Free Against the Tide by Nikki Groom Page A

for it.
    “Shit,” I curse under my breath.
    “What’s up?” He places his mug down and rests his forearms on the table.
    “The garage. I probably got fired.” I can’t believe I never even gave this a second thought before now. What did I think I would do when my money ran out?
    “Yeah, well, Marc wasn’t very happy when we called him to say you’d gone AWOL, but he understands. Just give him a call.”
    “You called my work?”
    “Yeah. Well, I called Marc anyway. Just trying to save your arse, man.”
    “Thanks. I guess I owe you a drink.”
    “Nuh uh,” he shakes his head. “You can owe me a breakfast.”
    “Deal.”
    “But not today. This breakfast is on me. Actually I need a favour from you.”
    “Oh yeah?” I reply, intrigued. Kyle never asks for favours.
    “Yeah, it’s kinda personal.”
     

 

    “Are you feeling any better now?” Torran asks as I come out from the back room.
    “Tired, but okay.” I stand next to him at the front desk and check the diary. “Busy day today, huh?”
    “Yeah, it’s picking up. The diary is pretty full for the week.” He crouches next to me looking for something in the desk drawer.
    “Torr?”
    “Yeah, babe?” he answers without looking up.
    “I’m sorry about my shitty attitude. I know I’m a bitch sometimes.”
    “Well, think yourself lucky you’re pretty.” He stands and winks.
    “Jeez,” I frown at the booking in my column in the diary. “What is it with guys wanting their dicks pierced this week? Did a celebrity do it and start a trend that I didn’t know about?”
    “Ha, we know you love it, Meg.”
    “Let’s get one thing straight. I love my job. I love piercing people’s ears and tongues and even their nipples, but cocks and clitorises when it’s not in the heat of the moment are just plain ugly!”
    “Megan!” Torran laughs.
    “Well, once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, no?”
    “No, Meg. You haven’t seen mine, and I bet I could make you blush.”
    “Yeah, right. What are you, ten inches and as thick as a coke can?” I chuckle under my breath. “I’ve heard of men that are well endowed, but I’ve never seen anyone that remotely comes close to the myths.”
    Torran comes to stand just behind me, his breath tickling my ear. “You want me to show you?” he whispers seductively. “Because I’m not shy, Meg.” My breath falters and I can’t think of a witty comeback for that. “Totally made you blush.” Torran laughs and ruffles my hair.
    “You wanker,” I chuckle, throwing a pen at him as he walks away. He glances back and throws a wink over his shoulder.
    “Yep, more often than you’d care to think about.”
    “Torran!” I squeal, trying not to get a mental picture of him, you know, doing that. Thankfully the door opens and saves me from any further depraved thoughts of Torran, and even more embarrassment.
    “Hey.” I smile at the guy who walks in. He’s cute. Far too pretty for my tastes though. He seems familiar but I can’t place him. “Can I help you?” He rubs his hands on his jeans and his eyes dart around the seating area.
    “Uh, yeah. I … I have a booking for a, uh …”
    I stifle a chuckle, not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable “What’s your name?”
    “It’s Kyle Sutherland,” he stutters.
    I can’t help but grin “Well, Kyle Sutherland, it looks like you’re booked in with me to have an intimate piercing, that right?”
    “Yeah. That’s right,” he answers shakily. Nerves are clearly getting the better of him and the demon in me wants to mess with him a little, but I push it away so I don’t send the poor guy running.
    “Okay. Follow me.” He hesitates then takes a deep breath and comes with me to my room.
    “I … My mate, he’s …”
    “He wants his dick pierced too?” I answer before really thinking about it, and his eyes widen.
    “No! At least I don’t think so, you’ll have to ask him when he gets here.” He visibly starts to relax. “What I