Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

But is she mine?

I don’t fucking know anymore.

Her eyelids flutter closed as she kisses me.

I scrape my teeth against her bottom lip.

I kiss her hard.

I kiss her like the fucking ship is going down.

'Cause it might be.

She pulls back with a sigh. “I had to be sure.”

I reach up, rest my palm against her cheek, rub her temple with my thumb. She’s so fucking beautiful. So perfect. So everything.

It needs to stay like this.

We need to stay like this.

“Leigh…”

Her voice is a whisper. “I am sure.”

“Of what?” The words are heavy on my tongue.

She stares into my eyes.

She stares into my goddamn soul.

“I love you.” Her voice is steady. “I love you so fucking much.”

I stare back at her.

“You’re my first thought when I wake up. My last thought before I fall asleep. When I see my future, I see you. I see us. Until it gets messed up and I see her. I see you loving her forever.”

“I don’t love her anymore.”

“But you’re not over her?”

“I’m almost there.”

“Almost.” Her eyes turn down. “Do you love me?”

I swallow hard. I can’t tell her what she wants to hear.

But I can’t lie to her.

I could never lie to her.

I run my thumb over her temple.

She closes her eyes. Turns to lean into the touch. “Please say yes. Ryan. Please. Please tell me you love me.”

“I want to.”

Her eyelids blink open.