Chapter Eighteen
“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.”
She ended the call and went to answer the door. Ollie bounded out to greet Baz, who looked devastatingly sexy, with his helmet in one hand and loving up her dog with the other, those piercing blue eyes traveling down the length of her. Heat coiled low in her belly.
“Hey, darlin’.” Stepping into the house with Ollie, he put his helmet on the table and closed the door. He slid an arm around her waist, tugging her against him.
That had become her favorite place to be. He smelled like summer sun and rugged man.
“You get more beautiful every time I see you.” He lowered his lips to hers, kissing her slowly and sensually, igniting flames deep within her core. He threaded his fingers into her hair and held on tight, sending prickling heat down her spine. He flattened his other hand on her back, holding her against him. His arousal pressed into her, and he made a lustful sound, intensifying the kiss and leaving her dizzy with desire.
“How’s our boy?”
The endearment had her melting inside. Between that, the desire swamping her, and the need to talk to him, she was having trouble focusing. “He’s great. Sleeping.”
“I loved the pictures you sent me today. You should probably get ready.”
“I’m not sure I want to go to the meeting.”
“You’re going.” He palmed her ass, pulling her close again. “I know you’re nervous about leaving Brennan, and probably about meeting the other girls, but Madigan has your back. You’ll have fun.”
How could he possibly have known that was what she was nervous about? She opened her mouth to object, but he cut her off.
“I don’t want to hear it, Lockhart. You spent the entire day yesterday decorating cowboy-themed cookies. You’re going, and I promise Brennan will be safe and happy.”
She sighed. “Fine.”
“That’s my girl.” He kissed her again, soft and sweet. “What smells so good besides you?”
“Your aunt Reba came over with your mom again this afternoon to see Brennan. I just finished making cookies for her and Preacher and doggy biscuits for their pups.”
“You spoil everyone. Why don’t you go get ready, and when you get home, I’ll spoil you.” He gave her another quick kiss and swatted her ass as she walked away.
She was still grinning over that playful swat as she pinned her hair up and stepped into the shower to rinse off. She poured body wash into her hands, thinking about Baz. Her hands slid over her breasts and down her belly. She tipped her face up to the warm spray and closed her eyes. Baz’s face instantly appeared, eyes smoldering. Her body flooded with arousal as if he were right there. She could still feel his hardness against her, still taste his mouth devouring hers. Her body pulsed with need as she slid her fingers between her legs, imagining they were Baz’s thick fingers working her so perfectly, her legs trembled. She used her other hand on her breast, teasing her nipple, recalling the gruff, gratified noises he made when they were kissing. Needy moans sailed from her lips as she took herself higher, worked her clit faster. His eyes implored her, his voice— Come on, darlin’. That’s my girl —sending her over the edge. His name flew from her lungs like a prayer, chased by moans as she rode the waves of her climax.
She leaned back against the cold, wet tile to catch her breath, her body shuddering with aftershocks. She was getting way too good at that. She’d never felt the visceral need to touch herself before Baz came into her life. Sure, she’d done it, but she’d never needed to come like she did when she thought of him.
She finished showering and then fixed her hair and put on makeup, taking a little extra time to give herself smoky eyes. She dressed in a scoop-neck, empire-style white minidress with tiny red, green, and yellow flowers on it. She’d bought it with Gwen the summer before she’d moved away, and it showed a little too much of her dimpled thighs, but it was going to be dark soon, and it was super comfortable. She put on socks and slid her feet into the red cowgirl boots she’d bought to go with it that same summer because they were too cute to pass up. The book club meeting was at a secluded cove, and Madigan had said it wouldn’t be as windy as it was by the ocean, but she grabbed a denim shirt in case it got chilly and headed out of the bedroom.
Baz was sitting on the sofa giving Brennan a bottle, with Ollie lying on the couch beside him. There was nothing she wanted more than to kick off her boots and snuggle with them. She couldn’t believe how deeply that glorious man had already tunneled into her heart, and she knew that even if it took a month before they did more than kiss, he was worth the wait.
But oh , how she hoped it wouldn’t take that long.
“All se—” He looked up, his expression a mix of fascination and desire. “Holy shit, darlin’. You always look beautiful, but damn . It’s a good thing there are only girls at this meeting, or I’d have to go with you to keep the guys away.”
