Christmas Secrets. Barbara Dunlop

is definitely insulting,” she said.

      “You’re great with him.”

      “I’m not sure about that.” She was honest. “But I’m what he’s got, and I do love him.”

      Cole rose from the edge of the tub, reaching out to take Zachary in one arm and then helping her to her feet. It took him a minute to speak.

      “Sometimes,” he said softly, “families just happen.”

      His hand was warm and dry beneath hers, broad, strong and slightly callused. He didn’t immediately let her go, and a strange feeling surged up her arm, pushing into her chest.

      Time seemed to stop. She stood still and drank in his appearance. He was such a gorgeous, sexy man. His smoke-gray eyes were warm with emotion. She noticed once again that his shoulders were broad, arms strong, chest deep. He seemed to radiate a power that was more than just physical.

      She fought another urge to throw herself into his arms.

      “Amber,” he breathed.

      He lifted his hand to brush her damp hair from her cheek.

      His touch was featherlight, but she felt herself sway toward him.

      He leaned in, slowly, surely.

      Then he touched his lips to hers.

      He tasted like fine wine, his lips warm and firm. The scented steam rose between them while his fingers slipped back, delving into her hair.

      The kiss deepened, and her desire skyrocketed.

      “Gak,” called Zachary, his hand smacking her ear.

      She jerked back in shock.

      “Gak,” Zachary repeated, pressing his feet against her as if he needed space.

      “All right, partner,” said Cole. “You have my attention.” But his gaze stayed fixed on Amber.

      Embarrassment flooded her. “I don’t know what happened there.”

      “I do,” said Cole. He held her gaze for a long beat. “And I’ve never taken a single psychology course.”

      Then he backed away to the bathroom door, leaving her awash in arousal and confusion.

       Four

      Cole sat across from Luca at a small table in the festively decorated lobby lounge in the East Park Hotel. A blue-and-silver Christmas tree towered thirty feet above them. Lit reindeer bracketed the entrance. Strings of garland and clusters of icicles cascaded from the high ceilings, while the windows were frosted with scenes of ice and snow.

      Carols played softly in the background as guests enjoyed the breakfast buffet.

      “There’s not a doubt in my mind that Amber is the right guardian for Zachary,” said Cole.

      He couldn’t help but worry about Amber’s description of her stepsister, and how Roth’s legal team might use Coco’s background and reputation. Amber was definitely going to have a fight on her hands in court.

      “This is what I’m talking about,” said Luca, seeming not to have heard Cole’s comment as he swiveled his laptop around to face Cole. “That’s Samuel at the age of thirty-three, a year older than you are now.”

      Cole focused on the picture of his biological father. The eyes were similar, but Samuel’s hair was lighter, his chin narrower and his nose had a bit of an upturn.

      “It’s only there if you’re looking for it,” he said. “And nobody’s looking for it.”

      “You’ve been outed by a nine-month-old baby.”

      “Yeah, well, I think we can count on him to keep quiet.”

      “He’ll learn to talk someday.”

      “Not before I leave town.”

      “And listen to this.” Luca turned the laptop and punched another key. “It’s Samuel giving a speech twenty years ago.”

      “…once the plan is fully implemented, the new routes will take us to Britain, France and Germany…”

      “Okay, that’s a bit uncanny,” Cole had to admit. He’d heard his own voice recorded on numerous occasions, and Samuel’s was very, very close.

      “The kid knows you’re family.”

      “At least that explains why he’s latched on to me.”

      Luca took a sip of his coffee. “But you’re still just going to walk away?”

      “No.”

      Luca drew back in clear astonishment. “You’re not?”

      “First, I’m going to make sure Amber wins custody. Then I’m going to walk away. Involving myself in the Henderson family was never part of the plan.”

      Cole was heading back to his life in Alaska just as soon as things were under control here. Showing up in Atlanta was about him doing his duty. It wasn’t some family reunion, and he wasn’t about to upend his and Zachary’s lives by acknowledging their biological connection.

      Kissing Amber last night might have momentarily thrown him off track. He still couldn’t believe he’d done it—in a purple bathroom of all places, with Zachary in his arms. How ridiculous was that?

      His plan was to keep complications to a minimum. Not that a single kiss had added some huge complication. In fact, he’d already put it into perspective.

      Sure, Amber was pretty. She was sweet and kind and compassionate. And she’d had a rough time of it growing up. Her stories had engaged his sympathies.

      But lots of people had a less-than-stellar upbringing. She was fine now, and she loved Zachary. And Cole was right to leave the two of them to get on with it.

      “You’re sure that’s what you want?” asked Luca.

      “I’m positive it’s what I want.” Cole pulled his thoughts back to his earlier point. “Roth will try to prove that Coco was unfit to name either a guardian for Zachary or the person to control Coast Eagle.”

      “On the bright side,” said Luca, “I don’t think many wills are overturned because they’re foolish.”

      “I hope not.” Just then, Cole wished he knew more about the law.

      “So what do you think of Destiny?” he asked Luca. “I mean, other than she’s hot. Can you see past the fact that she’s hot? Because you should declare a conflict of interest if you can’t be objective.” Cole wanted to be sure Amber was getting the best possible legal advice.

      Luca was all but laughing as he cut into his waffle. “I don’t need to declare a conflict of interest. I know she’s smart.”

      “Are you sure? How do you know?”

      “I asked her a few questions last night.”

      “And?”

      “And she had a ton of technical information at her fingertips. But she wouldn’t tell me anything about Amber specifically.”

      “You didn’t make her suspicious, did you?”

      “No. I pretended I was curious about what I’d read on social media. There’s a lot out there on social media.” Luca set down his cutlery and pressed a few more keys on the laptop. “For example, this, here. There are new rumors that Roth Calvin will be named interim president of Coast Eagle.”

      Cole reached out to turn the laptop to face him again. “I thought Amber was in charge?” Letting Roth step up as interim president couldn’t be a good move for her.

      “It’s