His Christmas Baby: A Friends to Lovers Romance Read online

  I would have to, of course. Sylvie would want someone stable, and while I could provide for a family ten times over, my schedule wasn’t made for a family. On the road ten months out of the year, hopping from one continent to the next. It wouldn’t be fair to ask a child or a woman to make that sacrifice .

  But I could enjoy it while it lasted .

  That thought got me moving again, whipping up eggs and cream, sautéing vegetables before mixing it together and adding cheese. And bacon. Syl loved quiche and this one had everything she loved, which was perfect, because I needed her happy and relaxed when I told her what I had planned .

  “Damn, that smells good. How much longer?” She came down wearing a t-shirt and slippers, and a heart stopping smile .

  “The timer will tell you. I made mimosas. What kind of fancy chick keeps champagne on hand ?”

  She shrugged. “The kind that might want to randomly celebrate a not guilty verdict while watching Criminal Minds .”

  Damn I loved this woman. “I can accept that .”

  She frowned as she took in the blood orange mimosas and my maybe too hopeful expression. “What’s going on ?”

  “Sit.” I handed her a glass, with a kiss, before sitting across from her. I needed every tool in my belt which meant unleashing what People magazine had called, ‘the smile that most makes you want to sin’. “I want to go away together. All of us. Me and you. The moms and my sisters and their families .”

  “Where?”

  “Tahoe. I have a rental property up there that’s empty and big enough for all of us. This will be our last holiday without the baby, and I think we should really do it big with chopping down a tree to decorate, singing cheesy carols, baking cookies and all that shit.” Okay maybe that last part wouldn’t sell her, but I was hopeful .

  She sipped her drink and stared at me, the heat in her eyes making my cock stir to life. Another sip. Another look. I refilled her glass and waited. Impatiently .

  “Okay. I’m in .”

  “Really? I had a whole list of arguments planned .”

  “It’s a good thing I’m your agent now.” She reached over and cupped my face affectionately. “When you’ve already won, stop negotiating .”

  “Noted.” She leaned forward, both hands on my face and slowly kissed my mouth like it was a treasure. Like it was worth the thorough deep dive she gave it, tasting every inch of me in a slow, drugging kiss. “Come here. I’m in the mood for a pre-breakfast treat.” She let me drag her across the table, both of us laughing hysterically as she kicked over an empty fruit bowl and a napkin holder .

  “Who am I to deny a starving man ?”

  “Exactly,” I told her, spreading her legs wide and licking my lips. Her pussy glistened, gleaming and moist, pulsing in readiness for me. I licked her once. Twice. Three times .

  And the oven timer sounded. We both groaned. “Will it burn ?”

  I thought about it for a second. “Maybe a little. How close are you ?”

  “Very close. I’m totally okay with a little burned, are you ?”

  “More than okay,” I told her and got busy making her scream my name while the bacon got extra crispy in the oven .

  It turns out that a slightly burned quiche tastes just as good as a perfectly cooked one .

  * * *

  “O h no honey, Fiona and I are going to stay here and get started cooking. You have this beautiful kitchen and I plan to make the most of it.” Mom patted my cheek, her grin wide and green eyes sparked with happiness .

  “Lori and Kendra are staying with the kids to make a snowman .”

  “That’s what kids do, Brady. You and Syl should get the tree. Have fun .”

  There was no doubt in my mind that we would have fun together, but I wanted this to be a big holiday gathering with both families. “We will, Ma. I just thought it would be fun if we all did it .”

  Her smile was filled with mischief. “When you get back, we’ll all decorate the tree. Take your time,” she told me, eyes gleaming with mirth .

  I just smiled and rolled my eyes. “Okay, Ma. Can you make some of those pecan pie cookies ?”

  “The ones Sylvie loves ?”

  “Yep, those. Thanks, Ma!” I grabbed my coat and met Sylvie by the car before she could say another word, or flash another one of those damn smiles that told me she saw everything .

  “It’s just us ?”

  “You don’t wanna spend time with me? I’m hurt.” She smacked my arm and slid over, letting her hand slide down my body to rest on my thigh .

