Mister Baby Daddy (Bad Boys in Love Book 3)

by Cassie-Ann L. Miller

  We finalized the remodel weeks ago. But for some reason, the construction crew is back this morning. Their trucks are parked haphazardly in the driveway. Some of the workers stand around in the yard, reviewing what appear to be architectural plans. Others are hauling stuff out the cabin’s front door and dumping them into a pickup truck trailer.

  At this point, I don’t know what to think. I throw my car in ‘Park’, sling my purse over my shoulder and hobble across the lawn, tossing distracted greetings at the guys as I go.

  I squint and try to make out the tiny wording on the nondescript cardboard boxes piled up on the porch.

  Crib. Tiny mattress. Matching shelving. Tiny baby bathtub. All in teal blue, my favorite color.

  What the hell?

  When I step into the house, I find Walker standing inside the hallway closet—that closet I once suggested he turn into a guest bedroom—and he’s hauling junk out like his life depends on it.

  “Hey,” I call out.

  At the sight of me, he straightens up and wipes sweat from his forehead with his arm. And oh my gosh—how am I not yet immune to that simple action?

  “Hey, beautiful.” His arm comes around my waist and he tugs me close for a mind-melting kiss. A few seconds of mouth-to-mouth action and I’ve nearly forgotten that I was just about to interrogate him.

  “What’s going on here?” I ask.

  My eyes dart to the end of the other hallway, right outside Walker’s bedroom door. There are baby-themed gift bags and boxes everywhere. All the stuff I received at the baby shower.

  The man grins smugly. “Well, several months ago, my interior designer had a brilliant idea.”

  I cock a brow. “Oh, did she? What idea was that?”

  With a boyish grin he nods. “She suggested that I turn this closet into a guest bedroom.”

  My curiosity slowly begins to build into anticipation. I think I know where he’s going with this.

  Still smug as ever, he continues. “I brushed off the idea at the time but then, my domestic circumstances changed and now, I’d like to revisit that idea.” He waves his arm to gesture into the closet. “We’re gonna bust down the wall, extend the room a few feet, put in some windows. We’re gonna build that room into a nursery, Penn. For the twins. What’d’ya think?”

  I slam both hands over my mouth to hold back my shocked sob.

  “For heaven’s sake, Walker. You need to stop being so damned perfect.” I laugh through my tears. “You know these pregnancy hormones have me so emotional. You can’t have me out here bawling my eyes out every single day.”

  He laughs and squeezes me tighter against his side. “You’re crying good tears, right?”

  I turn to face him. I cup his scruffy face between my palms. “Yes, good tears. The best tears. I’m so happy, Walker. I’m so happy with you.” I glance around the room and in my mind’s eye, I imagine the completed nursery, bright and vibrant and full of love. It’s my dream come true. Only better. “When you hired me to decorate your house, I never realized I’d be decorating my home, our home.”

  Walker chuckles. “We were both pretty clueless for a long damn time.”

  Body shaking with laughter, I cling to him. “I know, right? But everything’s clear now. You’re it for me, Walker Kingston.” I take him by the wrist and pull him into the living room.

  “What are you up to?” he asks as we stand in front of the waning flames in the fireplace.

  I dig the paternity waiver document out of my purse and place it in his hand. With my chin, I gesture toward the fire. “I want to pretend this whole paternity contract thingy never happened,” I tell him. “I’m sorry I ever suggested it. I want us to raise our kids together.”

  He bursts into the widest smile I’ve ever seen. He crumples the thing up into a ball and jubilantly tosses it onto the embers. “Hell yeah, woman.” His mouth comes down on mine as the paper ignites. “You’ve made me so fucking happy, Penn.” Those big palms roam up and down my back. “This will be our home. You and me and our babies, together.”

  Heart ready to explode with exhilaration, I laugh and laugh and kiss him some more.

  When we pull apart, I feel dazed. I glance out the window at the construction trucks on the lawn. Putting in this nursery is going to cost some money.

