Guided Love (Prick #1) (16 page)

I go into the shop early, as I need to scan all of the new clients into our computer and print out a list of clients to mail out our promotional flyer. We are having a huge Tattoo Sale this Friday the 13
^th
—the pricks say it’s a tradition and a good time. We book a ton of clients and have lunch brought in. And from what Carrie says, we will be overwhelmed with business and that means paperwork.

I feel a bit on edge because of everything that happened last night. Sure, Camaron and I talked but really nothing was cleared up. I feel more confused than ever, especially since Axel defended me and put Camaron in his place for what he said. I have never seen Axel so angry, not ever. Usually, he is the quiet one who sits back and observes. He never argues, he is the ‘laugh it off’ guy, but last night, if looks could kill, Camaron would have been dead. To confuse me more, Camaron refused to leave my bed last night and he kept saying he just wanted to hold me and hold me he did. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me so tight that when I had to get free to head to the shower, it was a freaking battle to loosen his grip. Yet, I would think having the man I love laying in my bed with his arms around me that I would feel . . . complete or happy, right? I didn’t feel that.

Now sure, we were discussing how our relationship bothered his girlfriend but still my attention was on my phone and the messages I was receiving from Axel. I texted him to say thank you for again defending me when really he didn’t have to and the conversation just naturally continued. He said he had a few shots and I was praying it wasn’t because he felt guilty for what he did to Camaron because of me. It probably was but I was too chicken shit to ask him. When I finally broke free from Cam’s hold, I hurried to the shower and back again, confused with my reaction—the first thing that I did wasn’t to get into bed and wrap Camaron’s arms around me, no, it was grab my phone and sit on the floor next to my dresser and smile like a school girl. I was smiling ear to ear because Axel sent me a message saying:

Do you know how beautiful you are?

Yeah, I know it was obviously the alcohol talking but dang, for once in my life.
Yeah, pathetic, I know,
someone actually called me beautiful and not as a term of endearment. Gabby couldn't take this one away. I sit here, spaced out at my desk with a silly grin on my face, when I hear a throat clearing from my door. I look up and see Camaron and Roni standing in the doorway, hand in hand. He has a smile on his face and she is staring daggers at me.

Okay, here goes nothing, I need to plaster a smile on my face and act like it isn't killing me to see them together.

“Hey guys, what’s going on?”

“Hey, Sam, I have an appointment in five, could you hang with Roni for a bit? Just until I finish? Y’all can talk and get to know each other a little better.” Oh, this idea is killing her, I truly think she may stab me with my letter opener.
Note to self: move the letter opener
.

“Absolutely, I would love to have her back here, I am so busy with scanning I could use a break.”

He grabs Roni by the back of the neck and kisses her. “Have fun, babe, I’ll be done in a half hour tops.” She smiles up at him and watches him turn and walk away.

In a snarky attitude, she mumbles to herself, “Oh yeah, such fun.” I look at my computer and act like I didn’t hear her.

“So, Roni, how are you today?”

Again with nothing but the ‘I'm better than you’ attitude, she looks down at the brown couch and says, “You still have this?”

In confusion, I nod. “Yeah, Camaron picked it out for me for a welcome to the shop gift. It’s hideous isn't it?”

I try to laugh but it doesn’t get too far because I am dealing with the spawn of Satan who is out to break me. “Well, yeah, it’s hideous. He got this at a consignment shop as a joke, he wanted to see if you would actually keep it if he said it was nice and you have.” She starts giggling like she just killed me over a stupid gift that I kept that was bought as a joke. Try again Barbie, you may have thrown a stone but that wasn’t a direct hit. She stops laughing and I am hoping that she just stops talking, but my prayers are not answered. Nope, I can’t be that lucky since she keeps running her mouth. She sits down on the couch and says, “It may be hideous, but hell it’s comfortable, especially when Camaron fucked me on it.”

