The Baby Claim

by Catherine Mann

  On creeping toes, they made their way into the small nook area with the crib. Broderick laid the baby down carefully.

  The only sounds were the quiet ones of a snoozing baby. His eyes met Glenna’s. And though shadows cloaked her face, she seemed calm. A small smile rested on her lips.

  He realized right then why he’d jumped at the idea of making their relationship more serious.

  This wasn’t a casual weekend rekindling for him.

  Ten

  The next morning, Glenna woke to streaks of sunlight coming in through the windows. The days were lengthening, but Alaska nights were still long, even in the spring. She stretched and wriggled her toes to work away the remnants of sleep.

  And then the night came flooding back.

  How she and Broderick had decided to stay in the room with Fleur. How they’d fallen asleep while waiting to make sure she was really okay. They’d had the small parenting victory of figuring it out together.

  She found herself drawn to the word together.

  Sleep had come so quickly in that domestic scene. She opened her eyes fast and found—

  The bed was empty. The pillow held the indention of his head and the Egyptian cotton sheets were tangled. The fat comforter dragged off his side of the bed. She touched the space and found the fine thread count sheets to be cool. He’d been up for a while.

  Her gaze skirted over to the portable crib. It was empty, as well, the whale-and-fish mobile swaying lightly. The house was silent, with not even a bark from Kota.

  Curiosity, along with a hint of panic, wafted through her.

  She swung her legs off the bed, the furry rug warm on her bare feet. She tiptoed along the floor until she found her fleece-lined slippers and shoved her chilly feet inside. Threading her fingers through her tangled mass of hair, she padded to the bedroom door...

  And oh my, the sight took her breath away.

  Broderick stood by the soaring window overlooking the water, Fleur in the crook of his arm as he fed her the last of a bottle. Kota snoozed on the sofa with an unrepentant air. The whole tableau had such a natural look, the epitome of so many dreams she’d had for her life back when she was married to Gage.

  Except right now, she was having trouble remembering her dead husband’s face. All she saw was Broderick’s tender expression as he talked to the swaddled infant.

  “Shh, little one. Let’s not wake up Glenna. She’s been taking such very good care of you. She needs her rest.” He set aside the bottle and eased the baby to his shoulder, and a rag draped over his shirt. He patted her back a little awkwardly still, but was becoming better and better with practice. A tiny foot in a pink bootie slipped free from the blanket and Broderick ensured the little leg was well covered.

  His attempt touched Glenna deeply. She leaned against the door frame, tilted her head to the side as Broderick continued, “You know, one day I’ll help you with homework. We’ll discuss y=mx+b and other mathematical equations that will blow away the rest of the class. And I’m sure you will be the smartest kid in the room. Hey, probably even the whole school—”

  Then he stopped short, as if feeling Glenna’s gaze. He turned on his bare heels, a sheepish grin on his face. “She seems to like math.”

  Glenna laughed softly and padded closer, her heart warmer than her toes curling inside the fleece slippers. “So much so, you put her right to sleep.”

  He ducked his head to peer at Fleur’s face. “Well, what do you know? She’s out like a light.” He softened his voice. “It’s mind boggling how much babies sleep. Seems like she just woke up.”

  Glenna extended her arms, wanting a turn, hungry to feel that tiny weight curled against her. “Thank you for taking her so I could sleep in this morning.”

  “We’re a team here. For the new family order.”

  Broderick placed Fleur in her arms, his hands brushing hers in the process. Little sparks of electricity danced in her stomach, awareness building.

  Her gaze flashed up to his. Any question about whether or not he felt the same way was answered in that heated look. Her heartbeat quickened; her breath caught.

  How long could she pretend that attraction didn’t affect her? From the look in his eyes, pretense was drawing to a close.

  Glenna gingerly walked to the crib and set Fleur down, caught in a dream of what this life might be. After smiling down at the baby, she kissed the top of Fleur’s head. The moment her lips touched skin, she realized those test results would be back soon. The business merger would begin. And this idyllic time away would end.

  Sooner rather than later.

  She didn’t know if she wanted to accept Broderick’s offer of a serious relationship. But she knew she wanted him. And she didn’t have much time left here with him. This was her chance. She intended to take it. Well, as soon as she brushed her teeth. And wasn’t that a silly thought?

  She sprinted into the bathroom, afraid if she took too long the baby would wake up again. Was this what being a parent felt like?

  As quickly as the thought tickled at her mind and tempted her bruised heart, she pushed it aside, before it could distract her. Hurt her.

  She stepped out of the bathroom in winter silk pajamas, checked on the baby again and made her way back into the living room. Broderick stood facing the window, his shoulders as broad and strong as ever. Before she could second-guess herself, she walked across the thick woolen rug and slid her arms around his waist. Wrapping herself around him.

  Only for a moment did the muscles along his back ripple with tension, with awareness. Then he placed his hand over hers.

  “Glenna, you have to know if we do this, it won’t be a one-time deal.”

  His words unnerved her even as the reverberation of the sound of his voice rumbled over her skin where she lay her cheek against him.

  Still, she also knew those words were very likely true. “I hear what you’re saying.”

