Holiday Baby Scandal

“Laney just pulled in.”

Ryker glanced to the monitors and saw Laney stepping from her car. While it had stopped snowing, the ground was blanketed in several inches. Braden’s drive and walk had been cleared though.

He tried not to watch as she pulled her coat tighter around her waist or how her long, dark hair blew in the breeze. He didn’t have to concentrate too hard to still feel that hair over his body. Ryker clenched his fists and ordered himself to get control before she stepped inside. This would be the first time the three of them would be together since he’d found out about the pregnancy. He couldn’t give anything away. He couldn’t—

On the screen, Laney slipped and went down. Ryker tore out of the study, down the hall and through the foyer. He whipped open the door, oblivious to the wind and the bitter air. Laney had a gloved hand on the bumper of her car and was pushing herself up.

“Stop.” Ryker slid his arms around her waist. “Lean into me.”

Laney pushed her hair away from her face and looked up at him. “I’m fine. Embarrassed, but fine.”

Ryker didn’t let her go as she came fully to her feet.

“Is she okay?”

Ryker glanced over his shoulder to Braden who was coming toward them. “I think so.”

Laney tried to push off Ryker, but winced. “Okay. Just give me a second.”

His hands flattened over her stomach as his heart sank. “Laney?”

Her eyes held his. “It’s my ankle. Just sore. I’m okay.”

How did she know? Could she be sure the baby was okay? Ryker didn’t know how hard she fell. Hell, he didn’t know anything about pregnancies or babies, but seeing her go down had nearly stopped his heart.

Scooping her up in his arms, and careful to avoid random ice patches, he stalked past Braden and into the house. Zara rushed in from the kitchen, her dark hair flying around her shoulders.

“What happened? Laney?”

“I’m okay.” Laney waved a hand. “Just slipped outside and my ankle is sore. Ryker is being overbearing as usual.”

Considering he’d been that way with her for years, this wasn’t out of the ordinary. He didn’t give a damn if it was. Seeing Laney go down like that had ripped something open inside him. In the brief seconds it took him to get outside, all he could think of was their baby. How the hell was he going to handle parenting?

“I’ll get some ice,” Zara told them.

Ryker gently laid Laney on the chaise in the formal living room. Her hand slid against the side of his neck as she let go. Even though she had gloves on, just that simple touch took him back to Miami when she’d—

No. That was then. A mistake. He couldn’t live in the past. He’d vowed to move on and that’s exactly what he had to do if he wanted to get their intimacy out of his life.

Unfortunately, Laney had imbedded herself into his soul...and he thought he’d sold that to the devil a long time ago.

But he felt her. When she looked at him, he swore he felt her. That delicate touch, the tender gaze. She was hurting now, and he needed to focus.

“I’ll call our doctor,” Ryker stated.

Laney immediately started to shake her head. “I just went down wrong. I’m fine. I didn’t fall hard.”

“Let’s get your boot off and look at your ankle.” Braden went to unzip her boot. “Can you move it at all?”

She wiggled her foot, and Ryker watched her face for any sign of discomfort. When her bright eyes flashed up to his, he had to tell himself not to look away. She could draw him in so easily...and she knew the power she possessed.

“It’s a little swollen,” Braden commented. “I’d say you’re fine. Just stay off it for a while.”

Laney smirked. Freakin’ smirked at him like a child who’d been playing parents against each other. Ryker narrowed his eyes. “I’m calling the doctor anyway just to be safe.”

Before he could slide his cell from his pocket, Laney laid a hand on his wrist. “I’m fine.” Her eyes bore into his, completely serious now. “I promise. I’d know if I needed to be seen.”

She didn’t look away, her grip tightened. Ryker blew out a breath he wasn’t aware he’d been holding. Of course she would get a doctor here if she thought she needed one. Laney loved this baby and wouldn’t make poor choices. Still, for his peace of mind, he’d feel better if she was seen.