Okay, Sam 0, Barbie 1—she just threw a stone that was a direct hit.

“EXCUSE ME?” She looks up at me with her blue eyes and her pierced lip that is set into an evil grin.

“You heard me. The first day he brought me to meet all of HIS friends. He brought me back here to meet you but you weren’t here and you know Camaron, he is insatiable. He locked the door, tore my panties off, and lay me on this couch while he licked me until I was dry. Damn, that man has a tongue of a GOD! He could use that tongue ring to bring me to heaven with just one swipe and he loves the taste of me. After he got his fill, he turned me over and we fucked like rabbits. He came so hard some of it went onto the couch. There’s probably still is a huge stain from it.” She starts looking around the cushions as if she is trying to show me a prized trophy. My hands are shaking and I keep telling myself “
She doesn't matter, she doesn’t matter.”

It’s not really helping since I want to throw my stapler at her head and pray she bleeds. I smile up at her not letting her see my weakness and don’t comment, hoping again that she would get the hint and just SHUT UP—nope, no such luck. “Oh there it is!”

She points at the middle cushion like I am actually going to stand up and look at it. Yeah, no thank you. I know right now I have a look of disgust on my face. I am sitting there behind my desk with my eyes set on her with my mouth hanging open and my eye brows pulled together. I know it looks like I want to vomit because, honestly, I do. I have no words . . . what can I say to this? Thank goodness I don’t have to because Carrie comes walking through my door.

“Hey, Rice Cake, what’s shaking? Why do you look like you are about to puke?” She looks over towards the couch and sees Roni. “Oh, I get it now.” She starts to laugh and moves the chair that’s in front of my desk out so that she is facing the both of us. “So, what are y’all talking about?” I look at her like she is insane.

“Well, Roni was just pointing out the stain that Cam and her left on my hideous couch after they got done fucking on it.”

Carries face goes from friendly, outgoing, and smiling to pure disgust. She looks at me like I just shocked her and then looks at Roni. Roni is sitting there proud as a peacock, smiling ear to ear as if what she just told us wasn’t absolutely wrong. “Are you shitting me? You actually fucked on that dirty couch? What kind of person fucks on a dirty couch?” Roni's smile drops.

“Well, what can I say? It was easier on the couch. We tried her desk, but with the pounding he was giving me, Cam didn’t want to break it.”

Okay, that’s it, I’ve heard enough. I shut off my computer and grab my purse from the drawer. “Well, on that note, I am out of here, ladies. I need to get started on the mailers.” They both look at me like I am a fragile piece of glass and about to break.

Carrie grabs my arm as I pass by her.

“You okay?”

I plaster the fakest smile on my face and nod. “Of course, just have to hit the post office before it closes and have a few other errands. I need to get some groceries for the dishes that I plan to take to the Martinelli's. Don’t you worry about me, Care Bear; have fun with . . . Roni.” I grab the doorknob and open it. Before I step out into the hall, I turn my head toward Roni “Well, Roni, what can I say? Thank you for your company, it was . . . yeah, please accept the couch as a souvenir. I’ll have the pricks deliver it to you ASAP.”

Before she can respond, I am halfway down the hall. No one is in the waiting area, so I head on back to the guy’s stations to let one of them know that I’m taking the mailers to the post office and I won’t be returning.

I hear the buzz of all the guns going and stop off at Paul's, he is so in the zone with such a detailed sleeve I don't interrupt, and walk pass Camaron's station to Axel’s. Damn, I wish Allen was here because I feel a little weird about my response to him last night and he never messaged back or popped in to say “Hi.” I feel a little nervous, but hell, I’ll pull up my big girl panties and face him rather than have to go back into the office with Devil Barbie. Axel is on his rolling chair and, of course, he would have a freaking knock out laying on his table. Her shirt is pulled up and her pants are undone and lowered as she is about to receive a tattoo on her lower stomach. I stand there and take him in. I watch how he is so precise and focused. He looks good with his black tight Pricks shirt that is hugging his bicep as he is getting his gun and station ready.

