Page 12 of Ink Deep Devotion

I part my lips,“I,” but my body jerks as a cold bead of sweat slides down my spine.“I don’t care about Dash King, and I wish you’d stop bringing him up.”

“You loved him. It’s okay. That was in the past.” Dom adds in a taunting manner.

This is a test. Dom does it from time to time.

“I never loved him, Dom. He tricked me and played with my heart.”

He brushes his thumb over my lips, vowing,“I’ll never do that.” Then he presses a kiss to my mouth. The only part of me that moves is my frantic chest; it stretches so painfully from my inhale that tears cloud my eyes.

“I know.” I step back.“We should get going. I don’t want to be late.” I grab my bag, and when I bend down to slip on my heels, I wipe away the tears falling so Dom can’t see them. I walk to the door and then glance over my shoulder; Dom is still standing there, just watching me.

“Come on,” I flash a strained smile.

“When are you going to tell your father?” With a firm grip, he adjusts his suit lapel, ensuring it lies flat.

I squeeze my bag tighter.“When the time is right.”Not this again…

He strides forward.“We need to act sooner rather than later. You know our world,” his eyes narrow, digging for the truth he wants to hear me acknowledge.

“As soon as I graduate,” Dom begins,“I’ll be married. I don’t have much time left, and I want you. I need it on paper.”

I snort,“So romantic.”

“Don’t be like that.’He grabs my hips, forcing me closer.“Our fathers make contracts. I want the world to know you’re mine. Tell your dad tonight.”

I look at where our bodies meet.“I can’t. Another night, I promise. I need to talk to him about something else.”

“What?” Dom leans back looking down at me.

“Just school.”

“What’s going on here?” He sounds pissed off now.

“Dom, please,” I push up on my toes and kiss him.“I promise you I’ll talk to my father, but it’s better in private.”

“I want to be with you.”

Here’s a man who wants to marry me and protect me. He loves me. Yet all I can compare him to is Dash, a devil. I wish I weren’t prone to sin.I blame it on Eve; she taught women to give in to their temptations.

I press my palm to his chest.“I know you want to protect me, but let me talk to my father alone. Trust me. I want to be with you, and I will tell my father when the time is right. Just give me a few more weeks. We still have the whole semester until you graduate.” I tell him, but the words sound like shards of glass cutting my ears.

Chapter 4

Mila

“Mila! Over here,” Blaze shouts when he spots us. His friendly green eyes give me a comforting smile, helping to calm my nerves.Blaze is a fellow art student, and I really enjoy his company. He’s a fun-loving person who constantly strives to bring smiles to everyone. It’s part of his Irish charm.

You’d never know he hailed from a mafia empire in Ireland. Then again, at Empire University, every student comes from a powerful family.

The small art gallery is packed, causing my nerves to feel like popcorn in a microwave.“There’s Blaze,” I tell Dom as I guide him in that direction. I feel like I’m playing Tetris as I try to get closer to my classmates.

“Don’t I know.” Dom hisses under his breath. I swat his bicep.“Don’t be like that. Blaze is a friend, and he’s dating Adam.”

“Right now.” Dom snorts.“He was fucking Hilary three months ago.”

I hesitate and look at Dom.“I’m withyou.” I hate Dom’s jealousy. There’s a massive difference between jealousy and possessiveness. Dash was possessive, but it made me feel treasured; Dom’s jealousy irks me because it raises questions about whether I’m loyal to him.

Does he truly think I’d cheat on him?

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