Holiday Baby Scandal

For once in his life, Ryker had no idea what the hell to do. He’d lived on the streets, he’d fought for his next meal and he’d taken risks that not even Mac or Braden knew about. But the shaky ground he stood on with Laney was the scariest thing he’d ever had to face.

* * *

Laney wasn’t sure what was more amusing, Ryker cursing at the tangle of lights that had somehow wrapped itself around his shoulders, or Spike and Rapture continually getting into the tree and swatting at Ryker’s hand.

Poor cats. They thought Ryker wanted to play each time he reached for another branch. Most of the time her cats kept to themselves, ignored her completely. But the excitement of the tree and the boxes had brought them out of hiding.

Laney realized she had completely forgotten about the pain in her ankle. The entertainment in her living room was more than enough to keep her distracted.

But part of her couldn’t help but drift to the “what-if” state. The scenario right now with Ryker decorating, Laney pregnant, resting on the chaise, the fire roaring and the cats playing, it was like a scene from a Christmas card.

Laney couldn’t lie to herself. She wanted that Christmas card. She wanted to have a family like the one she’d grown up in. The O’Sheas were Irish—they knew how to do family gatherings. She had always dreamed of having her own home, having a husband and children. She’d never seen her future any differently.

Perhaps she was going about her plan in the wrong order, but she still had every hope of having children and a husband.

So, how would Ryker fit into this mix? He wasn’t exactly the type of man she’d envisioned when she’d been doing her daydreaming. She’d never thought of being with a man who had scarred knuckles, tattoos, constant scruff along his jawline and an attitude that matched that of her cocky brothers.

Still, Ryker was absolutely everything that got her excited. He turned her on and made her want more—and not just physically. Ryker always made her feel safe, even if he drove her out of her mind.

Perhaps that’s why she was so drawn to him. He didn’t back down, he didn’t care what her last name was and he matched her wits.

Laney stared across the room as Ryker reached toward the top of the tree for the last section of lights. So what if she was admiring the way his T-shirt rode up when he reached or the way his worn jeans covered his backside.

“Why are you staring?”

Laney blinked, realizing Ryker had glanced over his shoulder. Oops. Oh, well, it wouldn’t be the last time she’d be caught ogling.

“I’ve never had a hotter decorator,” she told him with a smile. “Next you can start on the ornaments.”

Ryker turned. Hands propped on his hips, he shook his head. “This isn’t going to work. Whatever is in your mind, get it out.”

Laney shifted on the chaise to prop her elbow on the arm. Resting her chin in her hand, she raised her brows. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The innocent act also doesn’t work on me.”

Laney laughed. “No? Offering to strip my clothes seemed to work.”

Ryker’s stony expression told her he didn’t find her nearly as amusing as she found herself.

“Listen, we’re going to have to learn to get along,” she told him. “We can’t always be griping at each other. You need to relax.”

“Relax? You think I’ll ever relax, especially now that you’re having my child?”

Laney shrugged. “Shouldn’t I be the one freaking out? I mean, I’m carrying the baby.”

Ryker raked a hand over his jaw, the bristling of his stubble against his palm doing nothing to douse the desire she had for him. She recalled exactly what the coarse hair felt like on her heated skin. She’d give anything to feel it all over again.

“Are you that worried about my brothers?” she asked. “I mean, once they find out about the baby, they’ll get used to the idea of us being together.”

“We aren’t together.”

Laney met his dark gaze. “We could be.”

Laying it all out there was ridiculous. Her hint was about as subtle as a two-by-four to the head, but she wanted him to see that they could at least try to be more.

“

No, we can’t.” Glancing around the room, he located a box marked Ornaments and pulled off the lid. “You know why and I’m not going to discuss this every time we’re together. I already told you I’d support you and our baby.”