Page 77 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

“You should hold him. You haven’t done skin to skin yet.”

“Are you sure?”

I reach for the water cup in front of me and take a sip. “He’s your son, too. You don’t have to ask for permission.”

Luke turns away and unbuttons his shirt. He wiggles out of it and hangs it on the back of the chair. There’s a slight tremble in his hands as he reaches down and unwraps the baby from the swaddle.

He picks up the wiggling baby, naked except for a diaper, and holds him against his chest. The gentle way he holds him and cups the baby’s neck does something to me and I realize I’ve lied—I would have many more of this man’s babies.

He sits down in the reclining chair beside my bed. “He’s so little.”

“He looks even smaller in your arms.”

Luke rubs the baby’s back, his hand practically bigger than the baby. I had been worried with Luke’s size that I was going to have a giant baby, but he only weighed in at just over six pounds and twenty inches long.

“I know I already said it, but he’s so perfect.”

“He needs a name.”

Luke gives a small, crooked smile. “I have an idea for that.”

“Oh?” My eyebrows rise. “I’m curious.”

“You’ll see.”

“Tell me now,” I beg.

He shakes his head. “And ruin the surprise? Never.”

“I had our baby in the car. I think I’m done with surprises for a while.”

“You’ll like this surprise. You’ll see.”

I sigh and it immediately turns into a yawn. My eyes are heavy and sleep is seconds away from pulling me under. “Whatever you say.”

CHAPTER 27

LUKE

“You have to put him down eventually.” I turn my head to my side at the sound of Bertie’s voice. She blinks sleepy eyes open and stifles a yawn.

“I don’t want to. He’s perfectly content.” Our son sleeps peacefully on my chest. She breast fed him an hour ago and I couldn’t bear to put him back in the basinet.

“You do realize we have him forever, right? He’s not going away.”

I cup the baby’s tiny head; his dark hair covered in the smallest hat I’ve ever seen. “I know, but why would I lay him down when I have arms made for holding him.”

She stares at my biceps, her mouth slowly parting. “True. Please keep at it.” She swishes her hand in my direction and if I weren’t holding the baby I would laugh, but I’m too scared of waking up. “He’s so cute,” she sighs happily.

“He’s pretty damn perfect,” I agree.

“And he still needs a name.”

I smile and rub the baby’s soft back. “I told you, I have a plan for that.”

Bertie yawns again. “You need clothes. I’ll be okay if you want to go home.”

I ditched my jacket and shirt a while ago and I’ve only been in my tux pants. “I already asked Rosie and Daire to stop by our place and grab our bags before they come by, so I’ll change then.”