Page 31 of Tarnished Hands

His words hurt because they’re true.

A car revs behind me, and before I even look, I know it’s Lucas. He pulls up, and Ezra and I go dead silent.

Lucas smiles as he gets out of the car and throws Ezra the keys. Ezra looks at me one last time before he turns and walks back into the shop.

“Did you two fuck? Because this energy is really fucking awkward,” Lucas says, opening my passenger door. I glance back at Ezra to find him doing whatever it was he was doing before I pulled up. He doesn’t even look my way.

“Did you fuck Chanel today?” I ask Lucas.

“Yes. In the ass this morning, if you must know.”

“Way too much information.” I scrunch my nose.

Getting in the car, I drive off and don’t look back.

Lucas doesn’t shut up the whole way to his house, and I’m so fucking thankful when he’s finally out of my car and I have peace and quiet once more.

“You should take one, anyone,” Adora says the following day while I’m in her bookstore. “They’re all different types of romance. You want dark? Sweet. I got you.”

“I wouldn’t know where to start,” I tell her, sitting behind the desk as she walks around like the boss she is—upright back, dressed in a business suit, and her demeanor screams all business. All these men have been lucky enough to marry amazing women. Joey and Adora, though rocky at the start, are made for each other. Even if she was married before, had a kid with someone else, and never told him. Now? Well, now they are stronger than ever. He purchased a bookstore for her and proceeded to stock it full of romance books. Now, if that isn’t top-tier romance goals, I don’t know what is.

“Okay, so who’s been your best fuck?” Adora asks, smiling at me with a stack of books in her arms.

“So vulgar.” I grin. She blushes but brushes it off. “Ezra,” I answer, and her brows raise.

“Oh, I’ve heard about him.”

“Sailor needs to be quiet,” I grumble.

“Oh no, that was all Lucas.” She laughs.

“Of course it was.”

“So, what does he do that you like? Let me gauge what type of romance would best suit you.” I sit there quietly, staring at her. “Do you like to be choked?” I lick my lips. “Okay, yes. What else did he do that you like?”

“He talks dirty to me.”

She claps her hands.

“Oh, a dirty talker. Okay, that’s easy.” She hurries off and then comes back a minute later. “Here. It’s not too dark but just enough that you’ll enjoy the story.”

“I don’t know if I want to read this,” I tell her, examining the roses on the cover.

“All women say that until they pick up that one book that will get them hooked, then it becomes an obsession.” I open the book, and the first line reads, “His cock was so hard.” I slam it shut, and Adora laughs at my reaction. “Just give it a chance. Trust me.” She wanders off again, then returns as I’m skimming through the book.

“Care to tell me about Ezra? No pressure, but he is the first man you’ve been with whom anyone has had anything to say about. I mean, you are such a badass that we all know you don’t need a man for protection. But it must be nice to have someone who fills those needs.” She smiles.

“I saw him for the first time in a month last night, and it was awkward. It’s over,” I say.

“Oh.” Adora’s disappointed eyes stare at me.

“Yep.” I nod and think about last night and how distant he was toward me. Is that how I always am with him? “If you want to see him again, maybe message him?”

“Adora.”

She holds up her hands at my scolding tone. “Okay, okay. I won’t be Sailor and interfere. But you know, when you say his name, something inside of you sparkles. Just saying.” Adora shrugs her shoulders before she goes back to stocking the shelves.

I sit, staring at the book that starts with sex, and wonder if I’ll like it.

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