her prep me wasn’t such a bad idea afterall.

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