Inked Heart: A Moosehead, Minnesota Spin-off (Queen of Hears Ink Book 1) Read online

  Inked Heart

  Copyright © 2018 by ChaShiree M. & MK Moore

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  Other Books

  About the Authors

  Acknowledgements

  Dedicated to Amanda C. our own personal Inked Heart.

  You are the best PA and friend I could ever want. Thank you for being you. Don’t be afraid to let go of the past and embrace the future.

  I do not know how the hell I got roped into going to one of these fucking things. Don’t get me wrong, I love to hang out with my friends and shoot the shit. But this, this is something different.

  One of my good friends Hammond or Ham as his friends and family call him, just became a dad. To twins nonetheless. He and his wife were not due for at least another six weeks, but I guess with twins it is common to deliver a bit early. And as a way of welcoming them into the world and the family, they are having a party to introduce the babies to those who will be a part of their lives on a regular basis. I am still questioning my invite. However, Ham is one of the most honest and solid men I know. So, if he asks me to be there, then there is where I will be.

  If I am being honest, the biggest reason I don’t want to go is because I have always been envious of his family. He has three younger brothers and except for a short period of time where he and his brother Max didn’t speak, from what I can tell they are all close. I can say with complete honesty that his parents are awesome. They are honest, kind, and respectful people, who raised their sons to be the same. Also, they are a little crazy, but it’s a good kind of crazy.

  One time around five years ago, Ham had just gotten home from a yearlong training thing and he asks me to meet him at his folks’ house, because his house was still being built. When I get there, no one answers the door. Normally they say to just walk in and that’s exactly what I did. Shit, I wish I hadn’t. I walked into the living room and with no one else there, I sat on the couch.

  When I heard a moan, I genuinely thought someone was hurt. Because I was concerned, I went searching for the person who made it and walked into the kitchen to see his mom riding his dad on a stool, I had never run so fast in my whole fucking life. I saw body parts move, I never wanted to see exist on someone the age of my mom. It took me years to get the images out of my head. Even now, I still get the heebie jeebies.

  As I pull up to the house, there are cars everywhere and I am dreading this. Taking a second, I sit in the car and fortify myself for baby central. I love kids. don’t get me wrong but growing up in my house I did not get much of a childhood. My folks were great. We were never abused, neglected, or ignored by them. But, my family is old money.

  My great grandfather struck it rich with oil and then built an empire from there. The expectations that my father put on myself and my little sister were unrealistic. It did not leave a lot of time to have fun as a kid. Of course, it didn’t help things that my egg donor Sabrina left my father and I when I was two days old. She decided taking care of a child and home was too much work with all her social engagements. She left me with the nanny one day and never came back. She of course sent my father a note demanding alimony with her divorce papers, but after a thorough investigation on his part, he was able to find the ammunition he needed to shut her down.

  If it was not for my stepmother, I would never have learned what real and unconditional love felt like. How can a child, whose mother didn’t deem him worthy enough to stay, raise, and teach him how to grow into a man, know how to be those things? Estonia was a godsend to me and my father. I thank God for her every day, because at least when my father was working his life away, there was someone at home who asked about my day and patched me up when I needed it.

  Taking a deep breath, I get out of the car and walk in to an already swinging party. As soon as I walk in the door, Ham and his wife greet me with a little bundle in each of their arms.

  “El. Thanks so much for coming. I know you don’t care for these things, so I really appreciate you coming. You remember my wife Ava.”

  Of course, I remember her. Who the hell can forget Ava? She is a light in the dark, who is always smiling, radiant, and kind. I often think that if I could find someone who brought out the light in me, I would marry her and never let her go. But alas, I am convinced no such Angel exists.

  “Of course, I do. Ava, how are you feeling after carrying and delivering such a heavy load?” I ask as I kiss her cheek.

  “I feel empty, but extremely happy. Thank you so much for coming. Uh oh. I need to go grab Kennedy before she strangles Jacquie. Can you do me a favor El and hold baby Abby for me?”

  She phrases it as a question. But she doesn’t wait for my response, before she is situating my arm just right and placing a tiny little human in it.

  “Don’t forget to support her head, like this. Good. Ok I will be right back. Thank you so much.” She says as she’s walking away.

  Panic begins to rise in my chest. I have never held a baby this tiny before and I swear, I am going to break her. She is the tiniest and most fragile thing I have ever seen in my life. Staring at her little angelic face, dare I say I can feel my chest constricting with foreign emotions as want and envy. Her little eyes are closed, and her face is all puckered. It is like, even in her sleep she knows she is in charge. I can totally see why dads lose their shit. Even as only an outsider, I know I would do anything to protect this little bundle.

  I look at Ham in total shock of my own emotion. He simply looks back at me and then at Abby and says, “I know.”

