Page 42 of Extraction Play
“The kale was a little extra moist, so I’m guessing that was the culprit,” Eva said, smooth as ever. “I’ll throw it out when we get back.” She’d picked up her pint and took a sip, then placed it on the table next to Sloan. “Feel free to finish my drink.”
Micah wrinkled his nose. “Thank fuck I don’t eat that shit.”
“If they’re under the weather tonight, you’re always welcome to come over,” Parker said, slinging an arm around Micah. Seeing the big, burly man truly happy was a welcome adjustment after the years when sadness had followed him around like a ghost.
Micah pointed at Pixie. “If you two are going to be up vomiting the whole night, I’m going to take Parker’s offer.”
“You should,” Pixie said, her smile believably weak. It wasn’t hard when her insides were a riot and she held herself together by a thread. Some days, she’d come so far from her upbringing, and she’d cobbled this whole life for herself. Other times, she was a stone’s throw away from the dizzying, off-kilter place.
Pixie leaned down and pressed a kiss to Nolan’s temple. “I’ll make it up to you soon, okay, Noles?”
He arched a brow. “I’ve got a new flogger to test if you’re volunteering.”
Pixie shook her head. He was shameless. She enjoyed impact play, even if it wasn’t her favorite, but she loved bringing her friends happiness even more. “Always, always. Let me know when.”
She’d never minded being the sub who played with a variety of partners. It was all she’d ever known, but recently, a yearning burned deep inside her to have one Dom to submit to. One person to come home to, even if they still scened with others on occasion.
“You’ll come in next week for the upcoming newbie class, right?” Meg called over to her. Meg’s gaze was piercing, as it had been lately, so she wasn’t hiding as well as she’d thought.
“Absolutely. Want me to help run the class?”
“Yep,” Meg said. “If it’s just me, I’ll scare all the newbies away.”
“You’re not wrong,” Tristan said.
“Good, cut the wheat from the chaff,” Fin said.
Eva placed a hand on Pixie’s shoulder. “Are you ready to head out?”
“You don’t have to,” Pixie whispered.
“I do.” The flickering warmth in her gaze slammed right into Pixie’s chest. The way this woman stepped in without question, how sheanticipated her needs like no one else had before, fuck, Pixie was reeling.
Pixie numbly waded through a bunch of hugs as she said her good-byes. When she glanced up, her mother stared at her from the opposite side of the bar, and she knew she’d made the right decision. Those sad eyes bored right through her, filling her with self-loathing. She wobbled on her feet.
“This way.” Eva led her toward the door. The command snapped Pixie from the freeze-up she’d fallen into. Fuck, she needed to get back to seeing a therapist. She’d taken a break, but obviously, that hadn’t been her brightest idea.
They stepped into the elevator, which descended at a rapid pace. Neither said a word, the quiet deafening.
“I, uh…” Pixie started, but the words halted on her tongue. Her mind swirled, and her palms were sweaty.
“Hey.” Eva slid two fingers under her chin and tilted her face up. “You don’t owe me an explanation. I could see the panic in your eyes, and I wanted to offer an out. While the distraction was nice, I’ve also had an intense couple of days.”
Pixie could see how easily Eva lied because the woman had been enjoying herself. Yet she’d dropped everything the second she saw Pixie in distress. Her stomach clenched tight.
The fact that Eva wasn’t pushing somehow made those words bubble to the surface.
“My mom. Though there’s a lot more to unpack there.”
Eva nodded. “Want to make one more stop with me before we head to the apartment?”
Pixie furrowed her brows. Truthfully, she felt a little restless. She’d planned on spending the night out with the crew at Whipped, notescaping like her heels were on fire because she teetered toward a breakdown. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Consider it a repayment for pulling my ass out of a bad headspace at the club.” Eva’s voice was sultry and her stance confident, and everything about her made Pixie’s heart stumble. Tonight, she’d dressed to her usual perfection—auburn hair pulled back into a neat bun, her crimson lips neat, and the black skirt she wore with the blouse highlighted her curves in the best way.
“Going to tell me where we’re heading?” Pixie asked.
“Now, where would the fun be in that?” Eva winked as she offered her hand.