Page 13 of One Night with my Best Friend's Dad

“I’m scared,” I admit softly, vulnerability creeping into my tone. “I know it was wrong what we did, but—”

He runs a hand over his face again and sighs deeply.

“Piper never needs to know. I can give you progress reports on the baby—”

“Progress reports. My baby is not business, Kelly.” He turns, frustration clear in his slumped shoulders. “I may be too old for you, but I’m not too old to be a father. And I want to be a father.”

I stare up at Mac, stunned by his words.

My heart pounds as he cups my face in his calloused hands, his eyes burning with an intensity that steals my breath.

“I want you, Kelly. You can say no—” He hesitates and when he continues, his voice is rough like he started smoking cigars. “And I know this is crazy for many reasons, but I can’t stop thinking about you. About that night we spent together.”

He leans in, his lips grazing mine. “I wanted to be a part of your life back then, and I still want more than just being a part of our baby’s life. I want you in it.”

I let out a shaky breath, my hands trembling as I rest them on his chest. “But Piper—”

“Piper will understand,” he murmurs, his thumb caressing my cheek. “This is about us, not her. Her life is with Connor.”

I search his face, trying to find any trace of doubt or hesitation. But all I see is steadfast firmness in his gaze.

“I’m scared. She’s my best friend,” I admit, hating how small and uncertain my voice sounds. “What if this doesn’t work? What if Piper hates me?”

Mac pulls me against his chest, his muscular arms wrapping around me. “We’ll figure it out, together,” he promises. “If you want to give us a try.”

I melt into his embrace, letting his warmth and the steady beat of his heart soothe my frayed nerves. “I do,” I whisper, nuzzling into the crook of his neck.I really, really do.“I want you so much it hurts.”

“Oh, baby.” Mac presses a tender kiss to my forehead, his fingers threading through my hair. “I’m here for you, Kelly. I’m not going anywhere.”

Suddenly, Mac drops to his knees in front of me, his hands sliding up my thighs to my belly where he gently caresses where his baby is. His eyes gleam as he gazes up at me.

“Our baby,” he murmurs. He clears his throat of the emotion crawling up it and leans in, pressing a soft kiss on my belly. “I’m going to be the best father in the world, I promise you that.”

He wants us…me.

Tears well up in my eyes as I watch him.

His hands slide up to cover mine. “I will not mess it up this time.” He presses another kiss to my stomach, his eyes shining with unshed tears, as are mine. “You and our baby are everything to me, Kelly.”

I can’t hold back anymore, and the tears spill down my cheeks as I gaze down at him. This wonderful man wants me and our child.

But he’s still my best friend’s dad.

He’s also the man Piper warned me to stop flirting with.

I couldn’t help it when it happened. I was attracted to Mac the moment I saw him. Twenty years older than me, but unlike any man—or boy—I’d met before. And I lied to him when we had our first time together. He never knew I was a virgin until he looked into my eyes the moment he took it away.

Mac stands, pulling me into his arms and holding me close as he continues, “Because I want this baby, Kel,” he murmurs against my hair. “And I want you. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”

But he will when Piper finds out.

My fingers clutch at the back of his shirt. “But...Piper. How are we going to tell her?”

He’ll never choose me over his daughter, and I can’t expect him to.

Mac cups my face, his thumb gently wiping away my tears. “Leave Piper to me,” he says softly. “I’ll deal with it. All that matters right now is you and me and this baby.”

Before I can respond, his eyes meet mine as he lowers his head and captures my lips in a passionate kiss. I close my eyes, melting into him as my fingers cling to his shirt. His tongue probes at the seam of my lips, and I open for him as a soft sigh escapes my lips.

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