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He gets to work, pulling out a tray of sterile tools. My heart, or whatever’s left of it, hammers as he explains what’s about to happen. I zone out halfway through.

“Alright, drop ‘em.”

“What?”

“Your pants, genius. Need access to do the piercing.”

I laugh, more out of disbelief than humor. “This is rock bottom, isn’t it?”

“Depends. You could wake up married in Vegas. That’s worse.”

I don’t argue. I just unbutton my jeans and shove them down far enough for him to do his thing.

“This is gonna hurt,” he warns, holding up a clamp.

“Good.”

“You’re a masochist, huh?”

“Just shut up and do it.”

The clamp pinches, and I hiss through my teeth. Then comes the needle.

White-hot pain shoots through me, and I curse loudly, gripping the sides of the chair.

“Holy fuck—”

“Told you it’d hurt,” he says, not bothering to hide his amusement.

“Fuck you.”

He chuckles, finishing up and wiping the area clean. “All done. You’re gonna wanna keep that clean or it’ll get infected. Here’s some aftercare instructions.”

I yank my jeans back up, ignoring the sharp sting as I zip them.

“Thanks for the permanent reminder of how stupid I am,” I say, grabbing the paper he hands me.

“Anytime, buddy.”

As I step outside, the cold night air hits me like a slap. The pain’s still there, sharp and unrelenting, but it’s nothing compared to the mess in my chest.

I light a cigarette, the smoke curling around me as I lean against the wall.

I’ve fucked up before, but this?

This takes the crown.

Maya’s mouth is on me, her lips soft but demanding. Her nails drag down my chest, her weight pressing me into the mattress. I can’t breathe. She grinds against me, her heat driving me insane, her moans filling the air like music meant to wreck me.

“Miss me?” she whispers, her breath hot against my ear.

“Fuck, yeah,” I groan, gripping her hips tighter. She tilts her head, giving me that look like I’m hers to ruin.

And then she sinks down on me.

I shoot awake to the blaring sound of my alarm.

“Shit!” My head’s pounding, the sunlight slicing through the curtains like a goddamn weapon. And worse? I’m hard as a fucking rock, and my dick is throbbing.