Page 130 of Ignite

She sits up, tugging her messy bun loose and shaking out her hair like a goddess. Like mine. She’s so beautiful it hurts.

“This sounds serious.”

I cup her cheek, grounding myself in her.

“In a good way.”

Clearing my throat, I stare into her eyes and let silence speak. I’m a fucking asshole. If she ever finds out the truth, the whole truth, I’ll lose her. And I’m not sure I’ll survive that.

One lie can’t destroy everything we’ve built…can it?

“I’m going away for a few days next week.”

My stomach twists.

“Are you going anywhere nice, beastie?”

She smiles, and it’s like a goddamn knife to the heart.

“Just to train with Grayson in New York.”

“That sounds fun. You gonna miss me?”

I tug her bottom lip with my thumb, memorizing the softness there.

“Of course I’ll miss you. I’m gutted I have to go, when things are finally falling into place,” I sigh.

I watch as she traces the tattoos on my chest with her finger. Damn it feels nice.

“Wait. Why are you saying it’s good you’re leaving me?”

I said that? What? Oh…

“I’m not leaving you. Shit.”

I sit upright and pull her onto my lap, needing her close—needing her to know this isn’t goodbye.

“I’m just teasing you, beastie.”

She pouts at me and I blow out a breath.

“There was something else I wanted to ask…”

God, I’m nervous.

“Well?” she prods, her eyes searching mine.

“I was wondering… if maybe you want to do more of this when I’m home?”

She gives me a confused look, her stare searing into my soul.

“This? As in, fucking?”

I thread my hands through her hair and pull her into a kiss. One that says everything I’ve never said. One that’s deep and slow and full of all the unspoken things I’ve kept buried.

A promise.

“More than that, baby. I was asking if you’d like to go on more dates with me.”

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