Page 37 of Her Tempting Protector

9

“Clever,” Carys said when Cullen handed her the cigarette lighter. “I forgot cars had these.” It was awkward to hold it underneath the glass bottle and hold onto Adam, but she managed it. After the water was heated, she put in the powder and shook up the mixture.

Finally, as if he knew his dinner was close, he let out a lusty cry.

“My baby,” Shada said weakly from the back. “What is wrong?”

“He’s just hungry,” Cullen assured her in Arabic. “Dr. Adams is getting his bottle ready right now. How are you feeling, ma’am?”

“I’m fine, sir.”

Carys heard the fear and deference in Shada’s voice and she was torn between sorrow and anger. But before she could follow that bunny trail of emotion, Adam’s squalls got louder, demanding all her attention.

“Please, Doctor, I am better, may I hold my son?”

Carys closed her eyes. Shada wasn’t doing better. She needed to rest. Carys had administered another small dose of painkiller, but she heard the longing in the woman’s voice, and what’s more, she knew that the bonding between mother and child was extremely important.

“Yes, Shada. Let me make sure his formula isn’t too hot.” She needed to do one thing at a time. She looked over at Cullen. She was so tired—she couldn’t understand how he was holding up as well as he was. As if he could feel her eyes on him, he glanced over at her.

“Is it cool enough now?”

Shoot, she hadn’t been paying attention. She tested some milk on the inside of her wrist. It was warm, but not too warm.

“Give the bottle to me,” he said. “I’ll hold it while you give Adam to his mom.”

She nodded and undid her seatbelt and got up on her knees, leaned over the front seat and placed the baby in Shada’s shaky arms.

“Do you have him? You don’t have to do this.”

Carys hadn’t even finished the sentence before mother and baby were cuddled together. Carys leaned even closer. “Shada, open your robe and let Adam nestle against your chest. It’s good for him to feel your skin and hear your heartbeat, okay?”

She saw the woman’s eyes flicker up to the back of Cullen’s head.

“He is an honorable man, he will not look for the brief moment that it takes you to do this small thing.”

Shada nodded and moved her clothing so that Adam was soon skin to skin. Even before he got his bottle, he immediately settled. Shada’s smile was breathtaking. The bruising on her face was still horrid though. Who would have beat up a woman who was nine-months pregnant? He had to be a monster.

“My son, I am here for you,” Shada murmured as she kissed the top of his head.

Carys thrust her hand toward Cullen and he placed the bottle into it. She handed it to Shada, who then started to feed her hungry baby.

“Carys, sit your cute tushie back down and put on your seatbelt,” Cullen growled in English.

For once, Shada didn’t even flinch at Cullen’s less than soft tone. But he better darn well not pull that again. Carys sat her tushie down and made sure they were on a straightaway. When she felt secure on where they were driving, she hit Cullen in the shoulder.

“What the hell was that for?” he sputtered.

“She gets scared at any man’s angry tone of voice. So, keep it calm.”

“But you are abusing me and acting like a drill sergeant is okay?”

Carys looked over her shoulder. Shada’s eyes were wide with amazement. “I think I’m being a good role model for her.”

“Great, she’s going to think that American men are pussy-whipped,” Cullen sighed. But Carys couldn’t help but notice that he was holding back a grin.

“You promised to tell me why there is a target on our back.”

“Leila’s all right,” he started.