Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
“I’m not making my son some kind of free-range child, Tucker. It was my bloody first time changing a nappy. I think I did a good job. Oh, we both needed a shower afterward, but we managed.” Brody looked down at Nate. “Now this morning we should talk about because it’s not funny to hit your old man in the eye with your bodily fluids.”
Tucker laughed. “No, that part was hysterical.”
“You have to be fast,” Steph said quietly. She wasn’t sure what was going on. Nate didn’t mind other people holding him for brief periods of time, but he always cried for his mama after a few minutes. She’d been shocked to wake up to sunshine, as Nate had never once slept through the night. He woke up screaming for her, but not this time. Nate seemed to have a never-ending fascination with his father, though. It was mutual because Brody had barely put Nate down once all day. When she offered to take their baby, Brody would shake his head and tell her to get some rest.
Somehow, she’d thought he would try to talk to her about what had happened the night before. She’d woken up and once she’d realized he was still there, she’d started getting her arguments ready.
She wasn’t going to have a relationship with him because he’d been right all along. They were opposites.
She certainly wasn’t going to get serious with him simply because they’d had a baby. That seemed like a terrible idea that would lead to heartache for all of them, Nate included. It was best that they began as they meant to go—friendly co-parents.
“Should you drink that?” Brody asked, standing over her.
She looked down at the cup she’d poured for herself and realized what he was talking about. Tea could be a stimulant and she was about to begin a therapy session that required relaxation. She looked up to Kai. “Is this black tea?”
“It’s a tea specifically formulated to help with relieving stress.” Kai looked very professorial in his white button down and khaki slacks. He did not look like a man some had called a sadist, and yet she’d heard the rumors. In his normal life he was kind and caring, giving his time to his patients, many of whom could not pay him.
At night he let his other half out to play.
When she thought about it, it was actually pretty healthy. Could she view the previous night as nothing more than her sexual side needing a release? There wasn’t anything wrong with indulging that side as long as she was doing it for the right reasons.
She took a sip. She had lots of stress right now.
“Why don’t we clear the room?” Kai asked. “I think this is going to be much more effective the fewer people we’re surrounded by.”
“I’d like to stay,” Brody said.
She shook her head. She had no idea what would come out of her mouth. She’d never been put under before and she didn’t want Brody learning all her secrets. “Someone has to stay with Nate.”
“Kori can watch him,” Brody assured her.
“I want you to do it,” she insisted. “Also, it’s not fair to assume that Kori will watch the baby simply because she’s female. Don’t you think that’s a bit sexist?”
Kai’s eyes lit up and he looked to Brody. “Yes, I would love to hear your answer to this as well.”
Brody clutched Nate like he would protect him. “I wasn’t being sexist. I wasn’t going to hand him off to Kori because she’s female. I was handing him off to her because she’s the most competent person here. Should I give our boy to Tucker?”
Tucker shook his head. “I’m not competent at anything. Damon says I’m like a Labrador retriever, constantly distracted by squirrels. I like squirrels. They’re fun to watch, but I’m far more distracted by women. A good-looking woman walks by and I’ll probably try to trade your baby for sex… You know, I actually could probably handle him for a little while. I mean, you changed him already, right?”
Brody’s head shook. “This is what I put up with and thanks for making my point for me. Come on then. We’ll sneak over to the club. I need to make a few calls anyway. Riley and Shane are posted around the building and there are two other bodyguards next door guarding the king and queen of Loa Mali. We should be relatively safe, but if you feel even slightly uncomfortable, call and I’ll be here.”
She nodded his way.
He leaned over and before she could protest, he’d brushed his lips against hers, the move so sweet and affectionate it hurt her heart.
“Be good, luv,” he said before turning. “Come on, Tuck. Let’s go and see if you can annoy royalty. I think you can.”
They strode out and the door closed behind them, but not before she had a glimpse of Shane Landon’s broad back, reminding her that she had two bodyguards with her at all times. The door closed and she was left with Kai and his peaceful oasis.