Ink
ONE WEEK LATER
“I’m going to rip your dick off if you tell me to breathe one more fucking time,” Esme screamed at a panicked Fury as he helped her into her SUV. The same one she was pissed he showed up in yesterday because he was convinced she needed something safer to drive with Gabe and the new baby.
The new baby seemed to be arriving very soon.
Esme let out a throaty, pained moan, leaning against the SUV, her face twisted, clutching her belly. Fury frowned but didn’t say a word as she clamped down on his hand.
Ink winced at the purplish shade of that hand when Esme finally eased up and released him. Damn.
“Hundred bucks she’s going to end up punching him in the dick before that baby’s out,” Ice muttered beside him, watching as Karissa hurried to get into the SUV, holding the giant duffle bag she had carted from Esme’s house.
“Dude, I’m not betting against a sure thing.” Ink scoffed. “She’ll punch him and then tear it off. Make sure they’re done with two kids.”
“Nah, Fury will move,” Razor predicted, coming to join them on the porch as everyone hurried to get out of the way as Fury raced down the drive, and Royal and Harlow headed to grab Gabe. “He told me he wants another three if he can convince Esme.”
“Three more?” Ink questioned, eyes wide.
“Three more what?” a soft voice asked, and he turned to see Naomi coming out, holding a quiet and sleepy-looking Asher.
Ink’s heart flipped, and his grip on his beer tightened.
Damn it, this was getting out of hand. They didn’t really talk much, but he was constantly seeking her out or playing with Asher because the little guy seemed to like and trust him.
Enough that Naomi didn’t hesitate nearly as long when Asher tried to go to him.
Like now.
Asher gave a low whine, reaching toward him. Ink set aside his beer and took him, settling him on his hip and murmuring, “Someone’s tired, huh?”
Asher gave a small nod, nuzzling into his neck and giving a small sigh.
“Sorry, he’s been running around and doing a few of the puzzles that Scarlett found for him, so he’s really tired.” Naomi gave him an apologetic smile.
“He’s fine. We’re good friends now, aren’t we, bud?” He gave another small nod, but his eyes were already drooping.
“What did you say about wanting three?” Naomi asked.
Ink liked how she was starting to come out of her shell. A lot of that was probably the women bringing her into their fold. They were constantly getting her out of the apartment, and Ink had heard she actually let the twins watch Asher another time after the night she learned Rogue’s system.
“Fury wants three more kids after this one comes,” Ice answered, shaking his head. “He’s nuts if he thinks Esme will agree to that.”
“She said she wants five more, so I don’t think there’s going to be much of a disagreement there,” Naomi answered.
They stared at her.
“What the hell? Are they trying to have their own baseball team or something?” Razor asked, eyes comically wide.
“Both of them want a big family.” Naomi shrugged. “But don’t ask Royal that. When someone mentioned that Savage is throwing the hints pretty hard for another one or two, she nearly took their heads off.”
They all laughed. “Yeah, that sounds about right,” Ink confirmed. “He’ll convince her. The man has his ways.” He grinned and winked.
Naomi’s face flushed, but she bit back a smile.
Why did he find that so adorable?
“You know what’s coming next, right?” Ice asked, glancing at Razor. “Esme will insist that Karissa have one so they can be best friends.”
Razor smirked. “I’ve been after her about it already, but she’s not quite at the point where she’s ready to give up the chance that her team might need her. I’m not really in a rush, so I’m good to wait.” He looked at Asher and smiled. “I like playing uncle for now. I can hand them back.”
Asher started to snore, and Ink glanced down and smiled. The little guy’s small mouth gaped open, small breaths escaping and brushing along Ink’s neck.
Naomi inched closer. “I can take him back,” she whispered.
“He’s fine. Is it his bedtime?”
“Yeah, he’s a little past it, but he was having a lot of fun, so I didn’t want to ruin it.”
“I’ll follow you back and put him to bed for you so he doesn’t wake up,” he offered. Naomi hesitated then nodded. “Be right back,” he told the others as he headed down the stairs.
He ignored the knowing grins on their faces. Whatever. They could fuck off. He was just helping her out. It meant nothing.
He followed her up to the apartment then down to the bedroom and eased Asher next to the wall of pillows Naomi had set up for him on the bed. Asher burrowed into the pillows and let out a small sigh.
Ink eased out and headed back to the kitchen as Naomi finished tucking him in. Naomi didn’t like him hanging around too close for too long. Not that he blamed her. The kind of men she’d been around while working for the cartel weren’t the kind he’d want near a child either.
“Thank you,” Naomi murmured, walking into the kitchen. “It’s been a long day.”
“He’s been keeping you on your toes?”
She nodded, sinking into a chair at the table. “He missed his nap today because he was just too busy playing. Even when I suggested it, he threw such a fit that I gave in. I really need to stop doing that, or he’s going to run all over me.”
“Kids do love to test limits, but I’m sure you’ll get back on track tomorrow.”
“I’m just so happy he’s found friends. I hate to ruin his fun or the other kids’ fun. Ronin really likes him.”
“Ronin’s a great kid, and he loves the younger kids.
He really loves his sisters too. We all wondered whether he’d get jealous because of how much time and attention the two of them would need, but he’s turned out to be a great big brother.