  “What…what about the new tractors?” I ask. “There’s no way we’ll be able to afford them now.”

  Walker scoffs at me and gives me an incredulous look. “Woman, are you crazy? You’re my fucking dream come true. I don’t give a shit about tractors. Do you think that I would ever, ever choose some tractors over you?” He stares at me tenderly.

  I gaze up at him. “Okay, fine. But, I know the greener equipment means a lot to you. So, let’s promise ourselves that we’ll find a way to make it happen, anyway.”

  “Okay. Fine. We’ll make it happen.”

  He kisses my forehead. Then his lips trail their way back down to my mouth and we dive into another soul-claiming kiss.

  59

  Penny

  I can’t stop staring at them…” Walker whispers reverently.

  Neither can I. My eyes are transfixed to the pair of magical creatures cradled to my chest.

  “They’re perfect,” I say, my voice cracking with emotion.

  I was having contractions sporadically all day yesterday. My water broke just after dinner time and Walker hoisted me into his truck.

  The events that happened after we arrived at the hospital are kind of hazy. I remember the agonizing flashes of labor pain, the overhead lights of the delivery room, the soothing encouragement of the nurses.

  There was lots of screaming and bodily fluids and a double-burst of euphoria when I pushed two healthy, shrieking six-pounders out into the world.

  Our family and friends descended upon the hospital’s maternity ward in a flurry of flowers and teddy bears and baked goods, everyone excited to meet the latest additions to the Kingston family tree.

  Now, it’s just us. Me and Walker and our itty-bitty boys. We’re cuddled up in the too-small hospital bed, experiencing our first moments together as a new family.

  My man pulls a warm blanket over us and I inch closer to him, loving the heat of his body near mine.

  Walker runs his fingertips through the shock of red hair on our older son. “Hello there, Luke,” he whispers quietly as he eases the tiny boy out of my arms. “It’s so amazing to meet you and your brother.”

  Luke came out three minutes ahead of his younger twin and he already has a bossy streak. He’s repeatedly been the one to initiate cuddling and handholding with his little brother in the hours since they’ve been born.

  I hug Mayor closer. He’s going to be the lazy, cuddly one. I can tell from the way he nuzzles his face between my breasts the second he has me all to himself.

  We named the boys after the men in the family.

  Luke Elliot Kingston, for Lucas and Eli.

  Mayor Walker Kingston, in honor of Walker’s maternal grandfather.

  With the baby safely tucked against his chest, my man shrugs off the blanket and shifts like he’s about to get out of bed.

  “Noooo…Where are you going?” I whine, my free arm reaching for him. “This is perfect. Don’t get up.”

  I have never loved any moment of my life as much as I love this moment here.

  Walker pauses. He stares at me, his eyes filled to the brim with an intense emotion.

  “What is it, baby?” I whisper, holding his gaze.

  He hesitates then settles back beneath the blanket. He takes my hand in his. “I’m supposed to get down on one knee. I’m supposed to pour my heart out and offer you a ring.” He gives an impish smile. “But the ring is in my jacket pocket, over there on the hook…and I can’t wait one more second to ask you…”

  Something warm washes over me as every nerve ending in my body comes to life.

  He takes a breath. “I wanna marry you, Princess. I’d do it right this second, if you’d let me.”

&n
bsp; I smile. I feel tears in my eyes. “What?”

  “I’ve waited almost thirty years for this. I don’t want to wait anymore. Marry me.”

  “Like…now?” I giggle.

  He shrugs playfully. “I’d do it right here, right now…since it doesn’t seem like you have any intention of leaving this bed.” He chuckles.

  I throw my head back and laugh again. “I definitely have no intention of leaving this bed any time soon but can you at least give me a couple months to recover from popping these babies out?”

  He grins. “Okay. But that's all you get. A few months. I can’t wait for you to finally be mine.”

  I lean my head on his shoulder. “Oh, I’ve always been yours, Big Man.”

  “Good.” He kisses the top of my head. “So, let’s do this forever-and-ever thing, Princess.”

  I tilt my face up to his. “Let’s do it.”

