Dare to Resist

by Carly Phillips

  “Get some sleep,” she said, breaking into his thoughts. “Who knows how quickly we’ll be woken up again.”

  He nodded. “Thank you, Quinn. You’ll never know how much I appreciate your help.”

  She smiled. “You’re welcome.”

  He walked out and headed back to his room, pausing at the sight of the infant snuggled on the pallet on the floor. His stomach twisted anew.

  Sitting down on his bed, he pulled out his calendar and went back one year, scrolling through various days and weeks, and then it hit him. He’d been in Chicago a year ago, doing business with a client, and he’d been at the hotel bar. A woman had sat down beside him. Nelle Jamieson was her name. They’d flirted. She’d taken him out of his head. Given he’d recently learned about Jesse not being his real dad, he’d been in a mood, feeling alone, and they’d gone upstairs to his room.

  He was a free agent. Why not? But he’d used condoms, dammit. He always used protection. Which wasn’t effective if this little one was his.

  He’d seen her eyes. They were a deep blue. Could get darker, turn the indigo of his family. Not that they all had that color eyes, but the gene was a strong one. Of course, he’d have a DNA test run. And he had cameras outside. He’d have to run the tape and see if he could get a good look at who’d left the baby on his front porch.

  Which begged another question. What kind of woman left a defenseless, innocent baby outside at night? Alone? His protective instincts rose for this sweet baby.

  He ran a hand over his face and lay down on the bed. Little noises reached his ears. He heard every move and sigh the baby made. And if she really was his, the woman who abandoned her could be damn sure she’d never get near the infant again.

  Chapter Three

  A scream jolted Quinn awake. Heart pounding, she rushed to the baby, instinct driving her because it had been forever since she’d had to jump up in the middle of the night to care for an infant. But her body remembered what to do before her brain even kicked into gear.

  She knelt down to pick up the baby, rising and bumping into Austin’s hard body.

  “Shit,” he muttered. “Sorry. I was just rushing on autopilot. I’m not used to this.”

  “Yeah, well, join the club.” She adjusted the crying infant in her arms and patted her back, shifting from foot to foot in a rocking motion that soothed the baby. Her cries quieted to little sniffles. “Can you get the light?”

  He stepped away, and a few seconds later, the room was bathed in brightness.

  She blinked into the glare, her eyes adjusting from darkness, and when she focused, she was looking at Austin dressed in boxer briefs and nothing more, the outline of his cock and the obvious bulge in his boxers completely visible. And what a nice-size one it was. Her body reacted immediately, her nipples hardening beneath her light camisole. Dammit.

  “For God’s sake, put on some clothes,” she snapped at him.

  “Says the woman in a silk top and nothing more,” he drawled in a way-too-sexy voice.

  She frowned at him, realizing that while she’d been staring at him, he’d ogled right back. “I have underwear on,” she muttered, grateful the baby covered her chest. “I’ll change Jenny. Then I’ll make a bottle. You stick close, watch, and learn.” He needed to become comfortable and competent with the infant for as long as Jenny stayed with him and, assuming she was his, for the duration.

  “Okay.”

  After Quinn diapered the baby on the pallet on the floor, giving Austin instructions, feeling his nervous, stiff body behind her, she stood up and held Jenny out to him. “Take her and let’s go downstairs for the bottle.”

  He visibly swallowed hard and accepted the bundle.

  No sooner had Quinn given him the quiet baby and he pulled her into him than she burst into tears. “She hates me,” he said in a loud voice.

  “Relax your body and rub her back to calm her. I keep explaining she’s reacting to your tension.” She met his gaze. “You’ve got this, Austin. I promise. Now come on. She’s hungry.”

  She led him to the kitchen and taught him how to make a bottle with the powdered formula that had been left in the diaper bag and heat it up correctly. For a man who had memorized football plays, he ought to have no problem remembering her directions.

  “Where do you want to give her the bottle?” she asked.

  He blinked in surprise. “I assumed you’d do it.” He grinned. “Please?”

  She chuckled and shook her head. “You’ve got to learn, Daddy.”

