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“So, drinking and a couple piercings? We’d have time for both. We could even do them at the same time,” Phillip teased, winking.

“I’d rather you not be drunk while puncturing a hole in my body, thanks.”

“I’ve done it to myself drunk, so don’t worry your pretty little head, princess.” His signature smirk was back, and it comforted me to see it. “You tell me what you want and I’ll grab everything we’ll need. I want you to make the most out of tonight if you’re really up for it,” Phillip said in a way that suggested he thought I might change my mind.

I wouldn’t.

Maybe I wanted more than his kiss, and the only way was to take him up on his offer. Maybe I thought sex would help me figure out what this thing was between us—an attraction, a fascination, something more.

Maybe I’d gone full-blown crazy.

Very likely it was a terrible idea to do anything when I was like this. Either way, I didn’t want to waste any more time being confused.

“I’m sure.” I set my gaze on him, heart racing and my entire body hot with the very idea. “Something tells me I need to do this.”

“Then get inside,” he demanded, voice rattling sexily. “I’ll be right back.”

*

THE SERUM WAS ADMINISTEREDby way of shot, and honestly, afterwards I didn’t really feel any different. Phillip spent time serving up several types of drinks for me to try, and then he pierced my nose.

Used to pain, it didn’t really bother me to have it done. And after applying various healing tonics, it didn’t take long for the wound to heal, anyway. It did feel weird though, and I couldn’t help but absently touch it several times.

It wasn’t long before the alcohol hit, mostly because I didn’t have any tolerance to the stuff. It took me first by surprise to be slow to speech and then to overall movement, but then I just enjoyed myself. The thoughts in my head scattered and numbed. I didn’t really do anything but smile and nurse the drink in my hand as a movie played in the background.

Sufficiently tipsy, a woozy feeling occupied my head as I laid out over the couch, shirt scrunched up below my bra while Phillip leaned in close, sat on a folding chair. His tattooed hand brushed lightly across my stomach before pointing to my navel.

“Your belly button, hmm?”

“I know, I know. Both piercings are totally what a teenage girl would do, but it’s what I want.” Lips rising, I giggled to myself. “And I’m also a teenage girl, you know?”

“What? Lies,” the gorgeous Hunter taunted with a sly grin. “There goes all my plans for the evening.”

“You’re such a jerk,” I complained, still snickering. “But that’s what I like about you. You just do what you want to do. You jerk even when you shouldn’t jerk.”

Phillip’s amusement gleamed in his eyes, and he pinched the tip of my nose in punishment. “And your tongue is very loose when you’re drunk.”

“Who’s drunk? I’m not drunk. I’m fine. Super fine. The finest,” I babbled, contorting when the other Hunter tickled my side.

“Rose is going to kill me,” Phillip mumbled to himself.

I put a finger up and cleared my throat. “Correction. She’s going to castrate you. You’ll still live, my dear sir.”

His scornful look only made me giggle. “Thanks for setting the record straight, V.”

“Anytime, you beautiful man-jerk.”

The Hunter’s mouth rose, the gentlest smile yet, and I quieted. “I didn’t think you could get any cuter, but I was wrong.”

Huh?

“Cute?”

Blue eyes dazzling, Phillip’s thumb brushed across my bottom lip. “Pardon. I should’ve said sexy.” I gasped and his thumb slipped into my mouth. “And enticingly vulnerable.”