  My heart is rehearsing something acrobatic when our lips come together. My eyelids fall closed and we share a sweet kiss.

  When I open my eyes again, there’s a guy standing in the doorway. He’s carrying a simple pair of blue balloons. His jaw is tense, his facial features are hard, but there’s something warm and familiar in his eyes.

  I blink. I pull in a breath.

  When I nudge Walker with my elbow, his attention goes to the doorway. His eyes widen as he utters the name. “Eli…”

  Epilogue

  Walker

  Two and a half months later…

  I’m standing under a floral arch on my front lawn. My heart is pounding, my hands are fidgety and this necktie is too damn tight. But I’m not going anywhere, because I’m waiting for my girl to make her grand entrance and pledge her heart to me.

  The sun shines high and bright but the air is nippy. It’s a little more than a year to the date that Penny and I started this crazy adventure. We’re having a small ceremony with our family and a handful of friends. Mom is in the first row next to her sister MaryAnn, eyes glistening with tears already, as she bounces Baby Di on her lap. A big palm lands on my shoulder and I glance back at Dad. His wise eyes offer me wordless reassurance. My brothers are here, too, giving me their usual smirks, and somehow I know that it’ll all turn out okay. Because Penny loves me and I love her and we have a lifetime ahead of us.

  My eyes are transfixed to the front door of the cabin as it slowly swings open. Callie comes out first, alongside Jessa. They sprinkle petals along the narrow aisle.

  Then come Iris and Lexi. They’re carrying the twins. My little boys are dressed up in flannel shirts with suspenders and bowties and tiny cowboy hats. Somebody’s going to have to explain the outfits to them when they get old enough to be embarrassed by the pictures. It won’t be me.

  When Penny steps out the door draped in a delicate white slip gown, I see my past, my present and my entire future standing right there on that porch. She’s my whole damn life.

  Miss Lucille accompanies my bride down the aisle and hands her over to me. With a firm nod of my head, I promise the woman that I will honor and protect her niece for a lifetime.

  My bride manages to make it through most of the ceremony without crying. But as she recites her vows to me, she starts coming apart.

  I wipe her tears then hold both of her hands in mine. She looks deep into my eyes. “You’re the center of my universe, Walker,” she says, her voice shaking. “My heart revolves around you. I’ll be anything you need me to be. I’ll be Mars when you need someone to defend you. I’ll be Venus when you need someone to love you. I’ll be Pluto when you need someone to hold your secrets. I’ll be the moon to shine light on your darkness. Anything you need, I’ll be it for you. Forever.”

  I’m not a poetic dude, so I keep my vows simple but every damn word I say to her is a promise I intend to keep. “You will always be taken care of. You will always be provided for. You will always be listened to. You will always be loved. You’re mine in so many ways, I don’t even know where to start counting. You’re my best friend. You’re my lover. You’re my teenage fantasy, all grown up.” I lower my face to hers. “You’re my baby mama.” We grin at each other. “You’re my heart, Princess. And I take care of what’s mine.”

  When the ceremony ends, we and our guests head over to the family inn for the wedding reception. There’s food and laughter and dancing, happiness crackling in the air. Me and my new bride slow dance to that song I hummed to her once, the one about us being there for each other even as the world comes to an end. It’s definitely my favorite song now.

  I spin her around and my gaze travels down her perfect body. “You look so fucking beautiful, P.” I tug her close to me and whisper.

  She beams. “Do you like the dress?”

  “The dress looks gorgeous,” I tell her honestly. “It looks like it was made for you.”

  She swallows, her eyes going hazy with tears. “This is your mother’s dress,” she tells me in a soft voice.

  I pause. “What?” My brows crinkle.

  Penny beams. “This is the dress your mother wore when she married your father. The dress she wore when she was pregnant with—”

  “Me…”

  She nods. “I was considering a handful of designer wedding gowns but my heart kept telling me that this was my dress. It was more than just another pretty gown. It felt…significant to me, knowing that your mom was carrying you when she wore it.”

