Page 114 of Talk Wicked to Me

Gwen’s mother lowered her eyes, but her father nodded. “Having a baby is stressful enough. I’m not sure she’d want us there.”

That made her ache even more. “I understand why you’d feel that way, but I know she wishes you’d come meet your granddaughter. She doesn’t care if you’re warm and fuzzy. She just needs you to be present. She needs to know she matters more than a trip.”

Mr. Vasiliou looked at his wife, taking her hand in his before turning back to Emerson. “We will go see her. You really are a remarkable young woman, Emerson. Always thinking of others, even after all you’ve been through. You are definitely your mother and father’s daughter.”

“Thank you. I can’t think of a higher compliment,” she said, wiping her eyes. “And thank you for everything you did for me when your hearts were breaking, too.”

When they finally ended the call, Emerson stared blankly at the screen, chock-full of love and gratitude for her parents, for the people who had given of themselves today, and even more so for the incredible man who had given her this gift.

She pushed to her feet and headed out to the backyard, where Baz had taken Brennan earlier. Brennan was sleeping on a blanket in the shade, and Baz was chopping wood on some kind of wooden block. She had no idea where he’d gotten the ax or the logs, but he was a shirtless sight to behold, his muscles glistening and flexing as the ax came down and he split a log in two.

He looked over and tossed the ax to the ground, his long legs eating up the distance between them. “How’d it go, darlin’? How are you feeling?”

“Like I have no more empty pages.” Tears fell from her eyes, and they wrapped their arms around each other.

“Thank God.” Baz kissed the top of her head, and she breathed in his rugged scent.

“I didn’t know how badly I needed to hear those things, and I don’t know what you told Gwen’s parents, but they were wonderful. Thank you. Now I can really tell Brennan about his grandparents when he’s older.”

“Good, babe. I’m so glad it helped.”

She tipped her face up, and he kissed her.

“Sorry I’m sweaty. I wanted to get wood ready for our fire tonight.”

“I like you sweaty. Where did you find an ax? And did you cut down a tree in the woods?”

“No. Blaine dropped everything off for me. I told him what was going on and said I’d come get it after you were done. He knew I was worried about you and wanted to make sure I was okay.”

“I guess being present really is more important than being warm and fuzzy.”

Baz’s brows knitted. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking about the calls.” She kissed his chest and took a step back. “I think I’ll sit on the blanket with Brennan and watch the show.”

“What show?”

“The Baz Wicked Lumbersnack Show.”

“I’ll give you a lumbersnack.” He hauled her into his arms and kissed her senseless.

Chapter Thirty-Two

THE NEXT MORNING Baz awoke to the feel of Emerson’s warm lips and delicate hands traveling down his body. “Mm. That feels good, darlin’.” He rocked his hips, threading his fingers into her hair as she neared his cock, and glanced at the baby monitor. Glad to see Brennan and Ollie were fast asleep.

She met his gaze as she fisted his cock, her seductive eyes making him even harder. “I didn’t get to thank you properly for yesterday.”

They’d lain on the blanket under the stars after watching the movie last night and had talked for hours about the things she’d learned about her parents and the memories they’d stirred.

“You know how I like it when you’re proper,” he gritted out as she slicked her tongue along the broad crown.

“I know how you like it when I’m improper.” She licked him from balls to tip, sending lust searing through his veins.

“Fuck yeah, I do. Suck me, baby. I want to feel that sexy mouth on me.” Her eyes flamed, and she lowered her mouth over him, taking him deep, sucking and stroking. “Tighter.” She squeezed his cock, chasing her mouth with her fist. “That’s it…So fucking good.” She worked him right up to the brink of release, then pulled him out of her mouth and licked his balls, stroking him with her hand. “Christ, Em. I need your mouth again. Take me deep.”

He was a greedy bastard for her, and she was just as insatiable for him, giving him her hot mouth, licking and sucking, taunting him with her teeth. “I want to come down your throat.” She quickened her efforts, stroking and moaning around his cock, the way she knew drove him wild. He tried to hold back, gritting his teeth to make it last, but the pleasure was too intense, pulsing and pounding like a mounting wave surging through him until her name roared from his lungs, and he grunted out, “Baby, baby, baby.” She stayed with him, pumping his shaft, swallowing every last drop.

“Fuuck.”