Chapter Twenty-Nine
EMERSON WAS A bundle of nervous excitement as Madigan directed her down roads that were off the beaten path, reminding Emerson of her and Baz’s illicit motorcycle tryst. They weren’t the same roads, but that didn’t stop the thrilling memories from heating her cheeks as they turned onto a narrow gravel road. Eventually they wound down an even narrower dead-end dirt road just wide enough for one vehicle. She parked behind Baz’s truck and saw a white SUV in front of it. “Where are we?”
“You’ll see.”
“Can you at least tell me whose SUV that is?”
Madigan was thumbing out a text. “You’re about to find out.”
“You are infuriatingly good at keeping secrets.”
“I know.” She flashed a cheesy smile, and they climbed out of the car.
Madigan grabbed the baby bag while Emerson got Brennan out of his car seat. He looked so stinking cute in the shorts jumper. She scooped him up and smothered his cheeks with kisses, earning the happiest sounds. “Are we ready for our surprise, Little B?”
Madigan was so excited, she was bouncing on her toes. Emerson remembered how skeptical she’d been of Baz and his family when she’d first met them, but now she knew that everything they said, even their joking banter, came straight from their hearts.
“I’m so excited for you,” Madigan exclaimed. “Let’s go .”
“Wait.” Emerson grabbed her hand. “I just want to say thank you for taking the time to do all this for us and for Baz, and for keeping his secret. Whatever this is, I’m glad you were the one to help him, and I’m really lucky to be your friend.”
“Aw, I love you guys.” Madigan hugged her. “I’d do anything for either of you.” She wrapped her fingers around Brennan’s foot, giving it a gentle shake. “And for you, too, Brenny boy. Come on!”
As they walked past the other vehicles, she saw a small beach cottage that had seen better days, surrounded by wild grasses and overgrown brush. Just beyond the forgotten structure lay a sandy walking path that spilled onto a beach, with a spectacular view of the water, its gentle waves rolling along the shore. “Wow. The views here never get old, do they?”
“They haven’t for me.”
A warm breeze kissed Emerson’s skin as they made their way down the path, every step heightening her anticipation. As they neared the beach, there were daisies spread along the sand, and a white wooden sign with black script and greenery and more daisies draped along the top came into view.
Welcome Emerson & Brennan
to your
Mommy & Me Photo Shoot
Emerson’s heart skipped. “Oh my gosh! Mads!”
When they reached the beach, a trail of daisies led to the left, and there in the sand, standing tall, broad, and devastatingly handsome, was Baz, wearing an emerald-green shirt and white linen pants and holding Ollie’s leash. Emerson filled with joy. Baz had not only brought Ollie, but her pooch was wearing an emerald-green bow tie. Baz was talking with an auburn-haired woman with colorful tattoos on her arms. She was holding a camera, and they were standing by a blanket with white and peach pillows on it. As if he sensed her presence, Baz looked over, and that warm, wicked smile appeared, making her stomach flip-flop.
As he closed the distance between them, the adoration in his eyes was as entrancing and as palpable as the thrum of their connection, drawing her forward like a magnet. She ran the last few feet, clutching Brennan in one arm, reaching for Baz with the other. Brennan pumped his legs excitedly as Baz swept them into his arms, lifting her off her feet, and kissed her, while Ollie ran around them barking, his leash trailing behind.
Emerson couldn’t stop smiling as Baz set her on the sand. “You’re crazy! I can’t believe you did all this.”
“Someone’s got to carry on the Lockhart tradition.” He took Brennan from her, kissing him, as he stepped back, his gaze sliding down the length of her. “God, you’re stunning.”
“Thank you. You totally spoiled me.”
“It’s about time someone did.” He pulled her close again, talking low, for her ears only. “Is it bad that I can’t wait to tear that dress off you?”
Now, there’s a delicious idea. “Like I said, you spoil me.” She went up on her toes and kissed him, and then she touched his collar. “You look like you walked off the pages of a fashion magazine. That’s a great color on you.”
“Thanks. The photo shoot is for you and Brennan, but I’m hoping you might let me slip in for a few pictures. I make pretty good arm candy.”
