Page 51 of Talk Wicked to Me

He turned it over and read a quote from the back cover. “‘An erotic friends-to-lovers romance. When you’re done reading, you’ll want to save a horse and ride a cowboy.’” He scoffed and put the book back on the table. “Erotic friends-to-lovers sounds good, but stick with biker books. They’ve got to be hotter.”

“Actually, cowboy bikers are the hottest thing out there right now.”

“Guess I’ll be buying myself a cowboy hat.” He grinned.

She put a hand on her hip. “What did I just say about those dimples?”

“Save your breath, darlin’. You know they’re impossible to lock down.” Fuck reining it in. He sat on the couch, pulling her down beside him.

“You’re a pain.”

He couldn’t resist cocking another grin. “So I’ve heard.”

Chapter Fifteen

“LOOK AT US going out like regular people, Brennan,” Emerson said as she drove toward Baz’s office, where they were meeting him for lunch. She couldn’t believe Brennan was six weeks old already. Or that Gwen’s little girl, Karina, was almost two weeks old. It seemed like only yesterday she and Gwen were sitting in their apartment trying to decide where to order dinner from. Now their texts and phone calls revolved around babies. It was strange how much had changed in a few short weeks. Gwen was in the holy-crap stage of her life being upended, while Emerson was finally feeling like she had a handle on motherhood. Now that she and Brennan had figured out their new normal, she was feeling more like herself. She even managed to walk Ollie most mornings with Brennan strapped to her chest in a carrier.

She glanced in her rearview at her little boy’s reflection in the mirror facing his car seat. He was adorable in the sky-blue onesie Baz had given him, which had MOM THINKS SHE’S IN CHARGE…THAT’S SO CUTE across the front. The last few weeks had passed in a whirlwind of busy days, sleepless nights, and a horribly painful bout of mastitis. Thank God for Baz and Ginger. She hadn’t realized how much of a toll moving, not finishing her projects before Brennan was born, giving birth, and the upheaval of her schedule had taken on her. Baz and his family coming into her life had also been anxiety inducing, but she was glad they had. As much as she’d hoped to do this on her own, she was more than grateful for their help.

If only she didn’t want to kiss Baz every time she saw him.

He had been there for them every day, as pushy and insistent and wonderful as he’d been since day one, spending time with them, texting during the day, showing up most evenings and weekends to hang out, often joining them for evening walks on the beach. He went out with the guys after church sometimes, and he’d call her on those nights. He always went riding with the guys on Sundays, and he usually came by afterward. Sometimes he brought dinner or a little gift for her or Brennan, like the baby book he’d given her a few weeks ago to record Brennan’s milestones and write notes about all the little things she never wanted to forget, and he always brought a smile that instantly brightened their days. Everything he did made him harder to resist, but they had a great friendship. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed being happy until he’d inserted himself into their lives. Sure, he flirted, and the way he looked at her sparked desires she had no business feeling, and sometimes he made her heart race. Okay, often, but so what? She was a healthy single woman, and he was an incredible man. An incredibly hot man who adored her son, made her laugh, held her when she cried, cared for her when she was sick, and always watched out for her and Brennan’s best interests. He’d even bought an extra car seat for his truck. But it wasn’t like either of them was looking for a relationship. She was focused on Brennan and gearing up to take on editing clients again, and Baz had plans that didn’t include settling down, much less becoming insta-dad. Which was why when her overactive hormones wanted to gather up his playful innuendos and make more out of them, she was careful not to. She loved their friendship, and that would have to be enough.

It is enough.

If she told herself that often, maybe she’d eventually believe it. How she went from feeling nothing for men to wanting one more than she thought possible was a miracle to her. But then again, she’d experienced quite a few miracles since she’d moved there.

