Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,57

as quiet as I can, pack his bag. Diapers, wipes, toys—not that he plays with them—clothes, and just for good measure I throw in extra of all of it. You never can be too careful. I throw his bag over my shoulder and gently lift him from his crib. Downstairs, I strap him into his car seat then gather the diaper and bottle bags. I tap my back pocket to make sure I have my wallet, then the front to check for my phone and keys.

I stop and take a deep breath, and that’s when the smell of coffee hits me. I dig through the cabinet, find the biggest travel mug I can, and fill it up. Not willing to leave him in the house alone, I throw both bags over my shoulder, picking up his carrier with the same arm. Taking my keys out of my pocket, I grab my large steaming mug of coffee. It’s a little challenging to get the door shut, so I end up setting Knox’s carrier on the front porch so I can pull it closed. Placing my coffee on the bed of the truck, I open the door, click the baby seat into place, and throw the bags on the floor. Checking the seat just to make sure it’s secure, I grab my coffee and we’re on the way to Grandma’s.

I arrive to the job site fifteen minutes late. Normally, this isn’t a big issue, but today it is. It’s a big fucking issue. When I pull in, I park behind Kendall. She’s here with them. Are they hitting on her? Did they see through my bullshit of saying I was staking my claim? Fuck! I throw the truck in park, pull the keys from the ignition, and stalk to the house.

What I find has me clenching my fists at my sides. I have to remind myself that these guys are my best friends, and she’s not mine. Kendall has her head thrown back laughing, my four best friends laughing and watching her like she’s the star of every fucking wet dream they’ve ever had. She has her hand on Tyler’s shoulder as if she needs him to hold her up. Fuck that, I should be the one holding her up if she needs it.

I stalk into the room and stand behind her. “Morning,” I say. My voice is terser than I want it to be, but it is what it is. She stops laughing and turns her head at the sound of my voice.

“Ridge.” She breathes my name like a fucking caress.

“Didn’t know you were stopping by today.” Although I’d hoped she would.

“Yeah, just wanted to check in.”

“Dude, you fucking smell like little man.” Kent leans over and sniffs me.

“Yeah, we had a diaper malfunction so a bath was required, then he pissed on both of us so I just got in the shower with him. I used his bath stuff too, since I couldn’t use mine on him.” I shrug.

“I love the baby smell.” Kendall blushes.

“Fuck, that shit is a chic magnet. We need to get some,” Seth says.

“Good luck with that,” I say under my breath. Kendall hears me, though, because her eyes sparkle with laughter. Those blue eyes of hers light up the room. She’s fucking gorgeous.

“We should totally bring him out with us one night. The smell might work, but having the real thing with us? Guaranteed pussy, my man,” Mark suggests.

I reach over and smack him on the back at the head at the same time Kendall gasps.

“You can’t do that.” She turns to look at me. “You ever need a sitter, you call me before taking him with you.” Her hand is on her hip and she looks so damn sexy when she’s fired up. “I mean it. You cannot let them use him to get women in their beds.” As soon as the words are out of her mouth, she blushes a deep red. “I–I mean, if you want to use your son for that, I can’t stop you, but I would be happy to keep him . . .” She looks at the ground.

She’s embarrassed. By this time, I’m standing beside her so I turn to face her, her eyes still on the floor. With my index finger, I lift her chin so she’s looking at me. Only at me. “I would never do that.” I keep my eyes locked on those baby blues, willing her to believe me. She gives a subtle nod,