Page 52 of Inked in Devotion

I kissed the top of his head before giving my attention back to his dad.

“The shadows under your eyes are gone,” he said.

“I feel like a new person,” I laughed. I really did. My reflection in the mirror this morning shocked me. There was a sparkle in my eyes, okay…maybe it was because…

“I’m wearing your shirt,” I said.

He smirked and returned his attention to the pan where he appeared to be making a multicolored egg dish.

When he didn’t reply, I leaned against the counter beside the stove so I could see his profile. “You undressed me.”

He huffed a brief laugh before raking his teeth over his bottom lip as if reining in his amusement. “Is there a question there, or are you stating facts?”

“Dora would have removed my shoes, but that’s it.”

“You were already in your slippers and…I didn’t want you uncomfortable when you slept. One sec, baby.” He gave the pan one more stir before turning it off.

“Smells good. What are you cooking?”

“Scrambled eggs with the works.” He set the platter in front of me. “Eggs, peppers, sausage, mushrooms, and, of course, cheese.”

“I’ll eat anything right now.”

“I’m surprised you’re not hungover,” he said.

“I didn’t drink that much.”

Kolya set the plates in front of me, his mouth twitching, but his face said I was bullshitting.

“I really didn’t! I think I was just tired. Alcohol just affects me more when I’m exhausted, but my body needed that sleep.” I glanced over at Sebastian as tiny claws of guilt dug into my chest. “I’m glad you allowed Dora to stay with us.”

“She’s been vetted.”

“How sure are you she’s not holding a grudge?” I raised a brow.

“If her presence here makes you more relaxed to be around the bratva…” He shrugged. “I’ll handle the fallout of that decision.”

I inhaled sharply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kolya sighed dramatically. “You need to stop reading death and destruction into everything I say.” He lifted the platter of eggs, scraped half of its contents onto my empty plate and slid the breadbasket closer. “Eat.”

This man was bossy.

“You can’t blame me when every time your solution to a problem involves something that bleeds.” I scooped the eggs into my mouth. “Hmm…yummy.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Your job. I had front-row seats to it, remember? When you wanted to get rid of my brothers and burn the whole mansion down.”

“That was one incident.”

“That’s already one too many.”

He slid onto the barstool beside Sebastian so we had our boy sandwiched between us. Our son turned to his dad, reaching out with his arm.

“Dad’s gotta eat, buddy,” Kolya said, the tone in his voice starkly softening for our Sebastian. My ovaries screamed.

Babies were a great idea until you experienced the sleepless nights and smelly diapers. No wonder some people suggested having a puppy first as the first step to responsibility.