Page 18 of Just a Little Prick

“Mm-hmm. What are you eating for lunch? Lora just left.” Ryker grinned. “I mean, she’d be my first choice, too.”

I shook my head and reached into the bag. I broke off a piece of muffin and shoved it in my mouth. “Fuck you. All of you.”

Chapter Six

Lora

I couldn’t believe I’d decided to get a tattoo.

It felt like there was no backing out now. I walked back toward Bakeology, my heart pounding from nerves. I wanted to do it, I was sure about that, but I was still a little nervous. People said they hurt, and that they bled, and I wasn’t sure I’d be okay. I’d always admired people who had any tattoos; they had to have been brave to go through with that first one. I’d never been able to muster up the courage, but…

Bradley made me want to try.

He made me want to do a lot of things.

I came back into Bakeology. It was quiet, only a few customers, and Kenzie smiled at me as I came back in. “Welcome back. Nice walk?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. It was good. I just went down to No Regrets.”

“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow at me, suspicious. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I’ve been thinking about, you know. Getting some work done.”

She tilted her head to one side, considering this with that suspicious look still on her face. “Yeah? Did you decide who’s going to do it? All of the guys have different strong points.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. I hoped I wasn’t blushing visibly. “Yeah. Bradley.”

Kenzie sighed softly, placing both her hands on the counter. “Lora, you…you should think about it, okay? I mean, you just met the guys yesterday. And you’ve never really expressed an interest in getting a tattoo before.”

I shrugged, grabbing a bag of flour from one of the shelves. “I’m sure,” I replied. “I’ve wanted one for a while. I was just scared. But I’m sure. I trust him. I’d trust any of them, really.”

Kenzie let out a huff.

I had my back to her, but could imagine her shaking her head.

“Lora, listen. Bradley? He’s a good guy, but not with women. Okay? He’s bad news. I’m not really sure what you’re wanting out of this, but I don’t know if he can give it to you.”

I turned to look at her. “I don’t want anything. I mean, I do, but just a tattoo. I’m trying to keep my chin up so I can move on, you know?”

“But—” Kenzie started, but stopped. She sighed and held one hand up. “Okay. Just watch yourself around him. He tends to go through girls quickly, if you know what I mean.”

I did know what she meant. But she didn’t know the full story. I’d already slept with him, and it had been the most mind-blowing sex I’d ever had. If I could keep getting that from time to time, I’d be good.

Bradley didn’t have to be my boyfriend. We didn’t have to make this exclusive.

We could just have fun. That’s all that mattered. I wanted to have fun. I wanted to do something other than be sad about Chris all the time. And if Bradley wanted to help me with that, I wasn’t going to say no.

It’s not like I was going to find anybody better to go to bed with.

I looked over my shoulder. Kenzie was still watching me. I sighed and turned to face her. “Listen. I’m not going to jump into a relationship. I don’t want a relationship. With anyone. I’m just here to make some friends and have a good time. Okay?”

She considered me a moment longer, then nodded. “All right, just be careful. That’s all. I don’t want you getting hurt again right after Chris.”

I smiled at her. “I’ll be okay. I promise.”

* * * * *

I walked into No Regrets again that evening, hair still up, but without my apron. I’d changed into a clean flannel button-up, the top few buttons undone. Just a little cleavage didn’t hurt. I came into the shop and smiled, immediately approaching the counter.

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