  His eyes opened wide at that comment.

  “Come on. We’ll get you set up in the bed. That way you can easily get her back to sleep without jostling her up the stairs.” She didn’t mention how sexy he’d look lying against the pillows with a baby in his arms.

  And when he settled in and was giving Jenny her bottle, even her cynical ovaries did a little dance at the sight.

  “Have a seat.” He gestured to the other side of the bed.

  Wary but willing, she drew a deep breath, walked around the mattress, and settled beside him, lifting her legs so she could relax. It didn’t escape her notice that she was lying in Austin’s bed, in his room, both barely dressed. The baby between them was the only thing that kept her sane and prevented her from crossing that invisible middle line and falling into his arms.

  The fact was, they might not admit to or acknowledge the attraction, but she knew it was mutual. As he fed Jenny in silence, her eyes grew heavy. It had been a long day, first work, then drinks with her brother, and then the baby surprise. She’d never done well being woken out of a deep sleep, and she had a difficult time keeping herself awake.

  * * *

  Austin was aware of Quinn beside him in bed, attuned to every breath she took. So when she started to get sleepy, her head jerking every time she tried to wake herself, he knew it was only a matter of time before she passed out. She needed rest, and he didn’t want to risk waking her to move to her room and maybe have a difficult time falling back to sleep.

  Oh, who was he kidding? He wanted her beside him in his bed.

  He glanced down at the baby. To his surprise, giving her a bottle wasn’t difficult. Jenny did all the work, her little lips pulling on the nipple as she drank her formula. When she finished, he did as Quinn had showed him, putting the burp rag over his shoulder, laying Jenny against it, and patted her back. It wasn’t long before the little thing let out a belch to rival him and his brothers during burping contests while growing up.

  “That’s a good girl,” he said softly.

  Rising slowly so as not to disturb Quinn or upset a quiet and full Jenny, he walked over to the pallet they’d created and laid her down. Still afraid to wake her and hear the screams, he tiptoed back to bed. He climbed on top of his covers and looked over at Quinn.

  Her hair spread across the pillow, a few stray strands lay over her cheek, and her dark eyelashes appeared soft against her skin. Reaching over, he gently brushed the hair away from her face, and she didn’t flinch or move. Exhaustion had really claimed her, so he leaned over his other side, shut the lamp, and settled on top of the covers, too, to sleep.

  * * *

  Sometime during the night, Quinn must have rolled over, because Austin woke up to find a soft woman in his arms. They were on his side of the bed, her body plastered to his. Her breasts rubbed against his side, her arm was wrapped across his chest, and one leg hooked over his so the warmth of her pussy pulsed against his thigh.

  And his cock responded in kind, which meant now he had a hard-on and the woman he desired exactly where he wanted her. If only he could wake her with a deep, hard kiss, his tongue in her mouth or her sex, he wasn’t fussy. He needed to taste her everywhere. As he lay on his back, tortured in the best possible way, debating whether or not to take that step, Quinn moaned in her sleep. He held his breath, wondering if she’d wake up and freak out to find herself in such a delicate position.

  She shifted a little and moaned again, the sound completely erotic t
o his ears, and when she started to grind against his thigh, he thought his head would explode. Both of them.

  Gritting his teeth, he knew he had to wake her. “Quinn,” he whispered.

  “Mmm.” Her hand slid across his chest, palm splayed wide, her touch branding him.

  “Quinn, wake up,” he said a little louder.

  “What?” She lifted her head and looked right into his eyes. “Austin?” She blinked the fuzziness of sleep away, and with awareness came a flush to her cheeks.

  “Oh my God. I must have cuddled up to you in my sleep. I’m sorry.” She started to shift her leg off him at the same time he began to move away, but instead of parting ways, she ended up pressing harder against him and she let out a sigh of pleasure.

  They both froze.

  “Austin,” she whispered, her pussy arching into his thigh harder than before. She licked her lips, and he knew she didn’t mean for it to be provocative but it was.

