Page 40 of Wicked Little Secret

“I ordered it online and had it delivered to the hospital while you were sleeping this morning.”

“Aren’t you efficient.”

“When I need to be.” He let his eyes run over her body. “But I also know how to take my time when I want to.”

Her cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink, and she ducked inside to unclick the car seat.

He politely moved her out of the way with, “Let me get him.”

“I can do it.”

She fumbled around, cursing under her breath, then finally poked her head outside. “You can go ahead.”

He bit back a smile, but didn’t say anything as he reached inside.

“The stroller for this is in the back,” he called from inside the cab. “You’re supposed to be able to use it with the car and the stroller so you never have to take him out between the two.”

“I looked at those, but they were a little more than I wanted to spend.”

“That’s not going to be an issue anymore. If you want it, you get it. I can afford it.”

“You realize I make a nice salary, right?”

“Of course. But my salary affords me the luxury of not looking at price tags.”

“How do you have so much money? Are you a trust fund kid? You were in the Navy for twenty-five years.”

That made him chuckle as he pulled the seat out. “Not a trust fund kid. My dad was a mechanic and my mom an elementary school secretary. I went to college on scholarship. I backed a few startups that ended up paying big, which I then invested wisely.”

“Impressive. I’ll have to have you look at my 401k,” she quipped.

“I know you’re joking, but I would be happy to if you ever really want me to.”

“Thanks.”

They stood at the door leading to the house.

“Ready?” he asked with his hand on the knob.

She took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. “Yep.”

****

Olivia

“Hello?” Maverick’s deep voice bellowed as they walked through the laundry room. She noticed the litter box and knew Oscar and Honey were around there somewhere.

The laundry room led to a gourmet kitchen that looked like it belonged in a magazine. She glanced around the beautiful space.

Maybe I’ll start cooking more.

The idea was terrific in theory, but she knew the odds of it actually happening were slim, at best. She wouldn’t take that bet.

The house was quiet, so they walked further inside, and he called out again.

Nick poked his head over the railing. “We’re up here, Dad!”

Maverick looked at her and hesitated at the foot of the wide staircase. “Can you handle the stairs?”

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