  She wanted him, and yes, more than once. Her body ached for a deep and sensual meeting and mating with this man. He felt so good against her, his muscled body, his callused fingers that were still so gentle.

  “Good. I’m glad we have that cleared up.” He turned and faced her, brushing her hair back with his hands as she linked her arms around his neck.

  She trembled against him, her whole body attuned to his and the way they seemed to fit together so naturally. Her breasts tightened against the fabric of her silk winter sleepwear, the tips aching for his touch, for his mouth. It didn’t help that his fingers teased a path down the back of her neck and along her half bared shoulder, making her skin tingle in anticipation.

  Her head fell back to give him better access...and she caught sight of his cell phone and computer resting on an end table, bringing reminders of work too easily to mind. Damn it, she wanted to will them away. “I do have to wonder, though, Broderick. How are we going to work together if we start sleeping together? Everything is complicated enough—”

  He pressed a finger to her mouth, his voice a soft brush of sound along her ear. “Let’s talk after. We’re in agreement now, aren’t we?”

  To hell with computers and phones and business. This was their pocket of time together.

  She all but swayed on her feet from longing as she nipped the tip of his finger. “Yes, we are.”

  Arching up, she pressed her mouth to his, and oh my, he tasted familiar and new and exciting all at once. His tongue stroked over hers in a way that made her weak with longing. Hungry for more. She opened to him, pressing herself into him. The past blended with the present as she remembered that weekend so long ago and kisses they’d shared more recently. She’d always been attracted to him. Somehow, she knew that wouldn’t change with time. She knew that wasn’t the same as love, but damn, the feeling was strong.

  Powerful.

  Her hands took on a frenzied life and hunger of their own
as she tore at his T-shirt, bunching the cotton in her fists and pulling it up over his head. And as she felt the air brush her stomach, she realized he’d done the same with her sleep shirt, until they both stood flesh to flesh. Only their pants and her sports bra separated them.

  He was all muscles and calluses and hints of bristly masculine hair under her questing hands, his strength formidable as she took in the breadth of his shoulders. He felt so good she could just melt all over him. Into him. She dropped kisses onto his shoulder and down his powerful chest.

  She played her fingers along the warm planes of his shoulder blades, down his spine as he backed her toward the fireplace. Their shoes fell away; his jeans and her sleep pants peeled down and off without either of them pulling away from the kiss. When she stumbled slightly the hard strength of his arms banded around her. Lowering her. Laying her to rest on the bearskin rug. The fur tickled her tingling skin, almost as tempting as Broderick’s lips kissing up the inside of one leg and down the other.

  Moving upward again, he tugged at her waistband of her panties with his teeth, teasing without pulling them off, then nuzzled her stomach, stroking until it seemed his touch and mouth were everywhere. When she thought she would combust from the fire inside her, he stretched over her and kissed her. Oh my, how she’d missed being kissed, and kissed well.

  “More, now,” she whispered, nipping his bottom lip. “We can go slower the next time.”

  “Next time,” he growled softly. “I like the sound of that.”

  Cool air brushed over her tightening nipples an instant before his mouth closed over one taught peak. His tongue flicked and circled until she writhed with pleasure. He teased the other with the stroke of his nimble fingers, and she ached to feel him, too, and explore, relearn the texture of him. Her hand glided down to cradle the rigid length of him, to stroke.

  To remember.

  His breath hissed from between his teeth, an encouraging moan stoking her desire until it was hotter than the flames in the fireplace. “My jeans. Pass me my jeans, so I can protect you.”

  She didn’t question him for a second, just used her other hand to reach off to the side and pat until she found his pants, the denim still warm from his body. She fished in the pocket until she found his wallet, the condom. More than one. But for now, one would do.

  He kicked free of his boxers at the same time he twisted the string along the hip of her bikini panties. Her lacy underwear had long been a favorite indulgence to wear under all the layers of clothes she needed to stay warm. Although right now, staying warm was the last concern on her mind.

  Between the fire and this fiery man, her body was a delicious lava pool of need. She tore open the condom packet and sheathed him, held him. His eyes met and held hers as she guided him...

  Inside.

  A moan of pleasure rolled up her throat and free. She arched against him, the sweet pressure of him filling her, that first deep thrust almost sending her over the edge. She could have chalked it up to abstinence, but she knew better. Their connection was chemistry on overload. There was no need analyzing. And quite frankly, the last thing she wanted to do now was think. She only wanted to feel and absorb every sensation.

  The bristle along his legs was a sweet abrasion as she brought her own legs up to wrap around his waist. The taste of the perspiration as she kissed his jaw was like ambrosia. The slick glide of their bodies against each other ramped up her pleasure with every roll of her hips. Each gasp of pleasure took in the scent of him mixed with the earthy air of the fireplace.

  Timeless aromas and feelings imprinted themselves in her mind as they made love in their cabin, sequestered away from the world.

  The pressure and pleasure built inside her in time with his speeding heartbeat until she flew apart in his arms. The force of her orgasm sent her head pressing back into the bear rug. She held Broderick tighter, closer, taking every ripple of pleasure from the moment. And more. His shudder of completion sent a fresh wave through her, stronger than before.

