Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

I let my eyelids press together. Slowly, my endorphins kick in. The needle hurts like hell but it's exhilarating too.

I'm marking my body forever.

Hell, that's scary.

This pain is the last pain I'm going to force myself to suffer over Asher. After this, I'm done punishing myself. I'm done wallowing.

I'm ready to feel good again.

I'm ready to be happy.

Ethan's palm is warm against mine. His eyes are glued to me and they're filled with this amazing mix of concern and excitement.

The tattoo takes an hour and a half. The entire time, Ethan stays next to me, his palm pressed against mine, his eyes glued to mine.

When I'm done, Brendon steps away. He gives me a minute to take in my new ink.

It's just like the stencil, only it's forever.

It's perfect.

I push myself to my feet, but I'm not steady yet. I stumble. I stumble right into Ethan's arms.

"Careful, Vi." He holds my body against his. "What do you think?"

I look into his clear blue eyes. "It's perfect."

"Yeah, it is."

This moment, him staring at me with all that care and affection, is perfect too.

Ethan releases me so Brendon can tend to my fresh ink. The tattoo artist applies a balm and plastic wrap. He's explaining how I take care of the ink, how I need to stay away from swimming for a few weeks.

And Ethan is smiling and making a joke about how I'll barely survive two weeks, being such a Cali girl.

And I'm lost in his eyes and his smile. But more than that, I'm lost in the feelings bursting through my chest. They're stronger than nerves, stronger than grief, stronger than adrenaline.

I'm in love with Ethan.

I'm madly, passionately, desperately in love with Ethan.

"Vi, you okay?" Ethan slides his arm around my waist. He looks to Brendon. "It's been an intense few days. I'll make sure she takes care of her ink."

Brendon nods. "It was nice to meet you two." He shakes my hand. "Hope things get less complicated."

Maybe they just did.

Or maybe they got a whole lot more complicated.

I'm not sure. My legs are still jelly. My tongue is still stuck to the roof of my mouth.

Ethan laughs. "What am I going to do with you?"

Love me.

That's what I want him to do with me. I want him to love me as much as I love him.

But I'm not ready to say that yet. Instead, I exhale all my nervous energy. "I should pay for the tattoo."