Page 5 of Stevie
“How’s work?” I ask, trying to change the subject, evidently choosing the wrong topic here, too.
“Four college guys came in and got penis piercings. One asked for my number, which I mean, it’s nice to know I can pull a college freshman—at least it was until he said he was into cougars.” I can’t hold the snicker back, and she groans. “Shut up.”
“Have you talked to Janie about moving to part-time?”
“No. I mean, I already am pretty much part-time with the amount of time off I’ve taken due to the pain, but I haven’t told her I want it to be permanent. I’m afraid she’ll be mad at me or think I hate her.”
“Peaches, just because you don’t want piercing to be your job forever doesn’t mean you hate her. Janie will understand.” This silence is uncomfortable, and I let out a sigh. This isn’t an easy conversation for Stevie. It’s one we’ve had several times before. Since the convention, hell, maybe even before, Stevie has been finding less and less joy as a professional piercer. I think she likes the people she works with, and she’s confident in her abilities as a piercer, so she keeps doing it. But the nights I stayed over when she had to go to work the following day, I could see the dread and anxiety filling her, and I hated it. Stevie is a people pleaser, though; she would rather suffer than express her feelings. Except with me, she has zero qualms with telling me exactly what’s on her mind.
“What are you reading?” I know that’s a safe subject. Stevie is a monster smut lover. A self-described ‘monster smut slut’, but I refuse to call her that. Anyway, she’s addicted to these monster romance books. I’ll be honest, they give me the ick, but whatever, she enjoys them.
“Hunting Season,” she says, and I hear the smile in her voice. “So, Hanna is a new girl in this mountainside town known for Bigfoot sightings. She’s headed to her car one day when she’s attacked, but thankfully, she’s rescued by Lorenzo–”
“Lorenzo? In a mountain town?”
“Oh, because ‘Brooks’ is such a common name?” she snaps. “Anyway! ENZO, for short, rescues her and takes her back to his cabin–”
“Why would he kidnap the girl after she was just attacked?” I smirk at the annoyed growl I hear. This is the only thing I like about these books; I tease her, and she gets all pissy and tells me to fuck off. It’s more fun in person because I get to see her nose scrunch up and her eyes get all squinty.
“Because!” she growls. “Turns out she is his fated mate! So he has a primal urge to take her with him and protect her!”
“Primal urge, huh?” I chuckle as she sighs.
“You just don’t understand good romance.”
“Oh yeah? How many cocks isEnzosporting?”
“One!” she says defensively. “This book focuses on knotting, thank you very much.”
I pinch my brows together as I try to decide how deep into this subject I want to go. “Knotting?”
“It’s where he’s inside, and the base of his cock swells so that they’re stuck and–”
“Okay!” I laugh, waving my hand. “You win, I tap out.” She giggles lightly, and fuck if that’s not the greatest reward. “So, are you missing me yet? It’s been two weeks.”
“Please, I’m in paradise over here. No giants trying to break down my door.”
“Who’s breaking down the door? You gave me a key.”
“Shut up!” She hisses, and I laugh again. We talk for a few more minutes before Stevie says she needs to go to bed. After saying goodnight, I sigh while staring at the dark ceiling. The same thoughts are going through my head like every night. My mantra to keep me in the right mindset, to keep me realistic and grounded.
We are friends with benefits. Nothing more.
Don’t get attached.
This is temporary.
Even as I repeat it, I know that, at least for me, Stevie is more. I’m already attached, and my feelings for her are anything but temporary.
Stevie
CHAPTER THREE
PRESENT DAY - CALIFORNIA
“More!” I cry out as Brooks grips me by my thighs and slams me into the wall of my apartment while plunging his cock deeper inside me. My nails dig into his sweat-slick back as he captures my mouth with his in a scream-silencing kiss as he thrusts harder. Turning us around, he lays me on my mattress while putting my ankles over his shoulders.
“Fuck!” He growls, his head falling back. “Baby, that tight pussy of yours is going to be the death of me.” I cry out in pleasure just as headlights from outside come through my window.
