Page 48 of Inked Craving

“I really can’t help it. Your boobs are fantastic.”

She swallowed hard. “We can’t have sex yet,” she blurted.

I raised my brows, nodding. “I read the books. I know. Plus, I kind of like that we’ve been taking this slow.”

Paige snorted. “We had sex before we even decided to date, Lee. How is that taking it slow?”

“Because we’ve had months of pretending we weren’t dating when we were?”

She bit her lip, and I wanted to lean forward and kiss away the sting. Only the fact that Emery was between us in the car seat held me back. “We have been, haven’t we?”

“I haven’t been with anyone else. Not since before you and I slept together. No dates, not since that night in the rain.”

She looked at me then, her eyes wide. “I was always afraid to ask.”

“You shouldn’t have been. It’s just me. I promise. I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but you’re stuck with me.”

“I wouldn’t mind being stuck with you.”

“It’s pretty sweet.” I leaned forward and kissed her again because I couldn’t help it, and then we made our way to my SUV. We had bought the set of car seats where it had two bases. I had one base in my vehicle, and she had one in hers. As if we were already playing at being a family before we decided to call it what it was.

This was probably a fucking mistake, but I didn’t mind. I wanted to know if this could work. If we weren’t just placating ourselves.

We made our way to the restaurant, speaking mostly of Emery’s big day. “I swear she’s going to be able to roll over any day.”

“At three weeks?” Paige asked, laughing. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. She’s so brilliant.”

“I mean, I believe she’s brilliant, and I know she is. However, she’s not going to start walking any day now. Stop making my baby grow up before I’ve even had a chance to have her.”

“I promise I won’t do that.”

Paige laughed, and I loved the sound of it filling the car. “That’s what you say. But why do I feel like she’s already going off to college?”

“This is going to be an interesting eighteen years if you’re already worried about that.”

She just snorted. “Always going to worry.”

“Well, I’m here. I’ve got you.” I kissed the back of her hand, and she pressed her lips together, smiling as we pulled into the parking lot. I helped her get Emery out of the car, doing my best not to watch her curves sway as she did. Paige was seriously distracting in the best ways possible.

I held Emery’s car seat, and Paige held the diaper bag, and when our familiar hostess waved at us, she beamed. “I heard you were bringing in the baby. I’m so excited. We got you your normal table, and since it’s a weeknight, we should be able to give you as much privacy as possible. That way, everybody doesn’t come and try to meet the baby. But, oh my gosh, she’s adorable—beautiful, Paige.”

“Thank you. She’s the light of my life.”

“She’s looking good.” Carla looked between us and beamed. “Are you going to tell us if this is a date or not? Or are you two just going to keep telling us you’re friends?”

“Carla,” I warned, and she waved us off.

“No worries. I’ll get you to your table. I’d say a glass of champagne is on the house, but…are you drinking?”

Paige shook her head. “Not yet. Emery’s feeding schedule’s a little too tight right now for that to work. Plus, you know, I’d fall asleep after one glass.”

“No problem. Sparkling cider it is. Congratulations, Mom.” Carla squeezed Paige’s hand, and I watched as Paige’s eyes watered a bit.

“Fricking hormones,” she muttered, and we both took our seats, setting Emery up between us. The baby kept sleeping, and we covered her up a bit to shield her from the bright lights. “She looks comfortable. But I still feel like maybe we should have stayed at home.”

“We can leave,” I added.

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