Santa's Secret Baby

“I think that’s enough talk of marriage,” my brother cuts in. He’s protective, and I get it. I don’t have a good track record when it comes to men, and he’s had to save me once before.

“Dasher,” Maggie calls as she carries their son into the kitchen. “He’s awake.” She walks over, placing the baby in Dasher’s arms, and my brother relaxes for the first time since he laid eyes on Isaac.

“See how adorable babies are?” Rae says, staring right at Isaac.

Oh my god. I can’t believe her right now. She must really want a sibling more than I thought.

“They are, and it's clear your mom makes beautiful ones too.”

Rae giggles, and I melt. “This is true,” she agrees.

“Are you ready to tuck in for the night?” Maggie asks Rae, but she gives me a look. If it wasn’t for Isaac I’d tell her I can do it, but instead I nod so she can put her to bed tonight. “I found batteries for your robot guy,” she adds quickly before Rae can say she’s not tired yet.

“Yes!” She jumps up from the stool too fast, and her foot snags on one of the metal bars on the base. She starts to fall, but Isaac moves and catches her quickly.

“Be careful,” I call out as he puts her on her feet.

“Sorry, Mommy.”

After I give her a kiss, she grabs Isaac’s legs and hugs him tight. I stand there shocked as I watch it happen.

“Thanks,” she says, bouncing off to hug Dasher and Eve next before leaving the four of us standing there.

“So…” Dasher starts.

“No, not tonight. She’s a grown woman. She can have a man in her room if she wants,” Eve cuts in. God, I love her.

“My intentions with Jillian are good,” Isaac says anyway.

His arm snakes around my waist, and he tucks me into his side. I lean into him because it feels so damn right. I don’t know what it is, but there’s always been something about him that is meant to be. Even when I think back to that night we had together, I don’t regret it. It gave me Rae.

“She’s a very rich woman.” My brother's words sting a bit. I know he doesn’t say it to hurt me, but I still have my own lingering insecurity about that. I know that’s why Paul locked his claws into me, but again, I can’t regret him either because he too had a hand in me having Rae. If it wasn’t for our wedding day, I might have never met Isaac.

“I said not tonight,” Eve snaps. It’s not a tone she uses often, but when she does, everyone stands up a bit straighter.

“I’m a very rich man,” Isaac says blandly. “I don’t need her bank account. I only need her.”

Emotion starts to creep up my throat, and I can’t help but wonder, if this is how he felt, then why did he disappear?

“Good,” Eve says with a bright smile, trying to ease the tension.

“We’ll talk tomorrow,” I say to Dasher, wanting to break away and be alone now that I know Maggie has Rae for the night.

There are so many things to say, but all I really want is Isaac’s mouth on me. More than anything, I need to get lost in him again before I have to face the things I’ve done.

“I didn’t catch your last name,” Dasher says as we’re walking out of the kitchen.

“Not tonight,” I answer, and Eve smirks. I have no doubt my brother wants to dig up everything he can on Isaac. “Isaac is staying the night. Like I said, we can talk tomorrow.”

We walk out of the room, and I lead Isaac up the stairs. For once I’m taking exactly what I want.Chapter 6Isaac“Where does Rae sleep?” I quietly ask as we walk down the long hall.

“This wing of the estate is mine.” She points up ahead to another hallway. “We have our own living room and playroom here. Her room is that way, the third door on the right.”

She watches me as I peer down the hallway, trying to imagine what her room looks like. What kind of toys she likes and what they watch on TV. It’s been so long since I’ve just been at peace. The thought has the muscles in my body sagging with exhaustion.

“This place is so big.” I think about my condo in the city, which was really only a crash pad when I flew back from France.

“Yes, but living here as a family feels nice.” She shrugs one shoulder. “And Rae gets to grow up with a family and not just me.”

“She’s a good kid?” It’s a question, but I already know the answer as she nods. “I want to get to know her.”

“She’d like that.” When she looks up at me, I see a sparkle in her eyes.