Hell, if he had to, Neo would pay Ian Black a visit. He knew where to find the man’s HQ building and he wasn’t too proud to ask for help. He’d probably find his ass in a sling with Viper and Ghost, aka General Mendez and Colonel Bishop, if he did that—but when he said he’d do anything to protect Kayla and Ana, he meant it.
“I guess I can’t argue with that,” Bailey said, still frowning. And then her frown faded as if she’d made a decision to put it behind her. “Hey, do y’all want some dinner before we start loading up your car? I made meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and rolls. Oh, and Chloe gave me her strawberry pretzel salad recipe, so I made that too.”
Neo’s belly growled like Pavlov’s dog hearing a bell. “You made Chloe’s dessert recipe?”
Bailey grinned. “Sure did. And I’ll be honest and tell you she gave me the meatloaf recipe too, so it’s not the dry brick I usually end up with. My cooking skills are improving beyond breakfast these days.”
“Baby, you always make a fine breakfast,” Camel said. “Those pancakes of yours. Mmm.”
Neo wasn’t sure, but he thought Bailey might have blushed.
She gave Camel a little smack on the arm. “You’re too sweet to me. But I swear y’all will love tonight’s meal. Promise. So will you eat with us?”
Neo wanted to stay for dinner for the strawberry thing alone. But he waited for Kayla to decide. She was the one whose opinion mattered. If she wanted to leave, they would.
She glanced up at him. “I’m willing if you are.”
“Oh yeah,” he replied before she changed her mind. “It sounds delicious to me.”
“Okay then, we’ll stay. I’ll help set the table,” she said to Bailey.
She and Bailey headed for the kitchen, though she stopped to scoop Ana from her playpen before disappearing through the door. Once the clatter of plates and silverware sounded, Camel turned to him.
“Come on, dude, what’s really going on with you two?”
Kayla was spent, but too keyed up to fall asleep right away. After she put Ana down for the night in the master bedroom, she emerged to find Zach waiting with a glass of white wine.
“Thank you,” she said as he handed it to her. “How did you know I wanted wine?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “After the day you’ve had?”
She sighed. “True.”
He put an arm around her and hugged her to his side. “Proud of you, babe. You did good telling Bailey about Dal Gentry, and about moving in with me.”
Kayla took a sip of wine. “But I didn’t tell her we’re getting married.”
“Yeah, I noticed that.”
She glanced up at him. “You’re not mad?”
“Why would I be mad? I think you had enough to tell your sister tonight.”
“Me too. Hey, I want to see the room.”
He grinned. “Thought you might.”
He pushed open the door to the bedroom across the hall from hers and stepped back so she could enter first.
“Oh, I love it.” The creamy white paint was even richer now that it had dried, and the pink on the feature wall was so light and airy and perfect. “I can’t wait to finish it. But it looks really good for only one coat,” she added.
“I painted a second coat,” Zach said. “I woke early this morning and I had time, so I rolled it on. It’s ready.”
Her heart filled with love as she walked over and examined the feature wall. “It’s perfect, Zach.”
“Yeah, I kinda like it too. All you gotta do is take the painter’s tape off the trim. I left that on in case we needed another coat, but I don’t think we do.”
“No, I don’t think so either.”
She carefully picked at one corner of the painter’s tape and pulled it off. Zach started pulling off the others. When they were done, they stood in the middle of the room and looked around at their handywork.
“Love it,” she said. “I can’t wait to decorate it for Ana.”
She’d set her wine on the window sill when she was pulling tape and now she turned and flung her arms around Zach. “Thank you, Zach. Thank you so much for making my dream for Ana’s room come true.”
He caught her and held her to him. His body was big, hard, and she felt a little thrill deep inside as she pressed up against him. Her nipples tightened. She ached for a repeat of their single night together, but her emotions were high and it might not be the best time. No telling what she’d say to him in the heat of the moment.
“You’re welcome, beautiful. But we aren’t done yet. We need to shop for that crib, and for the accessories and shit you’ll want.”
“I know, but I’m just so happy about it. I mean I showed up at your house with a half-baked plan only a few days ago, and you’ve been nothing but terrific since. I have to admit I didn’t expect it would be like this, even after you agreed to help me.”
His hands roamed over her back and down to her hips where he gripped her and pulled her lightly against him. “I don’t do anything half-assed,” he said. “Once I’m in, I’m in.”
Kayla couldn’t help but laugh. She was so incredibly happy at this moment, even with the stresses of the day. “Is that innuendo? Because it sounds like it could be.”
He grinned and pressed closer. She caught her breath at the evidence of his growing arousal. Her body responded with a surge of liquid heat, making her wet and oh so ready for him.
“If you’re asking if I want to be inside you, yeah, I really do. But I’m not planning to pursue it tonight. You’ve had a shitty day and you’re tired. I’m not taking advantage of that.”
She threaded her fingers into his hair. It was short, military-style, but she’d seen him with it shaggier too. She liked both ways. “Maybe
