Free Tangled Mess by K.L. Middleton

laughed. “ Yeah, she’s difficult but her tips are outrageous. I just take everything she says with a grain of salt.”
    “If you win ‘Icon’, you won’t have to deal with women like that anymore.”
    “Very true, although I’d miss all of my co-workers,” I said.
    Just then, Ransom’s two security guards stepped back into the salon.
    “Oh, I’d better finish him up,” I said as the two guys eyed me curiously.
    “You do that and I’ll schedule these two boys in.”
    “Thanks.”

Chapter Nine
     
    Ransom
     
    “I was wondering if I had to come back out there, and kick some ass,” I told Tiffany when she returned and re-clipped the brown plastic cape around my neck. She picked up her comb and scissors, and the fruity scent of her perfume along with the proximity of her tits near my face made it difficult to sit comfortably.
    “Sorry.” she said, looking slightly distracted. She stepped behind me, and our eyes met in the mirror. “So, you wanted it short, right? How short are you thinking on the top?”
    I scratched my chin. “Surprise me.”
    “Okay.”
    “So,” I said, after a few minutes of silent trimming, “you going to comment about that kiss?”
    She chuckled. “ Actually, I don’t know who was more surprised, me or Justin.”
    “Hopefully that asshole will leave you alone after that.”
    Her lip twitched. “Now, how do you know he’s an asshole?”
    “Because anyone who lets a girl like you go must have screwed up, big time.”
    Her cheeks turned pink. “Thanks, Ransom. Turns out he was an asshole, but it was because he was using cocaine at the time. He just told me.”
    “Cocaine alone won’t make someone an asshole, but you’re obviously too good for that dirt -bag.”
    “What about you?”
    I raised my eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
    She moved in front of me , and started trimming my bangs. “Is it true what they say, that you’re into some hard stuff?”
    I stole another glance at her chest, which wa s right in my face and thought that the only thing hard at the moment was my dick . “This isn’t about me,” I said, pulling my eyes away from her cleavage. “It’s about your ex, and why you should stay away from guys like him.”
    “ You’re preaching to the choir,” she said. “I’m not interested in going back with that guy. Not after…”
    “Not after what?”
    “Just… I’m not going back with him, no matter what. I’m not interested in going down that road again.”
    “ Good because his road appears to be a dead end. So,” I grinned. “Where do you want to eat, tonight?”
    She stopped cutting. “Are you asking me out?”
    “Just to make it look legit, you know? In case he’s waiting for you , when you get off of work.”
    “You seriously don’t care about getting kicked off the show? I mean, it’s not like we can go anywhere together , in public. It would be bad for both of us. Speaking of which,” her eyes narrowed. “Thanks for voting ‘no’ by the way.”
    I was wondering when she was going to bring that up. “Look, I had a very good reason to vote that way. If you go out to dinner with me tonight, I’ll even tell you why.”
    “Why can’t you just do it now, and save yourself some money?”
    “Money obviously isn’t a concern. Just have dinner with me.”
    She sighed. “Are you sure you’re not trying to get me kicked off of the show? If someone recognizes us, it’s probably over.”
    “No,” I said, although there was always that route to consider. I hadn’t even thought of that.
    “ Good answer, especially since I’m holding the scissors. I don’t know about dinner, though. If you ask me, it’s too risky.”
    I smiled innocently. “Oh, come on. Nobody will recognize me with my hair buzzed.”
    “I really don’t know if I want to take that chance,” she replied. “You’re practically a name brand, Ransom. Everyone knows your face.”
    “ Come on. I know of this little hole in the wall that’s discreet, and