Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

"Nothing. Thinking. Or trying not to think."

"I don't do stuff like this with other women."

"All wham, bam, thank you ma'am?"

It's not the most flattering description, but I'm not shy about the truth. I nod. "If there's anything you want to get out, let's do it now. I've been a slut. Most of the time, I don't remember women's names. I don't kiss them. I don't think about them after. Any other questions?"

Her voice wavers. "You don't kiss other women?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Don't want to." I pull her closer. "That's not what's bothering you."

"What's bothering me?"

"Why don't you tell me."

Her shoulders and back tense. "It's nothing… It shouldn't… I shouldn't…" She takes a deep breath. She runs her hands over the edges of the bathtub.

"Talk to me, honey."

"I'm not your honey anymore." A sob breaks up her words. She pushes her body away from mine and pulls her arms over her chest. "It's not about you being a slut. Or about anything to do with us. It's nothing."

"It's something."

She turns to me. There are tears rolling down her cheeks. Still, she shakes her head.

Tears catch on her lashes as she blinks. She splashes her face with water. That does nothing to hide the redness forming in her eyes.

Something is hurting her.

I take her hand. "Talk to me, Violet."

She shakes her head.

"What is it?"

She pulls her hand into her chest. Her eyes go to her hand, then to me. There are six inches of bubbles on the surface of the water. She scoops a handful and blows them over the room.

Her lips press together. Her eyes close. She's trying to fight the tears, but it's not happening.

"I should go," she whispers.

I grab her harder than I should. "No."

"What do you mean no?"

"You're not leaving naked and crying."

"I'm putting on clothes first." She shakes me off and pushes herself out of the bathtub. She pulls her dress over her head and marches out of the bathroom.

What the hell?

There are footsteps as she grabs her purse in the bedroom.

"I'll see you later. After the show." Her voice breaks. "On the bus. I don't know. Just later."