Holiday Baby Scandal. Jules Bennett

damn it. Too much. But I’ll never turn my back on you or this baby.”

      Laney picked at the hem of her T-shirt and swallowed a lump of remorse. “Right. Responsibilities.”

      “Laney—”

      “It’s late. I’ll let you go.”

      She ended the call, dropping the phone into her lap as she battled back tears. Why did he have to be so noble, yet so ignorant at the same time? Why did he feel that he had to sacrifice his own happiness in order to fulfill some past debt? Ryker had more than proved himself to this family.

      At least he hadn’t agreed to being left out of the baby’s life. That would’ve gutted her. But he still only saw her as a responsibility, and Laney feared she’d never be more in his life.

Four

      “We need to get inside that house.”

      Braden nodded in agreement. “How soon can you get back? I don’t want them moving that trunk.”

      Ryker leaned back on the leather sofa in Braden’s study. He’d left New York after staying an extra day longer than planned, and had driven straight to Braden’s house. He hadn’t called or texted Laney after their talk on the phone. He’d revealed too much, she’d gotten too close to the raw emotions...emotions he feared he couldn’t hide forever.

      Damn it. He hadn’t even been aware of suppressing them, so how the hell did he continue to hide them?

      “I can go as soon as I get the blueprint.”

      Braden came to his feet. “Great. Laney is due here anytime.”

      The blueprint was a pathetic excuse to see her again. He could’ve gotten it the other day when she offered, she could’ve also emailed it. But, he wanted to see her, touch her, consume her. But reality was cold and harsh. He’d had her once, and that would have to stay with him forever because he couldn’t let his guard down again.

      He’d not only betrayed Braden and Mac by slashing right through their trust, but he’d let Laney down, as well. He should’ve had more control in Miami, should’ve walked her to her room and kept going once he knew she was safe. How could he have let his all-consuming need for her change their entire lives?

      “Ryker?”

      Jerking his attention back to Braden, Ryker stood. “Lost in thought. What were you saying?”

      “Laney just pulled in.”

      Ryker glanced to the monitors and saw Laney stepping from her car. While it had stopped snowing, the ground was blanketed in several inches. Braden’s drive and walk had been cleared though.

      He tried not to watch as she pulled her coat tighter around her waist or how her long, dark hair blew in the breeze. He didn’t have to concentrate too hard to still feel that hair over his body. Ryker clenched his fists and ordered himself to get control before she stepped inside. This would be the first time the three of them would be together since he’d found out about the pregnancy. He couldn’t give anything away. He couldn’t—

      On the screen, Laney slipped and went down. Ryker tore out of the study, down the hall and through the foyer. He whipped open the door, oblivious to the wind and the bitter air. Laney had a gloved hand on the bumper of her car and was pushing herself up.

      “Stop.” Ryker slid his arms around her waist. “Lean into me.”

      Laney pushed her hair away from her face and looked up at him. “I’m fine. Embarrassed, but fine.”

      Ryker didn’t let her go as she came fully to her feet.

      “Is she okay?”

      Ryker glanced over his shoulder to Braden who was coming toward them. “I think so.”

      Laney tried to push off Ryker, but winced. “Okay. Just give me a second.”

      His hands flattened over her stomach as his heart sank. “Laney?”

      Her eyes held his. “It’s my ankle. Just sore. I’m okay.”

      How did she know? Could she be sure the baby was okay? Ryker didn’t know how hard she fell. Hell, he didn’t know anything about pregnancies or babies, but seeing her go down had nearly stopped his heart.

      Scooping her up in his arms, and careful to avoid random ice patches, he stalked past Braden and into the house. Zara rushed in from the kitchen, her dark hair flying around her shoulders.

      “What happened? Laney?”

      “I’m okay.” Laney waved a hand. “Just slipped outside and my ankle is sore. Ryker is being overbearing as usual.”

      Considering he’d been that way with her for years, this wasn’t out of the ordinary. He didn’t give a damn if it was. Seeing Laney go down like that had ripped something open inside him. In the brief seconds it took him to get outside, all he could think of was their baby. How the hell was he going to handle parenting?

      “I’ll get some ice,” Zara told them.

      Ryker gently laid Laney on the chaise in the formal living room. Her hand slid against the side of his neck as she let go. Even though she had gloves on, just that simple touch took him back to Miami when she’d—

      No. That was then. A mistake. He couldn’t live in the past. He’d vowed to move on and that’s exactly what he had to do if he wanted to get their intimacy out of his life.

      Unfortunately, Laney had imbedded herself into his soul...and he thought he’d sold that to the devil a long time ago.

      But he felt her. When she looked at him, he swore he felt her. That delicate touch, the tender gaze. She was hurting now, and he needed to focus.

      “I’ll call our doctor,” Ryker stated.

      Laney immediately started to shake her head. “I just went down wrong. I’m fine. I didn’t fall hard.”

      “Let’s get your boot off and look at your ankle.” Braden went to unzip her boot. “Can you move it at all?”

      She wiggled her foot, and Ryker watched her face for any sign of discomfort. When her bright eyes flashed up to his, he had to tell himself not to look away. She could draw him in so easily...and she knew the power she possessed.

      “It’s a little swollen,” Braden commented. “I’d say you’re fine. Just stay off it for a while.”

      Laney smirked. Freakin’ smirked at him like a child who’d been playing parents against each other. Ryker narrowed his eyes. “I’m calling the doctor anyway just to be safe.”

      Before he could slide his cell from his pocket, Laney laid a hand on his wrist. “I’m fine.” Her eyes bore into his, completely serious now. “I promise. I’d know if I needed to be seen.”

      She didn’t look away, her grip tightened. Ryker blew out a breath he wasn’t aware he’d been holding. Of course she would get a doctor here if she thought she needed one. Laney loved this baby and wouldn’t make poor choices. Still, for his peace of mind, he’d feel better if she was seen.

      “Relax,” she whispered, her eyes darting toward her brother.

      Yeah. Relax.

      Ryker took a step back and glanced down at her ankle. He needed to get a grip. Being cautious and protective was one thing, but acting like a hovering boyfriend was—

      Seriously? How had that word even popped into his head? He wasn’t her damn boyfriend. This wasn’t junior high. But she was right. If he didn’t get a grip, Braden would wonder what was going on, and that wasn’t a topic he wanted to dive headfirst into right now.

      “Here you go.” Zara came back in and placed an ice pack wrapped in a towel over Laney’s ankle. “Let’s put a pillow under you to