Page 8 of Talk Wicked to Me

“HIM?” EMERSON CLUNG to Baz’s shoulders as her baby’s first shrill cry rang out.

She and Baz laughed, and she cried at the joyous sound. Baz was teary eyed as he swaddled her crying baby in his shirt, carefully avoiding the umbilical cord, and placed him in her arms, holding her steady. She gazed with awe at the impossibly tiny baby—at her incredibly perfect son—with his misshapen head, wrinkly little face, and shock of dark hair. She was engulfed by a love so powerful, it seeped into her veins and burrowed into her bones, filling up every crack and crevice and billowing out with her every breath. Only to be drawn right back in.

She hadn’t felt a connection, or any strong emotions, to anyone other than Gwen since her parents died, and she’d worried that she wasn’t capable of loving anyone ever again.

She couldn’t have been more wrong.

“Hello, sweet boy.” Tears slid down her cheeks. “I’ve been waiting to meet you.”

Ollie started sniffing around her.

“Not too close, Ol,” Baz said, wiping his hands on his shorts. He used the hand sanitizer, then put his arms around her, steadying her trembling body, while keeping Ollie from sticking his nose too close to the baby.

“He’s so little.”

Baz gazed down at her son, looking as awestruck as she felt. “He’s beautiful, just like his mama.”

Overwhelmed with gratitude, and too many other emotions to decipher, her voice cracked as she said, “Thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you.” Holding her with one arm, he used his other hand to brush a lock of hair that was stuck to her forehead away and tuck it behind her ear. “That was incredible. You are incredible. He is incredible.”

Their gazes held, and she felt the thrum of something warm and safe and comforting between them. The roar of motorcycles and the piercing high-pitched sound of a siren broke through her reverie, and she was suddenly anxious about going to the hospital alone.

“Will you go with me to the hospital? Please?” The words were out of her mouth before she could think to stop them. Baz’s jaw clenched, and she remembered he had plans. “Never mind. Sorry. You’ve done enough,” she said as two motorcycles and a truck pulled over behind her car, and the ambulance came over the hill. She clutched the baby to her chest. “Oh God. Who are these people? All my lady bits are hanging out.”

“I called them.” He grabbed her flannel shirt, loosely tying it around her. “You’re covered from behind.” Ollie growled, and Baz hooked a finger in his collar. “It’s okay, Ol. The guys on the bikes are my cousins Zeke and Zander, and that’s Gunner and Sid getting out of the truck. They’re going to take care of Ollie, if that’s okay with you.”

“Okay.” The guys were big, tattooed, and wearing black leather vests. They were intimidating, but Baz lifted his chin toward them and put a hand up, stopping them in their tracks. He made a turnaround sign with his index finger, and they all turned and faced the road. “Who are you?”

“Depends who you ask,” he said coyly.

Ollie barked. “Ollie, stop,” she said, cradling her crying baby against her chest, bouncing him a little.

“He’s protecting you and the baby.” He touched her chin, holding her gaze despite the flurry of activity surrounding them as the EMTs brought over a stretcher and other medical supplies. “I need to get Ollie settled and talk to the guys while the EMTs take care of you and the baby. Are you okay for a few minutes?”

She nodded, relieved that he wasn’t taking off yet.

He held up a finger to the EMTs. “Just one more thing.” He pulled out his phone and took a picture of her and the baby. “Memories.”

She was stunned speechless watching him put the leash on Ollie as he spoke to the EMTs and then headed over to the others.

Time moved in a blur of nervousness and relief as the EMTs did their jobs, and she and her baby were loaded into the ambulance. She tried to peer around the EMT to look for Baz, hoping he’d come back, but her heart sank as the EMT started closing the door. A big hand yanked it open, and Baz climbed into the ambulance with her, wearing his brother’s T-shirt.

“Baz, you know you aren’t supposed to be back here,” the EMT said.

Baz squared his shoulders, eyes narrowing. “And you know me well enough to believe me when I say I’m not leaving her side.” His tone left no room for negotiation. “Now, let’s get this precious cargo to the hospital, shall we?”

Her heart thudded faster.

Without another glance at the EMT, Baz crouched beside her, giving her and the baby his full attention as he said, “How are you holding up, darlin’?” making her feel like they were the two most important people in the world.

Chapter Four

AFTER THE DOCTORS checked out Emerson and the baby and they were settled in her hospital room for the night, Baz sat on the edge of the bed, mesmerized by both of them. He was glad the other bed was empty and Emerson wouldn’t have someone else’s baby waking her up all night. She had to be exhausted, but she was sporting a permanent smile, the love in her eyes as real as the perfect baby in her arms.

“How does it feel to be a mom?”

“Indescribable. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt. I didn’t know I could love anyone this much. I mean, I loved him while I was pregnant, even though he was kicking my bladder all the time and giving me a road map of stretch marks, but now that he’s here, there aren’t any words big enough or meaningful enough to explain all the feelings I have. I want to protect him from everything bad in the world.”