Page 90 of Talk Wicked to Me

“Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side.” Blaine slapped Reese’s ass as they headed for the stairs, which only made her laugh harder.

Baz heard the band playing and put his arm around Emerson as they walked into the bar. Nearly all eyes turned toward them. He was used to general curiosity from tourists checking out the big dudes in leather vests, probably wondering if they’d come to the wrong kind of bar. Those glances didn’t bother him. It was the women who frequented the bar, most of whom had tried like hell to hook up with him at one point or another and were now snidely sizing up Emerson, that had Baz standing his ground in front of the door, holding Emerson close as she squirmed uncomfortably beneath those leers, while Blaine and Reese headed over to the table where their brothers and friends were waiting.

He silently counted down five long fucking seconds, waiting for the rude stares to end. When they didn’t, he flashed a grin and practically shouted over the band, “That’s right. The rumors are true.” Then he lowered his lips to Emerson’s, taking her in a slow, sensual kiss that had her melting into him and the guys whistling and cheering.

“You show ’em, Baz!” Evie hollered.

Emerson blushed a red streak, but she was beaming as they headed to the table, and so was he. “Sorry for embarrassing you,” he said in her ear. “I wanted to make my feelings clear.”

“It’s okay.”

He kissed her temple and pulled out a chair at the table for her.

“That’s one way to claim your woman,” Tank said.

“It had to be done.” Baz sat between Maverick and Emerson and draped his arm across the back of her chair.

“About time,” Maverick said.

“Feels good, huh?” Gunner asked, pulling Sid into a kiss.

“Yeah, it does.” Baz looked across the table at Evie and Quinton, who were giving him knowing looks. Evie had asked him not to say anything to the guys about their relationship so she and Quinton could make the decision about going public when they were ready. He wondered how long they’d wait.

“How about asking Emerson how she feels about that kiss?” Evie suggested. “I know it’s a big deal that Baz hasn’t done anything like that before, but Emerson is more than just something to be claimed.”

“That’s why I did it,” Baz said. “To protect her from the bullshit.”

“Thanks, Evie, but I’m okay,” Emerson said. “Baz told me why he did it. But I have to admit, even though you guys said everyone was talking about us, I didn’t really believe that many people were.”

“I didn’t believe it, either, until a client asked about you two,” Quinton said.

“A client asked about us?” Emerson looked at Baz, appalled. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It wasn’t a big deal. It was a sixty-year-old woman who’s known me since I was a kid.”

“Okay. That makes sense,” she said lightly. “But some of those women over there looked like they wanted to claw my eyes out. That’s a weird feeling. In New York I went to the same café every day, and I could’ve been invisible for all the attention I got.”

“That’s just one of the charms of living in a small town,” Steph said. “In New York there are probably hundreds of Mr. Husband Materials. You’re dating the one and only crowned prince here, and half the women in this room have been trying to get his attention for years.”

“Can we not talk about that?” Baz pulled Emerson closer. “Don’t pay any attention to those women. I’m with you. That’s all that matters.”

“They’re just jealous,” Madigan said. “I get those looks for being with my hunkalicious all the time.” She smiled at Tobias.

“And you know you never have to worry about me straying,” Tobias said. “I love you, Blue Eyes, and always will.”

“Well, I mean, how could you not?” Madigan teased. “Besides, if you strayed, you’d have to deal with all these guys if you survive my wrath.”

He laughed and kissed her.

Baz loved that Madigan was so happy. They’d had a rough start, as Tobias had spent time in prison, and things had gotten ugly when Blaine had uncovered that bit of news. But Tobias had become family, just as his sister and her daughter had.

“I don’t blame the women for being jealous of me with Baz. If I were them, I’d be jealous, too,” Emerson said. “I mean, dimples and puppy-dog eyes? Come on. How is that even fair?”

The girls laughed, the guys scoffed, and Baz thought she was the cutest thing to ever walk the earth. He kissed her again. She might as well get used to it, because if it were up to him, he’d kiss her all night long.

“At least Baz wasn’t taking them all home.” Sid hiked a thumb at Gunner. “This guy was as big of a player as Zander.”

“The king.” Zander leaned around Steph to high-five Gunner.