  He slid his fingers into her soft, silky hair and cupped the back of her neck, tipping her head upward. So easily. He could pull her to him so easily and his lips would be on hers in an instant. But knowing she worked for him, she needed to ask. He couldn’t initiate nor could he take.

  So he waited.

  She stared at him, and he could read the turmoil crossing her pretty face. He could also see the minute she came to a decision, the determination etching her features obvious.

  “Kiss me, Austin.” Her voice came out in a husky whisper that went straight to his already hard cock, and his grip on her scalp tightened.

  Her eyes dilated with need, but he remained still because he was holding on by a thread, and if she let him off leash, he didn’t want any regrets later. He needed her to be sure she didn’t want to end this now before they went any further.

  Before he could ask her, she pushed herself up and her lips locked with his. That was all the permission he needed. He speared his tongue between her lips, his kiss demanding and all consuming. He finally had this woman where he wanted her and he intended to make the most of it.

  Flipping her onto her back, he dominated both her and the kiss, his mouth sliding over hers, teeth nipping her bottom lip, his tongue thrusting hard and deep. And with his cock, he began to grind himself in the sweet vee between her thighs. Her hands came to his hair, her fingers threaded into the longer strands and pulled at him while he made himself at home on top of her. She was pliant and willing but gave as good as she got, kissing back with the same fervor he felt for her.

  His cock poised at her sex, her thin panties and his boxer briefs the only things keeping him sane, he thrust against her, swallowing every moan and pant she offered him. His cock rubbed her clit, and her hips rocked back and forth as she arched her back, grinding her pussy against him. Suddenly she stilled as she came, crying out, a sound he swallowed with his mouth but one he’d never forget.

  He’d jerk off to the memory in the days to come, that much he knew.

  He rolled off her and onto his side, propping his head in one hand, ignoring the aching in his cock.

  Her gaze met his, still hazy with satisfaction. “We really crossed a line,” she murmured.

  “One we put in place. It’s not like we’re violating any office policy.” He ran his finger down her nose and smiled. “You’re pretty after you come.”

  She blushed even more. “Austin,” she said on a groan.

  “Let’s not overanalyze, okay? It was mutual.”

  “Except you didn’t—”

  He shook his head. “Doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy.” They were speaking quietly, both aware of the baby sleeping on the floor.

  Before they could continue the conversation, Jenny made her presence known, letting out a cry that Austin recognized would soon turn to a full-on fit. Enough time had passed since her last bottle that she was probably hungry.

  “Do you want diaper or bottle?” he asked Quinn, feeling as if he was building a routine for Jenny. One that included Quinn.

  What would happen between them remained to be seen.

  * * *

  With Jenny sleeping in her baby carrier in the kitchen, Austin sipped his coffee and thought about last night. He’d managed another two hours of sleep before they woke for the day. After the bottle and diaper change, Quinn had insisted on returning to her bedroom to sleep, and Austin hadn’t argued, understanding she needed her space.

  He did, too. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d fooled around with a woman that didn’t end in sex and mutual satisfaction. What he’d done with Quinn had been with her pleasure only in mind. That was extremely unlike him, and he didn’t understand why everything with Quinn felt so different. So important.

  This morning, they had been cordial to each other, but she’d definitely been distant around him. They’d taken turns showering, and he’d lent her a pair of sweats and a tee shirt, the smallest he could find in his drawers, and as she entered the kitchen, he realized now he had to look at her wearing his clothes.

  Her damp hair hung down her shoulders, and though she wasn’t petite, the outfit swallowed her body, making him jealous. He wished his arms were wrapped around her again, the way the soft cotton clung to her frame.

  “So I was thinking,” she said, unaware of the direction of his thoughts. “You need a ton of things from the store for the baby, and because you don’t have a car seat, we can’t both go shopping.”

  “I’ll go,” he said, offering quickly before she could suggest he stay home with the infant. As soon as Jenny opened her eyes, she’d take one look at him and scream until Quinn returned. He was getting used to the pattern of behavior, though admittedly, it was starting to make him feel bad.

