Page 9 of Rock the Cradle of Love
“Wow. That was pretty bold,” says Taylor. “I forgot how much of a chick magnet babies are.”
Oh, right. Women like babies. And good-looking men who have babies are an object of interest. Now he gets it. “Are you in the market for a chick?” Noah asks Taylor. “You can have her.”
“Who me? No. Not at the moment.”
“Taking a break from women?”
“I guess you could say that. As I said, I’m bisexual and, well…there’s a dude I’m interested in.”
Noah’s not sure why the thought doesn’t sit well. Maybe because he’s been monopolizing so much of Taylor’s time. “I’m sorry. I can care for Emma on my own if you want to make plans. You should have said.”
“He’s kind of busy right now, so it’s fine. When I’m ready to pursue him. I’ll let you know.”
“If you’re sure.”
Taylor smiles. “Promise.”
They finish their meal without further interruptions aside from the normal check-ins from their server. They leave a large tip and their autographs for the hostess and the server as a thanks for ignoring the fact that they both recognized Noah and Taylor, but did their jobs without fanfare.
Emma fusses, but it’s her time-for-bed crankiness. Noah thinks he’s learning to tell the difference now and that pleases him no end. He gets her ready for bed without the stress that’s plagued him since she arrived.
“Can I?” Taylor asks, holding up a bottle, when Noah returns to the living room.
With a nod, Noah hands her over and follows Taylor to the sofa. Taylor settles Emma in between them on the cushion and slides the nipple into her mouth. She grabs a hold of Taylor’s thumb and forefinger and her eyes slip to half-mast immediately.
“This is nice,” Taylor says quietly. “I loved caring for my sisters’ babies. I didn’t realize how much I missed it.”
There’s a softness in his eyes that Noah’s not sure he understands. But this is nice. Having someone to share the quiet moments with, as well as the rough ones. Noah can’t think of anyone else he’d rather have with him right now. He nods, and says, “It is,” just as quiet.
Chapter Four
The local department store at the mall is open, but there are few people there so early on a Sunday morning. Noah makes Taylor push Emma’s stroller because he himself is just a tad too tall to push without having to hunch over. The racks of baby clothing are spaced just a little too close for comfort for a pair of hockey players, but they peruse the displays and Noah approaches Taylor and Emma with handfuls of tiny dresses, shirt and pant outfits, and pajamas.
Taylor cackles. “Oh my God, you’re a pushover.”
Noah shrugs and grins. Where Emma is concerned, he can’t help it. He’s wanted kids since he was in high school. A houseful like his billet family. “She needs clothes,” he defends. Babies grow fast; even he knows that.
Taylor snorts in amusement.
Noah glances around. “Don’t they have shopping carts?”
“Not in department stores,” Taylor replies. “Who are you even?”
“No sisters and a mom who prefers thrift stores to department stores.”
A tall woman of Asian descent approaches them. Her hair shiny black and short around her head, the front strands longer than the back.
“Is there something I can help you gentlemen with?” she asks. Her eyes widen a moment later and she smiles. “You’re Taylor Bell and Noah Drinkwater… Oh, man, I love the Rotors. I’m really sorry about your season.”
The muscles in Noah’s shoulders bunch, his gut clenches. The plastic hangers dig into his palm as his grip tightens.
“Thanks,” says Taylor, flashing his PR smile. “And you are?”
“Sarah. Sarah Chow.”
“Nice to meet you, Sarah.” Taylor holds out his hand and they shake. “Noah, here, has just become a dad, and he needs to set up the nursery. Do you think you can help him out?”
Noah admires Taylor’s calm. Noah tends to get anxious when people recognize him. It’s part and parcel of being a professional athlete, but even after four years, he’s never perfected the skill of handling fans in chance interactions. He’s okay when it’s a team-organized event because he’s psyched himself up for those, but one-on-one random meetings tend to throw him.