“You make the best arm candy.”
He kissed her again, and then he turned to Madigan and said, “Would you mind holding Little B for a minute?”
“Sure, if you promise to tell Tobias to surprise me with this kind of photo shoot when we have babies.” Madigan pocketed her phone to take Brennan, and Ollie followed her, sticking to them like glue.
Emerson realized Madigan had been taking pictures or filming them, and she noticed the photographer stealthily doing the same. Butterflies swarmed in her belly, but when Baz set his loving eyes on her, it had the same effect as the way her mother had looked at her after she’d seen her sticky notes, and that nervousness flitted away.
“I know nothing can ever replace your parents,” Baz said tenderly. “But I had a little something made for you, so no matter where you are or what you’re doing, you’ll always feel like they’re with you.”
He pulled a necklace out of his shirt pocket and laid it in his palm, showing her an exquisite, intricate rose-gold charm unlike anything she’d ever seen before. It was three-dimensional and hollow inside, as if it were carved from a solid piece of gold, with the silhouette of a man and woman facing each other in the lower half, their arms around a young girl standing between them. Their legs melded together along the bottom of the heart, like the heart was cradling them, and their bodies formed the trunk of a gorgeous tree. Elegant branches bloomed from their backs, stretching to the edges of the heart, and wrapped around the back of the charm. Inside the charm, cradled by that wonderous tree, was a tiny gold ladybug with diamond and ruby spots.
“Baz, it’s beautiful.” Her eyes teared up. “I love it.” And I love you. She threw her arms around him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, darlin’. I’m glad you like it.”
As he put it on her, she asked, “How did you have it made so fast? I just told you about the ladybugs two days ago.”
“A jeweler friend owed me a favor.”
“That’s a big favor.”
“I saved his dog’s life a few years ago when he was here on vacation.”
She touched the charm. “I’ll never take it off.”
“I’m glad.” He motioned toward the blanket, and she saw that along with the pillows, there were stuffed animals and bouquets of flowers. “Shall we?”
Excitement bubbled up inside her anew as he introduced her to Erika, the friendly photographer.
“We’re going to start with casual shots while you get comfortable with the camera,” Erika said. “Just be yourself and enjoy your baby. You can walk along the beach, use the blanket, sit, stand. Whatever feels natural. Do you want Ollie in the pictures?”
“Yes, please.”
“Okay, let’s do it, and I’ll make suggestions as we go.”
Now Emerson’s nerves flared, as she and Brennan became the focus of everyone’s attention. Erika took pictures of her doing all the things she’d mentioned. Ollie trotted in and out of the pictures, getting as close to Brennan as he could, while Madigan and Baz cheered them on. “ You look great…That’s the sweetest picture…Little B’s smile is going to break hearts one day… ” But no matter how many pictures Erika took, Emerson felt Baz’s absence like a piece of them was missing.
“Excuse me, can I have a minute?” Emerson asked. “Baz?” She waved him over.
Concern rose in his eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“Kind of. These are going to be great, but I want my arm candy.”
He laughed, grinning like a guy who’d just been handed the gift of a lifetime, and tugged her into a kiss.
BAZ WAS A glutton for Emerson’s smiles, stockpiling them over the next few hours as they took pictures walking on the beach, holding hands, running and laughing, kissing each other, and kissing Brennan. They took pictures sitting and lying on the blanket, and at the water’s edge, and they took off their shoes and waded in ankle-deep, dipping Brennan’s toes in the water, earning adorable giggles.
They took a break for Emerson to nurse Brennan, and with Emerson’s permission, Baz asked Erika to take pictures of those intimate moments, too. He didn’t want to forget a single thing about this stage of their lives, so after Brennan nursed, he asked Madigan to hold him so they could take a few pictures alone. They ended up taking many. Emerson was so beautiful, it almost hurt to look at her. Baz couldn’t resist whispering dirty things in Emerson’s ear, knowing Erika would capture the lust in her eyes.
