Page 8 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
"I'm Gwen." She takes Kindred's hand. Gwen can’t be more than twenty-one at best. Her full cheeks and dusting of freckles make her appear younger. Okay, maybe I’m saying a silent prayer that she is twenty-one so that I don’t feel like a creep with my cock hardening the more of her that I take in.
"Come in, come in," Kindred encourages her. I stand there like a dumbass as they pass by me into the house. Gwen glances back toward me, quickly jerking her head back around when she sees that I'm still watching.
I close the door and quickly follow them like a lost kitten. My mother might have gotten one right. It hits me at this moment that Kindred told her she was my fiancée. Fuck me, that's not good. I find myself wishing I could go back in time to before I asked Kindred to agree to fake it.
“Is this the only bag you brought?” Kindred asks her. “Or did you leave them at a hotel? It was my understanding you’re staying here.” She motions for Gwen to take a seat on the overdone stuffy couch in the parlor. It’s a room that no one ever uses.
“This is all I brought. I wasn’t planning to be here long.”
“But you’re planning the party and will attend.” I speak for the first time before I can think about what I’m fully saying. Why is she trying to leave so quickly? Furthermore, why does that irritate me?
“I suppose we could play it by ear.” She finally turns those eyes back on me but only for a brief moment. Her full cheeks start to tint a soft shade of pink. If I thought my cock was hard before, now it’s painfully uncomfortable. Never in my life have I had such a visceral reaction to another human being. I didn’t think it was possible for me, but Gwen here has shot that all to shit in a matter of seconds.
“Whatever works for you.” Kindred gives her a bright smile.
“I ah—” Those eyes flick to me again, and her tongue comes out, wetting her bottom lip. “I suppose I could stay here.”
“Then, it’s settled,” I say before minds can be changed. There was no way in hell I was going to allow her to leave anyway. Her agreement to stay makes this a whole lot easier. Now I don’t have to buy out the bed-and-breakfast and make sure there is not a room available in a hundred mile radius.
“Hollis. Let her be. She can stay wherever she’s more comfortable.” Kindred nudges me with her elbow. I didn’t miss the way she was looking at me either. Like I’d lost my mind for pushing Gwen to stay here. “Don’t pay attention to him.” She gives her another smile.
There’s no way in hell I can allow this perfect creature to leave my presence. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
Chapter Five
CANDY
“You’ll stay,” Hollis says, but it sounds and feels like an order and not a question. “It will work out better that way. I can also help with anything that you need.” He softens his tone a bit.
Kindred is staring at Hollis, and I know the expression she’s giving him. It’s the one someone that is close to you gives when they want you to shut up or are delivering a silent message.
“I don’t want to intrude.” I try not to stare at Hollis, but it's hard. The pictures online didn't do him justice. He's even more handsome in person. He is also a whole lot bigger too. The man is built; the suit he's wearing must have been custom-made for him to fit his broad shoulders. He appears hard all over.Oh gosh, don't go there in your head, Gwen. He is with someone, and that’s not why you’re here.Focus,I remind myself.
“You’re not.” Hollis steps forward. Both he and Kindred are tall and fit together. “Right?” Now he’s giving Kindred a pointed look.
“You’re right.” Kindred nods adamantly, seeming to have done a complete 180 on the topic. She’s been very sweet since I walked in the door. It has guilt pressing in all around me that I’m kinda-sorta eyeing up her man.
Why hadn’t I thought about the fact that he could be in a relationship? I suppose I hadn’t because nothing I found online about him said anything about his dating life. It has an ache forming in my chest like I’ve lost something, but that can’t be it. Hollis was never mine, and he is very clearly someone else's. I’m sure it’s all these extra hormones that have me reacting to him in this way.
What did I think was going to happen? That I’d show up here and tell him I’m carrying his baby, and then he’d instantly fall in love with me and want to spend the rest of our lives together? I might have fantasized about that for a few moments if I’m being completely honest. But that’s not the way the gingerbread cookie crumbles. Life is not all fairies and sugar plums.
“I don’t know.” I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear but quickly drop my hand. Max’s words flitter through my mind to not fidget. Hollis and Kindred would fit into Max’s world. I bet Kindred doesn’t fidget at all. She is very well put together and beautiful. The complete opposite of how I look and feel right now.
“Honestly, with it being so close to Christmas, all the bed-and-breakfasts in town are likely booked out. I mean, I can check for you,” Kindred offers.
“There is no need. I have a spare room,” Hollis pushes.
“Okay,” I find myself agreeing. It’s already getting late, and I might be leaving in the morning. If I can figure out how to tell him I’m pregnant. I don’t think Kindred is going to be so nice to me after she finds out I’m carrying her fiancé’s baby. If Hollis were mine, that would break my heart.
“Have you had dinner?” Hollis asks. This is all happening so fast.
“How about we get her settled into a room first,” Kindred says.
“I can handle it,” Hollis tells her. I’m trying to figure out what the heck is going on between them. They’re having a conversation without words.
“Wait, you don’t live here?” I ask Kindred. I assumed she did.
“No, Hollis here normally enjoys his space, but lately he seems to be warming up.” There it is again, more words that I don’t fully follow.