I think he’s learning that from Gabe, who is so patient with him. ”
“Gabe’s a really good kid too. All the kids are.” She gave him a shy smile. “Thank you, Ink, for being so patient with him. I know he’s gotten attached to you. I’ve been trying to keep him away, but he always seeks you out.”
“Favorite uncle, remember?” he joked, waving at himself. “He’s no trouble, Naomi. If you need a break and the twins aren’t around, I’m happy to take him off your hands.”
She smiled but didn’t agree. Not that he expected it. A week wasn’t going to change everything. She was still unsure, even as she began to thaw and see them for who they were.
Maybe the fact she was working for them helped. It gave her another view of them. A task to do.
“Oh, I have your paperwork from last night,” Naomi said, getting to her feet and grabbing the dark-red file folder near the sink. “But, um, I did want to mention something, if that’s okay.” She looked at him then away, like she was sure that he was going to be upset with her.
“Sure.” He moved to the table and took a seat, hoping that might put her more at ease.
She sat next to him but scooted her chair away from him a little. He tried not to be annoyed by it. More than that, he was annoyed with himself for caring at all. He didn’t want anything from Naomi except trust and the assurance they weren’t bad guys. Anything else wasn’t for him to worry about.
So why was his mouth watering at the soft, gentle scent of her body wash? She smelled sweet and floral but not overwhelming. It fit her.
“I-I don’t want to overstep, but I saw a couple of things that might help you,” she said, hauling him out of his thoughts.
She pushed a few papers aside and showed him a neatly written sheet, with a couple of items circled in red.
“I noticed you buy inks individually, but last month, when you switched to the bulk supplier, you saved yourself a good chunk of money. But then you switched back.”
“Yeah, the supplier has great colors, but not all the ones I like to use. Do you think I should switch to the bulk supplier for better deals?”
“Do you often buy the rare colors?”
“Not really. Only for certain artworks, but those have been less frequent lately. And you’re probably right about that anyway, because Tom’s going to be apprenticing with me starting next week.
He’ll probably go through some of the basic colors more often, so I’ll have to replace those more frequently. ”
“Oh, you’re going to have another employee? I need to calculate that for payroll and stuff.”
“No, he won’t be on the payroll.” She froze, brow furrowed. “Tom’s a prospect here with the club. He just wants to learn a new skill, and he’s already really fucking good at it, so we’re giving him some experience. When he’s eventually fully patched, he’ll already have a job in the club.”
“So it’s more like an unpaid-intern type situation?”
He shrugged. “Call it what you want. He’s not doing it full-time, but he’s going to help me with the shop because we’re busy as fuck.”
She nodded. “I didn’t realize how well tattoo artists were doing right now.” She skimmed over the exposed tattoos on his arms. “But you’re really talented, so I can see why.”
Why did her compliment make him want to kiss her? What the hell was wrong with him?
“Looking for some ink, babe?” he asked, with a teasing grin.
She flushed. “I’ve always loved tattoos, but I don’t have the courage to get one. Needles aren’t my thing.”
“If you ever change your mind, let me know. I’ve already got ideas.”
Hell, he had a full sketchbook of them. He could picture so many interesting ones on her pretty virgin skin. Seeing her in his ink? Fuck, he hated himself for how often he’d dreamed of it.
“You do?” Her eyes widened.
He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Baby, that’s what I do. Tattoos and art are my passions, so I always find ways to enhance them. Half the time, the brothers don’t even come to me with an idea anymore. They just give me creative freedom.”
“That must feel good. Knowing they trust you so much.”
He’d never really thought about it, but now that she mentioned it … “Yeah, it does.”
She smiled. “Well, if I change my mind, I’ll come talk to you.”
“I’ll be pissed if you go to anyone else,” he teased. “That skin is mine when you take the jump.”
She giggled, and his smile grew. Damn, he wanted her to do that again. “That sounds so bad, but sure, you can have my skin if I ever get over the fear of needles.”
It’s not the only thing I want …
Whoa. Where did that come from?
He tried to fight back the panic building in his gut. Nope. No. He wasn’t doing that. He did not do the fall-in-love thing. Club girls, random hookups, that was it. Never anything that could be permanent.
He needed to get out of there. Now.
“Was there one more thing you needed to tell me?” he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.
“Oh, ah, yes. I noticed you don’t have an effective tracking system for payment plans.
I was doing a bit of research using the materials Scarlett brought for me, and Ice agreed to help me set something up in the software if you’re okay with that.
It will just make it easier to keep track of, and we might even be able to set it up to send reminders to those you think need them. ”
“Sure, yeah, that sounds good. You and Ice can let me know what you come up with.” He made a brief show of checking his phone. “I’m sorry, but I have to get back to the clubhouse. Do you need to go over anything else with me?”
Her cheeks flushed, then she shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you. I know you’re busy.” She quickly grabbed the papers, put them back in the folder, and slid it over to him. “This is all ready to go.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow night, then.” He leaned down, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and froze.
Oh, shit. What had he done?
Naomi froze, staring up at him, mouth agape. Before she could say anything or freak out—more than he already was—he turned and hurried out the door.
That was a big mistake. A huge fucking mistake. He needed a beer and something to distract himself with. Now.