Page 73 of Double the Redemption

Was he right? Should she say screw it and figure out a way to give Ink what he was wanting, even if only temporarily? And could she take the emotion out of it?

That was her biggest fear. What if, when this was all over, she fell in love with him and he didn’t feel the same? Could she risk it?

28

INK

His bike rumbled between his legs as he rode toward the clubhouse. Behind him, Tom kept pace, completely at ease. It struck Ink again that he’d be an excellent brother once he got his patch. He was also doing a hell of a job at the shop. He’d already started earning a reputation and had a small list of clients who wanted to see him.

Other artists might be pissed that an apprentice was outshining them so quickly, but Ink didn’t give a damn. As long as the kid did a good job, didn’t fuck up anyone’s skin, and wanted to learn and grow, he was happy.

It also helped that Tom was the one to clean the shop instead of him. The place definitely looked a hell of a lot better than it had the last year or so.

He also made sure all the receipts and paperwork were ready for him at the end of the day. Which, of course, made him instantly think of Naomi.

He bit back a groan because the thought of her made him instantly hard, and the vibration of his bike against his cock was becoming uncomfortable. The images in his head of her in the skimpy underwear and bra certainly were not helping.

He wasn’t sure how many times he thought of her today, but it was enough to make it hard for him to focus on his clients. Something that had never happened to him before. He didn’t know how to feel about it. Or how to react.

Was this how the guys had felt when they met their women? Had they consumed their every thought? Not that he would ask. He didn’t need them knowing the depth of his obsession with Naomi.

When he told her things clicked for him, he wasn’t lying. Even today, when he was working on a lower-belly tattoo and the woman in his chair tried to convince him into pulling her tiny bikini bottoms down even farther, he’d shut her down without another thought. He’d allowed himself to be tempted far more times than he wanted to admit.

Guilt burned in his belly. Damn it, he didn’t want to think about all the shit he’d done in his chair. None of it was coerced, and he wasn’t in a relationship with anyone then, but knowing Naomi might not see it that way or worry about what he did at work, bothered him.

Damn it. This whole relationship shit was complicated. He was going to have to break down and ask someone. Was he supposed to tell her? Did he keep it to himself and hope she never asked? Neither option seemed like a good plan. Plus, she was smart; she’d figure it out on her own soon enough. Someone was going to mention his past.

He groaned and gunned the engine a little faster, trying to ease the frustration with a burst of adrenaline.

When they finally reached the compound gate, he didn’t feel any more relaxed. In fact, he was more restless. Instead of heading for the apartment, he headed for the clubhouse. He needed to get his head on straight before he talked to Naomi.

Walking inside, he grunted a greeting when someone called out to him, but headed up the stairs. Maybe a shower would help.

He ignored the questioning looks from Razor and Jax as he stalked past them but slowed at the tiny figure pacing outside his door. “Naomi?”

She spun around and stared at him wide-eyed. Her mouth moved as if she were trying to speak but couldn’t quite manage it, and her face flamed.

“What are you doing here, baby?” he asked, rushing toward her, his mind spinning. “Is something wrong with Asher? Did something happen?” He was going to murder Taz if she was upset or something happened and no one let him know.

“Oh, ah, no, nothing happened, and Asher’s fine. The twins have him. Something about wanting more practice.” She swallowed, licking her lower lip, which briefly distracted him. “I, uh, well, I wanted to … Well, I actually was going to … I don’t know.” She groaned and covered her face with her hands. “I don’t even know,” she cried. “I don’t even know why I’m here. This was a terrible idea. I knew I shouldn’t have listened to Taz, but he wouldn’t shut up and⁠—”

“Naomi.” He moved her hands down. She stared at him, cheeks still red and eyes wide and pleading.

He was fucked. Totally, utterly fucked.

Instead of kissing the hell out of her, he took her hand, interlaced their fingers, and unlocked his door. Pulling her inside, he turned on the light and thanked every being out there he had thought to tidy up before leaving in the morning.

He’d even changed the sheets on the bed.

It was a very dangerous thought to have when the woman he wanted in that bed was right here with him.

Shutting the door, he crowded her back against it, enough to make her eyes widen, but she didn’t push him away.

“Fuck, I missed you today,” he muttered, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, and cupped her jaw.

“Y-y-ou did?”

“I did. Thought about you every free second I had. Even when I should have been focusing on getting the artwork right for my clients, I found myself wondering what you and Asher were doing. Stopped myself from texting you a dozen times.”