Page 137 of Rush of Jealousy

I giggle over their interchange. As promised, Graham only takes five minutes—maybe even less—to get to Ink Coat. He greets me with a hug and a kiss.

“Did I get you out of a meeting?” I ask apologetically.

“It was worth it.” He smacks hands with Logan and then turns his attention back to me. “You sure about this?”

“No.”

His laugh relaxes me. “We can go to a less shady place,” he suggests, a smirk playing on his lips.

“I heard that, asshole,” Logan calls over his shoulder while washing his hands. I watch nervously from the sidelines while Logan snaps on a fresh pair of black gloves that he removes from a plastic package. I look up at Graham. “I have wanted my ears pierced since I was a little girl. But by the time I understood what I was asking for, my mom was too sick to take me. Then I just couldn’t bring myself to do it on my own.”

He nods at me and pushes a stray piece of hair behind my ears. “I’m glad we can do this together. But are you sure? You don’t have to get anything done. Or you can wait until another time.”

“Today’s the day."

Logan points to the leather chair that is in his workstation area. It looks like a reclining chair that would be seen at the dentist’s office. Graham helps me to sit down and holds my left hand as Logan rolls his stool over to my right side. I close my eyes and try to forget about the temporary pain I will soon be in.

Graham is at my ear telling me about his day—trying to distract me. Logan plays some rock anthem through the sound speaker that is sectioned off to just this area. The thumping bass coincides with the same rhythm of my heart—only adding to my anticipatory fear. I open one eye and catch Logan peering down at me.

“You okay?”

“I need something fluffier to listen to. This is just adding to my stress.”

He looks at me in disbelief. “I don’t think I have anything to your liking. Just some heavy death music.”

“Then shut it all off,” Graham snaps. “You are going to make her freak out before you even get close to her.”

Logan hits some button with his elbow, as to not contaminate his latex gloves. Once the music stops, I go back to closing my eyes and focusing on Graham’s soothing words and the feel of his hands.

“You better use the numbing gel if you have any available,” Graham demands.

“Dude, let me do my job. I got this.”

Logan applies some type of liquid to each lobe and runs a cotton swab around both sides. I keep my eyes squeezed shut and try to think good thoughts.

I feel the pinch of my lobe from some type of plier tool and then the blunt prick of the needle. I curse under my breath and try to calm myself down from the cliff I feel like I am about to fall off.

“Perfect,” Logan mutters. “Now the next side.”

I keep my eyes closed but hear the sound of movement around my head. “I can’t believe I am finally doing this. I never do anything this impulsive.”

“Sweets, impulsive would be a nipple piercing. Which I can easily do, but this asshole beside me would need to give us some privacy. I can barely work in these conditions right now, with him shooting daggers at me with his eyes.”

“If I wasn’t worried about you messing up on my girl, I would punch you,” Graham growls, but the fierceness behind his tone is lost.

Logan chuckles, “You would miss. We both know how bad your reflexes are when it comes to sports.”

I listen to Graham’s lighthearted laugh beside me. Other than with Dominic, I have not seen Graham interact with his friends. It’s nice to see a different side to him. I cringe as Logan grips my lobe with his device, and then stops my heart with the searing pain.

“Worst is over,” he says smoothly. “Now for your aftercare instructions.”

“You okay?” Graham asks, placing a chaste kiss on my forehead.

I open my eyes and grab the hand mirror that Logan gives to me. I reach up and touch the little stud earrings.

“I’ll upgrade them soon,” Graham whispers. “Once we know you are in the clear from an infection.”

“She isn’t going to get one,” Logan interjects with a huff. “This isn’t a little mall kiosk that uses piercing guns and unsanitary practices.” Logan turns his attention to me. “Angie, here is a bag of cleaning supplies for you to use. Please don’t let this man of yours make you paranoid. You’ll be perfectly fine. Just follow the directions.”

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