She was surprised at how much easier it had become to accept help from Baz and his family. Not that they gave her a choice. They were all endearingly pushy, and they’d helped her grow into her new role as a mother. A role she knew would be ever-changing, because Brennan was growing and changing so fast. He lit up every time he heard hers or Baz’s voice. Ginger’s and Madigan’s, too, which made sense, since they were around so often. Ginger came by at least three or four times a week, always armed with a reason—Just dropping off food or I found this great nursing top and thought it would look cute on you—and she often stuck around for a few hours, chatting or giving Emerson time to work. It was nice spending time with her. She had a calming effect, and she was really good at mothering, which Emerson had grown to appreciate. Ginger spoiled her and Brennan, and she never failed to tell Emerson how great a job she was doing with him. With hers, Madigan’s, and Baz’s encouragement, she’d started using the breast pump. She’d felt a little guilty at first, but it had allowed her the freedom to finish her editing job while Ginger or Madigan was there, and seeing them and Baz bond with Brennan as they fed him brought a world of unexpectedly good feelings. Madigan was just as supportive of Emerson as Gwen would be if she were there. Like Ginger, she always had a reason to stop by, claiming she was having Brennan withdrawals or wanted to bake cookies together for a puppetry party or some other event. Sometimes she’d just walk in and say, I love my fiancé (or brother, mother, father) but…and go on a tirade, which always left them in stitches.

Sidney had also visited a few times to check on Ollie. She was not as exuberant as Madigan, but she was just as likable. Sidney had a quiet humor, and though she was less of an open book than Madigan, who had shared her trials and tribulations of dating before falling in love with Tobias, Sidney had shared quite a bit with Emerson. Including the fact that her mother had abandoned her and her father when Sidney was only two and that she hadn’t let many people into her life before moving to the Cape, either. Their lives and losses were different, but they’d found a common bond and had formed a friendship, too.

She wasn’t afraid of losing Baz’s friendship or the support of his family the way she had been at first. He and his family had woven her and Brennan into the fabric of their close-knit group, and in doing so, they’d threaded themselves into her heart, too.

As she turned off the main road and drove through the gated entrance to Baz’s office and the Wicked Animal Rescue, she thought about the last time she’d been there. The day she’d met Baz. She’d been so worried about Ollie and in such a hurry, she hadn’t noticed how big the property was. In addition to the two large animal shelters, there were several small shelters and pens off to the right of the long driveway. She spotted Sidney and Gunner’s farmhouse with the big front porch to the left, and it looked just like Sidney had described it.

She parked in front of Baz’s office, and her nerves flared to life. He was making it his mission to expand her circle of friends and show her around the area. He’d been excited for her to get to know Evie and Tori and to meet the new doctor he’d hired, his friend Quinton Anthony. She was looking forward to meeting them, but she was a little nervous about seeing Evie. She knew how close Baz and Evie were. Evie often texted him while he was with Emerson, and he’d mentioned more than once that she’d been at the Salty Hog with him. Emerson loved that he had friends from his childhood, like she had Gwen, but she didn’t want to think about what would happen if Evie didn’t like her. If Evie was anything like Gwen, she’d let him know it every chance she got.

Brennan whimpered, drawing Emerson from her thoughts. “I’m coming, sweetie.”

She took a quick look in the mirror, checking the little makeup she’d put on for the first time since giving birth. She didn’t look half-bad, despite the fact that her cheeks were still fuller than they were prepregnancy. She’d lost twelve pounds, but the remaining sixteen seemed permanently deposited on her boobs, belly, and hips. Thankfully, the cute blue nursing top Ginger had given her was blousy enough to cover those bulges. She’d had to buy bigger shorts, but on the upside, she’d stopped bleeding a few weeks ago. She’d take those wins where she could get them.

She climbed out of the car and went around to get Brennan. “Hi, sweet boy,” she said as she leaned in to tickle his foot. “Are you excited to see Baz?” She swore there was a happy glimmer in his eyes at the mention of Baz’s name.

Just like your mama.

Tucking that thought away, she grabbed the baby bag, unhooked his carrier, and headed into the office, hoping for the best.

Emerson walked into the office, and Tori’s eyes brightened behind her black-framed glasses. “Hi, Emerson. I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Tori.”

“I remember. It’s nice to see you again.”

“You, too, and this must be Brennan.” She pushed to her feet, peering over the desk. “He’s even cuter than his pictures. I swear I feel like I know you two through Baz.”

“Oh? Should I be worried?” She said it teasingly, but she wondered if he’d told them about the times she’d been overwhelmed, of which there had been a few.

“No,” Tori reassured her. “According to him, you deserve the award for Mother of the Year, and Brennan is the smartest and cutest baby in the entire world.”

That made her feel good all over. She didn’t think she deserved an award, but Baz told her often how lucky Brennan was to have her as a mother, and it was nice knowing he’d said as much to Tori.