Page 16 of Talk Wicked to Me

She sighed. “You have an answer for everything, don’t you? Please tell her I said thank you and that I’ll pay for all of her time.”

“She won’t take your money.”

“Then I’ll donate to the rescue.”

“Now, that she’ll gladly accept, but you don’t have to. She and Gunner and their pack of dogs are happy to have him around. Gunner and Sid devoured the cookies, and I gave them a few biscuits for their dogs. I hope that’s okay. I figured Ollie wouldn’t miss a handful of them. I put the rest in your freezer.”

“That’s more than okay. Thank you.”

“Your pup said he misses you, by the way, and he can’t wait to meet his little brother, but he knows he’s got a few days of training first.”

Her heart squeezed. With the little she knew about Baz, she wouldn’t be surprised if he spoke dog. “I miss him, too. He’s usually with me twenty-four-seven.”

“I figured as much. That’s why I sent you those pictures this morning.”

“You sent me pictures?” She reached for her phone. “I turned the ringer off so I could sleep last night.” She navigated to his texts and scrolled through the pictures of Ollie sitting in the grass with a big, goofy smile on his furry face and of Sidney walking him and giving him a treat. The last picture had her heart tripping up. Baz was lying in bed, shirtless, the blanket bunched around his hips, and her dog was sprawled over his chest, sleeping. Baz had one arm around Ollie and was taking the selfie with his other hand. The view of his way-too-hot body and those killer dimples nearly did her overcharged hormones in. “You slept with him” came out just above a whisper. She looked closer at the picture and saw the name Ashley among the tattoos on his chest. Right over his heart.

“I figured you slept with him, and I didn’t want him to be lonely.”

She met his gaze, bowled over by his thoughtfulness and curious about the girl who was important enough to forever be a part of him. But she wasn’t going to ask about that. “He does sleep with me, but I usually wear a shirt.” That earned a sexy grin. She couldn’t help looking at the picture again and noticed one of the hospital’s baby blankets sticking out from beneath Ollie’s paw. “Did you steal a hospital blanket?”

“Maybe,” he said coyly. “I wanted to give Ollie something that smelled like Brennan so his scent would be familiar when they met.”

She couldn’t take her eyes off him, trying to puzzle out the man who hadn’t only thought of everything in an effort to help her and her son but had also thought of her dog, the only family she’d had before Brennan came along, and that tugged at something deep inside her.

“Ollie’s getting tons of love, Emerson. I promise. Now, how about putting that phone down and eating before it gets cold?”

She set down her phone. “Are you always this pushy?”

“You think this is pushy?” He scoffed. “That’s just me making sure you’re taking care of yourself. Babies have a way of filling hearts with love and draining bodies of energy. You’re going to need sustenance to keep up with him.”

Her brows knitted. “Do you have kids?”

“Not that I know of.”

The nurse came into the room. “Hi. It’s time for your little boy to be circumcised.”

“Okay. Should I go with him?” Emerson started to move the tray.

“I’ll go,” Baz said. “You enjoy your breakfast.”

“There’s no need for either of you to go.” The nurse eyed Baz skeptically. “We’ll take good care of him, and I’ll bring him right back.”

“I’m sure you will, darlin’, but I’m going with him.”

Emerson had no idea how he managed to sound so freaking charming and still leave no room for negotiation.

“Okay, then.” She looked curiously at Emerson. “Is that okay with you, Mom?”

“Yes, thank you.” She knew there was no arguing with Baz, but more than that, she felt better knowing he was watching out for Brennan.

She was hungrier than she’d realized, and she scarfed down breakfast. They still weren’t back when she finished eating, so she took a quick shower. She felt a lot more human after showering, but her body felt foreign without a baby in it. She’d only gained twenty-eight pounds with her pregnancy, and she’d mistakenly thought her body would magically deflate to at least close to her regular size after giving birth. Boy was she wrong. Her face was puffy, and she still looked five months pregnant. She’d been a skinny kid, but she’d always had curves as an adult, and in the winter they got a little thicker. That hadn’t ever bothered her. She was built like her mother, and she liked that about herself, but this new body would take some getting used to.

She thought about Baz as she put on the nursing top, loose cotton shorts, and fuzzy socks she’d packed and dried her hair. She wasn’t under any silly misconceptions about him being interested in her, but she’d had a baby, not become immune to the charms and attention of men. It felt good to be called beautiful, even if she didn’t feel like she was, and to have someone looking out for her and Brennan, who seemingly wanted to spend time with them. Even if it was out of a sense of duty, she was enjoying their budding friendship.

She put the hair dryer away and headed out of the bathroom. Her heart stumbled when she saw Baz sitting on the chair with Brennan, who was fast asleep tucked in one arm, reading to him from a children’s book.

Baz glanced up, looking her over appreciatively, and cracked a dimple-bearing grin, causing those flutters in her stomach again. “You sure clean up nice.”