Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 14

14

WEAR MY SHIRT

MATT

B y the time I wash my hands and get to Simon’s room, he’s reached deafening level hysterics, and a horrid smell is coming from his crib. Shani whimpers and jumps around until I pick up Simon.

“Simon, it’s okay. Daddy’s here. You pooped, buddy. Let’s get you cleaned up and back to sleep.”

He kicks and screams the whole time I change his diaper. “Little dude, I get that you’re mad you woke up, but work with me here. I’m on your team.”

Just as I’m finished wrestling him to get his new diaper on, Pepper walks in with his prepared bottle. Her hair is tousled, she's wearing her oversized tee again, and she stands barefoot with her ankles crossed.

Holy sexiness .

“You said you need to feed him,” she says with a soft smile.

“You didn’t have to do that, Pep. Thanks,” I smile at her. “I won the diaper wrestling match, in case you were wondering. How in the heck are tiny people so strong?” I ask her as I take the bottle. Our fingers brush in the process, and she looks up at me.

“He’s feisty like his dad,” she grins, then yawns.

“Go rest. I’ll get this little man to sleep.” I sit down on my bed, rest my back against the headboard and start feeding Simon his bottle. His face is red from getting so fired up.

“Can I tell him good night?” She asks.

“Of course.”

She pads forward and pets his fine hair. “Good night, Simon. Sweet dreams.”

His eyes shift to hers while he sucks his bottle, then back at me.

She makes eye contact with me and smiles. With her this close, I inhale her sweet scent. Then, she silently leaves the room.

After what feels like forever, Simon is asleep and in his crib. Staring at him resting peacefully on his airplane and car sheets, you’d never guess he’s so strong-headed when he’s awake. I just put him to sleep, but now I want to rub his little chest as it moves rhythmically up and down. He’s stinking adorable.

Shani lounges at the foot of the crib. “You’re the best, girl. Take care of Simon.” I ruffle her head, and she licks her chops before resting her head on her outstretched paws.

I check my phone. Forty minutes have passed since Pepper brought me the bottle. Feeding, burping and rocking a baby to sleep is no joke.

It’s silent on the walk to Pepper’s room, and I’m guessing she fell asleep. I’m such a goner that I already think of it as Pepper’s room.

When I get to her doorway, I find my suspicions are correct. The heating pad is resting on her stomach, so I gently remove it and turn it off, then pull the covers over her sleeping form.

“Sweet dreams, Pepper,” I whisper when I get to her doorway. Half of me wants to stay with her to make sure she doesn’t have a nightmare again.

But if Simon wakes up, Shani will lose her shit barking. That’ll wake up Pepper, and at least one of us should get sleep.

The next morning after another sleepless night, I have a renewed respect for parents. Stay at home parents. Working parents, every single parent with a baby. This is nuts.

I made the mistake of Googling “when do babies start sleeping through the night,” and I got all sorts of conflicting answers. Yet another question to add to the list for the upcoming pediatrician appointment.

I don’t have to work until later today, so I make breakfast for us again. Pepper is working today, and I don’t want her leaving with an empty stomach .

“Do you have any days off this week?” I ask when she comes in the kitchen.

“Nope,” she shakes her head and her ponytail swishes. I’m going to grab it one of these days, and it’s going to be fucking amazing.

“Damn. You’re committed,” I note.

“Something like that,” she mumbles. “A ladies’ association luncheon and fundraiser needs me today.”

“Do you want coffee?” I ask, then pour her a cup when she nods.

Simon is chilling in the baby rocker I got him, and Shani is laying next to him.

“Morning, Simon.” Pepper bends down to play with his hand, and he coos at her.

Yeah, buddy. I love her attention, too.

I’ve been thinking how to phrase my thoughts so she doesn’t get bothered again. Something they did or said last night triggered her. Hopefully, what I thought of works. “My parents will be here again tonight. You seemed upset last night by something my parents did. Can you clue me in so I can tell them not to do it again today?”

She takes a deep breath, then traces her fingertip around the coffee mug as she says, “Your parents are great, Matt. It’s not them. It’s me.”

That gives me zero answers, and I raise my eyebrows quizzically.

“I’m fine,” she insists.

Fine never means fine when a woman says it. However, if she won’t tell me, I can’t help her. Switching tactics, I change the subject.

“I talked with my friend Hope. Her and her husband Noah are coming to visit soon. They want to meet Simon.”

She nods in understanding. “I can leave, so you’ll have the guest room.”

Shit. Why does she always think I’m kicking her out? “No, Pepper. That’s not why I told you. They’re married, and Hope is basically a sister to me. No way do I want to hear them going at it. She already told me they’re getting a hotel room.”

“Oh,” her forehead wrinkles with worry. “Okay.”

“It would be cool for you to hang out with us when they’re here,” I explain.

“Are they as happy as you and your parents?” She asks.

“Noah can be grumpy, but Hope is the happiest person you’ll probably ever meet.”

She gets quiet, and I tell her there’s breakfast for her in the microwave. Maybe she misses her friends and family from where she used to live.

“Are you homesick, Pepper?” I ask.

She bends down to play with Simon’s toes, and he kicks his little feet and smiles. “Not really. I thought I had a great job, but that bridge went up in flames.”

“But family. Friends. You miss them?”

“No, Matt. Not everyone has family and friends like you.”

Shit. That’s sad. Pepper seems like such a cool person.

“You’ll like Hope, then,” I nod. “I’m going to get a workout in. Want to work out with me?”

“Yeah. I’ve got time.” She smiles, then back peddles. “Wait. No. Never mind.”

“What? Why?”

“I, um.”

Her only belongings are in that backpack.

“I’ve got a spare t-shirt you can use,” I offer.

“I don’t have a sports bra though, or shoes besides my work shoes. I don’t have shorts either,” she says quietly.

I can’t imagine having everything I own fit in a backpack. That’s got to be rough. I want to see her smile.

“No worries. My shirt will come to your knees, so you don’t need shorts. Plus, I have zero problems with you working out sans bra.”

“Okay, perv. And I’ll just wear my regular bra, thank you very much,” she rolls her eyes but fights back a smile.

I’ll do my best not to perv out on her wearing my t-shirt and doing squats. She doesn’t even own shorts, and mine would be huge on her. I’m determined to behave though. I don’t want her to think I’m only after her for her body. She’s so much more than her beautiful outside.