Page 71 of Talk Wicked to Me

“Baz,” she pleaded, her own voice so desperate, it was unrecognizable. She’d never felt so out of control, so willing to bend to anyone’s will, but for him, for this, she’d go to the ends of the earth and back. He quickened his efforts and sucked that sensitive bundle of nerves between his teeth, sending a tsunami of sensations crashing over her. “Baz—” flew from her lips before she could stop it, drawing a gruff, appreciative “Fuck” from him, but he didn’t relent, taking her impossibly higher. She clenched her teeth to keep from crying out again, digging her heels into the mattress. But the sensations were too overpowering. She surrendered to the tempest of pleasure, emitting a stream of indiscernible sounds as her hips bucked and her inner muscles clenched, until she had nothing left to give, and sank, ravaged and breathless, to the mattress.

She lay in a state of bliss as Baz kissed his way up her body and gathered her in his arms.

“Still with me, beautiful?”

“Barely,” she whispered, snuggling into him. His erection pressed against her stomach. She could count the number of men she’d slept with on one hand, and she’d never had to worry about reciprocating with most of them, because there was nothing to reciprocate. They’d been more interested in racing to the finish line than pleasuring her. But Baz wasn’t stripping down to have sex. He was holding her, tenderly kissing her shoulder.

She didn’t want to leave him hanging or make him think she was a selfish lover, so she reached between them, palming his hard length.

He put his hand over hers, moving it to his hip. “There’s no rush.” He kissed her then, a sweet press of his warm smiling lips, tightening his hold on her. “Do you have any lingering concerns about how I see your body?”

“No,” she whispered. “Now I know you’re into pudgy girls.”

He grabbed her ass and squeezed, making her laugh.

“If you think this perfection is pudgy, then you’re damn right I am.” He kissed her again as a cry came through the monitor.

She burrowed deeper into him, wishing they could stay in the bubble of togetherness they’d found, soaking in the last few seconds of it as another cry rang out, and she felt the telltale tingle and burn of her milk letting down. Baz kissed her forehead and started to get up, but she held tight. “I know you’re used to me telling you to leave at night, but would you like to stay?”

“Darlin’, there’s nothing I want more than to fall asleep with you in my arms. The only place I’m going is to get Brennan and bring him to you.” He kissed her softly and climbed off the bed, heading for the door. When he opened it, Ollie ran to him. “Come on, boy, let’s get your brother before he wakes the neighbors.”

Your brother. She loved that.

She climbed off the bed, and Baz’s deep voice came through the baby monitor as she put on a shirt and clean underwear. “Hey, Little B, you hungry?” She looked at the video on the monitor and saw him lifting Brennan out of his crib and putting him on his shoulder. He kissed his temple, rubbing his back. “Shh, little buddy.” He put his other hand on the back of Brennan’s head, bouncing him a little, keeping him as close as possible, speaking low and soothingly. “I’ve got you. You’re safe, and loved, and right after we change your diaper, you’ll be in your mama’s arms again.”

Safe and loved.

He was speaking directly to her heart. Those were the two things that mattered most to her for Brennan, but she’d never told Baz that. He always seemed to know exactly what they needed. She was more convinced than ever that her parents somehow had a hand in their meeting.

Chapter Twenty

AS THE MORNING sun snuck in through Emerson’s curtains, Baz couldn’t remember ever feeling so at peace, which was strange, considering he had a million things on his mind, and broaching the subject of his upcoming trip was at the top of that list. He was kicking himself for not bringing it up before taking things further last night, but he also didn’t want to ruin their peaceful morning by jumping into a serious conversation. Especially when Emerson looked as happy as he felt. She’d slept in his T-shirt, and she was lying on her side facing him, messy hair strewn over the pillow, one arm tucked under it, her other hand on Brennan as he lay between them. Brennan was awake and wicked cute in the cozy white sleeper with tiny puppies on it that Baz had picked up for him last week. He was sucking on the side of his fist, while Ollie lay with his nose an inch from his feet. The watchful pup had claimed his space across the bottom of the bed during the night but had moved between them the last time Brennan had nursed.

“I can’t believe how big he’s gotten,” Emerson said.

He ran his hand up her hip and squeezed, loving her curves. “I was thinking the same thing last night while you were out with the girls, so I stepped on the scale with him. He’s a solid ten pounds. Mama’s milk does his body good.” He looked at Brennan’s sweet face. It was amazing how fast he was changing, in more ways than his fuller cheeks and longer body. He was done with the pacifier, preferring his fist or thumb instead, which he was getting good at finding, and his smiles were earned. He recognized their voices and faces, and his little eyes brightened around them. If he changed that much in seven weeks, how much would he change while Baz was gone?

“He’ll be a whole different Little B when I get back from my trip.”

“Yeah,” she said softly. “He will be.”

Fuck. He hadn’t meant to say it aloud. “Em, we should talk about my trip. I should’ve talked to you about it before last night.”

“You did. When we first met you told me you were going, and I’m excited for you to do the things you’ve been dreaming about. I know we’re just…” She pressed her lips together, as if she were thinking. “I don’t expect a commitment.”

Ollie cocked his head, like he was as baffled as Baz.

“Babe, I haven’t spent the night with a woman since college. I wouldn’t be in your bed with you and your son and your dog if I weren’t committed to our relationship. This means something to me. You and Brennan mean something to me. I was hoping we could continue seeing each other when I get back.”

“Sure, if you still want to.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because neither of us was looking for a relationship, and I don’t want you to feel strapped to me and Brennan just because we’re attracted to each other. You might get out there and decide you want your freedom.”

“I’ve had thirty-four years of freedom. I want this. I want us. Haven’t I shown you that I’m not some fool-hearted kid led around by his dick? I’m going away to help animals where they don’t have adequate veterinary resources, not to hook up with random women.” He drew back with an unsettling thought. “Did I misjudge things between us? Is that your way of saying you want an open relationship when I’m away?” For fuck’s sake, please say no.

“No, but Brennan and I are a lot, and you can have anyone you want.”