Page 61 of Devilish Ink

I wanted to see her belly rounded with my child.

Then she’d never get away from me. She’d be tied to me forever.

If I had to explain it to anyone else, I’d sound like a sick fuck. But I knew that Ryleigh was mine. Mine to protect. To worship. To love.

And I was hers.

The only thing stopping Ryleigh from admitting it was herself. Her damn thoughts were way too loud in her mind. I could see the way she kept trying to push me away last night. Refusing to stay over, refusing to let me drive her home.

She could refuse me all she wanted.

I. Would. Not. Let. Her. Leave. Me.

Ever.

RY

Iwouldnotsee Lee again. I would definitelynotgo on a second date.

I would not call him back or reply to the string of cute texts he’d sent me over the day.

He must have added his number to my phone while I was asleep because it readHubbyagainst his name.

Hubby: Glad you got to work safely, baby.

Hubby: Hope you have the best day.

Hubby: Miss you already.

Hubby: The guys at work think you’re pretty. I took a pic of you while you were asleep ;)

Hubby: I’m listening to The Untouchables while I work and ur right, they’re great!

Hubby: I can still taste u on my fingers.

Hubby: Fuck, I’m hard just thinking about eating u forbreakfast again…

Lee was just a one-night stand. A fling. A perfectly brutish gentleman fling who made me do stupid things like let him take me on a date and let him stay over and considernotleaving Dublin.

I was already losing control over my damn heart. Already saying things likeyoursandforever.

Already liking the look ofHubbyflashing across my phone when he rang. Again.

I should not see Lee again.

But then there he was. Smiling at me as the little bell rang above the door like we shared a secret. Like he’d come to make another secret between us. Like he wanted all the secrets I had to give him.

His eyes darkened as he looked me up and down from across the tattoo parlour. It made me shudder despite myself.

This was not a man who played games. He had no desire for the usual holding out: the delayed texting, the prolonged, aloof silence, the self-imposed restrictions on calling. He had none of the normal fear of appearing too eager, of not playing “cool”.

There in the doorway he dripped with an easy confidence. Lee was a man who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid of going after it.

What he wanted wasme.

He hadn’t said a word since stepping inside. The longer he silently devoured me with his eyes, that charming grin unwavering, the louder my heartbeat in my aching chest.

The sound of the heavy lock turning in the door made my inner thighs clench.

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