Ultimate Romance Collection. Rebecca Winters

you stay. Sleep in Mommy’s bed, okay?”

      He couldn’t help but smile. His son was giving him permission even though Bristol hadn’t done so. Instead of agreeing with Laramie, Coop said, “Good night, Laramie.”

      “Stay, Daddy. Sleep in Mommy’s bed. Okay?”

      Evidently Laramie wasn’t going to let him off that easy. Was this the same kid who’d pushed his nose in this morning when he discovered Coop was in Bristol’s bed? The same little fellow who’d crawled over him to claim his spot beside his mother?

      “He will stay, Laramie. Now you need to go to sleep.”

      He glanced over at Bristol. Was that her way of giving him an invitation? But then all she’d assured their son was that he would stay, not necessarily that he would stay in her bed. Did that mean she planned to make him sleep on the sofa?

      He’d tried deciphering her mood today. Although she’d been friendly enough, it had seemed as if she had a lot on her mind. That was fine. He had a lot on his, too. But still, he couldn’t help wondering if she regretted the intimacy they’d shared last night. She hadn’t mentioned it and neither had he.

      “Love you, Mommy.”

      “Love you back, Laramie. See you in the morning.” And just like the night before, Bristol leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. However, unlike last night, before drifting off to sleep Laramie said, “Love you, Daddy.”

      Coop felt a tug at his heart and a tightness in his throat. It boggled his mind how a child could love so easily. “I love you back, Laramie.”

      He and Bristol watched as their son drifted off to sleep.

      * * *

      When they left Laramie’s room, Coop told her they needed to talk.

      Did he regret sleeping with her last night? The morning had started off well...at least she’d thought so, when he’d returned and surprised her with that beautiful plant. However, since then he’d seemed quiet. More than once she’d noticed him studying her like she was a puzzle he was trying to put together. Why?

      She looked across the room at him. He was staring at the Christmas tree. What was he thinking? She’d invited him to spend Christmas with her and Laramie. Then what? When would he be leaving New York for his next mission?

      “Ready to talk?”

      She wondered why he was asking her when he was the one who initiated the meeting. “I’m ready if you are.”

      He nodded and sat in the chair across from her. He looked at her for a few moments then he said, “I spoke with my attorney today.”

      “Oh? Why did you feel the need to do that?”

      He leaned back in the chair and the fabric of his jeans emphasized his masculine thighs. She wished she didn’t notice such things, but she did.

      “Laramie is my heir and I wanted to include him in all my important documents.”

      “I see.”

      “I also needed legal advice on my rights as his father.”

      Bristol raised a brow. “Your rights?”

      “Yes.”

      She frowned. “I don’t understand. I thought I made it clear that I would never deny you access to Laramie and you could spend as much time with him as you want.”

      “Yes, but what if you decide to marry one day and your husband feels differently?”

      “I don’t ever plan to marry, so you have nothing to worry about.”

      “You don’t know that.”

      “I don’t know what?”

      “That you never plan to marry. Things happen. You might change your mind.”

      Her frown deepened. “That won’t happen.”

      “You can’t be sure,” he countered.

      “Yes, I can.”

      He shook his head. “No, you can’t. And because you can’t, my attorney suggested that I take steps to protect my rights as Laramie’s father by filing for joint custody.”

      * * *

      Coop watched her lean forward in her seat, at full attention. Her eyes widened. “Joint custody?”

      “Yes.”

      “That’s crazy. You’re not in this country most of the time. How can you even think about joint custody?”

      “How can I not think about it, Bristol? In a way, it will make things easier on you.”

      “How do you figure that?” she asked, glaring at him.

      “You will know what times during the year he will be with me and when he will be with you. One thing I’d like is to swap holidays every year.”

      “Swap holidays?” She asked the question like what he was requesting was the craziest thing she’d ever heard.

      “Yes. I told you about the ranch I inherited from my grandparents. I want him to spend the holidays with me there next year. That will free you up to do whatever you want to do.”

      “Free me up? To do. Whatever I want. To do?”

      She had enunciated each phrase. He could tell from the sound of her voice that her anger was increasing. “Yes. I figure with me pitching in, you’ll be able to paint more. While I’m away as a SEAL, I plan on hiring a full-time nanny who—”

      “A full-time nanny? You’ve got to be kidding.” She inhaled and exhaled a few times and he knew she was trying to get her anger under control. “What’s going on, Coop? What are you trying to do?”

      He had no problem giving her an answer. “I’m trying to give you a reason to make our marriage real.”

      * * *

      Bristol’s pulse jumped a few notches as she inhaled deeply. “Why?” she asked him. “Why should we make our marriage real?”

      He shifted again in his seat and she wondered if he’d done it on purpose to distract her. Did he have any idea how his movements always increased her hormone level?

      “The foremost reason is our son. I just cited complications that could arise if we aren’t married. Knowing I have a child is a game changer for me. It was never my intent to father a child until later in life, and like I told you, I don’t regret him, Bristol. I appreciate everything you went through to bring him into this world. And just so you know, if the situation had been different and I hadn’t been held hostage, if I had gotten your letter, you would not have been alone. I would have come to you. I would have been there for you and for my child.”

      “But how would you have been there, Coop? You’re a part of the military’s special services. When you leave on one of your missions you have no idea when you’ll get back.”

      “True, but I would have taken the time off. The entire nine months if I had to. I would have made sure I was there for you. You would not have gone through your pregnancy alone.”

      He didn’t say anything for a few moments. “I believe in accepting my responsibilities, Bristol, but, just so you know, I would not have asked you to marry me just because you were having a baby. I would have done right by my child and by you, but I would not have suggested marriage between us unless I thought it would work.”

      At least he was honest, she thought. “So given that, why do you think it will work now? We don’t even know each other.”

      “We know enough and over the past couple of days we’ve found out more. We could be together for years and not know everything. Besides, I enjoy getting to know you.”

      He shifted again and her gaze followed the movement. “I know you are a good mother.