The Billionaire's Unexpected Baby(4)

The amount of money in the collective bank accounts of the people in  that church blew her mind. Part of her envied what Kiersten and Cole  would be able to give their child. They'd never have to worry about  finding a decent-and affordable-place to live, or good childcare, or any  of the necessities of life. Not to mention all the fun stuff like the  latest toys and trendy clothes. That kind of security would be amazing.

But there were some downsides to growing up filthy rich. All she had to  do was look around the gathering. Granted, the people streaming into the  church were better than many of their subset. Cole and Kiersten were  good people and they wouldn't have invited anyone who wasn't more like  them than not. Still, there was more than a fair share of trophy wives  dripping in diamonds carrying Tiffany gift bags for the new baby.  Because that's what every baby needed-a literal silver spoon or two to  play with. Even the nicer ones in the bunch seemed a bit out of touch  with real, everyday life.

Leah felt like a regular Joe in a sea of Gwyneth Paltrows. They might be  nice and mean well, but they still thought a hundred dollars for a  T-shirt was a steal and didn't blink an eye at spending a cool grand on a  onesie their kid would puke on inside of five minutes. Leah might have  to struggle sometimes, but at least her child wouldn't grow up spoiled  and out of touch with reality.

Though … a little of that unrealistic fantasy might be nice. Struggling on  her own was bad enough. The thought of being responsible for another  human being filled her with terror.

All further musings on the impending doom in her life ceased the moment  Kiersten handed her baby Piper. Leah smiled down at her goddaughter.  People say all babies are cute. People also know that isn't remotely  true. There are some unfortunate newborns out there. Piper, however,  resided firmly in the adorable zone. Especially at that moment, with her  flowing christening gown and matching bonnet, her rosy round cheeks  sweetly dimpled, cupid's-bow lips puckered with sleepy phantom sucking.       

   





Leah took a deep breath. Yes. There were many aspects of her impending  motherhood that made her want to go into the fetal position herself. But  then again, in six months' time, she'd be holding her own tiny bundle  of adorableness. It had its perks.

She looked up at the proud parents, not even caring about the dopey grin  on her face. Until her gaze met that of Brooks who, as godfather, stood  right beside her.

He watched her, his brow drawn slightly. Like she was a puzzle he couldn't figure out. She mentally snorted. Get in line, buddy.

 …

The after-christening soiree was in full swing under the tent that had  been set up on the beach, the twinkling white lights that had been  strung all over anything that didn't move creating an intensely romantic  atmosphere. Prime seduction real estate, right there. But the only  woman he was even remotely interested in seducing was cradling the guest  of honor who had apparently decided it was past her bedtime and had  fallen asleep in Leah's arms. Not that he blamed the little thing.  Falling asleep in Leah's arms, after doing a few other things there, was  currently top on his bucket list.

Of course, he still couldn't quite wrap his head around the thought that  she had one of those little creatures growing in her belly. Why he  hadn't shaken her hand and immediately hauled ass away from her the  moment she'd told him she was pregnant was a mystery he didn't want to  delve into just then. His interest still burned strong, bad idea or not.  Maybe because it was a bad idea. He was obtuse like that. Whatever the  reason, he couldn't get Leah out of his head.

She finally handed the baby back to Kiersten, a curious expression on  her face. Like she both longed for and dreaded the idea of someone  handing her own baby back to her, which, thankfully, wasn't something  that would be happening anytime soon. They still had time to have a  little fun first. And now that her attention wasn't occupied …

He downed the rest of his champagne, keeping his gaze zeroed in on her  until she looked up. He put on his best swagger and headed straight for  her. She watched him approach like he was a lion stalking his prey.  Or … maybe a giraffe would be more like it. Did giraffes have prey? Either  way, with his height, he'd always been more Deadpool than Wolverine in  the body department. And if she got that reference, he'd marry her on  the spot.

"Dance with me," he said, holding a hand out to her.

Her eyes widened at the command. "Didn't your mother ever teach you how to ask nicely?"

He gave her a slow grin. "Of course, but I figured if I asked that would give you room to turn me down, and I don't want that."

"You always get what you want?"

"Generally, yes."

"Sounds like you could use a lesson in patience."

He pulled her up and into his arms. "Always the teacher, hmm?"

She grimaced a bit. "I try not to be. Can't seem to help myself."

He swayed with her to the music. "Don't stop on my account. I'm finding the whole schoolteacher thing erotic."

She snorted. "I think you find pretty much everything erotic."

"If it's to do with you, absolutely." He twirled her and she gripped his  shoulders. It was all he could do not to haul her against him and show  her exactly how erotic he found her. She laughed, despite the obvious  effort she was making to keep it together. That quiet, husky sound made  him want to really amp her up so he could hear it again. At a louder  volume.

He spun her away from him and brought her back, continuing their path along the dance floor.

She glanced around them and then back up at him. "Every woman in here is  staring at you. You could have any one of them. Why are you dancing  with me?"

He met her gaze. "Because I like you."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You don't even know me."

"I like what I know so far and am trying to get to know you better. If  you could stop making that so difficult it would be much appreciated."

Her lips twitched. "You already know the most important thing about me."

He lifted his brows. "I do?"

She let out an exasperated sigh. "I'm pregnant."       

   





"I know."

"And you're still here dancing with me."

He frowned again. "Is there any reason I shouldn't?"

That seemed to confuse her. "I don't know. I figured the whole baby thing would scare the hell out of most guys."

"Why? Is it contagious? Is it going to rub off on me or something?"

The lips twitched into a half grin. "No."

"Are you in imminent danger of giving birth right here on the dance floor?"

"Of course not."

He pulled her closer. "Then I see no reason why we can't have a little fun."

The shy but happy smile she gave him nearly stopped him in his tracks.  That smile was like a firefly blinking in a pitch-dark room. Quiet,  subtle, and breathtakingly beautiful. The lone spot of light in his  world. There was little he wouldn't do to keep that smile on her face.

"Tell me something you want," he said, leaning down to whisper in her ear.

She pulled back enough to meet his gaze. "What?"

"Anything. You name it. The night is ours."

She shrugged, that small smile still in place. "What more could I want?  I'm surrounded by friends, on a gorgeous island in the middle of the  Mediterranean, in a tent stuffed with the best food I've ever tasted in  my life. Seriously, Kiersten needs to give that caterer a massive tip."

She stopped dancing and met his gaze. "And the most handsome man in the  room has been trying to make me smile all night. There are worse ways to  spend the evening."

He drew a finger along her cheek until he cupped her jaw and drew her  forward slowly enough that she could pull away if she wanted to. His  heart did a serious fist bump when she leaned into him instead.

"Let's see if we can make the evening even better." Before he could  taste the sweet lips that were mere inches from his own, someone clapped  him on the shoulder. "Hey, mate," a slightly slurred British voice  said.

Brooks closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Harrison, what can I do for you?"

Harrison Troy had been a good friend and member of his poker club for  years now. Aside from Cole, Harrison was probably his best friend. But,  hey, everyone had to die sometime. They'd had a good run. If he didn't  walk away right that instant so Brooks could get back to what he'd been  about to do, things were going to get ugly.

"Who is this lovely young lady?" Harrison asked, looking Leah up and down.

"This is Leah," Brooks said, keeping her in his arms, but putting her  slightly behind him. Not that she needed protection from Harrison; he  was true-born British gentry. Unless she had an urgent need to duel to  the death with a fencing saber, she was probably safe from old Harry.  Harrison, however, was not going to be safe from Brooks if he didn't  make himself scarce.

"Leah." Harrison took her hand and kissed it. "Pleasure to meet you."