Page 63 of Talk Wicked to Me

“NOT EVEN SECOND base?” Gwen asked over video chat as Emerson pulled another tray of doggy biscuits out of the oven. Her friend’s thick dark hair framed her pretty face, which was fuller now, her dark eyes tired but happy.

“No.” Emerson handed Ollie one of the biscuits that had already cooled off, and he trotted into the living room, heading for the corner of the couch, under which he’d been hiding biscuits lately. “And I’m losing my mind.” It had been a little more than a week of spine-tingling, toe-curling kisses that sometimes went on so long, Emerson nearly forgot her own name. She’d been given the go-ahead by her doctor to resume normal sexual activities, and she was definitely interested, but Baz hadn’t made a move toward taking it further. She’d been so nervous about that, and about tonight’s book club meeting, she’d been baking up a storm all week.

“Listen to you. Little Miss I Don’t Need Sex finally wants it?” Gwen had always been far more interested in sex than Emerson had. “I’m so happy for you. It only took you twenty-eight years.”

“Shut up.” Emerson laughed as she pulled the last tray of doggy biscuits out of the oven and set it beside the other doggy biscuits. Ollie bounded into the kitchen and nudged her with his nose. “You’re just going to hide it,” she said to the pleading dog. He barked. “Fine, but this is the last one you get.” She handed him another biscuit, and off he went to the living room.

“Given the way you spoil that dog, Brennan is in for a good life. Anyway, getting back to the important subject of your newfound personal life, I feel like we should have a coming-out party for your kitty.”

Emerson laughed. “It’s Baz’s fault. The man exudes sexual energy. I want to wrap myself up in it and disappear into him, but it’s not just that. I think the reason I want that so much is because he’s so attentive in other ways.”

“Like oral? Are you holding out on me?”

“Do you think I’d be complaining about only kissing if he’d gone down on me?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you’ve been out of the game so long, you forgot that’s considered more than kissing.” She laughed. “I’m only kidding.”

“Ha ha. I meant the way he is with me. Whenever we go out, like last night when we went out for ice cream, he always holds my hand or puts an arm around me, and I love it. And he’s always aware of our surroundings.”

“You said he was protective of you after you had Brennan, remember?”

“How could I forget? I’ve never had that with a guy, and he’s such a loving person, and so alpha, I bet he really knows how to pleasure a woman. Like the guys I read about.”

“He has definitely awoken your inner temptress. Maybe I need to throw him a thank-you party.”

She smiled. “Then you don’t think I’m an idiot for wanting our friendship to turn into more, even if it’s just for now, since he’s going away after the summer? I know anything can happen and everything might change when he leaves, but I feel closer to him than I have to anyone other than you, and I didn’t even think that was possible.”

“Are you kidding? You sound like the grown-up version of my teenage bestie who had hoped to find a summer boyfriend on Cape Cod. I’ve missed her.”

A lump formed in Emerson’s throat. “I have, too. Do you think he’s holding back because he’s going away?”

“Definitely not. From what you’ve told me, he sounds like the kind of guy who never would’ve kissed you if he was worried about that.”

“Then, is it me? What if I’m a horrible kisser?” She wanted to talk to Baz and find out why he revved her up but never took her for a ride. If only she had the courage to do it.

“You said he kisses you senseless. If he didn’t like the way you kissed, he wouldn’t keep doing it. Maybe he’s not sure if you can go further because you gave birth less than two months ago.”

“It’s not that. He knows my doctor gave me the okay to mess around.”

“Then maybe he’s nervous because you’re nursing, or he’s all about kissing because he has a small dick.”

“I assure you, he does not.” She’d felt his erection against her enough times to know he was packing a monster in his pants. The roar of a motorcycle had her pulse spiking. “He’s here. I’ve got to go.”

“Good. Let me talk to him.”

“Absolutely not.”

Gwen laughed. “Are you going to the book club meeting like that?”

Emerson looked down at her flour-dusted T-shirt and shorts. “I’m not sure I’m going. It sounds like there will be a lot of people there that I don’t know.”

“Emerson, go to the meeting. You’re making friends and that’s a good thing.”

“I know, but I have a lot on my mind.” The day after Baz had kissed her in front of his office, Madigan had texted You and Baz!? I’m so happy! She didn’t know if Evie and Tori had seen him kiss her and had told Madigan, or if Baz had mentioned it to her, and she wasn’t about to ask. But as excited as she was about Madigan’s approval, she wished she knew what Baz was thinking.

Gwen gave her the disapproving stare she’d used on her forever. “Just make a move on him. If he doesn’t go for it, then you can worry. And for the love of God, do not become a hermit again. I know you like your safe little world, but the girls you’ve met sound fantastic. I want that for you, and I know you do, too. So get the heck out of the house and have fun, or I swear I’ll come up to the Cape and drag your ass out.”

“That’s a reason for me to stay home if I’ve ever heard one.” There was a knock at the door. Ollie ran to it. “Give Karina kisses for me, and tell Yuri to book that flight.”