Page 47 of Inked Desires

“You want to know if I’m jealous?”

“Yes,” he mutters.

I lean back in my chair, clasp my hands on my knees, still watching him.

“No,” I say, trying to ease his worry.“It’s not like we have an exclusive relationship. I barely know you.”

“Isn’t that the case?”

I didn’t get that impression.

Arès steps closer. He leans in, placing his hands on the arms of my chair. His muscles tense, warping the tattoos on his arms. Veins stand out, adding an almost hypnotic intensity. Damn... And on top of that, some kind of electric heat radiates from his body and flows through mine, sweeping away all rational thought.

“You really believe that, little bunny?” he hisses.“I found you a job. I took you in. Hell, I almost pulled you off the dance floor because I couldn’t stand how those guys were looking at you.”

His menthol breath brushes my face, sending a wave of shivers down my neck. My fingers twitch, itching to grab his powerful forearms. My body is a damn traitor.

Still, I try to keep him at a distance, to restore some safety zone between us so I can leave if I have to. But his words loop in my mind, stirring feelings I struggle to smother, while my body gives in to his closeness.

“We barely know each other.”

His right hand leaves the armrest and slides under my hair to grab the nape of my neck. He yanks me sharply toward him, his head resting against mine.

“I can’t get you out of my damn head, Andrew,” he says, eyes closed.“You’re like a fucking virus that’s taken root in my brain.”

My heart pounds so hard I feel like it might explode. My mind fights a desire that demands more than I can give.

“That doesn’t sound very healthy,” I reply.

“Maybe it isn’t,” he admits.“But don’t say we’re not exclusive. Because we are. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing you with another man.”

“I’m still married,” I remind him sharply.

“And yet, here you are—with me.”

I exhale slowly. If I want to keep him out of trouble, I’m going to have to hurt him. It’s inevitable and, in a way, it breaks my heart. Whatever arguments I throw at him, he’ll always find a way to counter them.

I place my hand on his chest and gently push him away. Arès gets the message and steps back slightly. But even though I have to hurt him, I’m not ready yet. I push a little more until he lets me go completely, then I stand up immediately.

“I need to get out of here,” I say before heading for the door.

He says nothing, doesn’t try to stop me, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart. I need fresh air, light.

I wander aimlessly through the streets of Maple Creek. This place has become my refuge, more than anywhere else. And now, I’m going to have to leave it. If Arès hadn’t met me, maybe I would have considered running again. That was my original plan. But now, he means too much to me. Besides, Jace, with a single phone call, proved he knows the studio’s address. Nothing good can come of that. If he has to, he won’t hesitate to strike the whole town.

I have to leave—but I don’t want to. I just wanted a normal life, and this one was starting to feel that way. I was almost able to trust someone.

A quiet voice inside pushes me to consider another option. But I refuse. Telling Arès the truth would be selfish. It would only drag him deeper into my nightmare. I can’t impose that on him... even if, deep down, telling him would prevent a lot of trouble. But I can’t do it. In his presence, I feel more alive than ever.

I lean against a tree and take in the life around me. Maybe he could protect us both. He’s a soldier, trained to fight. But what can one man do against an army? I’d seal both our fates by involving him.

Still, something bothers me. Deciding for him would be unfair, but I know he’ll refuse to let me go if he ever finds out the truth.

I let out a deep sigh and run my hand over my forehead. No, I can’t tell him. I have to make sure he survives, at least him. Resolute, I leave my hiding spot and turn back.

It’s time to face reality.

I’ve had enough of running.