Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

"I worry too."

"I'm gonna go out of my fucking mind every time I'm not sure what you're thinking or where you are. But I'm going to get over it. It's gonna take a long time, but I am going to get over it."

"Okay." I press my palm against his chest. "I have to figure it out too. How to be honest with someone. How to share the ugly things."

"I want to be there to help you."

"I want you to be there."

His fingers dig into my hair. "I love you, Iris Avery."

"I love you too."

He pulls me closer.

And he kisses me like he's sure I'm his.

I am.

And he's mine.

And it really is perfect.

Epilogue

Walker

Iris scoops sugar into her coffee. One spoonful. Two. Three.

Four.

This is getting ridiculous. "You're gonna get a cavity."

"We're celebrating." She fills the last quarter of her mug with milk then looks to Mom. "Thanks for making coffee."

Mom laughs. "Is it still coffee like that?"

"It's perfect." Iris offers me the mug. "Taste it."

I shake my head.

"Afraid it will blow your mind?" Her voice lifts to a teasing tone.

"You can bait me better than that." I stare back into her blue eyes. I still get lost in them. I still want to swim in them.

She lowers her voice to a whisper. "I can. But you can't handle it." She spreads her legs and pulls her skirt up her thighs.

She's wrong—I can handle it. I can get her panting, begging me to fuck her. I should torture her to prove it.

I would. If we were anywhere else. My parents have been through enough of their children horrifying them.

We've been coming to Sunday night dinners for months now. We're usually polite at the dinner table, but before and after…

Mom clears her throat.

Dad chuckles. "They're young and in love. We were worse."

Mom nods true. "Have you discussed marriage?"