Page 43 of Unexpected Delivery

I head off to grab the pieces from the drying rack and snag the pumps from where they were charging. Assembling them as I walk, I make it back to the couch. “Wanna trade?”

Arbor bends, kissing Gracie’s temple. “Only if you don’t mind. Otherwise, I can run in to grab her bassinet.”

I scoff. It is a great feat to ensure I keep my eyes off Arbor’s tits, but I at leastpretendto be a gentleman. Tugging off my long sleeve T-shirt, I toss it on the back of the couch and settle on the cushion next to her on the sofa. “Hand her over.”

Arbor laughs. “Be careful, she might try to use you as her pacifier. It’s what she’s been doing for me.”

I grin, taking the baby.

“Babies don’t have great eyesight. They learn their caregivers by smell and the sound of our voices. Also, skin-on-skin contact helps solidify bonding.” I shrug, settling Gracie against my shoulder. Her little face roots around as she grunts, and I pat her back in case she needs to burp.

God, it still blows my mind how small she is. I can’t wait to see what her personality is like when she gets a little older. Nuzzling my cheek to the top of Gracie’s head, I smile as she gurgles.

My eyes migrate back to Arbor, and she has her new phone in her hand.

“It just seemed like a picture-worthy moment.”

“I am very photogenic,” I agree, winking.

Dammit.

I really need someone to tell me when it’s socially acceptable for us to declare our intent to court.

Chapter Sixteen

Arbor

Gracie and I spend the next couple of weeks in a bubble of safety, but it’s unsustainable. At some point, I’m going to have to go to work and stop sponging off their kindness. Gracie is somehow still asleep when I stumble out of bed on Saturday morning. A quick check assures me she’s breathing, and I make a stop in the bathroom before heading to the kitchen.

Nursing is no joke. I’m always some combination of thirsty and starving. Coming around the corner, I stop dead in my tracks.

Hayes is in front of the stove in low-slung gray sweats and nothing else. His back is covered in a massive cathedral with an altar and someone praying at it. Around the cathedral is an old-timey village or town, and just above his ass is a cemetery with several angel statues.

The image wraps around his sides toward his chest, and I’m impressed by how much ink he was hiding under those long sleeve T-shirts he’s so fond of.

Wow.

He hasa lotof perfectly defined muscles lining his back.

I’ve never actually seen a guy with so many well-defined muscles. He clearly puts in time at the gym. I mean, other than working there and owning it. It’s obvious how well he stays in shape.

He spins around, like he’s about to head to the cabinet to grab plates, and those dark gray sweats fall even lower on his hips as he rocks on his heels.

Okay, so, fun fact. His tattoos continue along both sides and across his chest. They go up his pecs, just under his clavicles, and down his arms.

He spots me and grins. “Morning.” His abs and obliques flex as he swipes his brown curls back from his forehead.

“Just needed some water,” I say, shaking my cup.

My head bobbles up and down, like I can will him to ignore the fact I was checking him out.

That lazy smile on his face only widens, and my cheeks heat. There are dimples hiding under that full brown beard of his, and that feels unfair. It’s almost like the universe purposely stacked him with all the things that make my knees weak.

Hell, all three of the guys I’m currently living with seem to be filled to the brim with desirable traits.

It still confuses me how some omega with less baggage than I have hasn’t snatched them up.

“I can get out of your way.” Hayes slides to the side, gesturing to the refrigerator.

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