Her heart skipped. “I’m glad you like my outfit.”
As she kissed Brennan’s forehead, Baz said, “It’s not the dress, Lockhart. It’s the woman wearing it.” He leaned forward and kissed her. Ollie’s head popped up. “Looks like someone’s jealous.”
“He’s got nothing to be jealous of. The little biscuit hoarder.” She scratched behind Ollie’s ears and kissed his snout. “He’s had enough biscuits for today, so don’t let him beg his way into getting more.”
“Don’t worry. I’m wise to the wily ways of your mischievous pooch.”
Ollie cocked his head.
“Have fun tonight, and stay as long as you want. We’ll be fine.”
“I know you will. Thanks again for staying with Brennan.”
“I’ll take all the time I can get with him.” He’d looked at Brennan with so much affection, she could practically see it wrapping around him.
SHE WAS STILL thinking about that look when she climbed out of her car at the cove where she was meeting the girls. The scent of the sea hung in the air, bringing happy memories, new and old. After her parents were killed, and before moving there, she’d been so focused on getting through her days, she hadn’t made many new memories. Now that she had Brennan— and Baz —time was marked by memories. Brennan’s birth, his first cry, the first time she’d held him, the first time she nursed him, the first time he slept for more than a two-hour stretch, his first bottle, which Baz had given him, his first stroller ride, and first walk on the beach in the baby carrier. Baz had been there for most of those milestones. Those new memories were intertwining with the ones of her and her parents at the beach when she was little, skiing as a teenager, walking through various small towns at different ages holding the hand of one of her parents.
The sound of laughter drew her attention, and she tucked the beginning of tonight’s new memory away with the others.
She grabbed her bag with the cookies and her book in it and tried to ignore the mix of excitement at being out with Madigan and the girls, guilt for feeling that way when it meant leaving Brennan, and anxiety over meeting new people that was gathering in her chest. She followed solar lights illuminating a path through the woods. When she reached the beach, she was floored to see elaborate decorations. The girls, dressed in cowgirl boots and Western outfits, were gathered around Madigan, looking at something. They stood beneath lights that were strung between several tall cacti. The lights crisscrossed over an area with hay bales set up around a large round table draped in red cloth and loaded with food and drinks and a few flickering lights.
Madigan looked up, and a wide smile bloomed across her face. “Emerson’s here! Hey, Em!”
All the girls turned to look, and Emerson’s nerves flared as she waved and made her way across the sand. She recognized Evie, Leah, and Starr, and she was pretty sure the tall, thin blonde wearing a dress similar to her own was Chloe, but there were a few others she didn’t recognize.
“Hey, girl!” Evie ran over, holding a cowgirl hat on her head. She looked cute in cutoffs and a plaid shirt tied at the waist. “I’m so glad you made it.” She surprised Emerson by throwing her arms around her in a hug and walking her over to the group.
“You look amazing,” Madigan said, and she hugged her, too. She wore a denim miniskirt and a sexy top that had a picture of a cow’s skull and T HIS A IN ’ T M Y F IRST R ODEO across the chest.
“So do all of you,” Emerson said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt whatever you were doing.”
“I was just showing everyone my cousin Dixie’s little boy. She’s in the book club, but she lives in Peaceful Harbor, Maryland.” She held up her phone, showing her an adorable, pudgy-cheeked baby with a shock of brownish-red hair. “Meet Maximus Byron Stone. Byron is my uncle Biggs’s real name. Max is somewhere around six months old.”
“That’s a big name for a big boy, and what a cutie,” Emerson exclaimed.
“He’s almost as cute as your little boy,” Leah said, looking sexy in tight jeans and a Western shirt with fringed sleeves.
“And Leo,” Emerson pointed out.
“I hope you brought pictures of Brennan, because the rest of us are dying to see him,” the tall blonde said. “I’m Chloe, by the way, Justin’s wife.”
“Hi. Please tell me that’s Maverick’s real name, because I swear he said his wife was Chloe,” Emerson said.
They all laughed.
“Justin is Maverick’s real name,” Chloe said. “I knew him as Justin first, and it stuck.”
“ Whew. He’s so nice. I’d love to see pictures of your little girl, too,” Emerson said.
