Page 41 of Talk Wicked to Me

“I know. I’ll be right here, and I won’t let anything happen to him. I think it’ll do you both some good. You and Brennan have a special bond that nobody else can ever come close to, but with that, you feed off each other’s energy. If he’s upset, you feel it, and vice versa. That’s one reason being a mother is one of the hardest and one of the most remarkable things a person can do.”

He pulled back the blanket, and she climbed in, lying on her side. He placed Brennan on his back beside her. She put her arm around him, and Brennan made a sleepy sound. Baz pulled the blanket up to her waist, then took his phone out of his pocket and poked around on it. The sound of ocean waves bloomed to life, and he set it on the nightstand and lowered himself into the rocking chair.

It had been so long since she’d been taken care of, her heart swelled, and fresh tears filled her eyes. She ached for comfort, and though she never asked for help, just this once, depleted of energy and patience and the strength she’d held on to since the day her parents died, she allowed herself to. “Will you lie with us?”

He clenched his jaw, but he nodded, leaned forward, and began taking off his boots.

“Is that weird? I don’t want to make things weird. You’ve been so nice to us. You don’t have to—”

“Emerson, stop worrying, and let that beautiful brain of yours relax.” He lay on Brennan’s other side, speaking gently. “There is nothing weird about this. I care about you and Brennan. I would have lain down with you right away, but I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“You never make me uncomfortable. You make me feel safe.”

“I’m glad, and I’m not going anywhere, so close your eyes and let me stand watch for a while.”

He put his arm over both of them, pulling her closer so Brennan lay between their chests, their legs touching. He drew one of her knees up, moving it between his legs, and his arm circled her again. There was nothing sexual about the way he touched her or how he was holding her, cocooning her and Brennan within the safety of his body. Emerson closed her eyes, breathing easier for the first time in hours. Knowing she and Brennan were buffered from the rest of the world, she set aside the insurmountable weight of solo motherhood and surrendered to the bone-deep exhaustion dragging her under.

Chapter Thirteen

BAZ LISTENED TO the peaceful rhythm of Emerson’s and Brennan’s breathing, his feelings for them intensifying with every sweet sound. While they’d rested, he’d spent the last hour and a half ruminating over the things Emerson had said, and fuck. He wanted to be her anchor in this storm. But to do that, he needed to understand her past, to know what her family was like, what had happened with Gwen’s parents, and why she’d chosen to move when she had. And somehow, while discovering some of the most intimate and important things about her, he had to keep his deepening feelings to himself, for his sake as much as theirs.

He was standing on a razor’s edge, and none of them could afford for him to slip.

Emerson’s feet jerked in her sleep, as if she were running, and she made a pained sound. He cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb over her soft skin, whispering, “Emerson.”

She made another anguished sound, breathing harder.

“Em, wake up.” He shook her shoulder. She wrenched out of his grasp, her eyes flying open. The terror in them gutted him. “Emerson, it’s me, Baz. You’re safe. You were having a bad dream.”

Her frantic gaze moved over him and Brennan, and relief washed over her features. She squeezed her eyes shut, rolling onto her back with her hand over her heart. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Do you want to talk about it?”

She opened her eyes and shook her head.

He fought the urge to push for more, knowing she might shut down or try to send him away if he did. He reached over the baby again and placed his hand on her arm reassuringly.

Brennan stirred, and she turned to look at her little boy, unease lingering in her eyes. She glanced at Baz, and she rolled her lower lip between her teeth. “Sorry about how I acted earlier. I’m so embarrassed.”

“Please stop apologizing. There’s no reason to be embarrassed. From what I’ve been told, being exhausted and frazzled is a given for new parents.”

Brennan’s arms twitched, and his face contorted into a slow-motion cry. Emerson shifted to reach for him.

“I’ve got him. Get comfortable.” Baz picked him up, nuzzling against his cheek, breathing in his familiar scent, which had already become a part of him. “What is it about that baby smell that makes the world seem better?”

“I’m starting to wonder if it’s trickery. They make babies cute and cuddly and give them a scent that wraps around your heart, so when they’re inconsolable, you get mad at yourself and the world around you instead of taking it out on them. It’s really kind of brilliant.”

“Not every kid is as lucky as Brennan to have a parent who feels that way. Exhausted or not, I hope you realize how special you are.”

“There you go again, tossing that charm around like a weapon.” She reached into her shirt, opening her nursing bra. “I love nursing him, but I feel like Bessie the cow.”

“Cows wish they looked as good as you.” He pushed to his feet. “Scoot over here so you can reach your water.” She moved over, and he handed her the baby. “I’ll give you privacy.”

“You can stay. It’s not like you haven’t seen all my naughty bits at their worst.”

“Some might say at their best. You did bring a beautiful little boy into this world.”

“That I did.” She smiled down at Brennan.