His eyes lowered as he grinned. “A little of your lip gloss is fine by me.”
I touched his face holding my hand there. I sunk my lip in behind my teeth.
“Jaz,” he said in a warning tone as he picked up on the worry on my face. “Tell me. Something happen at the casino? What—”
I stopped him, shaking my head as a no. “Ink, I love you. I love you okay? I don’t know if you love me back, but I just had to tell you,” I blurted out. My head seemed scrambled and my hands were trembling.
Shit. Don’t leave me on the ledge alone. Please.
Ink threw his head back and laughed.
I saw his chest moving and my eyes widened in alarm.
“Jaz. I love you so much it hurts. I’ve been in love with you since the day your sassy mouth told me off for picking up your chips,” he said in a raspy tone. “You are everything to me. I couldn’t get you off my brain if I tried.” He pulled both my hands up and kissed them.
My eyes glittered with tears. I couldn’t help it.
“Your parents would be proud of how you turned out.” Ink grabbed a tissue from the bar and handed it to me.
I dabbed my eyes. “Ink, I may not get it right, though. It’s my first serious relationship. I’ve been on the run.” I put my insecurities on the table. We were in the middle of the bar and the timing was all wrong, but my mouth wouldn’t let me hold it in.
He raised my hand to his heart. “You’re getting it right to me and I don’t care. I’m no hero or Saint, I told you that, but you and me, that’s right. It has to be if I feel like this.”
I wanted to melt right off the chair. I closed my eyes, briefly feeling the deep beat in his chest. “What about the 100K? The club? That?” I pointed to the door again.
He shook his head. “You can stop running. It’s a big deal for us to take on more enemies, but I’m willing to fight for you, Jaz. That’s how much you mean to me. You’re part of the Rebel Saints, and we protect our own,” he said fiercely.
“It’s not you I’m worried about. It’s me. I have a tendency to—”
Ink leaned forward and crushed his lips to mine.
I slowly let go and surrendered. His lips pried mine open, tasting and exploring. My tongue danced with his as my whole body lit on fire from his touch.
He pulled back, our temples touching, leaving me out of breath. “I had to do something to shut you up. I love you, Jaz. We’re in this thing together, whether you like it or not.”