“You can all share baby pictures after I introduce Emerson to the others,” Madigan promised. “Pay attention, Em. I didn’t bring name tags.” She pointed to each person as she introduced them. “The sexy blonde with enviable blue eyes and that killer dimple in her chin is Blaine’s buttercup, Reese, and the brunette babe next to her with blue streaks in her hair is Steph, Gunner’s other bestie besides Sid.” Reese and Steph were both curvy, like Emerson. “And if you’re wondering why Sid isn’t here, it’s because she’s still scarred from a BDSM book club meeting we had. She refuses to come back.”
“She’d rather watch Tom Hardy movies with Gunner,” Steph said. “Those two were made for each other.”
“If I had a man like Gunner, I’d do the same thing,” Starr chimed in, and everyone laughed.
Madigan took the hand of the gorgeous and petite olive-skinned brunette beside her and said, “And this hottie is Marly. She’s engaged to Dante Dubois.”
“The lead guitarist for Carnal Beat?” Emerson asked.
“The one and only,” Madigan said.
Everyone greeted her. They were so friendly and happy, it took the edge off Emerson’s nerves. “It’s nice to meet you guys.” She held up her bag. “I brought cookies.”
The girls cheered.
They headed over to the table, making small talk and getting to know one another. There was enough food to feed an army, and everything adhered to the Western theme. Steak-and-bacon bites, pulled pork sliders, buffalo wings, Western-style macaroni salad, dry-rub ribs, spicy chili, corn bread, and more. The table was set with real plates and wineglasses, and there were bottles of champagne, water, iced tea, and soda. The girls ooh ed and aah ed over Emerson’s cookies, and she gushed over all the delicious food Evie’s sister had made.
They chatted while they filled their plates for dinner, and Emerson admitted that she still felt guilty about leaving Brennan to be there. “I know he’s fine with Baz, but I’ve never left him before.”
“I totally get it. It’s hard when they’re that young. Leah, Starr, and I have both been there,” Chloe said.
“And in some ways, so has Reese,” Madigan said. “She’s basically been raising Colette forever. Right, Reese?”
Reese nodded. “My mom is a mess, and Lettie’s a lot younger than me. She’s only sixteen. I remember hating to leave her with my mom when she was a baby and I had to go to school.”
Madigan put her arm around Reese. “You’re such a good big sister.”
“When they’re little, you want to spend every second with them,” Starr said.
“Most of the time,” Leah said. “But sometimes you need a second to breathe and think your own thoughts.”
“God, do we ever,” Starr said.
“It’s true. I helped raise my younger sister, Serena, but, Leah, you had more on your plate than any of us,” Chloe said. “I don’t know how you did it.”
As they took their seats, Leah said, “I didn’t really have a choice.”
“What do you mean?” Emerson asked.
“My father died when I was eighteen, and my brother River was only thirteen, so I became his guardian.”
Emerson’s throat thickened. “I lost my parents when I was sixteen. I know how much it hurts to lose someone you love and how it changes your whole life. I can’t imagine having to raise a sibling after that. That must have been so hard.”
“Concentrating on River helped, but that was only the start.” Leah blinked away tears. “Junie and Rosie are River’s daughters. He was barely a teenager when they were born, so I raised them, too. I moved here to get him away from a bad crowd, and even though this is where I lost him, I have to believe that as horrible as that was, the universe brought us here so we’d find the Wickeds. They were there for us after River died, even when I tried to push them away, and they’ve become our family.”
“You can’t push the Wickeds away,” Reese said. “Trust me. I tried to send Blaine packing several times, but he was like a boomerang. He kept coming back. Now I’m ridiculously in love with my boomerang bulldozer, and I don’t want to imagine my life, or Colette’s, without him in it.”
“You’ll never have to,” Marly said. “Blaine is crazy in love with you.”
Reese grinned from ear to ear.
“I’ve known the Wickeds my whole life,” Steph said. “When they set their sights on someone, or in Reese and Leah’s case, on a family, there’s no turning back.”
“We’re everyone’s found family.” Madigan looked around the table. “And I got all these amazing sisters out of it.”
Chloe rose to her feet. “I think we need to toast to the Wickeds to get this party…I mean book club …started.” She picked up two bottles of champagne. “In honor of the sexy barn scene in Hot for Love , where Nick and Trixie made very good use of their champagne.”
“Yeah, baby,” Evie cheered. “Best scene ever .”