  She grinned. “I figured you’d say that, so I made a list and emailed it to your phone. You should go to Target. They’ll probably have everything you need, though I have to warn you, it’s a pretty extensive list because I’m assuming you’re going to have Jenny for a while.”

  He tried to swallow but his mouth had grown dry. “I plan on calling my lawyer to set up a paternity test. And I’ll check the cameras to see if I recognize who dropped her off last night, and give the tape to a PI.”

  Quinn walked to the coffeemaker, took the mug he’d left out for her, and poured herself a cup of coffee. “But you do plan on keeping her until you find out the results? Or will you call the authorities and turn her over to the state?”

  “Fuck no!” He’d never even considered it. He might not know a damn thing about babies, but the thought of giving the screaming banshee to strangers didn’t sit right with him.

  When Quinn turned to face him, she had a knowing, pleased smile on her pretty face. Even without makeup, she was beautiful.

  “I assumed that was the case.” She chuckled. “Is there milk in the refrigerator?”

  He nodded and she walked over, opened the door, and pulled out a carton, pouring a generous amount into her coffee before returning the milk to the fridge.

  “So as I was saying, it’s a big list. Your Porsche isn’t going to hold everything.” Quinn leaned against the granite countertop.

  “I’ll take the Navigator.” He had the truck in the garage.

  “Okay, good.” She took a long sip of caffeine and moaned her approval, the sound reminding him of the noises she’d made when she climaxed beneath him. “Mmmm. I needed this,” she said.

  He needed her, but he had to focus on the situation and immediately realized he’d just assumed she didn’t have plans today. “Do you mind staying with Jenny while I shop?” He refused to think of what he’d do when Quinn finally had to leave.

  She shook her head. “I was going to do laundry and relax today. It’s fine for me to stay, but on that note, don’t you think you need to line up help?”

  “Like who?” he asked, playing dumb. The longer he could avoid the situation the better.

  “Your mother? Sister? A brother or two?” Quinn raised an eyebrow over the mug as she drank.

  “I’d really rather not,
” he admitted, the thought of telling his family he’d possibly fathered a baby with a one-night stand not appealing.

  She sighed. “I’m sure you don’t expect me to move in and take care of the baby, so what’s your plan?”

  Actually the thought of her moving in didn’t sound so bad. Jenny responded to Quinn, always settling down when Quinn held her. And if he put their sexual incident aside, because he couldn’t let that count in his thought process, having Quinn around hadn’t been bad at all. He liked her in his home. And the look of her in that camisole last night, her long, tanned legs peeking out from beneath the short top? Yeah, that was a sight he could get used to.

  “Austin? What’s your plan?” Quinn asked again.

  He shrugged. “Frankly, I don’t have one.”

  “Right. So I’ll call Bri and ask her to set up a family meeting this afternoon. Suck it up because you need them.”

  He shuddered but knew he had no choice.

  A little while later, he’d left Quinn and Jenny at the house and was headed toward Target, using the time to make some calls. Like Quinn, his attorney asked if Austin wanted him to call Child Protective Services or the authorities about the baby, and he’d immediately rejected the idea. There was a chance Jenny was his, and he wasn’t putting her or any baby into the system before knowing for certain.

  At Target, chaos ensued. Even with Quinn’s list, Austin was at a loss. Diaper sizes were confusing as fuck. Formula, he had the exact type, but he had no idea how many cans or tubs of the stuff to purchase.

  “Baby bathtub? What the fuck?”

  “Excuse me, but language?” a female voice said.

  He turned to see a woman with a young child in the front seat of the shopping cart. “Sorry,” he muttered and changed directions, heading to the aisle with plastic bathtubs.

  Another glance at the list and he groaned. Digital thermometer, changing pads, baby wipes, Diaper Genie, Balmex, infant Tylenol, baby shampoo, blankets, burp rags, bottles, nipples … nipples? Jesus fuck.

  He kept that inside this time. Bouncy seat, baby carrier because apparently Quinn thought he was going to strap Jenny to his chest and walk around with her dangling from his body, onesies size six-to-nine months, and pacifiers.