Page 19 of Exposed

“I’ll get your name changed. I refuse to let any son of mine be named Baby.”

After what feels like forever, he’s downed most of his bottle. “What a champ,” I praise him as I set the bottle on my end table. “Burp time.” I pat his back while he’s up against my chest, and he spits up on me again.

“I need a towel,” I mutter as spit up drips over my shoulder and down my back.

“How's that feel?” I pull him back so we can look at each other. He really is adorable. His eyes and lips are relaxed, like he’s full and happy.

My mom and dad will want to know. My mom could probably help me. I consider calling her, but decide against it. I can do this. He’s a tiny baby. How hard can it be?

6

SHOPPING SPREES AND LIES

LUCY “PEPPER”

Sitting in my car with the window rolled down, I stare at Matt’s front door. I‘ve driven past his house and around his block four times. Each time, I’ve tried to convince myself to go back to the YMCA parking lot, yet I’m still sitting in his driveway with my car in park.

I haven’t a clue how far the people who destroyed my life will go. I don’t want to put Matt or his baby in danger.

That settles it. I can’t stay here. The moment I decide I’m leaving, Matt walks out of his house holding his son.

“You’re shirtless.” Why am I so breathless? And how am I supposed to resist him?

“You said skin-to-skin contact is good for him,” Matt replies casually with a lift of one sexy shoulder.

Damn. Skin-to-skin contact with Matt would be beneficial for me, too.

The tiny baby snuggles against Matt’s bare chest, and Matt’s broad shoulders are on full display as he stands in his bare feet on the crisp green grass. Gray sweatpants cling to his hips the same way I would if my legs were wrapped around his waist.

Everything about Matt calls to me. He’s oddly vulnerable right now, yet infinitely strong and protective. My mouth waters, and my ovaries shoot out a thousand eggs.

Come to me, Daddy Matt.

The fact that I can think about him this way while my life is in peril is a testament to how devastatingly charming he is. Fatherhood is freaking sexy on him.

Focus. I roll down my window and point a thumb behind me. “I was just leaving.”

“You meditating while you circle the neighborhood?” He asks. “I doubt your car will make it much longer.”

“How do you know I’ve been driving around the neighborhood?” I tilt my head to the side.

“Call me crazy, but when someone drops a baby off at my doorstep, I open my eyes to what’s going on outside. Don’t want any more surprises today,” he explains.

“You think your other hook up is going to drop a baby off?”

“Damn, I hope not. Come on. You pulled into the driveway. You want to be here. Time to go inside.” He motions with his head towards his home while he gently rubs circles with his fingers on Baby Galloway’s back. He nuzzles on Matt’s chest, shifting his little head back and forth before resting it again on his dad.

“Wantingto be here and needing to leave are both my reality,” I sigh deeply.

I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. And gosh if I don’t wish to be stuck with Matt’s hard rock inside me.

Crap. The sleep deprivation is getting to me. I can’t think this way. Matt is an unnecessary distraction.

“Come on, Pepper. Miami doesn’t need you and your self-defense spray loose on the city tonight.”

I open my car door. “I shouldn’t stay.”

“You should. And you need to unpack your reasons why you think you shouldn’t.”

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