“Dante and I acted out that scene,” Marly said. “That barn we snuck into will never be the same.”
Everyone laughed as the champagne bottles made their way around the table.
“I’ll just have water, thanks,” Emerson said, passing the bottle to Leah.
“No, you won’t,” Madigan said in a singsong voice, carrying another bottle over to her.
Emerson put her hand over the wineglass. “I’m nursing. I really can’t have alcohol.”
“That’s why Baz brought this when he helped the guys set up tonight.” Madigan showed her the bottle of sparkling apple-cranberry juice. “He knew you’d be a good girl and didn’t want you to feel left out.”
As they finished pouring drinks and toasted to the Wickeds, Emerson fell a little harder for the man who never failed to take care of her.
THEY GOT TO know each other over dinner, sharing baby and couples pictures and talking about their lives, and the girls told Emerson about how the group had come together. Now they were an hour into the book chat and having a great time.
“Did anyone else drag their man into the kitchen after reading the first sex scene?” Madigan asked.
“I did,” Reese, Chloe, and Marly said in unison.
Everyone was so laid-back and easy to talk to, Emerson felt comfortable enough to consider admitting she’d imagined doing everything sexy in the book with Baz. But since he hadn’t tried anything beyond kissing, she held her tongue.
“If I had a guy, I totally would,” Starr said.
“Me too,” Steph said. “I’m keeping a list of all the dirty things I want to do when the perfect man drops from the sky onto my patio.”
They all laughed.
“Not me. I could never do anything like that first scene,” Leah said.
“You cannot tell me you wouldn’t let Tank bend you over the kitchen counter and do you from behind,” Marly said.
Leah blushed a red streak. “I meant I couldn’t do it in the same situation as in the book, where it would have been the first time with him. I couldn’t have done that, even with Tank. But now ?” She grinned.
“Leah’s naughty side likes to play,” Evie said.
“Why wouldn’t I like getting sexy with my man?” Leah sat back in her seat. “He’s scrumptious and insanely good at everything naughty. But we have three kids, so counter sex is not an option.”
“Can you imagine Rosie? Papa Tank! What are you doing to Mama? ” Madigan said in a high-pitched voice.
“ Are you playing twain? ” Starr chimed in using a childlike voice.
“And Junie?” Chloe added. “ Rosie! Can’t you see they’re dancing? ”
Everyone roared with laughter, even Leah.
“Our girls are built-in entertainment and built-in birth control,” Leah said.
“I’ll happily babysit so you and Tank can get your freak on,” Evie offered. “Just bring them over to my place. But call first, because I might be busy .” She smirked.
“Who are you getting busy with?” Madigan asked excitedly.
“None of you can say a word about this to anyone,” Evie warned.
“Of course! Girl code enacted,” Madigan said. “What’s said in the book club stays in the book club.” The others agreed.
Evie looked at Emerson. “You can’t mention this to Baz.”
Oh God. What am I getting myself into? “Okay, I won’t.”
Evie’s smile grew so big, Emerson was a little excited to hear what was going on. “Quinton and I have been hooking up.”
Madigan squealed, and everyone else’s jaws dropped, except Marly’s.
“Get it, girl,” Marly said. “That man is fine .”
“How long has this been going on?” Steph asked. “You know Baz is going to kill you.”
“It’s recent, and I don’t know if it will go anywhere, although I hope it does,” Evie admitted. “But that’s why I don’t want Baz to know. I don’t want to get Quinton in trouble and start any bad blood between them if it’s going to fizzle out.”
The girls were exchanging nervous glances.
All Emerson could think about was how hurt Baz had been when the girl he’d dated in college didn’t trust him enough to talk to him. She wished she hadn’t promised not to say anything. “I think you should tell him.”
“I will,” Evie said. “I just want to get a handle on what this is between me and Quinton before I do. There’s a lot at stake.”
“I understand, but please don’t wait too long. I think that would hurt him.”
“I won’t. I promise,” Evie said.
Emerson breathed a little easier, but then she realized all eyes were on her.
“So…you and Baz?” Starr prodded.
“Oh… um …” She glanced around the table, wondering who else besides Starr and Madigan knew about them. Her gaze lingered on Evie, wondering if Baz had said anything to her.
Evie’s eyes widened. “I hope you’re not holding back because of me. This is your safe space. The girl code is a given here.”