When they were done, Madigan invited them to dinner with her and Tobias. They had a great time with them. Madigan was as entertaining as always, and when she convinced Tobias to hold Brennan, the man who barely said two words melted like butter in the sun, going on about how cute Brennan was and how good he smelled.
Baz could relate to that instant affection.
Emerson was playful and radiant, and Baz was unable to keep his hands off her all night, pulling her into his arms, holding her hand, bringing her down on his lap. She was just as affectionate, touching him every time she walked by, flashing the seductive smile that had him cornering her as she came out of the bathroom, kissing her so passionately, he was this close to hauling her gorgeous ass back into the bathroom and bending her over the sink.
By the time they got back to her house, Brennan was whipped, and Baz was drunk on love and greedy for more. “Night, Little B,” he said, sliding his arms around Emerson from behind as she put Brennan in his crib. He kissed her neck, earning a needy sigh.
“Sweet dreams, baby,” she whispered.
Baz nipped her earlobe, and whispered, “You’ve been taunting me in this sexy dress all night.” As he palmed one of her breasts, teasing her nipple through her dress, he moved his other hand between her legs, rubbing her through thin material. “Just begging to be fucked.”
“ Yes. ” She leaned back against his chest, breathing harder, rubbing her ass against his cock. She moaned, and Ollie looked up at them from where he lay on the floor.
Fuck. “Not here.” He reluctantly stopped groping and tugged her out of the bedroom, crushing his mouth to hers the second they were over the threshold and backing her up against the living room wall. His hands were everywhere at once, on her ass, her tits, her face. She was on the same speeding train, pawing at his body, meeting every slick of his tongue with a hungry devouring of her own. “I want to fuck you in this dress. But I want your tits.” He grabbed the shoulder strap, readying to tear it off.
Her hand flew up, stopping him. “Don’t rip it. I love it.” Her lips were pink and swollen from their kisses, pleading eyes brimming with desire.
“I’ll buy you a hundred more.” He reclaimed her mouth, but she broke the kiss.
“But they won’t be this dress.”
God, he loved her. “You’re killing me, darlin’.”
“One sec.” She trapped her lower lip between her teeth, concentrating as she fidgeted with the front of her dress. “Hooks.” She pushed the material to the side, and her gorgeous breasts spilled out.
“ Fuuck. I forgot about that.” He filled his hands with her breasts, teasing her nipples. “Your tits are phenomenal.” He lowered his mouth, slicking his tongue over one nipple, and she moaned. “I wanted to get my mouth on them all evening.”
He pushed them together, moving his mouth from one to the other, licking and flicking, sucking and kissing, until she bowed off the wall, writhing against him. He tugged up her dress and pushed his hand into her underwear, sliding through her wetness. “I love how wet you get for me.”
Her eyes flamed. “I spent half the evening wet for you.”
“God, I”— love you —“love knowing that.” He pushed two fingers inside her and took her breast in his mouth, sucking hard as he fucked her with his fingers and moved his thumb to her most sensitive nerves. “I should’ve bent you over their bathroom sink.”
“ Yes. So hot. ” She clawed at his arms, rocking to match his efforts, riding his fingers.
Knowing she’d be into that made his cock ache to be inside her.
“ Baz. ”
The breathy plea had him quickening his efforts, sucking her tit so hard, his name flew from her lips. He captured her mouth, swallowing her cries as her pussy clenched tight and hot around his fingers. When she came down from the peak, he stripped off her underwear and made quick work of stripping off his shoes, pants, and boxer briefs. He grabbed a condom from his wallet, sheathing his length in record time. He lifted her up, and as her arms wound around him and their mouths came together, he lowered her onto his throbbing cock. The pleasure was too immense, and he tore his mouth away. “ Fuck , baby, you’re so tight.”
“I told you I wanted you all night.” Her fingernails dug into his shoulders, and she whispered, “Fuck me hard.”
After holding back all night, hearing her beg for him unleashed the animal in him. He gritted out a curse, and his body took over. Using the wall for leverage, he drove into her, hard and deep, feeding off her moans and pleas.
“ Ohgodohgodohgod. ”
“That’s it. Come on my cock, baby.”
