They both looked at me, Wells with a smirk at sharing the information, and Monroe with surprise and heat. I wanted to hide from their gazes, my self-doubt nature kicking in, but reminded myself there wasn’t anything wrong with getting a tattoo. Well, Jaqueline might disagree with me, but I didn’t feel that way or care what she thought anyway. Tilting my chin up, I leveled Wells with my determination and then looked over to Monroe with a smile.
“That’s correct. I lost a bet, but I’m actually excited about it. Feels a bit… rebellious.”
“It’s hot, Lo.”
“Oh? I didn’t expect you to respond that way,” I admitted, blushing. “I thought you were going to tell me it was dumb.”
“Not at all. In fact, I think we should all get one!”
“What? You’re not serious?”
“Absolutely. Sounds like an excellent way to celebrate. You think he has time to squeeze us in before I have to pick Levi up from school?”
“Um,” I bit my lip, unsure how to do this. “I can check. I wasn’t supposed to go until this afternoon.”
“Well, check. I’m going to say hello to a friend in the clerk’s office real quick, but let me know. I’m interested.” He pointed at me as he walked off, leaving Wells and me.
“You planned this, didn’t you?”
“I have no idea what you’re referring to.”
Yet, the light in his eyes told me otherwise. I didn’t hate the idea of them joining. It was nice being around Wells now and getting to know him without wanting to punch him. Granted, there were still moments I wanted to punch him, but there were far more where I didn’t, and that was a nice change.
“I’m glad the custody case worked out in Monroe’s favor. I was so worried for him,” I admitted.
“Well, based on what I know of Brittni, I hope she gets what’s coming to her. She’s been a bitch since I met her, and she used Monroe to get the life she wanted. She never loved him, only what he could provide for her. Once that wasn’t enough, she leveled up. Though, from the looks of it, she won’t be married to him much longer either.”
“You take joy in her suffering, don’t you?”
“Why shouldn’t I? She’s been against our friendship from day one and then tried to use his sexual orientation as a reason for him not being a good father. She purposefully picked the previous judge who had a personal connection to me, and not in a good way. She wanted to make sure Monroe didn’t get any leniency. She’s a conniving twat, and the less she’s in Levi and Monroe’s life, the better. I thought someone like you would agree with this?”
“Someone like me?” I had a feeling what he meant, but the way he said it had me feeling caustic, my hackles rising.
“Who works with kids whose parents have divorced. I’m assuming you do anyway.”
“Oh. I thought you meant something different. Yes, I do work with families with strained relationships. It’s difficult on the child when there is tension between parents.”
Wells walked toward me, and I backed against the wall and found him towering over me. “What did you think I meant, Kitten?” He purred it and licked his lips as he watched me. His arm was braced over me against the wall, and he leaned down to speak to me. It was intimate, and I dare say it had my panties becoming slick as I stared into his eyes.
“Um,” I mumbled, finding it hard to pick the words I needed. Licking my own lips, I tried to draw saliva into my mouth. This close, I’d forgotten the question he’d asked to begin with.
“I asked what you’d thought I meant, Kitten. You seem to be having a hard time remembering.”
“Oh,” I blushed. “I thought you were saying I’d know because she’s a pompous rich girl like me.”
He grabbed my chin, catching me off guard. I sucked in a breath, the fear rushing in me at first until I realized he wasn’t gripping it hard. No, Wells’ hold was gentle, more of a domineering grip than an aggressive move. His eyes didn’t miss my flinch, and he lowered his hand, rubbing soothing circles into my flesh.
“Don’t for one second think you have anything in common with that cow. You’re in a completely different league than Britt Bitch will ever be. Do you understand?” His tone had gentled, but the ferocity was still there.
“I think so. Or at least I’m starting to.”
“Good, Kitten,” he purred, and damn if my panties didn’t disintegrate right then and there. I whimpered, and he smirked. I think if Monroe hadn’t walked over right then, I would’ve been dangerously close to giving in to Wells and kissing him senselessly against the wall.
“I’d ask if I was interrupting something, but I think I’d like to join more than interrupt.”
Laughing, I turned and took in his heated gaze. “What am I getting myself into?” I mumbled, pulling away from Wells. “I didn’t have time to ask Nicco yet. Wells kind of dominated my time, but let me call him right now, and I’ll see if Nat’s available. I haven’t talked to her in a few days.”
Stepping away, I took a deep breath, using the call as an excuse to clear my head. Pulling out my phone, I called Nicco first. He answered on the first ring, a blush rising to my cheeks at his sleepy husky voice.