Page 60 of Her Wicked Plan

“That isn’t what I meant, Veronica. I meant...” Suzanna states cautiously, that hope vanishing from her stare.

“I miss how it feels to have someone inside of me.” I’m aware of what she meant, but I can’t seem to give a fuck. “To feel their hands on my bare skin. Their lips wandering around my body.”

“Preach, girl.” One patient chimes into my right.

“Veronica,” a warning from Leo.

His stare burns into me. “I try my best to get myself off, but there is only so much my fingers can do. God, what I wouldn’t do to feel a man's tongue between my legs.”

Maybe this is enough not to get an invitation back to this stupid session.

“Veronica,” another demanding warning from Leo. “Either say something more relevant to the subject asked about or don’t speak.”

“My doctor, ladies and gentlemen,” I mutter, causing his eyes to grow darker. Damn, he is sexy when he is angry. “Fine. I killed my sister’s boyfriend.”

Suzanna nods in approval from my honesty. “Would you like to discuss that topic?”

“No, thanks.” I shoot her a tight smile. She seems defeated by my response, so I decide to add, “I didn’t even want to tell Dr. Madden. Why would I want to share it with a group of people?”

She reassures me, “I won’t force you to speak about anything you don’t want to.”

I glance at Leo and arch an eyebrow as if to say, “See. At least someone doesn’t push.” He shakes his head before focusing on the entire group. Suzanna asks another question, and one of the girls answers. I tune out the conversation because I don’t want to hear any more sob stories. Eliza’s was enough, even if it intrigued me.

Maybe I can use her to my advantage. Or maybe not, because then she will think we are friends. The idea sends a shiver down my spine. Out of disgust. Who needs friends when you are perfectly content all alone?

Then I’m reminded of how much Leo thinks it would be a good idea for her and me to be civil, and if my befriending this woman will push Leo in the right direction, then I can put up with her until I’m out of here.

The meeting went on and on. It took so long that I’m surprised I didn’t fall asleep mid-session. The monotone voices, the crying from certain girls—it was a borefest that I would not be attending again.

After what seems like an eternity, Dr. Nelson dismisses us. I’m the first to stand up, the legs on my metal chair screeching against the floor. When I turn away from the group, the table full of treats calls my name. A snack sounds perfect right now.

Wandering over to the overly decorative table, I scan the goodies. Sugar cookies are neatly placed on paper plates. They are the ones that have the thick frosting and sprinkles on top.

Blue or yellow?

“Yellow.” Leo’s voice sounds to my left. “The blue frosting will stain your teeth and tongue.”

He has a point. We had a carton of these in the house when I was little, and I snuck one. My parents told us it was a treat for my sister's class since it was her birthday. I figured they wouldn’t notice one cookie missing.

Turns out I was wrong. The blue was all over my teeth, tongue, and lips. I got in so much trouble not only because I ate the cookie but also because my sister cried.

God forbid she ever got upset.

Not saying a word, I pluck up the yellow frosted cookie and take a bite. It tastes the same as it used to, returning the detailed memory to my mind. It’s almost like I can see it playing out with my eyes shut, like a movie—the look of disappointment on my parents’ faces.

Stephanie sobbed uncontrollably when she heard the news. My parents had to go out of their way to get another box to take to her class. Afraid they wouldn’t appear put together if a cookie was missing from the box.

“You, uh... you have a sprinkle on your lip.” Leo points out. My eyes flip open, and I look at him.

“Get it off for me.” I ask sweetly, a hint of sarcasm underneath my tone.

He doesn’t lift a hand to remove it. I knew he wouldn’t, not with other bodies in the room. I bring my finger up and swipe at the piece of sugar, collecting it on the tip of my finger.

Staring at it, I blink my eyes to catch Leo watching me, so I part my lips and slip my finger past them, closing around myself while I swirl my tongue around to clean it off. He swallows hard, and when my eyes drop to his pants, I can almost see the outline of his dick.

Chuckling to myself, I pop my finger from my mouth and pick up a napkin. “Was this group event everything you’d hoped it would be?”

“It is exactly how I imagined it to be.” He answers, grabbing a Dixie cup full of juice.