Page 28 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
The fierceness that he’s ready to protect me with is something I’ve never had. Max always came first, but Holliswould never put himself before his children or the mother of them, maybe, possibly, one day, his wife.
“That so?” He brushes his thumb across my bottom lip. I nod my head, shyness pushing in. “Before we take this”—he motions between us—“further, we need to clear a few things up.”
“There’s more to clear up?”
“Just a few more things.”
For the first time in a long time, my mind doesn’t go to it being something bad. No, not with Hollis. I’d bet all our Christmas decorations that whatever it is is wrapped in Hollis’s love.
Chapter Fourteen
HOLLIS
Maxwell is in for a rude awakening. He handed Candy right over to me like a dumb fuck. I would never make that mistake, not with her. I’d have to be six feet under. Nah, you better cremate my ass because I’ll be the zombie of Christmas past.
“It’s clear you and I are together, right?” She nods. Candy’s shy nods are sweet and often adorable, especially when her cheeks light up like Rudolph’s nose, but in this, I need to hear it from her lips. “I need those words, precious girl.”
“We’re together.”
“You’re moving in.”
“Are you sure that’s okay? Maybe?—”
“I want you here, so don’t get any ideas that I don’t. No matter what happens, you’ll be taken care of.”
“I want to be here with you.”
“Good, but I want you to be free too.” I wouldn't ever let her go.
If Candy ever slipped from my grip, I’d spend the rest of my life winning her back, but I want her to choose to be here. As much as I want to tie her to my bed, I can’t. Well, not because I’m worried she’d try and run from me. I might for other reasons.
"What if I don't want to be free?" She plays with a button on my shirt. Fuck, I'm going to love her with everything I've got.
She's so sweetly innocent, which is rare and special with the life she leads. Candy's a fighter but in a different kind of way. Not everything has to be a bull in a china shop. Candy works toward the things she wants without undercutting others in the process to get there, and she still manages to achieve her goals. I want to spend my life protecting that sweet innocence.
"That's more than fine. You can cling to me like that glitter from the snowman you demanded to have." It's still on me.
"I didn't demand it." She gives my chest another one of her playful smacks.
"I don't know. You’ve got me wrapped around your tiny finger. You ask, and I make it happen."
"You're a dork." She giggles, but I know she loves what I'm saying.
"I'm going to set you up a bank account."
"Wait, no." She shakes her head. “I can’t accept that.”
"You don't have to ever touch it, but it will be in your name alone. It will always be there. I want you to have that sense of safety."
"You make me feel safe." My chest tightens.
"Then trust that this is a good idea and accept it. You're having my babies, Candy. A bank account with money in it will never compare to what you're giving me. I can make more money. I can't make another you or them." I place my hand on my belly.
"You're a good man, Hollis."
"You might not think so if you knew the things I've been thinking about when it comes to you."
"Dirty things?" She peers up at me through her lashes.