  “El, I know you prefer to have no attachments and such, and I respect your decision. But, Ava and I have talked ad nauseum and have decided we would like to ask you to please be Ezra and Abby’s godfather.”

  Holy… What? Wait… Did he just ask me to be spiritually and sometimes physically responsible for miniature people? What in hell is he thinking? And I ask him that.

  “What the hell are you thinking?”

  “We have thought about it. They have three uncles and that’s cool. But I want them to also have someone outside of this family. Someone that they can turn to when or if they need it. I know we don’t discuss emotions and shit,” he stops and says to baby Ezra. “Don’t tell your mom I said that little man. She might unman me.”

  I cannot he
lp the chuckle that leaves my chest. It makes the little fairy I am holding slightly jump and I instantly pull her to my chest to let her know she is still safe. The minute she is snug against me, I marvel at how quick my instincts to protect her kick in.

  “See, El. That, right there is why we picked you. So, what do you say?” He says with a mischievous smile on his face, like he knows what my answer will be.

  Without hesitation I say, “Yes. I would be honored.” He pats me on the back and walks away, leaving me with this little fairy.

  Deciding to move, I walk her around whispering how much fun I am going to be as her Godfather. Continuing, I tell her that she can tell me anything and I will always be there for her. In return, I tell her a few of my deepest held secrets. My own hopes and dreams that I would never have been able to admit even to myself, without holding her in my arms. The biggest secret I have is my hope to find a woman, who I will call ‘Angel’ because that is what she will be to me. My Angel will stop me in my….

  ” Hey watch out you big…..O…”

  Turning to see who the lady is, who is about to tell me where to go and how to get there. I am struck dumb and must remember to breath, when I finally face her. Her. It’s her. My Angel.

  The wall I crash into, suddenly turns to face me. I suck in a deep breath, as I am not prepared for the tattooed God standing in front me. He is holding a tiny baby girl, in the crook of his arm. My ovaries, who have never spoken to me, just fucking exploded. He is ridiculously hot, from his overly tight t-shirt and his perfect fitting dark wash jeans, right down to his steel toed boots. He stares at me hard, but he looks pissed. Maybe.

  ” Hey watch out you big…O…”. I say breathlessly. Why the fuck do I sound like a girl from a porn movie. It’s so unlike me.

  “Don’t worry about it, Angel.” Angel? Who does this guy think he is?

  “My name is Kitty, not Angel.”

  “Eldridge Monte-q, at your service. I’d shake your hand, but they are kind of full now.”

  The comment reminds me that he is holding my kryptonite. This man holding a baby, makes my hormones go into overdrive. I stare at him with my mouth hanging open. I only realize the latter when he uses an index finger, which is apparently on an unshakeable hand and tips my mouth closed.

  “Angel you’ll catch flies like that.” He says with a slight smirk.

  “I said my name is Kitty. Kitty Heart.”

  “Your parents named you that?” He says with a raised eyebrow.

  “What? No, of course not. My name is Katherine, but no one and I mean no one calls me that, Eldridge.” I say with as much sass as I can manage.

  “Just El, Angel.” Amusement lights his face now.

  Why does he keep calling me that? I cannot be around him or I’m going to do something stupid, I just know it. I walk away in a huff and make my way to Ava, hoping I can calm down. Ava and I met a million years ago, when her and Penny first came here for their summers. We became and have continued to be long distance best friends, which is why we have always made every effort to be there for all the big stuff. Hence the reason I am here now.

  As a tattoo artist, I must be a people person. Unfortunately, I am not. Ava knows this about me and so I don’t know why I couldn’t meet the babies when it was just us. Whatever. In the back of my mind, I am still thinking about the mountain of a man from earlier. Eldridge. Just thinking about him, brings forth even more wetness from my pussy. I’ve never been this wet before.

  “Hello, Kitty. Can you hear me?” Ava asks me, waiving her free hand in front of my face.

  “What? Yes of course. No, I am sorry Ava. What were you saying?” I ask laughingly.

  “Geez, I was talking to you for maybe five minutes. Anyway, this is Ezra.” She says, sliding him into my arms and causing me to melt when he makes little cooing noises at me.

  “He’s beautiful Ava. As is Abby. I am overjoyed and happy for you.” I am not jealous at all, I swear. I say to myself.

  “You met Abby. I know El is around here somewhere with her.”

  “Oh yeah. I met them both.” I am either blushing or having a hot flash. Considering I am only twenty-three, it is probably not that. I smile to myself and look down at the little bundle in my arms; as I pull him close and snuggle him to my cheek.

  “What’s that blush for Kitty? You like El?” Bitch. She knows I don’t date. Ever. I don’t have time, nor have I found anyone I would want to make time for.

  But El… He gives me pause. “I don’t know what you are talking about AvaLynn Crawford. Leave me be.”

  “Fine. I have something super important I need to ask you anyhow.” I look up at her and away from Ezra. Her eyes are wide and full of unshed tears.

