Page 35 of Tricky Girls

‘Dick you’re going on a date with.’ I circle my arm around her shoulders.

‘Nota date, so don’t be expecting anything.’

I chuckle, squeezing her reassuringly. ‘I’m not. Don’t worry. But just in case you change your mind, I’m totally wearing my dick tonight.’

She spits out Cherry Sourz, another one of those squeaks escaping her. ‘Dude! Warning, please. That’s so vulgar.’

‘Oh, and the real thing’s not?’

She waves me away. ‘Just surprises me, that’s all. I thought those things were purely for the bedroom.’

‘Maybe for some. Kinda makes me feel complete. Probably like you wearing makeup.’

‘Huh.’ She nods. ‘Makes sense.’

Five minutes later, we’re pulling up to Vipers, a stucco building painted red with black trim and a hundred years’ worth of graffiti adorning it.

‘These guys better be good,’ Tilda says.

‘If you like depression rock and scary as fuck masks, they’re a winner.’

‘Sweet. Just my thing. How much was my ticket?’

‘Irrelevant.’

She gives me a look. ‘Not to me.’

‘I invited you on this non-date. I pay. Them’s the rules.’

She sighs. ‘Alright. I’ll buy you a drink then.’

Fat chance, but I don’t argue. I get our tickets swiped and we head to the cloakroom. I’m not wearing a coat but Tilda’s in some thick, fur-trimmed thing like it’s midwinter already.

It’s cute, but not as cute as the t-shirt dress she wears beneath it.

My breathing goes shallow as she takes my hand and leads me through the crowd to the bar.

It’s busy there but she manages to snake her way to the front. A guy knocks into her as he turns with hands full of drinks, almost making her stumble. I grab hold of her, boxing her in from behind so no other eejit can do the same.

Her body’s hot, her ass feeling so good against my strap. I wonder if she can feel it.

Leaning down, I put my lips to her ear. ‘You know how wrists are your soft spot?’

She half turns. ‘Mm?’

‘Fishnets are mine.’

Tilda looks down at her legs then back to me. ‘Oops.’

I shake my head. Gonna be the death of me, I swear.

I wait until she’s reaching for her purse to swipe my card on the reader. She whirls round, glaring at me. Sending her a wink, I snake my arms past her to take our drinks.

‘I’ll get you back for that.’

‘Look forward to it.’

She looks good under the purple lighting. She finds us a spot right in front of the stage, shouldering her way through everyone else. Maybe I can envision her out on the hockey field, thwacking everyone with that stick of hers.

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