Page 72 of Double the Redemption

When he pulled away, his eyes glittered with promise, but he didn’t push any further. He released her, winked, moved to set her food on the counter, and headed to the table. Leaning down, he kissed the top of Asher’s head and said, “Be good for your mama, buddy. I’ll see you tonight, okay?”

“’tay. Color?” Asher asked, brow raised.

Ink’s smile widened. “I’ll bring you some stuff to color with.”

“’ank ’ou.” He bloomed with happiness, and Naomi’s heart tripped. Then it clenched as Asher stood on his chair and wrapped his arms around Ink. “Bye!”

Ink lifted him effortlessly and hugged him tight. “Bye, Asher.” His eyes met hers over Asher’s head, and the look in them made her swallow hard. She wasn’t sure she wanted to name what she saw.

Ink gave Taz a narrowed-eyed glare as he left, and Taz’s grin widened, knowing full well he was playing with fire and not caring. Ink shut the door softly behind him, but he might as well have slammed it, the sound echoing in her head.

She was in trouble, and she had no idea what she was going to do about it.

“I know that face. Don’t worry, honey, I’m here,” Taz assured her, taking a seat at the table. “Grab the food and bring it over. I’m starving. Getting out of ropes and knots upside down is a workout, and I need to replenish so I can be at full capacity to plan my revenge.”

She blinked at him, trying to follow the change of subject. “Why were you hung upside down and tied up?”

He waved that away. “Nothing I haven’t been through before. You’d think the girls would learn I am the master of knots and can get out of anything. Just need time, patience, and a skill they don’t have.” He patted the table beside him. “Come on, let’s talk.”

Why did she get the feeling this was going to be a bad idea? Still, she did as she was asked, absently eating and ignoring the way Taz picked from her plate.

“Mama, ’ho’?” Asher asked, drawing her from her thoughts.

“Sure, baby, we’ll get your show on. Are you done with your coloring?”

He nodded, climbing down from his chair and heading for the couch.

“Do you want Bill Nye?”

He nodded again, already looking sleepy. It was midmorning, and normally, he didn’t nap this early, but he was up early and was clearly worn out from his art project.

Once she got him settled, she made her way back to chair and gave a bland look when Taz helped himself to one of the three pancakes on it. He smirked as he finished. “Thanks, babe. At least you picked a guy who can cook the basics.”

“I haven’t picked anyone.”

Taz snorted. “Tell that to someone who believes you. I, and the rest of the women around here, do not. And from the look on your face, you want to run and hide and not face it. Him.”

She groaned and buried her face in her hands. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’m making a mess of everything.”

“Babe, I’m going to give you a piece of advice, and you really should listen. I’m very good at giving it.” He ignored her eye roll when she lowered her hands to look at him. “Life is short. I see it all the time. People don’t always get to have their happily ever after. Danger comes and takes it away, or they won’t risk it and end up regretting it. Even if it’s not forever, ride him, drain him dry, and if you want to walk away at the end of it, you do it. But you get some good orgasms out of it—assuming he’s any good at that, of course—and some memories to hold on to until you find someone else.”

She stared at him. “Drain him dry?” she choked.

“That’s the part you heard most, huh?” He laughed. “Babe, the way that man looks at you, he’ll have you in every position you allow, and he might even invent a few. Enjoy it, keep it casual, and just remember it’s all right to be disappointed when he doesn’t measure up to all this.” He waved a hand at himself, arrogant.

She rolled her eyes again. He was ridiculous. “You know what they say about men who brag about themselves in bed so much.” She got to her feet and grabbed the now-empty plate.

“Anything they say is grossly underrated, but don’t worry. I can take it.”

She grinned over her shoulder, unable to help herself. “Well, considering they say it means the man is overexaggerating, has a really tiny dick, and can’t find the clit with a roadmap, if they’re underrated, that doesn’t exactly paint you in a favorable light, does it?”

He blinked and stared at her, mouth agape. “I do not have a tiny dick!” he protested. “And there are loads of women who can attest to the rest, that I am very fucking good in bed.”

She gave him a pointed look, then glanced at Asher, who, thankfully, was ignoring them and still watching his show. “Sure thing. Might explain why Glitch and Karissa never gave you the time of day, even though you were on the same team.” She couldn’t help needling him a little. It was too much fun.

Especially when he jumped to his feet and stalked out, calling out for both women.

She laughed under her breath. The man was insane, but he was fun.