"I…"
He turns to his side and rolls his jeans down his hip.
It's there, in big, bold letters.
Leighton
With wings on each side.
It's still wrapped in plastic.
His skin is still raised, red, raw.
"When?" I stare at the ink.
"When I got in. Then I came here."
"Ryan…"
"You like it."
"I love it." I stare into his eyes. "I… I love you."
"I love you too."
He brings his lips to mine. His kiss is soft, sweet. It's every ounce of love and affection in the world.
It's mine.
He pulls back with a sigh. "I'm not gonna lie. I'm never gonna be normal. I'm done with Penny, but those scars aren't going anywhere. I'm gonna worry I'm not enough for you. I'm gonna wonder if you're looking elsewhere. I'm gonna turn over bad moods and quiet days and every time you get home late. But I'm gonna tell you what I'm thinking. I'm gonna ask you for the reassurance I need."
"Okay."
"I'm gonna need it all the fucking time."
"That's okay. I will too. I'll worry I'm second choice. And I'll want to run when you hurt me. Or when I get scared. And I might. But I'll come back. I promise."
I slide my hands into his hair and I kiss him hard. "Say it again, please."
"I love you, Leighton."
"I love you, Ryan."
And I kiss him like I'm never going to let go.
Because I won't.
Epilogue
Ryan
Leighton slides off her stool. A yawn escapes her berry lips as she stretches her arms over her head.
Her blue-green eyes meet mine.
They light up as her lips curl into a smile.
That's all it takes for me too. I see her, and I'm happy.
I feel like a different person.
Not that she'd agree.
According to my girlfriend, I'm still plenty moody and difficult. I'm sure she's right. I still work too much, run miles at a time, spar until I drop. I still obsess over cooking her dinners, making her smile, making her come—
Fuck, I'm getting distracted.
Her snug black sweater does nothing to help matters. Its low neckline shows off the lace of her black bra.
She catches me staring and tugs the sweater lower.
My tongue slides over my lips.
My thoughts get dirty. I want to strip her out of those clothes, place her on the counter, and spread her legs.
She looks hot as hell.
And it's the perfect distraction from the thought racing around my head.
What if she says no?
She smooths her black mini-skirt as she presses her laptop closed.
I turn back to my client. As soon as I check him out, I'm done with work. And that means I'm taking her there. And I'm asking.
My voice is quiet. Nervous. "You need a minute?"
He shakes his head no way. Stands. Continues admiring his work—a Storm Trooper ready to shoot—in the mirror.
It looks good, though I can't say I appreciate the subject matter. "Still in love?"
His eyes go wide. His smile goes wider. "It's so fucking cool." He stays hazy as he follows me to the counter.
Leighton taps her nails—hot pink today—against the black counter. She winks at me. I know that look. It's can I check him out, please, for old time's sake?
Not that it's really old time. She stayed through September, as promised. Then she struck out on her own. For two months now, she's been busy. She's been working nonstop. She's been fucking amazing.
But it's been torture, not seeing her every day.
We spend most nights together, at my place or hers. I still cook her dinner as often as I can. And drop packed lunches in her fridge.
But I only see her at the Inked Hearts counter once a week.
She spends her Fridays working here.
Which means I spend my Fridays distracted by whatever tight outfit she's wearing.
Thinking about fucking her senseless.
And holding her all night.
And never letting go.
Her tits nearly spill out of her top as she leans over the counter. "That looks amazing."
My client's laugh is so high-pitched it's nearly a giggle.
I've seen this a million times—a guy simultaneously flattered and intimidated by her.
It used to make my fingers curl into fists.
But now that she's mine, that I know she's doing it for a reaction…
It's thrilling.
It's a game we play.
Foreplay by flirting with other people.
"You must love Star Wars." She bats her eyelashes. Presses her lips into a soft smile. "They're amazing movies, aren't they?"
"Uh-huh." He nods as he pulls out his credit card and hands it to her.
She brushes her fingers against his palm as she takes it. "Who's your favorite character?"
"Uh…" He turns to show off the tattoo of Luke Skywalker on his right arm. "How about you?"
"Hard to say." She runs his credit card. Watches the machine spit out a receipt, hands it over. "Can I confess something to you?"
He leans in. Nods with enthusiasm.
She stage whispers. "My heart is devoted to Austin Powers."
"No way," he whispers. "Really?"
We share a look. It's our secret. The whole world is our secret.
It's ours.
She turns to my client. "I love a guy who makes me laugh."
He scribbles a tip, signs, hands over the receipt.
I shake his hand and walk him to the door.
He nearly skips down the street.
I can't blame him.
She has the same effect on me.
"Funny guys, huh?" Walker crosses the room to the counter. He motions to Dean, who's currently in his suite, showing Chloe his water color technique. He's concentrating. Serious. It's weird. "You might have a chance."
My brother snaps back to his usual trouble making bullshit. "I think we all know how Leigh feels about me." He winks.
Chloe rolls her eyes. She rises to her feet. Her combat boots pad the hardwood as she moves to the backroom.
"You're a charmer." Walker laughs. "You trying to get her to quit."
"She quits, I quit." I hired Chloe as an assistant/apprentice a while ago. She should be a perfect fit here—she's talented, serious, quiet—but Dean keeps giving her shit. The two of them hate each other.
They think nobody notices that they alternate between trading I hate your guts looks and I want to fuck you senseless looks.
But it's obvious.
I just hope he keeps it in his pants for once.
She's good for Inked Hearts.
"I'm not gonna steal my brother's girl." Dean stands. Stretches his arms over his head. "You know how much shit our parents would give me?"
"Why you still hanging here, Leighton?" Walker catches the yawn. "Your boyfriend not giving you enough?"
"Never." She twirls a purple strand—she's kept her hair purple forever now. Says she's sticking with it long term. That she adores looking in the mirror and seeing the girl I fell in love with.