Page 5 of Inked Heart

“Welcome to Queens Ink. We will be right with you.” I say as I hear the little tinkling bells on the door. I feel a change in the air as my patron sucks in an audible breath. My back is turned, but I twist my head around to see who walked in. My eyes lock on his. El. My one and only lover and the man who is my freaking baby daddy. I just haven’t had the lady balls to tell him.

I got his number a week ago from Ham and he swore he wouldn’t tell anyone when he came in to get some new ink. He knew something was up when I had to stop to ralph in my trash can, but instead of judging me, he laughs and soon has me laughing along with him. My life is a walking cliché. No man wants all this drama from a one-night stand.

“It all makes sense now.” He says as I wash up and pull a new needle kit out.

Gloving up, I reply, “What does?”

“Your man, losing his shit about you.”

“What man?”

A throat clearing brings me back to the present.

So far so good. Ava hasn’t been by to grill me and I know she would if she knew about my little kidney bean. Before I can give myself time to think about it, I turn to face him. Thank God I have Miles giant Viking’s hoodie on. I am not showing yet, but there is a definite pooch that wasn’t there before.

“Kitty?” His sexy ass voice sounds mesmerized or should I say astonished instead.

“El. Long time no see.” I try to laugh, but I can’t. There is no way I can think when he is near me. Immediately there is a small flash of something in his eyes and then in a flash, he is behind the counter.

“And whose fucking fault is that, Kitty? You left before I could get your number or hey, maybe even to say goodbye.” He gets out with a good amount of frustration and anger in his voice.

“Only employees are supposed to be back here. My brother will flip.” I hedge.

“Are you fucking kidding me, Kitty? That’s what you are going with? Did our night together mean anything to you?”

“Of course, it did El, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a mistake.” I lie because it wasn’t a mistake. I am not ready for him to find out about the baby. But, I know it is only a matter of time.

He looks hurt but doesn’t say anything further about that night. Thankfully. I relive it all on my own and do it every night. If I am honest with myself, I am half in love with this tattooed sex God. I am not ready to bring myself to admit it out loud.

“How did you find me?” I ask.

“Coincidence. I have an appointment with Miles for a tattoo.” He says through clenched teeth.

“Miles is my brother.” He moves closer to me after I say this.

Fuck.This is going to be good and bad. His mouth lands on mine and I moan. Before I know it, somehow, I feel my hands threading through his hair. Large hands grab ahold of my ass as his kiss wrecks me. When he picks me up and sets me on the counter, I run my hands over his abs. Slowly his hand grazes down my belly towards my jean covered pussy and I tense.

He rips himself from my mouth and looks at me with his chest heaving. Taking the edges and lifting my sweatshirt over my head, he sucks in a huge breath.

“What the fuck, Kitty? Are you gaining weight or pregnant? If you are, were you even going to tell me?

FUCK! Please let it be mine.” He says that last part as a whisper as if he is praying.

“I cannot tell you for sure if I was going to tell you or not, El. But I can tell you that it’s definitely yours.”

“That is fucked up Kitty.” He says with anger in his voice.

I now know I made a mistake keeping it to myself. The glint in his eye promises something that I cannot put my finger on. My body is shuddering and isn’t from fear. I am turned on and have to clench my thighs to relieve some of the pressure.

As Miles comes out of his station, I quickly hop off the counter. “Are you Eldridge?” He asks.

“I am. Nice to meet you, man.” El says as he shakes Miles hand.

“I am all set up in station number one and ready whenever you are done with whatever you two are doing.” Some big brothers are overprotective, mine lets me make my own decisions. It’s Dex, my slightly younger brother who would freak out. Thankfully, he’s not here right now.

“I’ll be right in. I have some clearing up to do out here.”

“Sure, take your time. You are my last appointment for today.” He says as he walks back into his station.

When he turns back to me, I feel butterflies in belly.

“When I get done, you and I are going on our first date. This thing between you and me, will never be over and it is a sealed deal, Angel.” He kisses me after grabbing my chin and pulling me towards him. “Be here when I get out, or I will find you again. This is fate.” I mutely nod.

That kind of shit would piss me off from any other man. From Eldridge, it makes me wet and it makes me want things I am not ready for.

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