Page 14 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
“Are you saying no because you don’t want a lawyer or because you’re scared?” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. “You can tell me,” Hollis encourages.
“Scared.”
“You don’t need to be scared anymore. I can be a good man, but when provoked, I’ll do what I need to. That includes destroying this Max.” I can see the sincerity in his eyes. “Will you tell me his last name?”
“Can I sleep on it first?”
“You’re not going to run on me, are you?” His hold on me tightens a bit.
“No.” I shake my head adamantly. “I’m not going to run.” I might be stalling on telling him the full truth, but I will.
Max has done all the wrong things, and I’m going to fix them the best that I can. I won’t allow him to use my baby against me.
We stare at each other; Hollis's eyes drop to my mouth. I can't resist licking my lips. When he starts to lean in, I almost do the same but catch myself pulling back and turning my head.
"I probably shouldn't be in your lap," I whisper.
"Kind of feels right."
"You're engaged," I remind him. His body tenses.
"Let's get dinner inside of you." He lets me slip off his lap and back into my own chair.
“It might not be the best idea if I move in here.” I almost kissed him. Shame fills me. He belongs to someone else. I won’t be that girl.Never.
“You just got a lot off your chest, and you’re full of emotions. You should sleep on that too, but even if you’re not moving into my home, there are a million other places in the town you can stay. You’ll find the people of New Hope are rather protective.”
Then I’m guessing they won’t be happy to learn that I’m carrying their engaged mayor’s baby. They’ll be more protective of Hollis and Kindred. I don’t blame them. Kindred was a sweetheart to me, and Hollis is turning out to be the white knight.
“I’ll sleep on it.”
“Good, now eat.” I pick up a piece of the garlic bread and take a bite. I hadn’t felt hungry since the news Cara gave me, but the second the food touches my lips, my hunger comes back full force, thankfully.
“Are you going to watch me eat, or are you going to eat too?”
“You know that you make adorable little moans when you eat?”
“No!” I gasp with a small laugh. Hollis takes a bite of his own food. “Do you want kids?” I find myself asking. “You and Kindred.” I feel the need to say her name as a reminder to both of us.
It’s easy to forget that he’s someone else’s with how natural it feels to talk to him. Even when he’d pulled me into his lap, it wasn’t awkward or weird. If Max ever did that, I would have flipped on him.
“Kindred and I won’t be having kids.” He shakes his head, a half smile on his lips. “Ever.”
He doesn’t want kids. I’m not sure how to take that. I suppose he could sign away his rights.
I shove more food into my mouth. If I keep thinking, I’m going to give myself a headache.
“I really want a bath and bed,” I tell Hollis when I can’t eat anymore.
“All right,” he says. “You are free to move around the house. If you get hungry or need something, you can help yourself. You can also come and find me even if I’m asleep.”
“You’re really kind.”
“This is all going to work out, Gwen.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear, then gently strokes my cheek with his thumb. “I promise.” I nod trustingly, wanting to believe him, praying for a Christmas miracle.
That miracle might be Hollis Frost.
Chapter Eight
