Page 83 of Lies Like Love

He lines the needle up. “Breathe for me, Felicity.”

I dig my nails into the leather armrests, and on my exhale, he pushes the needle through. It burns like something hot biting straight through my flesh, but I manage not to flinch or cry. Even as it starts to sting behind my eyes.

“Good girl.” His praise is strangely calming as he places the barbell on the needle and pulls it back through.

There’s barely a pause before he moves to the next one.

Knowing how it felt the first time should make the second one more bearable. But if anything, it hurts more. Or maybe it’s that the first nipple’s still throbbing as he drives the other in.

“All done.” Jude sets everything aside and walks the tray back to the counter, slipping off his gloves. When he turns to face me, a feral look sweeps his face as he looks me over. “A true work of art.”

I didn’t do this for him. He might have given me the idea, and I might have been aware he was already considering it, but this was my own way of pushing my personal limits. Even so, the appreciation in Jude’s eyes as he stares at my chest wells in the deepest pit of my belly, and I’d love to read every dirty thought that just crossed his mind.

But before I can ask, Jude’s professional mask slips back into place. He places two strips over my nipples to protect them. It doesn’t dull the throbbing, but it dulls the sensation of my tank top rubbing against them as I slip back into it.

“Keep those on until I come over later to help you clean them.”

I nod, sliding to the edge of the leather chair. “So I’ll see you later then?”

Did that sound desperate?

Do I care?

“Mm-hmm,” he hums, standing up. “Speaking of, what’s this I hear about you going to Echo’s party tonight?”

“It’s her birthday.” I shrug. “She invited me.”

I try to play coy even if he sees straight through it.

I didn’t keep the fact that I’m going from Jude on purpose. Eventually, he was bound to find out. But when Echo asked me, she said he was already going. And I couldn’t help the green monster that reared its ugly head when I realized he hadn’t asked me to join him himself.

We’ve spent most of the past week together. Yet, he didn’t care to invite me to Echo’s party. I wasn’t sure if it slipped his mind or if he did it on purpose, but it hurt.

I’m irrational.

He twists my thoughts until they’re spun around.

So I kept quiet.

Although, the coolness in his tone has me questioning if that was a good idea.

“Why don’t you want me hanging out with Echo?” I veer the subject from the fact that I didn’t say anything.

“She’s not the kind of person you need to be hanging out with.”

“You mean people like you?”

“Exactly.”

Like he’s the one who gets to decide that.

“You don’t make all the rules, Jude. What if I want to have a little fun. I mean… nipple piercings. LA clubs. Maybe I need a few experiences.”

Jude glances up from wiping down the counter at my comment. I’m being a brat. I’m pushing him just to piss him off. And I love that I can.

“Anyone else sees those barbells, and they’ll pay in blood.” He stalks over to me and tips my chin up. “I fucking promise.”

His possessiveness should be a red flag. Or, at least, a warning sign. Instead, it’s a huge turn-on.

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