Page 64 of Double the Redemption

He needed her to believe that.

She sighed and eased back. He dropped his hand but didn’t release her. “Ink, we really need to talk about this idea that we’re going to be anything. I’m not going to be a backup plan because your first choice didn’t work out. Or, worse, have you resenting me because you think I’ve trapped you somehow.”

“You are not a backup plan, Naomi. Do you really think I’d be spending all this time with you if I thought that way? That I would spend my nights watching over you outside? And bugging the shit out of Karissa, Glitch, and Taz for updates while I’m at the shop because I want to know you’re all right?”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“Baby, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I’ve never felt this way about anyone or anything. I don’t get what I want; I get over it and walk away. I don’t get pissed if a woman rejects me. And I certainly don’t see her as a challenge. That’s reserved for only you alone. Because there’s something about you that draws me in.”

Wanting her eyes on him, he ran a hand up her back and into her hair, cupping the back of her head, needing her to understand.

“And that something is exactly why I can’t walk away from you. You make me want things I have been telling everyone for years I don’t want. You, Naomi, make me see everything differently, and for once, it’s not sending me into an utter panic. I want you, Naomi. No one else.”

Unable to help himself, he lowered his mouth to hers, needing another taste of her, and hoped she wouldn’t reject him.

25

NAOMI

She gasped as her brain short-circuited. Sure, he’d kissed her earlier, but this wasn’t a quick, hard kiss. This was deep, sensual, and sent her mind into a tailspin.

Ink was kissing her!

Holy shit.

She dreamed of this like some kind of lovesick teenager, but her dreams were nothing like reality.

His lips moved over hers expertly, not rushing, setting an easy, slow pace, as if he were afraid to spook her.

Probably a reasonable assumption, but she couldn’t stop even if she wanted to. She didn’t have a lot of experience, but he didn’t seem to care, drawing her deeper into the moment. His tongue gently probed until she opened for him and sank completely into him.

She gripped his shirt, uncaring that she might rip it, and let him sweep her away into every sensation.

It wasn’t a hurried, passionate kiss. It was a testing, a tasting. Why was it so hot?

Her skin pebbled, her blood heating. Had she ever had a reaction like this, even as a teenager? She couldn’t think of one, but it was so long ago. And those had been boys, not a man.

She wanted more. She needed more.

When he tried to stop, she tightened her grip on his shirt and pressed herself closer to him, chasing his mouth.

He groaned softly and gave her what she wanted. And more.

His grip tightened, muscles bunching, and she lifted, deepening the angle of the kiss. She whimpered, and her hands moved to his shoulders and into his hair.

He tasted so good. There was no holding back now. She wanted more, so she was taking it. Ink didn’t fight her, giving it his all. Gentleness fled, and their kisses turned passionate and sultry. Like neither of them could get enough.

She knew he’d be a fantastic kisser. That he would make her want more than she’d ever allowed herself to feel. Even in the middle of the night when she was aching, desperate for a touch she thought she’d never experience.

“Fuck, baby,” he growled. Naomi stared at him, her gaze hazy, unsure why he was stopping. “You’re testing my resolve, Naomi. We need to stop, or I won’t be able to. You taste and feel so fucking good.”

She blinked at him. He wanted to stop? What? Why? How could he? This might be her only kiss for a long time, and she wanted as many as she could get.

He muttered something under his breath before claiming her mouth again, starting the entire moment over.

Thank God.

Her stomach muscles bunched as she jumped, wrapping her legs around his waist and melting into him. He cupped her ass tightly, and the sensation only heightened her desire.