Page 71 of Double the Redemption

“He’s fine, babe, and he’s not going to freak out at the two of us cuddling in the kitchen. He’s two.”

“He’s more advanced than most two-year-olds, and we are not going to cuddle. Last night was a mistake and⁠—”

“Nope. We’re not going backward, Naomi. We’re going forward. And forward means you get used to me touching you. All the time. For now, I’ll keep it appropriate, mostly, but eventually …”

The deep timbre of his voice made her shiver. Damn it, why did that have to sound so sexy?

“I am not talking about this with you. Not when Asher can hear and will repeat it,” she bit out through gritted teeth.

She jolted a little when he leaned against the counter but didn’t release her. Glaring at him, she stilled at the heated gaze staring back at her, realizing what was pressing into her lower back.

Heat pooled deep in her belly, and her mouth went dry.

When had a man ever looked at her that way, other than Diego, and she actually felt something other than fear and disgust in return?

“Ink.” It came out as a quaking whisper.

His pupils dilated even more, and he quickly spun her around. “You can’t whisper to me like that, baby girl, and not expect me to picture you saying my name just like that when I’m buried deep inside you. Fuck.” She bit back a gasp at him pressing tighter against her, like he hated the barrier between them.

Deep down, she kind of did too. The smarter part of her brain was yelling at her to step the hell away and put distance between them, like she’d decided last night.

“I’m not trying to do anything.”

“Naomi, you don’t have to do anything to make me want you.” He muttered another curse, glanced over her head, then slammed his mouth down on hers, cupping the back of her head to hold her in place.

She sank into him instantly.

God, he tasted so good. How could he taste and feel better than he had last night?

The kiss wasn’t long, but it was enough to render her mind blank almost instantly. Which is probably why she didn’t hear the door open.

“Freaking finally!” Taz’s voice boomed. “What do you think, little man? You happy to have Ink around more?”

Naomi wrenched away so fast Ink had to tighten his grip to keep her from falling.

“I’m going to kill him. Slowly and painfully,” he muttered.

“Ink, let me go!” she hissed, once again mortified. It was official. She was going to have to go to bed and try again because this was the most embarrassing day of her life.

Ink sighed but finally let her go. If looks could kill, she was pretty sure that whatever Karissa or Glitch were planning for his demise was nothing compared to Ink’s.

She whirled around to Asher staring at her and Ink, eyebrows wrinkled. Oh my God, what was she going to say to him? How did you explain something like this to a toddler?

Finally, Asher shrugged and went back to his artwork.

Ink chuckled. “I don’t know whether that’s indifference or approval, but I’ll take it.”

She glared at him.

“Babe, he’s going to need to get used to me kissing and touching you. I’m going to be doing it all the damn time.”

“We are not⁠—”

“Oh yes, we are. Now, I’m going to take your food out of the oven, kiss you again, and head to the shop. Then I’m going to spend the rest of the day wondering what you’re doing and thinking about seeing you again tonight. And wondering if you’re going to be wearing those sexy little pj’s when I get here.”

“Ink—”

“Nope, horse is out of the barn now, Naomi, and there’s no putting him back in.” He cupped her chin, holding her in place as he lowered his head to kiss her again. There was no mistaking the claiming in his kiss. The intention.