Ultimate Romance Collection. Rebecca Winters

      “Yes, back at the hotel. I’m used to working out every morning.” Usually he worked out twice a day. “I’ll be back for breakfast if that’s okay.”

      “That’s fine. We’ll be here.”

      “I’m counting on it.” He leaned over and kissed her again, this time a little longer, before easing out of bed. He slid into his jeans and went into the connecting bathroom. When he returned a few moments later, he saw she had drifted off to sleep with Laramie cuddled close.

      As he finished dressing, he couldn’t stop looking at them. Something deep tugged at his heart. He wasn’t sure how to deal with all these emotions. For years, he’d stayed in control of all relationships he was involved in. Usually, none were for the long-term. He’d been determined that no woman would ever rule his heart.

      He liked his freedom. Besides, his work as a SEAL wasn’t conducive to a normal family life. He didn’t know from one month to the next where a mission might take him or for how long he’d be gone. He’d always enjoyed the adventure, the excitement, the quest and, yes, even the danger. Definitely the danger. It was enough to get your blood pumping and your adrenaline flowing.

      But, he thought, studying Bristol while she slept, she got his blood pumping and his adrenaline flowing, as well. And when he thought about what they’d shared last night, he couldn’t help but smile. Then his smile widened and he knew why. He was happy. Truly happy. And the two people responsible for his happiness were sleeping in that bed. In the last forty-eight hours, his life had changed.

      Already, he could admit he wouldn’t want it any other way.

      When he finished dressing, he walked back over to the bed to stare down at them. At her. He wondered if she had any idea what she did to him, what she had done to him three years ago. Resisting her hadn’t been an option.

      Bristol had gotten next to him without much effort and there hadn’t been anything he could do about it.

      Other than to fall in love with her.

      That admission shook him to the core. He hadn’t seen that coming. But now that he knew the truth, he had to accept it.

      He loved her.

      He drew in a deep breath. If he analyzed his behavior over the past three years, he probably would have realized he’d fallen in love with her the moment he and the guys had walked into that café in Paris. He’d seen her staring at him. He was certain he’d lost his heart then and there.

      He’d left everyone at the table to approach her, determined to introduce himself before they could. Now his actions made sense. Love explained everything. Including the importance of those memories to his survival as well as why he’d returned to Paris looking for her as soon as he’d recuperated. When he’d accepted that she had been lost to him forever, he’d moved on. He’d been living a satisfied life but not a truly happy one.

      There had to be a reason their paths had crossed in New York after all this time, a reason they had a child, who would always be a bond between them. And more than anything he also believed, whether she agreed or not, there was a purpose behind her decision to concoct a fake marriage and take his name.

      He wanted Bristol and Laramie to always be a part of his life. He might not have planned for the recent turn of events, but now that he was faced with this little family of his, he had no regrets.

      He was well aware that Bristol harbored reservations about making their marriage real, but he intended to get rid of whatever roadblocks stood in their way.

      She didn’t love him yet, but in the end she would. He was a determined man and when he came to a decision there was no stopping him.

      He turned and walked out of her bedroom.

      * * *

      Bristol was in the middle of preparing breakfast when her phone rang. Was it Coop letting her know he wouldn’t make it back for breakfast? Upon waking up again, Laramie had seemed a little disappointed that Coop had left. She had to admit, she was, too.

      As she put the biscuits in the oven, she thought about how he’d found her in her studio working. He had been a distraction, but a welcome one. They had talked. But the one thing he hadn’t said was whether or not he’d told his parents about Laramie. And about their fake marriage. If so, what did his parents think of all this?

      When she grabbed the phone, she saw from the caller ID that it was Margie. “Yes, Margie?”

      “Are you in a better mood today?”

      Bristol raised a brow. “Was I in a bad mood yesterday?”

      “I thought so. I might have upset you with those things I said about your husband. If I did, I’m sorry.”

      Bristol drew in a deep breath. Margie’s words from yesterday had annoyed her. “There is a lot about my relationship with him that you don’t know.” And one of them was the fact he was not really her husband.

      “Then enlighten me. Let’s do lunch today.”

      Bristol nibbled on her bottom lip. Today was not a good day. She didn’t like having to ask Ms. Charlotte to keep an eye on Laramie at the last minute. There might be a chance Coop would be available to watch him, but she couldn’t depend on that. On top of those conflicts, she and Coop still had more to work through. They needed to decide how to move forward. He wanted to spend the holidays with them and she was fine with that. What she didn’t want was what they’d shared last night muddying the waters.

      She didn’t want him to think that just because she’d allowed him in her bed she’d allow him into her life. That wasn’t the case.

      “Tomorrow will be better, Margie,” she heard herself say.

      “Okay, and tomorrow would it be a good time for you and Steven to talk?”

      Margie’s words got her attention. “Talk about what?”

      Margie chuckled. “Honestly, Bristol, have you forgotten he represents a company who’s a client? A client who made it possible for you to leave that boring job to stay home with your son and paint every day.”

      No, she hadn’t forgotten, mainly because Margie refused to let her. She just didn’t understand why Margie couldn’t see that Bristol and Steven didn’t click. “Fine, as long as this is strictly a business meeting, Margie.”

      “What other kind of meeting would I arrange? You don’t like Steven, I get that now, although for Pete’s sake, I don’t know why. But it’s your choice. Call me later and tell me when would be a good time to get together tomorrow.”

      “All right. I’ll talk to you later.”

      As soon as she clicked off the phone and placed it aside, her doorbell rang. “Daddy’s back, Mommy!”

      The excitement in her son’s voice touched her. At least he wasn’t annoyed like he’d been this morning when he’d discovered his favorite spot in her bed already occupied. Once he’d gone to sleep and woken back up, he’d been team Coop all over again. “Yes, sweetheart, I think your daddy is back.”

      Putting the kitchen towel aside, she left the kitchen and headed toward the door.

      * * *

      “Good morning. I got you this,” Coop said, handing her a huge poinsettia. There was a florist shop by the hotel and when he’d seen it this morning he knew he wanted to get it for her.

      “Thanks. It’s beautiful, Coop.”

      “You’re welcome. I liked it when I saw it. It looks healthy and there are leaves that will be turning red in a few days.”

      She smiled. “Come on in.” She stepped aside. “I just put the biscuits in the oven.”

      “Biscuits? You can make biscuits?”

      “Yes, thanks to Aunt Dolly.”

      He entered,