Page 108 of Double the Redemption

When he sensed her, he glanced over his shoulder and gave her a knowing grin. “Feeling better, baby girl?”

“You’re still near water, Ink. And sharp objects; I wouldn’t tease me right now,” she warned him, feeling lighter. What was it about this man that made her feel this way? She was so confused, her mind swirling, but he calmed her. He made her thoughts go quiet.

Was it any wonder she’d fallen in love with him?

That jolted her. Her entire body froze as she stared at him.

No, wait. That couldn’t be right. No, it was too soon. She couldn’t be in love with him.

They’d only been living together for a short time. That was impossible.

Wasn’t it?

“Naomi? What’s wrong?” Ink dropped the dish back in the sink and rushed over. “Baby, what is it?” he demanded, cupping her cheek, checking her over. “Did what I said upset you? I’m sorry, I was being an ass. Talk to me.”

“I’m in love with you,” she breathed.

He stilled, eyes widening. “What?”

Maybe it was the hormones running through her body, or maybe it was the fact she’d already been on overload for the last three days, but his reaction incensed her.

“What do you mean what?” she hissed, yanking away from him. “I tell you I’m in love with you, and that’s what you do? You look at me like I’ve punched you in the gut and ask what? You know what, forget it.”

She turned on her heel, heading for the door. She needed space. She needed to be away from him. From everyone.

He was on her before her hand touched the knob. She hissed a warning, but it was muffled by his mouth on hers. She struggled for a moment, but he lifted her into his arms, devouring her. Like he couldn’t get enough of her.

She sank into him, cupping his face and kissing him back. Damn it, he tasted so good.

The swirl of emotions quieted once more. There he went again.

When he withdrew his mouth from hers, he rasped, “Damn it, woman, you’re giving me a complex. You can’t tell a man you love him and for him not to act like he just got hit over the head with a battering ram. Or let him say anything back.”

Shame hit her. She needed to get herself under control. This was not her. “I’m sorry, Ink, and I know it’s probably too soon. I don’t expect you to say it back or anything. We can forget⁠—”

“I’m not going to forget this, ever, Naomi. Not when I want to tell you the same thing.”

She stilled. “What?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, see, that right there is what I felt. Like my brain couldn’t process what you said. Baby girl, how could you not know I’m so in love with you. You are it for me. The only other woman I’ve said I love you to was my mother. I don’t say it lightly. I have to mean it. I have to feel it. And with you, I do. I mean every fucking word, Naomi. When I say it, it feels bone deep.”

“Isn’t it too soon, Ink? I mean, we’ve only been officially together for two weeks.”

“Two weeks is far longer than some of the others around here, baby, but we’re on our own timeline. I’m a firm believer that sometimes you just know. You find your person and there’s no question. You’re mine, baby. You and Asher, because I love him too. He’s a fantastic kid. Even when he’s having the mother of all tantrums and losing his shit.”

She chuckled. Ink had been flabbergasted the day after he moved in when Asher had an epic meltdown. The change in his routine and Ink gently correcting him when he tried to throw things at the wall, was too much. It ended with Ink getting on the floor with him and the two of them having a “man-to-man” talk, but there were a few touch-and-go moments she’d been sure would be the end.

She’d half expected him to tell her he was out then leave, but as always, he surprised her. He simply took a deep breath and tried again. Firm, direct, but fair. That was Ink, and, eventually, Asher had calmed down, apologized, and gotten a couple hugs from Ink and her before he went down for a much-needed nap.

“You starting to put the pieces together of today and then?” she teased.

He chuckled. “I’m starting to realize that I’m going to be on my toes with the two of you.” He pressed a quick kiss to the tip of her nose. “And I’ll be sure to hide all sharp objects now that I know you two like to throw things.”

She laughed, pressing a kiss of her own to his mouth. “Smart. You’ll learn.” She rested her forehead against his. “I love you, Ink. I’m going to screw it up because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I’ll try.”

“We’ll both screw up, baby girl, but we’ll talk it through. You and me, we’re going to figure it out.”

She believed him. As she sank into him again, needing one more kiss, she couldn’t ignore the niggling in the back of her mind.