The tickling stops, and then I feel Jase’s warm lips press a kiss to each of the dimples just above my ass. “Morning, Dimples,” he murmurs, the sound of his voice like a soft velvet blanket I want to grab ahold of and cuddle with.
“Morning.” I roll over and come face-to-face with Jase. His hazel eyes are playful and his day old stubble has me wanting to rub my cheek along his. His lips press to mine for a chaste kiss before he backs up and sits upright.
“I need to head home. My brother is keeping an eye on Skyla, but he needs to head into the shop. He has an early appointment.” He runs his fingers down the side of my cheek in such a loving way, my body shudders. Jase notices and smirks. “I love how responsive your body is to me.” I bring myself into a sitting position, and he kisses me again before standing to get dressed. I can’t help the pout my lips make at the thought of leaving this bedroom, but I know he’s a man with responsibilities. Especially since he’s a single dad.
“What made you move to New York?” I ask curiously. I never would’ve imagined him moving here.
“Quinn originally wanted to work in a museum. She got picked for an internship at the MET.”
“So you all moved here?” I knew they were close, but wow.
“I had recently gotten custody of Sky and felt we all needed a fresh start. She was almost five and ready to start school, so I figured it was a good time to move.”
I quickly do the math in my head. “You’ve been living here for the last eight years.” It’s a huge city, and it’s not like we mingle in the same circles, but I can’t believe he came here only a couple years after me, and this entire time I never knew it.
Jase nods. “Of course, Quinn didn’t end up loving the position and quit shortly after.” He rolls his eyes, but I know behind his mock annoyance, there’s a sibling bond he can’t hide. “She realized she loved photography, so she took a job working under some well-known photographer, and after a few years, branched out on her own. She mostly takes family portraits and shoots weddings and stuff, but she loves what she does.”
“I thought she works at the shop with you guys.”
“She does part-time, but only until we get around to finding someone permanent.”
Jase pulls his boxer briefs up, tucking his beautiful dick inside, and I frown. He, of course, sees and laughs. “Don’t give me that look or I’ll never be able to leave.”
“Is that supposed to be a threat?” I ask, half playful-half serious.
Jase laughs again. “Woman, you’re going to be the death of me.”
I giggle at his playfulness. “I was so shocked when I walked into that tattoo shop and learned it was yours. I mean, I always knew you would open up your own shop, but I never thought it would be right here in New York.”
“Yeah,” he agrees, “getting custody of Sky changed everything. Our dream took a little longer than we originally planned. We worked at another shop for a few years while we continued to save, and then about four years ago, we finally took the plunge and opened Forbidden Ink.”
He pulls up his jeans, zippering and buttoning them.
“It’s a beautiful shop.”
“Thanks.” The corners of his sexy mouth curve into a boyish grin. “I love it there. It’s like home away from home. I love that Sky can be there and we can make our own hours. There’s nothing like working for yourself.” He gives me a lopsided grin. “I’m sure you can understand that.”
“I do,” I admit. “It gives me a sense of control I never had growing up.”
Jase comes over and sits on the edge of the bed, his fingers finding the curve of my hip. I’m briefly distracted by the view of his taut muscles and rock-solid abs on display, but quickly shake myself out of my haze and remember the subject we were originally discussing.
“If you didn’t sleep with Amaya, how did you end up as Skyla’s father?” I wanted to ask him this last night, but instead ended up jumping his bones. Jase opens his mouth to speak, but I put up my finger to stop him. Reaching down, I grab his shirt off the floor and hand it to him. “Put it on, or I won’t be able to focus on anything you say.”
He throws his head back in the most beautiful laugh but does as I say. “Amaya came to me when she found out she was pregnant. She had no idea who the dad was. She had been partying a lot and it could’ve been several guys. She asked me to help keep her sober. She wanted to do right by her baby.