With the next thrust, his name shot from her lips. She came hard, her body squeezing him so perfectly, he nearly followed her over the edge. But he ground his back teeth, staving off his release while they rode out hers. When the last of the aftershocks pulsed through her, he carried her to the back of the couch, setting her on her feet. “I’ve been thinking about doing this for weeks. Hands on the couch, darlin’.”
Her eyes heated, and she bent over, just as he’d asked. He pulled her dress up, over her ass. “What a gorgeous sight you are.” He rubbed her ass. “Tits and ass there for my taking.” He slid his fingers to her pussy, bending to bite her ass cheek. She startled, but it made her wetter.
“ Again ,” she said breathily.
“That’s my dirty girl.” He grabbed her ass with both hands, lightly kissing one cheek before sinking his teeth into it. A long, sexy moan filled the air, and she pushed her ass back. He slid his tongue over the sore spot and spread her ass cheeks, dragging his tongue between them, slowing to tease her tightest hole. Her head dropped between her shoulders, her arousal drenching her thighs. “Spread your legs so I can eat your pussy.”
She did, and he ate his fill, using one hand on her clit, the other on her tightest hole.
“ Oh… Baz …God… ”
He quickened his efforts, and she pushed her ass harder against his finger, urging him on. He spit on his finger and went back to devouring her sweet heat. When she pushed her hips back again, his finger breached that tight rim of muscles. “ Yes— ” she cried out. How could one word be so filled with pleasure? He rose to his feet, pumping that finger slowly, earning moans and thrusts of her hips as he aligned his dick with her pussy and pushed in deep. Ice and heat exploded in his chest at the feel of her engulfing him. “ Jesus. So tight.”
“Feels so good,” she panted out.
He grabbed her hip. “Tell me if it hurts, or if I go too hard or fast, because I’m going to lose my fucking mind inside you like this.”
She looked over her shoulder at him, the fire in her eyes burning through his skin. “I want you to lose your mind.”
That was all it took to sever his restraint. He thrust, plunging deep inside her, again and again, his finger working her ass, making her tighter and wetter, her moans and pleas heightening every sensation. “So good, baby.” He moved his hand from her hip to her clit, working her everywhere he could reach. Her needy sounds tangled with his until she surrendered all control, crying out loud and untethered, her pussy and ass pulsing so tight, pleasure seared through him like lightning, and her name shot from his lips. The world tilted on its axis as they rode the waves up, up, up to the crest, ravaged by ecstasy. When they finally began to descend from their peaks, their bodies shuddering and quaking, he wrapped his arms around her, still buried deep, and took her breasts in his hands.
She gasped, her body squeezing his dick.
“I want you to come again.”
“I can’t,” she panted out.
He rolled her nipples between his fingers and thumbs. “You can. Your pussy’s squeezing me. It wants to come one more time.” He nipped at her back, and her body tightened again. “That’s it. Touch yourself. Let’s make you come again.”
She was breathing hard, but she reached between her legs with one hand. “That’s my girl. Chase that pleasure, baby. Squeeze your thighs together.” She did, and he squeezed her nipples as he worked them. “ Ahh…Baz. ” The surprise in her voice made him smile. He nipped at her back again, only this time he held her skin between his teeth, just tight enough to make her squeeze her thighs tighter and work her pussy faster. She leaned up on one palm, pushing against him, keeping his cock deep inside her. “That’s it. Squeeze tight and hold it while you stroke your clit.”
Her breaths came in fast spurts, and he knew she was almost there. “ Fuck. God you make me hard.” He pumped his hips and squeezed her nipples hard . She cried out as her orgasm crashed into her, clenching so tight around his cock, heat sped down his spine, and he exploded in a hailstorm of erotic sounds and powerful thrusts, taking her right up to the peak with him.
A LONG WHILE later, after sharing a warm bath and their excitement over the photo shoot, Emerson lay sleeping in his arms, their bodies intertwined, their hearts so entrenched with each other, he couldn’t imagine how his would ever beat alone again. He kissed her temple, whispering, “ I love you ,” and threw a silent prayer up to the universe to keep her safe while he was away.