Page 9 of Pretty Please Me
Damian’s brow rises in surprise as if there’s an unspoken conversation between them, “Sure. If that’s what you want.” He cuts the deck and reveals Sam’s card. “The Hermit in Reverse.” He snaps his lips closed and tilts his head to the side as he studies the card.
Several moments pass, and I’m almost too uncomfortable. I contemplate climbing underneath the table and leaving, suddenly feeling as if I’m about to hear something I shouldn’t.
“The Hermit in Reverse is an interesting card for you, Samuel. In its upright position, it means a search for inner truth or guidance … but in its reversed position, it indicates loneliness and isolation as if you’ve lost your way.” Damian’s eyes soften, and he looks at Sam like he feels sorry for him. “My interpretation of this card for you is to change your ways. The path that you’ve been on is only leading you toward self-destruction.”
“Well, then…” Sam’s eyes widen, and he rubs his hand over his jaw.
Damian gathers the cards, placing them back in his pocket. “I should get back. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
Sam lets me out of the booth, and I hug Damian goodbye. “Thank you so much for everything.”
His eyes sparkle with mischief. “Of course, Magnolia. Any time.” He places the damp bar napkin in my hand. “Don’t forget your road map.”
I grip the napkin and laugh before shoving it into my pocket. I fully intend on burning the thing when I get home. “Right. Thanks.”
“You know where to find me, and please let me know all the details after you complete yourquest.”
I shrug. “I think you’ll be disappointed.”
“You’d be surprised,” he says with a wink.
When I turn back, I find Sam studying me with a look of confusion.
“What’s wrong?” I pat myself and spin around. “Do I have toilet paper stuck in my pants?”
“No, Mags.” He laughs and nods his head toward the door. “What do you say we get out of here and catch up… somewhere a little less crowded?”
“Terry’s?”
“Sounds perfect. Just let me close out my tab.”
FIVE
Sam
Terry’s bar may not look like much on the surface, but that’s the best part about it. It’s cozy and comfortable, like an old leather glove that fits your hand just right. The only patrons are the ones who know about it, so the whole vibe stays pretty mellow. It’s the place you go when you want to catch up with good friends or have meaningful conversations with someone you’re getting to know better.
It’s not, however, the kind of place one would look to find a new submissive. That would be like shitting where you sleep, just a bad idea altogether. I knew my search would be on hold the minute I ducked into Maggie’s booth tonight, and that was before Damian’s freaky prophecy, or whatever the hell that was.
I order our drinks, then make my way to the back booth, where Maggie sits ramrod straight, wearing a fully buttoned cardigan with her giant purse tucked in her lap. The woman is puzzling, to say the least. I’ve always found her intriguing, but after hearing her psychic reading, I’m itching to know the rest of the story because I’d put money on the fact that there’s a story there.
“Here you are.” I sit both beers down on the gloss table in front of her. “This one’s a double IPA, and this one’s a hazy IPA, I think.”
She quirks her lips to the side as she considers her choices, then looks up at me with the cutest fucking doe eyes. “Do you mind if I taste them both before I pick?”
I let out a laugh as I slide across from her. “Not at all.”
I watch her carefully sip each one, then go in for another just to be sure. “This one.” She slides the hazy closer to her and takes another sip like it’s the best thing she’s had all day. “God, that’s good,” she moans, wiping a little foam from her lip.
My dick swells at the sight of it, taking me off guard. It’s just another reminder that I need to replace Natalie ASAP.
“So…” I tap my fingers on the table. “Care to elaborate on the whole ‘seek orgasms’ thing back there, or should I just make up my own interpretation?”
Maggie’s eyes fall to her beer as she twirls it around and fires back, “If we’re telling secrets, then I’m sure you’ll be willing to share who you were hiding from in the bar back there?”
My face breaks into a grin, and I rub my jaw as I consider how much I want to share. I’m a private person, but I can’t expect her to share if I’m holding back myself, and my curiosity is growing larger by the second. “I saw this woman I dated on a trial basis. It didn’t end up working out, and she didn’t take the breakup well. I didn’t feel like lying to her or upsetting her again, so I ducked into the nearest VIP section thinking it was still empty.” I squint my eyes as I watch for her reaction.
Her eyebrows lift in surprise. “Oh, well then, I’m glad you could make it out unseen.” She makes a show of looking behind us. “Are there any other admirers on our tail, or do you think we’re safe?”