  “What is it? Is something wrong?” I ask her, now worried for my best friend.

  “No, nothing like that. Ham and I were wondering if you would consider being Ezra and Abby’s godmother.” I am floored.

  “Why me?” That is all I manage to utter, because I am almost speechless.

  “They have plenty of aunts and uncles and we want you to be a part of our family as well.” There are tears in my eyes now and I let them fall, splashing all over the baby. He cries out and my heart clutches. I automatically shush by pulling him closer to me and giving him comfort. Amazingly, he stops crying.

  “Ava, I don’t know what to say except, hell yes. I am humbled and honored you asked me.” Ava gives me a side hug as she smiles at my answer.

  “Are you good with him? Or do you need me to take him?” She has a knowing smile on her face as she asks.

  “I am good, go mingle. Have some wine.” I know she can drink, since she is not able to breastfeed the babies.

  “I think I will. Thank you for everything, especially agreeing to our request”

  “One question. Who is the godfather?”

  “El.” She says winking and walking away. Of course, he is. After about forty-five minutes of amazing Ezra/Auntie Kitty bonding time El makes his way over to me.

  “Want to trade, Angel?” Because I am excited to hold Abby, I answer him. Even though he’s been staring at me the whole time I’ve been here.

  “Sounds good, god poppa.”

  “Sure does, god mama.” He winks at me and instantly that does it.

  “Want to get a drink, when this is over?” I boldly ask him.

  “Sure, where?”

  “Anywhere is good with me.”

  “My place is about eight minutes from here. I have some drinks there.”

  “That sounds amazing.” I gush, feeling the heat rising on my cheeks again. Who the fuck is this imposter? I have never done anything like this, but I cannot take the feelings he inspires deep in me when I look at him. It feels as if it is more than his good looks, and it scares me.

  But fuck it.

  When it is time to leave, I follow him back to his place because I drove my 1981 Beetle. It was my mom’s, I love it and it still runs like a dream. As he slows and turns on his blinker, I feel the butterflies start to take flight in my stomach. I cannot believe I am doing this.

  Getting out and locking my doors as I reach his doorstep and wait for him to unlock the door. No sooner than we are inside, he turns and pushes me against the door. I moan as his lips make, contact with my neck. He lifts me, by grabbing my ass and I wrap my legs around his waist automatically. My dress climbs up my thighs, where his hands find their way under the skirt to my ass. I groan, remembering the panties I put on this morning. They are practical. Black cotton and not sexy at all.

  “What’s wrong, Angel?” He sets my legs down, planting my feet firmly on the ground.

  “I don’t own any sexy panties. I am sorry.” Why the fuck am I apologizing?

  “Angel, I am going to be honest with you. I don’t give a fuck about your panties. Some guys may want you wrapped up in a pretty package, but your sweet cunt is all I need.” His words make me fucking crazy.

  I reach up on my tip toes and kiss him. He growls, pulls me closer to hi
m, and backs us until we reach his bedroom. I had just barely kicked my shoes off in the hallway before he grabbed me. He leans back from me, reaches down to the hem of my skirt on my dress, and starts lifting it up my legs to my waist. His hands skim along every inch of my body.

  Goosebumps are rising all over my body when he finally lifts it over my head, leaving me standing before him in only my bra and panties. Quickly unhooking my bra and tossing it on top of my dress on the floor, with my panties following soon after.

  I reach for the buttons on his shirt and start undoing them as I skim my hands over his pecs, before sliding it down his arms and adding his own pile on the floor. Fumbling with his belt buckle with slightly shaky hand, has him automatically taking over for me. When his slacks finally open, his enormous cock springs out causing me to take a little step back as I gasp. His hands reach for me, digging into my hips as he moves to draw me back closer to him.

  “Angel. I am going to take good care of you. There is no need for you to worry about it.” Deciding to trust him with my body, I allow him to lay me down on his massive bed.

  I am already wet when he slides a finger into me, but not too far before he moves it further inside me and I cry out. Deciding I am ready enough; he moves over me, while gripping his cock and jerks on it before positioning it at my opening. Looking down into my eyes, he slams into me and I scream out. The pain is instant, but fleeting. Thankfully.

  He looks down at me and whispers “Virgin?” I can only nod, but when it seems like he going to pull out of me, I wrap my legs around his waist and pull him closer to me. I pull his head down to me and kiss him.

  “El, please move. Please.” I plead with him. He shakes his head, as if to clear it and slowly starts to fuck me with in and out strokes of his cock. When his dick starts to hit the correct place inside of me, he reaches his hand down to my clit and smacks it. I scream out his name, while he continues to pound into me. My mind is a jumble and my breath, comes in heavy pants. He is like a machine, giving me everything I need. The sudden pressure that builds from deep in my core is surprising. My release floods out and he stops for a minute.