Page 66 of Inked Craving

“I’m excited. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to dig into the research this way.”

“So, no more papers for a while?” she asked, winking.

“Oh, probably. I hate writing. I don’t know why I agreed to write the last one alone.”

“Because you’re good at it.”

I snorted. “You say such flattering things.”

She smiled, went to her toes, and kissed my cheek. “I try. Now, are you going to go to that conference in San Francisco next month?”

I looked over at her then and sighed. “That’s the plan. At least, that’s what they want me to do. They’ll need to buy the tickets soon, so I’ll have to give them a decision.”

She tilted her head as she studied me, those blue eyes curious. “Why wouldn’t you?”

“I don’t know. I’ll be there working the entire time, and Emery’s too little to travel like that, so it’s not like you can come with me and make it a thing.”

“You would want me to come with you on a work trip?” she asked, her eyes wide.

I shrugged, feeling subconscious. “You said you’ve never been to San Francisco. I’d want to show you the place. I’ve only been there once, but I like playing tourist.”

“I would have loved to go, but you said yourself you’d be busy, and you’re right, I can’t travel with Emery right now. I know others can and do travel with children her age, but I don’t think I’m ready for that.”

“Not to mention, you have your own big project.”

Paige grinned, rubbing her hands together. “You know it. I’m excited. We’re breaking ground on the new office next week. And I get to start training my assistant.”

She beamed, and I leaned down, kissing her hard on the mouth. “Look at you, having an assistant. You’re like a grownup.”

“That’s exactly what I said when I was talking to Archer about it,” she said with a laugh.

“Are we going to put these in the oven soon? Or should we totally have sex on the dining room table again?” she teased as she gripped my ass.

I laughed, then kissed her hard. “Honestly, let’s put these in the oven, set the timer, and then go have sex on the dining room table.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

We were just setting the pan in the oven, it taking a little bit longer to do since we kept making out, when the doorbell rang.

“Are you expecting one of your siblings?” I asked, and Paige shook her head.

“Not that I know of. But they do tend to show up unannounced. I’ll go get it.”

I frowned, even though this was her house. “Are you sure? You can go check on Emery while I do it.”

“No, finish clearing up. I’ve got it.”

“I see how it is. You just don’t want to do the dishes.” I winked as I said it before she waved her fingers at me, leaving me alone in kitchen.

“I can’t hear you. I’m answering the door.”

I turned on the faucet, the water drowning out background noise as I cleaned one of the bowls.

“Lee!”

My skin grew cold, and I turned off the water, rubbing my hands on a towel as I went to Paige’s side at the front door. “What’s wrong?”

“No one was there, but there’s a rose on the welcome mat. Something’s wrong.”

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