Page 52 of Ink Wars

My bedroom door cracks open, and I peel my eyes open, noticing it’s dark out. I guess crying so much takes a lot out of you.

I sit up and squint as the door closes.

“Arya?”

“No, princess, it’s me,” Corbin says.

My heart stops and my stomach drops. “Corbin?”

“We need to talk,” he says.

I should say yes, I should jump into his arms and ask him to forgive me, but I don’t. I turn on the side lamp and stare at him. He looks as beaten as I feel, and I take satisfaction in that.

“I think we said all that was needed,” I say, crossing my arms.

He nods and grabs the back of his neck. “Maybe you did, but I didn’t.”

I shake my head and climb out of bed. “I don’t want to hear it right now,” I say, going to step around him.

He grabs my shoulders and holds me in place. “No, you aren’t walking away again, dammit.” I raise an eyebrow and he blows out a breath. “I’m sorry. You had every right to be upset and I didn’t handle it well, but watching you walk away brought me to my knees. It’s something I can’t handle again.”

The stupid tears begin again as I nod my head. “You didn’t try to stop me.”

“No, I didn’t because we were both pissed, and I needed a minute to clear my thoughts.”

I blink quickly trying to keep back the tears but it’s useless. “It’s been a lot longer than a minute.”

“I know, princess, believe me, I know exactly how long it’s been. But I had some things to take care of before I could prove to you that this isn’t some quick fuck that I finally got.”

I close my eyes and sigh. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have but that’s not the point. I spoke to Lucas, and I told him that Inkify is a bigger space and it would be better for doing that many tattoos,” he says.

I gasp as I search his face. “Corbin,” I whisper.

He lets go of my shoulders and runs his hands through his hair. “He didn’t agree. He likes the industrial look of Sabbath.”

I nod, crossing my arms.

“But,” he says, tucking my hair behind my ears, “I told him if we do the tattoos at Sabbath, he has to do an entire write-up on Inkify. Photos of the shop and you and your artwork. He agreed.”

My eyes widen as I stare at him. “Are you serious?”

He grins and rests his hand on my crossed hands. “Of course, I am, princess. I told you I’d never allow you to feel that pain again and I won’t. I was ready to walk away from the entire project, but he agreed that Inkify needs the same recognition as Sabbath. He really likes you, Leah, maybe a little too much,” he says, cocking an eyebrow.

It causes me to laugh, and I shake my head.

“I love you, Leah, and I will continue to prove it as long as you’ll allow me,” he says, stepping against me.

I wrap my arms around his neck, and he pulls me tightly against him. “I’m sorry, Corbin. I didn’t mean what I said, and now what you’ve done for me and Inkify it makes me feel even worse.”

He pulls back a bit to see me and smiles. “I only told the truth, princess. Now kiss me,”

I do as he asks and once our lips connect my heart puts itself back together.

I love Corbin Stoll.

His cocky attitude and all.

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