  “Oh hush. I just thought there would be more of us.” Her voice was low, filled with heat as she leaned forward and nibbled my ear. “But I think I can manage to get over my disappointment .”

  Those words had me feeling good as we turned into the parking lot of the Christmas tree farm. The snow up here had just fallen, at least six inches, enough to make the day fun. “Come on slow poke.” I pulled her out of the car and she weaved our hands together as we walked through the snow .

  “This place is great! It sucks you had to get injured to spend some time up here though .”

  Yeah it did, but I couldn’t find it in myself to be upset about it when it got me this, whatever it is, with Sylvie. “It has been great though .”

  She stopped and smiled up at me, looking more beautiful than I’d ever seen her with rose cheeks and a ridiculous hot pink hat with a huge white ball bouncing on top of her head. “Unexpectedly so. Thank you, Brady .”

  I pulled her behind a tree and kissed her breathless, completely oblivious to the sounds of laughter around the farm. Or the footsteps drawing closer to us. “Oh, sorry !”

  With a gasp, Sylvie stepped back, ducking behind me to hide her flushed cheeks. Then she sucked in another breath. “Allison Mayweather ?”

  I blinked and realized it was Allison and Todd Bellingham. “It’s actually Bellingham now .”

  “Really? Congratulations, that’s great.” She stepped forward to shake hands, grinning way too bright to cover her embarrassment at being caught. “Do you guys live up here now ?”

  I tuned out while they caught up on jobs and life and relationships. “I always knew you two would end up together. You’re as adorable now as you were back in school,” Allison cooed .

  I waited for Sylvie to correct her but she didn’t. Instead, she smiled up at me and shrugged. “Brady’s always been my guy .”

  I swear I heard Allison sigh and looked to Todd for confirmation. We shared an eyeroll before they shuffled off. “Now, where were we?” I pulled her close and then I felt something cool, no ice cold, on my head. Syl’s giggle was the first clue, then the snow falling around my face. “You are so going to regret that!” She took off and I ran after her, letting her get a lead so I could watch her legs move. Even in big fuzzy boots, they looked long and shapely .

  “Oh! No!” She screamed and laughed when I caught her, wrapping my arms around her as we both fell to the snowy ground. “Now I’m gonna get all wet .”

  I grinned and licked my lips. “All part of my evil plan .”

  Syl rolled her eyes but she couldn’t stop the smile that pulled her lush lips apart. “You are incorrigible, Brady.” As she said the words she scrambled to get up, or pretended to, sliding her molten core against my cock. “Slippery down here,” she said, her voice cracked with desire as she leaned forward and whispered in my ear. “I’m soaked, in case you were wondering.” Then she flashed an evil grin and stood, holding her hand out to help me .

  I contemplated pulling her back down but she gave me a warning look that said she’d hurt me if I did. I stood and wrapped her in my arms again as we began our search for a tree. Which took longer than I ever could have imagined. “What about this one ?”

  Sylvie stood back and studied the tall, Douglas fir and wrinkled her nose. “No. It’s not green enough .”

  I kept my mouth quiet as she rejected four more trees, and moved to another part of the vast property. “What about this?” The Co
lorado blue spruce were gorgeous even to me, with its green and blue needles .

  She grinned. “It is gorgeous,” she said, circling the tree and giving it an assessing look. “Definitely a top contender. Definitely .”

  But not the one . Okay. I couldn’t say what she was looking for except tall but not too tall, green but not too green and doesn’t shed a lot. I was at a loss, cold as hell and hungry enough to start eating some pine bark .

  “This is it,” she said from somewhere but I looked around and realized I lost sight of her .

  “Where are you ?”

  “Right here,” she replied in a wry tone that gave me no clue where she was. “Oh my goodness, is that tennis star Brady Houston ?”

  I spotted her and snuck up behind her, treating her to a snowball on top of her head. “Payback .”

  She couldn’t stop laughing, her soft body pressed into my harder one as she shook with her amusement. “Payback was tossing me in the snow .”