He looks sideways, sensing someone in the doorway and gives me that smirk. “Hey, beautiful, how are you today?” Butterflies have just taken over my stomach. Damn, this man—he is too freaking delicious.

“Hey, Axel, I wanted to let you know that I am headed out to the post office to get these mailers out and I have to head to the grocery store to get some things for the dishes I plan to take to Mrs. Martinelli's barbeque.” He smiles at me as he continues to roll around in his room, grabbing all the supplies he is going to need.

“Okay, babe, take the rest of the day and tomorrow off as well.” I shake my head no since tomorrow will be insane at the shop. “No arguments, beautiful. I want you to start writing your book, we can handle it, believe me. We’ll just keep making piles on your desk.”

I start to laugh. “Thanks, Axel, I can feel the love.”

Once I said it, I felt his presence. Camaron is walking up behind me.

“What love do you feel?” Camaron asks from behind me. He places his chin on my shoulder and take everything in me not to turn around and smack him.

“Just explaining to Samantha here that I am giving her the day off tomorrow because I want her to get started on her book.”

Camaron puts his arm around me and I want to cringe. I look up and see that Axel has a look in his eyes, something that looks like anger, but he turns his head to quickly for me to really look at him.

“Yeah, that is a great idea, you really do need to start writing. Roni is off tomorrow, she would love to help out if we need her to.”

At that time I do pull away, Camaron looks down and he knows something is wrong. “That’s awesome. While she is at it, if she could please get that hideous couch out of my office, I would appreciate it.”

He looks confused and tries to grab my hand but I pull it back quickly. “I thought you loved that couch? I bought it just for you.”

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “Yeah, Cam I did love it even though it’s the most hideous thing I have ever seen, but things change. Especially, when I have Roni pointing out the stains y’all left after you got done fucking her on it.”

I know I shouldn’t have mentioned this here and now, but fuck him. I see the knock out on the table sit up and look at us all she says is, “WOW.”

I look at the hottie and shake my head. “Right, wow. That’s what this prick did in my office.”

I motion to him and she shakes her head. Axel sits there with his gun in his hand and a paper towel in the other with a perturbed look on his face. He actually is looking at me like he is worried. I fake the smile and the giddy attitude.

“Okay, well on that note. Thank you, Axel, I appreciate that and now that you have the very talented Roni helping out tomorrow, I’ll take you up on your offer and take the day off.”

I wave goodbye and start to head to the door, but of course my life can’t be that easy, yeah no. I am pulled into Camaron’s station and he shuts the door.

“What the fuck, Sam? Why would you say something like that in front of a client?” I look at him like he is an alien.

“Are you being serious right now? You had sex with your girlfriend on my hideous couch, Camaron. You had sex with her ON MY DESK!” He looks pained like he just was stabbed in the gut.

“I'm sorry,” he huff out on a breath.

“That’s it? I'm sorry? That is all I am going to get?”

“What do you want me to say, Sam? I had sex with my girlfriend on a couch in a back office of my business. I'm sorry you found out about it, but what else do you want from me?” I yank my hand away from him and head to the door.

“I want nothing. Oh wait, I want you to get the couch out of my office, and then after that I want and need nothing from you again.” With that, I make my way out the door and down into the street toward the post office.

It's been two days and I haven’t seen or heard back from Camaron since my blow up at the shop. I admit I was angry and hurt that he did what he did and I yelled. After I came home, ate a half a gallon of ice cream, looked at the clock, and saw that it was already 10, I knew he wasn't coming home. I locked up and headed to my room. I had my snacks sprawled out all over my bed, along with a few bottles of water. I battled with myself on how I acted—on one hand, I thought that, yes, it was a valid reaction, but on the other, when you love someone you forgive them right? After fifteen minutes, I found myself texting him.