Page 20 of Ashes to Ink

“No, just that phrase. I like the fact that you think I havestrength, but it’s the whole…stronger than you think you are. And it’snot because it’s not true, it’s just the fact that everybody and their mothersaid that to me. Literally, and their mother.”

“Really?”

They were standing on her porch, the wind a little bit toocold for them to be doing so, but she wasn’t ready to go inside yet, and shedidn’t know if she was going to invite him in either. “Everybody always assumedthat I thought myself weak. At least that’s what the words sounded like to mewhen I thought about them. I know that’s not what they meant. I know that theywere trying to tell me that I was doing well, and that despite everythinghappening to me, that I was making strides. But it just made me think that theythought I wouldn’t be able to handle it. And yet, I did. Because I had to.Because there was no other way to keep moving forward if I didn’t handle it.”

Ryan reached out and brushed his thumb across her cheek.“That’s not what I meant. And I’m sorry I made you think about it that way.”

“It’s not you.”

“It’s me?” he finished for her, and she shook her head.

“No, that’s not what I meant. People have a way ofunderestimating the power of their words. And I know they don’t mean anythingby it. I know when faced with loss and especially faced with other people’sloss, they just don’t have the words. And sometimes that’s okay, to not havethe words. I know it’s on me that I’m feeling that way, but because I heardthat phrase so much, sometimes, it just annoys me a little.”

“Then I’ll try not to say it again. Even if I do think you’repretty kickass.”

She smiled then. “Really?”

“Very kickass. Abby?”

She swallowed hard again. “What?” Her voice was breathy.

“Can I kiss you now?”

“I want you to. But only if you come inside.”

She hadn’t meant to say that, but as soon as she said the words,she knew they were right.

He looked at her then, his gaze dark and intense. And thenhe nodded.

She led him inside, waiting for his kiss—and maybe more.

Chapter Six

Ryan could barely think straight and hadn’t been able tosince the moment Abby invited him into her place. His dick was hard, and hisbrain had gone on the fritz.

But he’d be damned if he walked away now.

To say that he wanted Abby was an understatement. He’dalways wanted her. Had found her attractive from the beginning. Had loved the wayshe smiled and looked at him, making him freeze and wonder what to do next.

But this wasn’t any of those times.

This was him. This was Abby.

And she had let him in. In more ways than one.

And now, all he wanted to do was lean forward and brush hislips along hers. But he needed to make sure that she was really okay with this.That she wasn’t just acting in the heat of the moment and would regret itlater.

He didn’t want any regrets between them. He already hadenough of those to last a lifetime.

“Are you sure, Abby?” He tucked her hair behind her ear andleaned forward. He didn’t kiss her, but he wanted to.

From the heat in her eyes, the way her pupils dilated, hefigured that she wanted him to as well. But he needed to hear the words. Therewould be no mistakes.

This would not be a mistake.

“I invited you in, didn’t I?”

“I need to hear the words, Abby. I need to hear exactly whatyou want.”