Page 27 of Tarnished Hands

“I can, and I will.”

“I bet he stayed the night. Tell me, did he?”

I turn and eye her. “He did.”

She smiles. “See, I did it for the greater good.”

“I don’t want more from him.”

“But why?” Sailor asks, confused.

The nail technician pulls Sailor’s hand, and Sailor apologizes. Keir has the kids, and I agreed to this days ago, but now I regret it. The lady rubs something on my feet, and I squirm from the action.

“Why is it hard to believe that I don’t?”

She shrugs. “It’s not. You’ve never really wanted more from people anyway. And you sleep with men maybe twice, but never take it too far.”

“I’ve had a few relationships. I just tend not to share them.” She raises a brow at me. I tell Sailor almost everything. I can’t help it. I trust her—a lot. If I needed someone in a dire situation, I know I could call her. She would put everything down and come. She has loyalty like no other.

“All I’m saying is, he knows the world. He may not be a stone-cold killer, but he sure as hell has eyes for you.”

“He’s a little rough in bed,” I tell her, and her eyes widen.

“Rough?” She leans in. “Tell me more.”

“He likes to talk dirty. I don’t think any man has done that to me before. He likes to grab my throat. He bites hard enough that he leaves marks.”

The nail lady looks up at me and smiles. “Kinky men are fun,” she says, and Sailor laughs, covering her mouth.

“Amen to that,” Sailor agrees. “The things Keir does with his mouth…”

“I do not want to hear that! At all,” I tell her, shaking my head.

“Just saying. When did he leave then?” Sailor asks.

“After he made me breakfast.”

“Did you eat it? We know how particular you are with food.” Only Sailor gets my food thing. She automatically tells whoever is cooking at her house how to plate mine if she doesn’t do it herself, and is discreet about it. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

“I did, but after I told him I couldn’t eat it and why. He didn’t ask a single question. Just got up and made another plate for me. It was good.” I squirm again when the nail lady starts to massage my leg. “He’s a good guy.

“All the more for you to see him again. Tell me you are seeing him again.”

“I am.” I pick up my phone and check the time. “Now.” I smile and wonder if he’s knocking at my door right now.

“What do you mean by now?” she asks.

“He gave me a time when he’d come back to pick me up. I told him no, but he didn’t listen.” I shrug.

“Piper,” she scolds.

“What?” I smile as my phone starts buzzing.

“Who is it?” Sailor asks.

“It’s Lucas. I swear to God, I need to get a new number and not tell Chanel.”

“You love Chanel.”

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