  I ease her out of my arms to take a step back and absorb the sight of her once more. My heart feels like it’ll split open. I’m not usually a sentimental guy but my bride wearing this dress—the dress my mother wore when she walked down the aisle with me growing inside her—means something to me.

  “God—you’ve made me the fucking luckiest man who ever walked this planet, Penelope Kingston. I love you so much.” My wife is so fucking thoughtful, always going out of her way to enrich my life in the most beautiful ways.

  Penny has her own office and a growing roster of interior design clients from Crescent Harbor and the surrounding towns. She’s a full-fledged business woman now. She even went so far as contacting a dealer of the tractors I’ve had my eye on. She summoned her inner coupon goddess and, with Cannon’s help, she managed to negotiate a good financing deal with a payment plan that we can afford. I’m focusing on my family now so the tractors hadn’t been a priority for me at the moment. But the fact that Penn went out of her way to make sure I got them anyway, I have no words to describe how loved that made me feel.

  "Will you love me forever?" She bites her bottom lip, chewing down her smile.

  "I always have,” I tell her, “and I’ve got no intention of stopping now. Not for another two, three lifetimes or so."

  She comes close. “Ask me what time it is…” she says daringly.

  I chuckle. “If you say booty-call o’clock, I will smack the fuck out of your juicy butt. Right here in front of all our wedding guests.”

  She rolls her eyes at the threat. “Just ask.”

  Huffing, I play along. “What time is it, Princess?”

  “It’s happy-ever-after o’clock.” She grins then puts a soft kiss on my mouth. “I wanna ‘life’ the fuck out of my life, Walker. With you.”

  Thank you so much for reading MISTER BABY DADDY! I hope you fell in love with Walker and Penny and their babies.

  So…will Eli Kingston get his own happy ending? Why, of course.

  Eli Kingston is out of jail, y'all. He's angry and he's jaded and he's horny. And he's looking for someone to take it out on.

  Can sweet, perky Jessa take the heat?

  Excerpt

  The house is still and silent. I’m sitting on the couch. In the dark. Holding hands with the man who’s supposed to be my boss. The man I’ve fantasized about for months.

  His face is just inches from mine, and I don’t even know how that happened.

  I swallow hard, begging my racing heart to slow the heck down. I look up and finally meet his eyes. The way he’s looking at me right now makes it hard to breat
he. My inner thoughts battle it out as I stare back at him. There's a war going on inside me.

  Kiss me...

  Don’t kiss me...

  I glance at his sensual mouth.

  Kiss me, dammit!

  Mister Bossy is a steamy, laugh-out-loud, single dad and nanny, small town romance featuring a chirpy nanny who believes in fairytales and a growly alpha who's lost his faith in...everything. It is set in small town Illinois. It is the Bad Boys in Love series conclusion that you didn't see coming...Or maybe you did.

  Pre-order Mister Bossy here!

  Guess who Penny and Walker run into while on honeymoon?

  Hint: Aquaman, is that you? I smell some drama…

  Click here to grab your copy of the Mister Baby Daddy bonus epilogue now!

  So, what to read now?

  While you're waiting for Mister Bossy to go live, jump into the Blue Collar Bachelors, another charming and hilarious small town rom com series.

  If you love a steamy enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract romance featuring a growly bad boy full of secrets and the prissy cupcake shop owner next door determined to chase him out of town, read an excerpt of Bad Boy. Explosive banter and Kindle-melting chemistry await you. (It’s free in Kindle Unlimited.)

  CLINTON

  Tucking my helmet under my arm, I twirl my key ring around my pointer. As I head off down the sidewalk, my foot catches on something. The chalkboard sign makes a cracking noise that echoes down the quiet street as it hits the pavement. Several colorful balloons pop in the process.

  What the fuck?!

  It really pisses me off that people do inconsiderate shit like that. You want to advertise your business? Take out an ad in the newspaper. Don’t drop your dumbass message board into the middle of a sidewalk, cluttering the passageway where other people are supposed to walk.