  So much. Almost too much. Making her wonder how she would ever be able to walk away from him a second time.

  * * *

  Not in a million years did Broderick imagine one day he would be sitting in sweats at his cabin retreat, sharing computer files back and forth with Glenna—who was currently rocking the hell out of her sleep pants and one of his T-shirts.

  They had been crunching numbers for the past hour, preparing a plan for their parents to present to the board. Glenna sat with her knee tucked to her chest as she looked at the screen.

  How in the world was he supposed to concentrate with this woman in the room?

  After their frenzied lovemaking, he’d taken his time. They’d moved to his bed, where he’d touched and tasted every sweet inch of her luscious body. They’d showered together, the steam of the water and their passion mingling to fog the oversize stall. A shared snack had rejuvenated them enough that he would never again be able to stand in that kitchen without thinking about lifting her onto the counter. Finally, they’d both fallen into an exhausted slumber, waking long enough only to feed the baby and go back to sleep.

  Being with her shook him. Rattled him right down to the core. More than he’d expected. He had to figure this out. How to be with her in the middle of their crazy family drama.

  He took a sip of coffee, counting on the caffeine to provide focus and answers. Breathing in the spiced smell of the hazelnut coffee—Glenna’s favorite—he tried to focus on the low hum of the baby monitor. Still, remaining focused was hard.

  He picked up an apple pastry from the plate and bit off a large bite, chewing thoughtfully.

  “This financial merger is going to send us all through the ringer.” Glenna’s husky voice caressed him, spurring him to find the best fit for her in this new age of their merged companies.

  He nodded, glancing at the various career positions on the screen. Glenna was organized and dynamic. Perhaps more of a public relations job would suit her?

  “Also, about our parents... I’m still processing that.” Glenna rubbed her temples before scooping up a puffed pastry. She tore an edge off, popped it in her mouth.

  “I sure as hell never saw that coming between the two of them,” Broderick agreed, wondering about the implications of his father and Glenna’s mother as a joined force in the business world.

  “They kept their secret well. Maybe we can keep what we’re doing a secret, too?” Glenna teased, looking at him sidelong.

  A rumbling laugh rolled up his throat. “We didn’t manage that before when our families never saw each other. I doubt we’ll be able to pull it off now that we’ll be working together.” He dimmed the light on his screen, then swiveled to really look at her. “Not to mention sitting at the holiday dinner table together. At least our discovering them in the shower kept them from eloping. I would have been sad to miss out on the wedding.”

  “It’s still...strange. Thinking of the two of them together.”

  He sipped his coffee, the java warming him. “Unexpected, that’s for sure. But maybe it’s a sign we should take a fresh look at what happened between us in the past. We’ve spent so many years avoiding each other. Hearing horror stories about the other family’s sharkish dealings.”

  “I wonder how long they’ve felt this way?” Glenna’s voice trailed off and she seemed miles away from him as she turned to stare out the window.

  “Is that your way of ignoring my question?”

  She snapped back into focus, eyes narrowing as she tugged a hair band off her wrist and gathered her tousled locks on top of her head. It seemed that pulling that mane back helped her create distance. “It’s my way of staying on topic. Your question is another subject for another time. Back to our parents. How long do you think this has been going on?”

  Broderick couldn’t help but ask, “You think our parents cheated with each other?”

&
nbsp; “No—at least I don’t think so. Even considering it makes me...unsettled. But I wonder if they had feelings for each other. It’s upsetting to think back on my childhood and wonder if it was a lie.” She tore off another piece of the pastry and chewed thoughtfully.

  He could tell the idea upset her, perhaps because of her own experiences.

  “Do you think you’re feeling this way because of your husband? Afraid to trust people could really love each other and be honest? I would apologize for asking such a personal question, but our lives are already tangled up—and they will be forever.” He needed to know what was going on with her. Wanted to understand.

  “It’s okay. You’re not saying anything I haven’t already wondered, too. Life is just so...” She bit her lip and waved her hand in the air.

  “Complicated,” he offered, giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze. At the touch, he saw her eyes widen. Dropping her hand, he smiled at her encouragingly.

  She grabbed her coffee mug, holding tight to the handle. “Definitely. I take it you don’t think there were any feelings between them until recently.”

  “I think if there were, they didn’t act on them. I know none of this changes who my mother was or how much she loved her kids.” He could feel emotions pull at him—the pain of losing his mother and sister so palpable.

  “That’s beautiful.”

  “The stew was one of her recipes. She only taught me and Breanna how to make it. She said just the oldest children—son and daughter—got to have the recipe.”

  His throat tightened and his eyes grew heavy with feeling. The conversation wasn’t supposed to go here. Broderick ran a hand through his hair, trying to regain his composure.

  Fraying nerves made all the colors in the room too bright.

  Glancing at his drained mug, he got up from his seat and headed to the coffeepot. He focused on the darkness of the drink, the way the aroma filled the air.

  Broderick needed his defenses back up if he was going to make it through the remaining days with Glenna. But damn the next few days. He needed to figure out his next few words.