  “Yeah I know,” I whispered in her ear, giving it a quick nibble as I grabbed her ass. “That was for the fangirl routine.” She grinned, cheeks turning pink with embarrassment .

  “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Now look at this tree! It’s perfect.” She pulled me by the hand, standing me about six feet away from a ten foot tall Scotch pine. “It’s a living tree. Take a deep breath,” she said, doing the same and releasing a satisfied sigh that made me think of other times she made that sound .

  “So, this is the tree ?”

  “Without a doubt.” She grinned up at me, those plump pink lips calling out to me and I couldn’t resist the call. I grabbed her face and held her tenderly, lowering my mouth to hers. We kissed until neither of us could breathe and then we kissed a little more after that because we couldn’t get enough. She was as hungry for me as I was for her and we didn’t pull back until a snowball landed right on the side of my face .

  “I guess someone is jealous that you get to kiss me .”

  Her grin was wide as she burst out laughing. “You, Brady Houston, are just unbelievable. Besides it could be that kid who tried to hit on me .”

  “He was sixteen !”

  “A very mature age,” she said haughtily. “Not like some people I know, staring at boobs nonstop .”

  “I was a sixteen year old boy. And your boobs have always been fantastic.” I used to jack off to them all the time back then. “In fact, I have a particular fantasy we can fulfill tonight .”

  Her eyes flared with heat and she pressed closer to me. “I’m in.” She leaned in for a kiss and froze. “Oh my god! I can’t believe our moms haven’t said anything about us sharing a room !”

  I didn’t tell her about the knowing looks Ma sent me this morning. “I think she’s trying to play it cool, worried she’ll spook us if she gets too happy about it.” Though the idea of the mothers knowing didn’t bother as much as it would have a week ago. Hell, a month ago .

  “Maybe. Come on, let’s get some apples so we can make out in the car on the side of the road .”

  Damn I love this woman. “I know just the spot .”

  Sylvie

  Y ou’re fine. It’s just a little bug. At least that’s what I kept telling myself. The truth was I felt like crap. Nothing in particular, just exhausted and a little queasy, which under normal circumstances I’d chalk up to work stress and holiday snacks. But these were not normal circumstances. Having regular sex with my closest friend in the world—without protection—was not normal by anyone’s definition .

  Neither was the period I should have gotten eight days ago. But I couldn’t worry about that, not right now. Everyone waited in the living room so we could decorate the tree, but the urge to empty my stomach had overcome me so I’d claimed to be freezing and snuck off to the big master bath in Brady’s room. I quickly undressed and stood under the hot spray, happy to have a moment to myself .

  Not that I didn’t love being around Brady, because I did. More than even I thought I would. But I wanted him, for more than just a few nights in the sack and I knew I couldn’t have that. He would return to the tour eventually and the life he loved. A new city, a new party and a new girl every other week. That was his life and he wanted to return to it, no matter what happened over the past couple months .

  I had to remember that. Things were so easy with Brady. Complicated as hell now, at least inside my crazy head, but easy too. I could be sexy and sloppy in front of him. But you promise , my stupid conscience niggled. I promised Brady he could walk away if he wanted to and I didn’t go back on my word .

  Ever.

  It didn’t take long to blow dry my hair and put on some warm clothes, but by the time I joined the noise downstairs the party was in full swing. The moms drank eggnog and swayed to All I Want for Christmas by Mariah Carey, while handing ornaments to Brady’s nieces and nephews. Lori and Kendra drank mulled wine, relaxing against one another on the big sofa. “You ladies look beyond relaxed .”

  “The wine is warming us up after being outdoors with the little ones all day. We’re pooped. Have a drink,” Kendra’s words slurred. “We’re getting liquored up because the men arrive tonight .”

  I grinned and went to get my own drink, hot cocoa even though I really would have liked some of Mom’s eggnog. But if there was even a small chance that I was pregnant, I wouldn’t mess it up. Not for anything .

  “Hey, I got you some wine .”

  I turned to Brady and grinned. “No thanks. I’ve got cocoa to warm up these cold bones.” He gave me a curious look but said nothing. “So where do you want me ?”