Emerson sighed with relief.
“Besides,” Evie said, “after that kiss I witnessed between you two in front of the office last week, I’m surprised you’re not already pregnant again.”
More laughter rang out.
“Ohmygod, bite your tongue. I’m just regaining my ability to think straight.” Emerson found herself laughing, too, and threw caution to the wind. “And Baz and I haven’t done that yet.”
“That’s okay,” Starr said. “Every woman is different after having a baby. I didn’t want to be anywhere near a man for months. But that might have had something to do with Gracie’s deadbeat dad.”
“Justin was so loving and protective, all I wanted was to be close to him,” Chloe said. “I practically ripped his clothes off a month after giving birth.”
“Not me. I was so tired, I waited six weeks,” Leah said. “But we did everything other than the deed before that.” She picked up a cookie, studying it. “Some stuff way before that.” She took a bite, grinning from ear to ear.
“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Emerson admitted. “I do . His kisses leave me breathless and wanting more, but…he hasn’t tried to do more.”
“That doesn’t sound like Baz at all, which can only mean one thing,” Evie said.
Emerson deflated. “That’s what I was worried about. I’ve never been in this position before. It’s me , isn’t it? He doesn’t want me like that, right?”
“What? No. That’s not what I meant,” Evie said. “Just the opposite. Baz doesn’t usually connect with women on an emotional level, but he’s been connected to you since you first walked into the clinic. He tried to hide it, but I’ve never seen him so focused on anyone the way he is with you and Brennan. He talks about you two incessantly, and he shows us pictures of you guys all the time. If he’s holding back, it’s for your benefit, not because he doesn’t want to do more.”
“Now, that sounds like Baz,” Steph said.
“That sounds like all the Wicked guys,” Chloe added. “Justin waited a year for me to come around to seeing him for who he was.”
“Tank waited for me, too, and even then he was super careful,” Leah said.
“Blaine, too,” Reese said. “But once he opened that door?” Her eyes widened with delight. “There was no holding back that pleasure train.”
“Let’s not rub it in for us single girls whose only pleasure trains have batteries,” Starr said, making them laugh.
“You really don’t think it’s because he doesn’t want me like that?” Emerson asked.
“ No! ” they all said at once.
“I hope you’re right.” She clung to that hope.
“He’s going away after the rally,” Evie reminded her. “He probably doesn’t want to start something and leave you hanging, or he might be worried about you asking him to stay.”
“I wondered about that. But I would never keep him from anything he wants to do, and we’re not that kind of serious.” Even if Baz makes it feel like we are. “I don’t expect a commitment while he’s away. What should I do if I don’t want him to keep holding back? I know I should talk to him about it, but I can’t. It would be too embarrassing. Making a move would be a heck of a lot easier, but I’ve never made the first move with a guy.”
“Then it’s time to change that. You can’t let guys have all the control,” Evie said.
“I agree. You have to go for it,” Madigan said. “Whip off that dress and climb onto his lap.”
Emerson laughed. “Have you guys been talking to my friend Gwen?”
“Great minds think alike,” Madigan said.
“I agree with Mads,” Marly said. “Ride that biker and show him what he’s missing.”
“And throw in some dirty talk. Guys get off on that,” Evie said, sparking an avalanche of suggestions on how to seduce Baz and loads of laughter.
By the time Emerson left the cove, she was high on the girls’ support, bursting with confidence, and ready to make her move. She got even more excited about taking control as she drove home. The sight of Baz’s motorcycle in the driveway brought a flash of how sexy he’d looked when she’d opened the door, and thrills skittered through her.
She strutted up to the front door and strode inside with her head held high, ready to seduce her man. Ollie bounded over as she set her things on the table by the door, and she loved him up as Baz said, “We had a great night. B’s sleeping in his crib. How’d it go?”
He rose from where he was sitting on the couch, and holy hotness. He was shirtless, all those delicious planes of muscled, inked flesh taunting her. His jeans hung low on his hips as he came around the couch. His feet were bare, and God , she wanted him. His gaze slid down the length of her, just as it had when he’d arrived, igniting the inferno of desire that had been building for weeks. He flashed those panty-melting dimples, and her mind went blank. “Why don’t you ever do more than kiss me?” came rushing out, breathless and desperate, but she couldn’t have stopped it if she’d tried.