Page 91 of Double the Redemption

“At the rate you’re going, you’re going to have the whole club helping you,” Ink muttered, getting to his feet with the dishes. Then he went straight to where Asher was still sitting with Taz. “Come on, buddy, let’s get you cleaned up. Then I have to head to work.”

He disappeared down the hall, and she stared after him. He was so natural with him.

“Yep, already gone. Hook, line, and sinker,” Glitch said, with a low chuckle.

“I mean, who wouldn’t when you have a man walking around with a kid and being helpful? Ovaries will be popping all over the place.” Karissa snickered.

“And with that, I’m heading out to get some shut-eye,” Taz announced, getting to his feet. “Behave yourselves, ladies. Oh, and I’ll be locking my door, so if you two try any funny shit today, you won’t catch me unaware.” Then he was gone.

“What did you do this time?” Naomi asked, shaking her head when the two women shared a grin.

“Oh, we didn’t do anything.” Glitch laughed. “But we are getting out of the apartment today and heading to the clubhouse. I need to get my hair dyed, and a few of the other ladies want theirs too, so we’re having a party. And the twins will watch Asher,” she added when Naomi opened her mouth to protest.

“What about you?” Karissa asked, eyeing her. “Up for a little spa day?”

She wasn’t sure what to expect, but she also didn’t know if she could stand the idea of being in the apartment the rest of the day and reliving the hours with Ink. Especially without him around to help her relive it.

“If the twins don’t mind watching him, then I’m good with that plan. I don’t know about anything for me, but I can help.”

“Good, then it’s settled.”

“What’s settled?” Ink asked, coming back out, a cleaned-up Asher walking beside him.

“We’re going to the clubhouse once you leave, so get a move on,” Karissa said, with a grin. “The women are gathering, and we’re going to talk shit about you.”

“Shit!” Asher barked.

Naomi let out a tired sigh. At this rate, she was sure the only words he’d be saying were ones that would get him kicked out of school when he got there.

“Whoops. Don’t say that word, buddy. Auntie Karissa didn’t mean to say it.”

Ink shook his head, then walked to her, drew her into his arms, and pressed his mouth to hers. She sank into him instantly, savoring the taste of him. “I’ll see you later, baby girl,” he murmured. “Think about me today, yeah?”

“Like I can do anything else,” she whispered, gripping his shirt and wishing desperately he wasn’t going to the shop today. What she really wanted was to see whether what happened between them last night was a fluke or was what every time between them would be like.

“You’re sorely tempting me, baby,” he groaned. He pressed another kiss to her mouth, then released her, and stepped back when she let go. “I’ll see you later. Have fun with the girls.” He crouched down eye level with Asher. “You take good care of your mama, little man.”

“’Tay. Color?”

“I’ll bring you some stuff tonight to color.” He ruffled his hair, and Asher rushed forward to hug him.

“Bye!” he called, heading to the living room to play with his toys in the corner.

Ink grabbed his bag, winked at her, and headed out the door.

Karissa and Glitch were grinning, so she sighed. “Yeah, I’m screwed.”

And she wasn’t sure if she was excited or terrified. Relying on Ink had never been the plan, but this felt right. What was she going to do when it was all over.

34

NAOMI

“Alright, Scarlett, spill, you need to tell us how Rogue reacted when he found out,” Esme ordered, pinning the woman with a hard stare. “And leave nothing out.” She shifted Jett slightly in her arms as he fed from her breast.

Naomi was curious too, but she was mildly distracted by the fact that Glitch was putting color in her hair—soft-caramel lowlights, which she assured would make her eyes pop.

Glitch had tried to persuade her to put some red in there, but she’d put her foot down on that. She wasn’t ready for anything so drastic. Considering Glitch’s hair was also slathered in cherry-red dye, she had a feeling only one of them needed to be making a statement.