Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

"That's not necessary."

"You're not going to win this one, Meg. You should give up resisting if you don't want to be late to meet with your friend."

"I don't need an outfit. And I don't need you to buy me any kind of lingerie."

He presses his lips into my cheek. "All this time you're spending resisting. We could be spending it in the dressing room together."

"Oh." Oh.

I get in the car without any further objections.

* * *

The boutique is better than I could possibly imagine. Not the clothes—I couldn't possibly care less about clothes. Miles drags me into the dressing room. One hand under my skirt, one hand over my mouth, he rubs me until I can barely muffle my screams, then rubs me some more. I come three times despite my fear that the sales girl will throw us out.

I pick out a pair o

f jeans, a tank top, and a lacy black lingerie set. Everything here is outrageously expensive—more than I make in a month—but he insists.

We—well, I—am right on time to Kara's place. She opens the door and takes in my clothes with curiosity.

"I've never seen that outfit before."

"It's new."

She shakes her head, not buying my version of the story. "Those are expensive jeans."

I nod.

"Is there some reason why you're keeping this a secret?"

"I don't want you to freak out."

"Name one time when I ever freaked out." She throws me serious side eye. "English Breakfast okay?"

"Sure."

She moves to the kitchen and turns on her electric kettle.

I turn over my options as she fixes tea. I trust Kara more than I trust anyone. I should want to tell her about everything with Miles.

She returns to the main room with two mugs of tea. She sets one down on the end table and hands the other to me. There's infinite patience in her eyes, like she could wait eight million years for an explanation.

I sip my tea to buy another ten seconds.

"I was with Miles," I say.

She gasps then clears her throat as if to cover her surprise. "And what were you doing with Miles?"

"We slept together."

"Holy shit, Megara Smart. How the fuck did you not tell me this?"

"It's no big deal."

"Bullshit. Don't act like you don't give a damn. You lost your virginity to Miles. That's huge. Is he huge?"

My cheeks burn.