  “The counter would be good, but there are kids around you dirty girl.” He pressed me into the corner with his body, the heat enveloping me quickly until I felt a drop of sweat slide down my spine. “But, here is good.” His hand slid up my sweater, cupping my breast, pinching the hard nipple .

  “Brady, our families .”

  “No offense sweetheart, but I don’t want to do this with any of the women in that room .”

  My head fell back and his mouth was on my neck instantly, licking and kissing, biting until I let out a long, low groan. “No? Who do you want?” He pinched my nipple again and I arched into him .

  “Brady, can you—oh! Sorry !”

  He groaned but I could hear the grin in his voice. “It’s fine, Ma. What do you need ?”

  “The kids need some help decorating the top half of the tree and they’re requesting their favorite uncle .”

  “Only uncle,” he muttered. “Be right there .”

  “No rush,” she sang and shuffled out of the kitchen .

  “So much for keeping it quiet .”

  His brow furrowed. “Did you really want to ?”

  “No, but I also didn’t want to get caught getting felt up by your mom. Now that I have, do it a little bit more.” He grinned, giving me what I asked for before brushing a gentle kiss to my lips and walking away. Whistling .

  “Interesting.”

  I froze at the sound of that voice. “Mom. You really shouldn’t lurk .”

  She laughed and shook her head, coming in closer wearing that expression that said we were about to talk. “I wasn’t lurking, I was looking to top up my eggnog when I stumbled upon two hormonal teenagers. Oh wait, no I didn’t.” She grinned cheekily .

  “Smart ass .”

  She rolled her eyes at me and went to the bowl, ladling up eggnog before turning to me with a smirk. “How long has this been going on ?”

  “Not long.” That was the truth and besides, so much was still in the air at the moment. I could be pregnant but Brady still hadn’t said anything about being involved so I couldn’t really share the whole story with anyone. Not even my mom .

  “Wow. That was a lot of thinking you just did there.” She did a crap job of hiding her smirk in her glass. “I guess it’s complicated ?”

  I felt my cheeks heat as I nodded. “Something like that. I’ll tell you more when I know .”

  “Or when you can?” Arms cr
ossed, she gave me a long look as if she could see every thought I had .

  “Why are we friends again ?”

  Mom laughed and linked her arm through mine. “Because you know you can talk to me about anything. Whenever you’re ready .”

  I lay my head on her shoulder, enjoying the familiar cinnamon scent she’d worn all through my childhood and beyond. It was a comfort having her here. Now. I wished we could curl up in bed together and I could just tell her everything that was happening and she’d tell me it would all be all right. And somehow, it would. “Thanks, Mom .”

  “Anytime, honey. Whatever it is, it’ll work out .”

  “You don’t know that .”

  She laughed again and patted my arm. “No, I don’t. But I think most things work out just the way they should. Sometimes we can’t see it right away and often we don’t see things at the same time, but usually they make sense. Grab your eggnog and let’s go take some pictures .”

  I grabbed my cocoa and followed her back to the living room, ignoring the strange look she sent my way. “What a great job decorating you’ve done so far.” The kids had already put quite a dent in decorating and I couldn’t wait for the big surprise I’d picked up before Brady and I drove up .

  “Aunt Sylvie!” Miranda, Kendra’s nine year old, ran over to me and wrapped her long arms around my waist. “How are you ?”

  “Who is this tall pretty girl? It can’t be Miranda, she’s this tall.” She laughed and squeezed me tighter. “I’m good, Miranda. How are you ?”

  “Uncle Brady said you have a surprise for us !”

  “He did, did he?” I glared at the man in question who only flashed a grin that made every part of me, heart and body, stand up and sing. “Well I guess it would be rude to make a liar out of him, wouldn’t it ?”

  “Yeah!” The smaller children chimed in simultaneously .

  I made a game out of searching for the huge box while the children giggled and cheered me on. “I think this it!” I held it up and carried it to the tree, setting it in front of Miranda. “Go on, someone open it.” I stood back to let the little monsters go at it, wearing a silly grin and feeling more relaxed than I had in a very long time .