Page 104 of Ink & Desire

"I think I startedfalling for you when you yelled at me that first day." I smile at the memory. “You were so feisty. So full of life. When you told me to fuck off, I was a goner. I just didn’t realize it yet.”

"Don't say it if you don't mean it," she says, a tear spilling over and trailing down her cheek.

Her gaze is still wary as if she’s unsure whether she can trust me. It hurts, but it’s not like I can blame her. Not after all I’ve put her through. All the times I’ve pushed her away and made her think this thing between us was just sex. She deserves so much more than me.

"You know I don't lie," I say. "I may be a fucking dickhead, but I don't lie." She closes her eyes as more tears spill down her cheeks, each one feeling like a knife in my heart.

"Look at me, angel," I say, injecting a commanding tone into my words.

Her beautiful hazel eyes glisten with tears as she finally looks up at me. I can see the hope and fear there and it guts me. She's right to doubt me. I've given her every reason to wonder if I'll ever be what she needs.

"I love you, Avery," I say. "I am so fucking in love with you, and I'm sorry I couldn't say it before. I didn’t know how. I didn’t trust myself enough. I was scared and stupid. And I know I'll never be good enough for you, but I'm selfish enough to beg you to overlook that. Because with you, I think maybe it's possible I can be that man. The one you see when you look at me. I'm not him yet, but if I had you, I might get there one day."

"Oh,Corbin," she whispers with a sigh. Reaching out, she places a hand on my chest, directly over my heart. "He's in there. I've seen him."

"Give me another chance," I beg. "Don't give up on me. I need you. Please."

She looks at me for several long, silent seconds. I swear, I can feel my heart in my throat as I wait for her to speak. Finally, her lips curve up into a tiny smile that hits me square in the chest.

“Did you just beg me?” she asks, a teasing tone in her words. “I thought that was my job.”

Immediately, I drop to my knees before her. “I’m begging you. Don’t give up on me.”

Her tear-filled laugh brings a smile to my face. She shakes her head.

“Get up, idiot.”

I shake my head. “Not until I know you’ll stay. I’m sorry I hurt you, baby. I can’t promise you I won’t ever hurt you again, but I swear to you I’ll do everything in my power to fix it if I do. I know that’s a shit deal, and I’m sorry for that. You deserve better than me. I’m not good at this, but I’m a fast learner.” I give her a small smile. “Will you teach me?”

Avery reaches down to cup my cheek. “I think you’re better at it than you think,” she whispers.

I lean my face into her palm, loving the feel of her soft skin against my face. Just her touch is enough to calm my racing heart and settle everything inside me. I can’tbelieve I fought against this feeling for so long. Why did I try so hard to hide from it?

“Get up, Corbin,” she whispers. “Please.”

She hasn’t told me she forgives me, and she hasn’t said she’ll stay with me. But the whispered plea has me climbing quickly to my feet to stand before her. Without hesitation, she walks into my arms, pressing her body fully against mine. I wrap her in my arms as she rests her head on my chest. Relief slams through me and I’m struck by how right this feels. She fits so perfectly against me, tucked under my chin with her head resting on my heart. It’s like she was made for me. I rest one hand on her head, stroking her hair as I dip my head down to kiss the top of her head.

I didn’t want to think about it before, didn’t want to consider the possibility. But now, it’s so obvious. This woman was made for me. We belong together. This was always going to end with her in my arms, my heart in her hands. It’s terrifying, but freeing. There’s no more reason to run or to hide what I feel from her. My heart lurches painfully in my chest when I think about how close I came to never having this, never knowing her.

"Have I told you how fucking incredible you are?" I say. "How strong?" I swallow back a lump of emotion, wishing I had the words to tell her how amazing she is. But, as usual, she seems to understand what I mean without me saying it.

"I'm no stronger than I had to be," she says.

Reaching up, she covers myhand with hers, guiding it to a spot above her left ear that's hidden by her hair. My fingers trace the raised line of a scar, and I suck in a breath. The terror and fear that hits me nearly has me dropping to my knees again.

"I came so close to losing you before I even met you," I say, awe in my words. My fingers can't stop tracing the scar. It's as if I need to keep proving to myself that she's here in spite of what happened to her. I didn't lose her.

"But you didn't," she says. "I'm right here."

“I love you,” I whisper. “So fucking much, angel.”

Avery squeezes me tighter. “I love you, too.”

Everything inside me settles and I feel more at peace than I ever have before. I smile, though she can’t see it.

“Gonna need to hear that every day from now on,” I say, my voice raw with emotion.

“Deal,” she whispers.