Holiday Baby Scandal

Laney closed out the cold and set the dead bolt. Crossing her arms over her chest, she faced the man she’d been half in love with since she was a teen.

“This is a surprise,” she told him. “Did you come to talk or is something wrong?”

“I need to head out of town.”

Laney nodded. His rushing out of town was nothing new. He did so many things for the family. The O’Sheas had gone global with their famous auction houses. Ryker sometimes traveled to obtain relics or random pieces for a specific auction. He’d been known to procure heirlooms that had been stolen. Some may look at him as a modern-day Robin Hood since he returned items to their right owner.

He also was known to go to his home in London for a quick escape, but he was always a text or call away. He put her family first above all else.

“I’m leaving in the morning, and I’ll be gone a few days.”

Laney tipped up her head. “You never tell me when you’re going out of town unless you need my computer skills to pull up the blueprint of a building. If that’s what you—”

“I’m not here for the blueprint.”

The way those black-as-night eyes held her in place had her shivering. Why did she let him have such power over her? He had more power in one stare than most guys did in a kiss. And she’d dated some great kissers.

“Then why are you here?” She was proud of her strong tone but worried about what his answer would be.

“Are you feeling okay?” he asked, his eyes dropping to her stomach, then back up. “I didn’t ask earlier. Or, hell, maybe I did. It’s all still kind of a blur.”

So he was here about the pregnancy. She should’ve known he wouldn’t stay too far from her. He’d always been protective in that overbearing, bouncer kind of way.

“If you’re going to hover, don’t waste your time.”

She didn’t want to sound ungrateful, but she didn’t want a babysitter. She wanted him, damn it. She wanted him to see her as a woman. As the woman he’d let down his guard with several weeks ago.

Up until then, she’d always thought he saw her as Mac and Braden’s little sister. Someone he helped when necessary, but who was more family than anything.

“If I want to hover, I damn well will,” he growled. “You’re having my child. You’re part of a very well-known family, and it’s my job to protect you.”

That was the crux of the entire problem. The slice to her heart shouldn’t surprise her. Did she honestly think that after they’d had sex he’d come around? That when he knew about the baby he’d profess his undying love to her? No, but she’d at least hoped for him to treat her like...hell. Was it too much to ask for him to act like he cared about her as more than his friends’ baby sister?

“I don’t want to be your job.”

Laney turned before he could see the hurt on her face. Heading back toward her office, she couldn’t care less if he let himself out or if he followed. Trying to capture Ryker’s attention for so long was exhausting. She sure as hell didn’t want it now due to a job or a baby. She wanted him to look at her for her. Nothing else.

Apparently that was too much to ask. With his traveling schedule, he probably did hookups and one-night stands. She’d never seen him in any type of a relationship or even heard him mention seeing someone. Laney thought she may take way too much delight in that, but whatever.

Just as she reached the threshold of her office, a hand clamped around her arm and spun her.

“Don’t walk away from me.”

Laney raised her brows. “You’re not in charge of me, no matter what my brothers tell you to do. I can get along just fine without being coddled.”

“Would you quit acting like you’re so put out? Your brothers care about you and only want you safe.”

Laney jerked free of his hold but kept her eyes on his. “And what about you, Ryker? Do you care about me?”

“Of course I do.”

Laney swallowed. “As a brother?”

The muscles along the stubbled jaw ticked. “I’m not doing this, Laney. I’m not hashing out my feelings or letting you get inside my head.”

Of course he wouldn’t. Ryker would never let anyone in because he was made of steel. She’d never seen him show emotion, other than frustration and anger. But he never talked about what drove him to those feelings. The clenching of the muscles in his perfectly squared jaw indicated he was angry. Other than that, he played his cards seriously close to his chest.

“Whatever.” She waved a hand in the air. “I’m feeling fine. There. Now you’ve checked up on me, and you can go on your way, guilt-free. This all could’ve been done in a text.”