Christmas Baby for the Billionaire (South Shore Billionaires 1)

“Oh, goodness.” The low rumble of her stomach was audible, and Jeremy hid a smile. “Maybe some orange juice? Or even just iced water would be lovely.”

He took Jeremy’s lid as well and Jeremy said, “Water is fine for me, thank you, Gerry.”

“This is too much,” she said when Gerry had disappeared.

“It’s scrambled eggs,” Jeremy laughed. “I mean, it’s not like it’s eggs Benedict or anything elaborate. But I do know that you like eggs in the morning.”

Her eyes widened. “You do?”

“You mentioned it one morning when I first arrived. You said Neil made them just the way you liked.”

He watched as she took a bite and then turned her amazed gaze to him. “With a bit of cheese and some parsley. I can’t believe you remembered that.”

The approval in her gaze made him go all warm inside. “Well, I’ll confess I asked Neil. Because I get the feeling that you’ll just go along with anything rather than voice any preferences.”

She put her fork down and her face sobered, her lips turning downward. “What’s wrong? Did I say something?” he asked.

“You’re half right. I probably would be happy to just go along with things. But maybe I pick my battles. Scrambled eggs, no big deal. Our child’s future...big deal.”

She wasn’t going to be a pushover. Good. Not that he didn’t want to get his way, but he admired strength. “Of course.”

Gerry returned with orange juice and water for Tori and water for Jeremy, and left quietly. They ate their breakfast in companionable silence, until Tori sat back with a satisfied sigh. “Okay, so you were right. That was delicious and I needed the protein. Thank you.”

“You’re most welcome. What would you like to do today? We’ll be at my place before noon.”

“I have no idea.” She laughed. “I guess I figured you’d have an itinerary.”

“Sometimes the best vacations don’t have itineraries,” he replied, and cocked an eyebrow.

She blushed prettily. The last “vacation” for both of them had been those magical days in the summer, when they’d soaked up the sun and each other, with no schedule whatsoever. “Jeremy, if you’re expecting...” She swallowed and her blush deepened.

“I have no expectations beyond wanting to show you my town,” he replied, then reached over to take her hand. His heart hammered in his chest. There was no denying that the attraction to her hadn’t gone away. But it was something he wanted to work with, not against. To acknowledge, not ignore. “You’re a beautiful woman, Tori. I’m not going to lie and say that what I’m feeling is totally platonic. But I’m not going to push.”

Her eyes delved into his. “Me, too,” she breathed. “And I shouldn’t have admitted that, I suppose. I’m not good at holding my cards close to my chest.”

“This isn’t poker, or some business merger. It’s okay. I’m glad you’re being honest.”

“Me, too. About you, I mean.”

The statement left him somewhat uncomfortable, because he hadn’t been completely honest with her about what he really wanted. He was more...hoping she’d come around to the same way of thinking without him having to say so. He wanted her to love his place, love New York and to want to be closer. Hell, he’d even consider living somewhere else and commuting. He was saved from saying more as Gerry returned to take their plates away, bring Jeremy fresh coffee and put a tiny pot of steaming water and a cup in front of Tori.

She looked up in confusion and he smiled at her. “Mint tea, ma’am. Mr. Fisher said you preferred it.”

“Thank you, Gerry.”

She looked over at Jeremy and raised an eyebrow. “Well, aren’t you one for anticipating my needs,” she said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

“Too much?” he asked, sitting back in his seat. He loved it when she had a hint of sass, and his lips twitched.

“I could tell you it’s a bit obvious. Or perhaps heavy-handed. But it smells heavenly.” She poured from the pot into her cup and the refreshing scent of mint filled the air. “So I should probably just say thank you.”

He leaned forward, determined to be honest, at least in the moment. “No, thank you. For coming on this trip. For being so open-minded and for not pushing back when I said I wanted to be a part of our baby’s life.”

“You’re the father,” she said simply.

“Yes, but I know you didn’t have to tell me, and considered not doing so. I arrived and took that decision out of your hands, and I’m not sorry. But I know it’s been difficult and I appreciate you meeting me in the middle.”

More than that. He wanted to treat her well because seeing her walk through those grand houses had made him see that he wanted to be able to convince her to be closer. He didn’t want to have to fly every few months to see his kid. He couldn’t run his business from Back-End-of-Nowhere, Nova Scotia, either. Dictating his desires would accomplish nothing; the right way was to make her want this for herself. His wonderful home in Manhattan. Top schools and opportunities. Weekends away, and no financial stress. In exchange, he’d be there for his kid—the one thing in the world he wanted most. He would never be an absentee father like his own dad had been. His child would never have to wonder if he was loved or if his father even cared at all.