Page 21 of Talk Wicked to Me

Brennan started fussing, and Emerson moved to get him, but Baz was quick to his feet. “I’ll get him.” He lifted her little boy out of the bassinet, and hell if he didn’t get that warm flare in his chest again. “Hey, buddy. Are you ready for some food and a clean diaper?” He lowered his ear closer to the baby, as if he were listening to a secret. “Uh-huh. I hear you, little dude. Don’t worry. I’ve got your back.” He looked at Emerson. “He wants to be sure nobody is coming back to hack off the rest of his johnson.”

She laughed. “Is that right?”

“Yes, ma’am. Boys get attached to those parts very early.” He gazed down at Brennan, remembering his cries when he’d been circumcised. It had taken everything Baz had not to force the doctor to stop. He was glad the baby had stopped crying before Emerson had seen him. He had a feeling it would have broken her heart.

He handed Brennan to her, watching her face light up as she snuggled him, and he knew in that moment, he’d never let anything happen to either of them. “Look at that beautiful little boy you created, Em.”

“He’s pretty cute, isn’t he? I could stare at him all day and be perfectly happy.”

He could, too. “Did he get that hair from his father?”

“Yeah. His family is from Spain. They all have dark hair and dark eyes.”

“Well, it looks good on Brennan. What will you tell him about his father when he’s older?”

“I have no idea.” She nuzzled Brennan’s cheek. “But I’ve got time to figure it out.”

Baz turned around, giving her privacy as she situated the baby to nurse, silently vowing to make sure her little boy had as many good role models in his life as she’d allow. And he’d damn well lead that charge.

Chapter Six

EMERSON COULDN’T BELIEVE Baz stayed with them all day. They chatted as they played poker and gin rummy and loved on Brennan, and when Brennan slept, Baz turned down the lights, urging Emerson to nap as well. When the nurses and the doctor came to check on her, he gave them privacy. He’d left the room a few times to take phone calls, and he surprised her by having burgers and fries delivered from the Salty Hog for lunch, insisting that they had the best fries around.

He was right. They were delicious.

Gwen had texted a few times. She was wary of Baz’s motives and told Emerson to be careful. But Emerson had a feeling that once she told Gwen more about him and what he’d been through and how protective he was over her and Brennan, her bestie would be happy she had a friend like him watching out for them.

As she finished changing Brennan’s diaper, Baz threw the dirty one in the trash and asked, “What are you craving for dinner?”

“Nothing.” She felt bad that he was buying her meals. “You should go out and have fun. It’s Saturday night.”

“Trying to get rid of me again, Lockhart?” He smirked. “Am I boring you?”

“No. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to stay.”

“I like flirting with the nurses.” He waggled his brows.

She rolled her eyes. Some of the nurses flirted with him, but he didn’t flirt back. He was his charming self. Maybe that was flirting and her radar was off, but it seemed to her that he spent his energy showering her and Brennan with attention, making sure they had what they needed, and keeping her entertained when she wasn’t sleeping.

“I’m going to hit the head. I’ll be right back.” As he headed for the bathroom, he said, “Think about what you want for dinner.”

“Yes, boss.” She smooched Brennan and laid him in his bassinet. Then she climbed onto the bed and rested her head back, grinning like a fool.

There was a knock at the door, and a woman wearing tortoiseshell glasses peeked into the room. “Hi, Emerson? Am I interrupting?”

“Not at all. Come in. Is there more paperwork to fill out?” She’d already filled out Brennan’s birth registration and the application for his social security number.

“No, honey,” the tall strawberry-blonde said as she came into the room. “I’m not with the hospital. I’m Ginger Wicked, Baz’s mother.”

“Oh! Sorry. Hi.” She sat up taller. “He’s in the—”

The bathroom door opened, and Baz walked out. “Mom, hi. What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Sorry to barge in. Your brothers told me you’d had quite an exciting evening and that you were here keeping Emerson company. They mentioned that Emerson didn’t have any family in town, and I thought she might appreciate a home-cooked meal. I brought you guys dinner, and I couldn’t resist picking up a few things for the baby.” She held up the bags she was carrying. “I hope that’s okay.”

Stunned, Emerson stammered, “Um…Oh. Yes, it’s fine, thank you. Now I see where Baz gets his generosity from.”

Baz cocked a brow at her. “I believe you said I was pushy.”