Page 78 of The Dom with the Clever Tongue

“Poor you. You lost your best friend that day.” Reece smiled and went to touch his arm then withdrew at the last second.

“Yeah, I can’t compete with two women, and he’s not my type, so I don’t even want to try. They’ve been really good for him. Besides, he works next door and lives upstairs. It’s not like I don’t see the guy. He just has his hands full.” He led them behind the counter and into a private station, where they couldn’t see the foyer or the front window.

“With two women, I’m sure he does.” Scarlet turned, expecting to find him laughing, but the look on his face was contemplative rather than amused.

For a moment they stared at each other. Malachi looked away first. “So you’re sure you want little red riding hood and the big bad wolf on the back of your shoulder? This is what I drew up for you earlier. If you don’t like it, be honest. Or if there are details you want changed just say the word.”

Scarlet was filled with trepidation as she looked at it. It was exactly what she wanted. Little Red was staring at the wolf with big nervous eyes, and the wolf was looking at her like she was a snack. She chuckled.

“It’s perfect!” Reece grinned.

“What’s the joke, by the way? I’m feeling left out.” He moved to his trolley and pulled on gloves and started preparing an array of items.

“When the two of us first met, before we were dating, Scarlet used to give me these...looks. A little bit like how that Mack guy was looking at his girlfriend. She wasn’t just checking me out, you know? It was more intense than that. One day we were talking and I caught that look in her eye, and it made me think, the big bad wolf is going to eat me. It was hot and funny at the same time.”

He smiled. “It was probably her inner-Domme checking you out. I’ve heard it’s like that.”

“Maybe I should get a little paw print,” Reece said, smiling at Scarlet. “Then we’d match.”

“You think you’re brave enough?” Malachi started setting up little cups on a metal tray.

“She could do it,” Scarlet said, before Reece could answer.

“Well...” Malachi sat on a stool then motioned for Scarlet to come over. “Youknow where to find me if you’re serious about it.”

Scarlet’s stomach fluttered uncomfortably.

“Okay. You’re going to have to take off your t-shirt.”

“Reece, where’s the tank top?”

Her girlfriend looked at her blankly. “You asked me to get you a tank top?”

“Remember when you were getting changed? You said you’d bring it for me.”

Reece grimaced and looked guilty. “I’m sorry. I totally forgot. I can run home if you want. It’ll only take about ten minutes.”

“Or you could just strip to your bra and I’ll promise not to look.”

“I’m not wearing one. Oh well, what the fuck. It’s not like you two haven’t seen my tits before, and no one else will come wandering in, right?” She grabbed the bottom edge of her t-shirt and whipped it off.

Malachi looked like he was going to swallow his tongue. After a moment he unglued his gaze from her chest and turned to Reece. “Can you go lock the door, just in case? Having the lights on might make people think we’re open, even though I didn’t turn on the sign.”

“You’re such a prude, Mal,” Scarlet accused.

He snorted. “I don’t think anyone’s ever said that about me before.”

“I’m sure you’ve tattooed prettier girls in less clothing.”

“Our relationship is a little different. Some of them have offered to go down on me in exchange for free tattoos.”

“Seriously? That’s a little skanky.”

“They’re regulars. I know some of them pretty well, and I think they’re actually more interested in dating me than getting a deal. I’ve never taken them up on it, though. Jake talks too much in the shop sometimes, and forgets that the vanilla girls that come through might be offended. Some of them though…he mentions I’m a Dom and suddenly I’m like some guy they read about in a book. They start hanging all over me. They don’t seem to get that I’m just a regular fucking guy that lives in the boonies and has to work for a living. I’m not a fantasy, and I’m not perfect.” He made a sound of annoyance. “I couldn’t even keep Ivy happy.”

“You make us happy.” The words were no sooner out of her mouth before she wished she could stuff them back in. Too late now.

Malachi looked from her to Reece, then back to her. “Too bad you don’t need me around much longer, then.” Scarlet frowned. Maybe he wasn’t ready for things to be over yet, either? How could she even broach the subject? They were still going to be friends, though. It left the door open a little, at least.

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