Page 82 of Igniting Sparks

For her? Forever.

But I know Bitsy is waiting downstairs, and I’m not going another round with her this morning.

I run a hand along Mina’s spine as her silky hair spills over me, the faint scent of her rose shampoo wafting under my nose. “There’s no point in me sticking around, so I’m going to get out of here and head back to the farm.”

“Let’s go.”

“You need to stay. Bitsy has a plan for you, beautiful. One without any tattooed heathens.”

She sits up, peering down at me. “I happen to really like this tattooed heathen.”

God, I really like her, too. In fact, I think I might love her, but there’s no way I’m saying that and muddying this situation further.

“Maybe we could’ve avoided all this if I hadn’t made out with you on the dance floor last night. But… I just couldn’t hold back any longer. I knew it would piss her off, and damn it, I was right.”

Mina sighs, playing with the zipper on my suitcase. “She would’ve found a different reason. This is exactly what she did to my mom and dad. Why is she like this?”

“Because the world has never told Bitsy Farnsworth no. Hell, for all I know, the world’s never really loved her either—just coddled her.” I close the suitcase and motion toward the door. “You’d better get down there before she comes looking for you.”

“I told her I’m leaving.”

My heart swells at her sacrifice, but I know it’s a foolish idea—another nail in the coffin of Mina’s studio dreams. “I don’t want you to do that for me, even if it’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“You did it for me.”

“That’s different.”

She plants her hands on her hips. “How? We protect each other, right? Isn’t that how it works?”

“What is she going to say when she learns you and I are still talking?”

Mina shrugs and places her suitcase next to mine. “No idea. But I realized today she doesn’t care about me. If she did, she would have pulled us aside to discuss those pictures—not held a public execution.”

“She wanted to embarrass me. Sad to say, but it worked.” I pause, pulling Mina to me. “You need to know something. Those photos were from way before you and I got together.”

Mina nods, pursing her lips. “I know. Didn’t enjoy seeing you kiss another woman, but I realize it was before me.”

“I didn’t like you seeing it either.” I brush a strand of hair from her face, her skin warm beneath my palm. “And trust me, the only woman I want to kiss is you.”

A smile breaks across her face. “Promise?”

Damn it, the woman really is sunshine. “Yeah. Promise.”

Mina ducks under my arm and rushes to the closet, grabbing an armful of clothes. “Give me five minutes to pack.”

But despite her decision, I’m still waffling. I know the stakes. And now I know how cutthroat her aunt can be.

It’s one thing for Bitsy to take aim at me, but what happens if she turns on Mina?

“Are you sure?”

“Stop asking—I’ve told you three times already. Come on, let’s do something fun. Something completely not wedding-related.”

“Like what?”

Mina holds up a scrap of cloth that I can only assume is a bikini. “Let’s go swimming. I packed my suit.”

Jesus. This woman is going to ruin me. And I’m going to let her.