Page 32 of The Prez

“Here,” I say, sliding to sit in front of the baby. “I can do it.”

Omari stops in front of me with peas and a spoon. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. You sit and eat and I’ll feed him. How hard can it be to feed a baby?” I grumble in irritation.

Really fucking hard, as it turns out. First, I was putting too much on the spoon and Omari tells me to feed him half of what I scooped up. Then Little Raf would take the food, but would push it out of his mouth, green mush dripping down his chin. When I scoop it back up to feed it to him again, he does the same thing.

I huff, but Omari lays a hand on my arm. “It’s what babies do. He’s eating. Be patient with him.”

I continue the same routine, scooping, feeding, and scooping again. When the jar is almost empty, Little Raf turns his head when I try to give him more. I follow him with the spoon, wanting him to eat and not fail at this, too. I can’t fail at getting a baby to eat fucking pea goop.

“He’s done,” Omari says. “He’s full. That’s how he tells you he doesn’t want more. You don’t want to force him. He’ll either cry out of irritation or eat more and get sick. Good job, Uncle Raf,” Omari says, nudging me in the side with his elbow.

I release a long breath, putting the jar and spoon down. I did it. I did something right. The tattered edges of my soul glow warm, slowly knitting back together.

Omari finishes his food, then pulls Little Raf from his highchair. “Oh, look at you. Green from head to toe.” There are peas everywhere—his hands, cheeks, a bit on his forehead. “Let’s get you washed up, then it’s bedtime. Big Raf, stay here. I want to talk to you when I’m done.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Am I in trouble, precioso?”

His warm, tinkling laugh flows over me. It helps with the tatters. If I can make a man like Omari laugh like that, I can’t be all bad.

“I don’t think you could ever be in trouble with me. Don’t move.” He winks again and walks to the bathroom. I can’t help my eyes from dropping to his sexy ass, watching it sway in his pajama pants.

When he’s out of sight, I sigh and sit back. Little Raf allowed me to hold him today. He didn’t cry or fuss. He didn’t feel any bad feelings from me. Maybe I can do better with him. Maybe I can be the uncle he deserves. With Omari’s help, I might be able to earn my title as Little Raf’s guardian. If a baby doesn’t think you’re a failure, who else really matters?

CHAPTER 10

OMARI

I thoughtBig Raf was going to lose his shit when I handed Little Raf to him. He was like a deer in headlights when I sat the baby on his lap.

It was a risk, a gamble that I wasn’t sure would pay off. Big Raf needs his nephew and he wasn’t making a move, so I made it for him. Luckily, he didn’t protest and even got comfortable as Little Raf relaxed against his chest. They looked so adorable together, Big Raf with his intense, hawklike eyes and Little Raf with his wide, innocent doe eyes. The contrast was striking, but there was no denying the family resemblance. If Big Raf ever smiled, I’m sure he and Little Raf would be twins.

A funny feeling settled in my belly when I looked at them together. This is how they belong. Big Raf and Little Raf. Keeping each other close and loving each other.

As I sit the baby in his bathtub and clean him up of all the green gunk on his face and hands, I smile at the turn of events. When Big Raf told me he would try, I thought that would mean him occasionally sitting down with us, maybe asking about the baby’s day or something like that. I didn’texpect him to ask about his daily routine like he did the other day and hold and feed him without complaint today. I’m so glad he’s trying. I’m thrilled he wants to be closer to his nephew.

I’m also thrilled that he doesn’t hate the decorations. I’ve been slowly adding them to the house, not wanting them to overwhelm the space all at once. When I printed out the first picture of Little Raf that I took, I put it in a frame immediately. When he didn’t mention the frame or the first picture that had been hung up in his house, I kept doing it. The ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ picture went up just yesterday. I smile as I think about his face when he saw it. I was nervous, but his look of annoyance almost had me doubling over with laughter. I’ll take it down tomorrow so he doesn’t rip it off and peel off the fucking dry wall.

I get Little Raf clean, letting him play with the bubbles for a moment before I wash his thick hair. God, it’s going to be a hassle taming this when he gets older. I pause at that thought. Will I be here long enough to help Big Raf with it? I sure hope so. I’ve grown quite fond of both my Rafs.

It could have a lot to do with me crushing on my boss, why I’m so fond of him. I can’t even saywhyI have a crush on him. He’s such a hard ass and so detached. But something about his taciturn ways and his no-nonsense attitude draws me in like a moth to a flame.

After I rinse the shampoo from Little Raf’s hair and add a Turbi Twist to his thick tresses, I take him out of the tub and dry him off. I apply some lotion and get him dressed. By the time I have his hair dried and brushed through, he’s yawning and his little lids are drooping.

Smiling, I gather him in my arms. “Come on, big man. Time for you to go down for the night. That bath felt good, huh?” Little Raf blinks slowly at me, another yawn stretching his tiny mouth.

Big Raf is standing from the couch when I step out of the bathroom, the baby and his tub in hand. He rubs his hands over his nice slacks and glances at me with those beautiful hawklike eyes. The flash of vulnerability almost has me stumbling. “What are you doing now?” he asks.

I nod my head to the room. “Time for him to go to bed. I’m just going to put him down. I’ll be out shortly.”

“Can I come too?”

The note of uncertainty in his voice breaks my heart. What happened to him to make him feel like this? To make him feel like he has to ask permission to be around his own flesh and blood? Where is the tough and composed biker boss that hemmed me up in his office, almost making me piss my pants? If I do nothing else while I’m here, I’ll get to the bottom of it.

Hoping my expression didn’t show my surprise, I nod. “Sure. Come on.”

What really surprises me is Big Raf’s smile. It’s not a big smile and it doesn’t quite crinkle the skin around his eyes, but it’s a smile, nonetheless. And holy fucking fuck, he’s handsome. Even more so than when he’s glaring at me or giving me one of his stony looks. The man is fucking breathtaking.

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