Chapter 1: Under My Skin

I was addicted to the way he looked at me—like he could see right through my skin. I’d never craved danger before him, but with Derek, I wanted to leap straight into the fire.

He had that reckless energy you only see in midnight bars or the kind of indie movies that end in heartbreak. It was impossible not to stare. I’d replay our brief exchanges when I should’ve been working, daydreaming about the glint of his smile or how he’d tease his lip ring when deep in thought. I kept telling myself it was just a silly crush, but the truth was, he’d gotten under my skin in a way no one ever had.

The third time I went to him because my ear piercing was inflamed, intrusive thoughts hit me like a social media barrage: *[LOL, the shy girl would rather let her ear get infected than confess her feelings.]* *[The tattooed guy is a brooding heartthrob, his mind racing but keeping a straight face, afraid that being too forward will scare her.]*

Is... it really like this?

I stammered, "Um, actually, I..."

My voice felt weirdly small in the fluorescent-lit shop. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, mixing with the antiseptic tang and the faint, greasy smell of takeout from the back room.

"Hm?"

The man's captivating eyes turned toward me, lazy confidence in his gaze that made my knees go soft. I caught a whiff of his cologne—dark, a little dangerous.

I froze. "I want... a tongue piercing."

My own words echoed around the room, way bolder than I’d planned.

*[Oh ho, look who suddenly stepped up.]* *[Tongue piercing, that's spicy.]*

The man's Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice low and husky: "Okay."