Holiday Baby Scandal

“Have you ever been?”

“What do you think?”

Laney toed the disorderly wreath aside and propped her socked feet on the coffee table. “Maybe it’s time you stop fighting whatever you’re feeling and just go with it.”

The laugh that escaped him was void of any humor. “Life isn’t that easy.”

“It’s your life, isn’t it? Make it that easy.”

“You think I enjoy pushing my level of self-control?” he asked, his voice gravelly, as if fighting back anger. “I have a responsibility to your brothers. I have a responsibility to you.” He let out a deep sigh. “To our baby.”

Laney’s heart clenched. Closing her eyes, she dropped her head back on the cushion and focused on not botching this. Ryker was so much more to her than she could even put into words, but he may never comprehend that.

“You have a responsibility to yourself,” she said softly. “You owe my family nothing. I know you think you—”

“I owe your family everything. And I’ve betrayed them.”

His last words came out on a strangled breath. Laney stilled. Did he honestly believe that? Was he that torn up over the baby that he truly felt he’d gone against her brothers? Why did everything have to come back to his sense of loyalty to her family? They trusted him, they knew him better than anyone else and they might be angry, but they would still love him.

Tears pricked her eyes, and she cursed her stupid pregnancy hormones. Tears had no place here. She was fighting for what she wanted, what Ryker wanted. Hell, what they deserved.

“If that’s how you feel, then th

ere’s nothing I can say. If you don’t want anyone to know this baby is yours, we don’t have to say anything. I can just say I’m not involved with the father and not tell my brothers any name at all.” Though it would kill her. Pain like nothing before speared through her at the thought of Ryker not being involved. “I can’t make you want—”

“That’s the whole problem,” he yelled. “I want, damn it. Too much. But I’ll never turn my back on you or this baby.”

Laney picked at the hem of her T-shirt and swallowed a lump of remorse. “Right. Responsibilities.”

“Laney—”

“It’s late. I’ll let you go.”

She ended the call, dropping the phone into her lap as she battled back tears. Why did he have to be so noble, yet so ignorant at the same time? Why did he feel that he had to sacrifice his own happiness in order to fulfill some past debt? Ryker had more than proved himself to this family.

At least he hadn’t agreed to being left out of the baby’s life. That would’ve gutted her. But he still only saw her as a responsibility, and Laney feared she’d never be more in his life.

Four

“We need to get inside that house.”

Braden nodded in agreement. “How soon can you get back? I don’t want them moving that trunk.”

Ryker leaned back on the leather sofa in Braden’s study. He’d left New York after staying an extra day longer than planned, and had driven straight to Braden’s house. He hadn’t called or texted Laney after their talk on the phone. He’d revealed too much, she’d gotten too close to the raw emotions...emotions he feared he couldn’t hide forever.

Damn it. He hadn’t even been aware of suppressing them, so how the hell did he continue to hide them?

“I can go as soon as I get the blueprint.”

Braden came to his feet. “Great. Laney is due here anytime.”

The blueprint was a pathetic excuse to see her again. He could’ve gotten it the other day when she offered, she could’ve also emailed it. But, he wanted to see her, touch her, consume her. But reality was cold and harsh. He’d had her once, and that would have to stay with him forever because he couldn’t let his guard down again.

He’d not only betrayed Braden and Mac by slashing right through their trust, but he’d let Laney down, as well. He should’ve had more control in Miami, should’ve walked her to her room and kept going once he knew she was safe. How could he have let his all-consuming need for her change their entire lives?

“Ryker?”

Jerking his attention back to Braden, Ryker stood. “Lost in thought. What were you saying?”