Page 96 of Double the Redemption

“You implied that⁠—”

“Calling him our boy doesn’t mean I’m going to say anything to him. You don’t understand MC life, Naomi, but when you claim a woman as your Old Lady, then you claim every part of them, including their children.”

“Your Old Lady?”

Damn it, Ink, you’re just digging yourself deeper and deeper in the hole, aren’t you?

“What do you think claiming a woman in this life means, baby? Saying you’re mine means you’re under my protection. It means I’m saying to every other bastard in here that you’re the only one I want. That you’re mine. It’s not something anyone takes lightly. It-it’s a big fucking deal actually.”

And here he was screwing this all up.

Her eyes widened. “Ink, we’ve slept together once, and we’ve agreed to give this a shot. That doesn’t mean I’m going to commit to something like that. We barely know each other.”

“We know plenty about each other.”

Her expression was bland. “What’s my favorite color?”

He remained silent for a long moment. “Okay, so I don’t know that about you, but that’s not a deal breaker either. You know what I know about you, Naomi? That you are ridiculously smart, beautiful, and a very good mother to your son. You don’t break under pressure, you fight back. You will risk everything to make sure your son is safe. You will do what no one else has dared, because that’s who you are. That’s the role model you want to be for Asher. But you also have a sweet, shy side that makes me want to cuddle you and never let go. The side of you few get to see.”

Silence.

Finally, she whispered, “That’s what you see?”

“I see a lot where you’re concerned, Naomi. I see the woman that’s driven me crazy since she got here, making me see and want things I’ve never wanted before. And now that I’ve given in, I don’t ever want it to change.”

“Ink, you can’t … It’s not that easy.”

“Why not? Everyone around here got together in very short timelines, and look at them now. Babies everywhere, ridiculously happy couples, and they’re making it work. Why would we be any different?”

“We’re not them. And I’m not … I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay.”

The idea of her leaving filled him with dread, but he refused to let it overshadow his point. Instead, he said, “Why do we have to live waiting for the end? Or waiting for something bad to obliterate what we have?”

“Because I won’t survive if you hate me for it.”

“I’ll never hate you, baby. Ever. It’s not possible. You could take my heart and stomp all over it, but I won’t hate you.” Unable to stay away from her, he pulled her back into his arms and cupped the back of her head with one hand. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try and convince you to stay. That I’m not going to do everything in my power to make you see that being with me is your best possible choice. To let me fully into your life, into Asher’s. I won’t push anything,” he added when she opened her mouth to protest. “But I’m going to be in his life every day, Naomi. I want him to trust me. I want him to know that someone is looking after his mama.”

Her breath shuddered out. “I’m terrified, Ink.”

“Then let me show you there’s nothing to be scared of, Naomi. Let me in, live in the moment with me, and let me hold you up when you feel like you’re going to fall. Let me show you what life can be like with someone ready to give you everything.”

“You’re not going to be angry that I want to take this slow?”

“As long as I’m in the same bed as you every night, then we can go at whatever pace you want.” Secretly, he was hoping she wouldn’t want to move at a glacial pace, but he would handle it if so.

“It’s going to be a crowded bed with Asher in there too,” she joked, the intensity of the moment lessening.

“Rogue, Scarlett, and the twins are going to be moving out of the apartment upstairs within the month, into the new house they’re building on the grounds, and he’s already given the okay that we can move in there when they do. Asher can have his own room, but it’s close enough that all he has to do is call out and we’ll hear him.”

Her face scrunched, but she didn’t outright object. Progress. There was time for her to get used to the idea.

“We good?” he asked.

She sighed and pressed her forehead to his chest. “Yes, but I’m probably going to freak out over something else soon.”

“Baby, as long as you talk to me, we can figure it out. Communication is important in relationships. Or so I’m told.” He yelped when she pinched his side. “Not exactly what I meant, baby girl.” Gripping her hair, he tugged her head back so he could look at her.

She smirked at him, eyes darkening. Oh, someone liked that. He loved discovering all the little things she loved and responded to. “Whatever works,” she rasped.