by Risk, Mona
“Money isn’t an issue. I want the best for Paulito. A daycare so close by seems ideal. We’ll be able to check on him during the day.”
“What about during your night shifts?” She’d shoo away anyone who’d dare claim it wasn’t her problem. Paulito needed reliable care twenty-four hours a day.
“Maybe I can find a nurse who’d be willing to baby-sit. These ladies are wonderful,” Marc said, with a contented sigh.
“It doesn’t surprise me. They all love you. Anything for Dr. Suarez,” Holly crooned, imitating Jenna’s suave voice.
Marc’s eyebrows gathered into a dangerous line. His eyes narrowed. Then he burst out laughing. “You’re one of a kind, Holly.”
Holly frowned, knowing damn well that Jenna had mentioned she’d offer her babysitting services whenever she wasn’t on call. Had she talked to Marc already? “Do you have someone in mind for the night shift?”
“Jenna, for one,” he answered.
Yep, the redhead had approached him.
Head bent, Holly concentrated on keeping the nipple of the bottle between the baby’s lips. Frustration rippled through her. She wasn’t the jealous type. Not one bit jealous. She didn’t care about Jenna, her auburn hair or her fabulous breasts.
CHAPTER NINE
Marc stared at the infant suckling and the gorgeous woman feeding him as if he was her own child. A perfect picture of maternal love. For a moment, he imagined her in a silk dishabille, baring a breast to a hungry child, while his knuckles caressed the baby’s cheek and the mother’s flesh in the same loving gesture.
Blonde and lovely Holly.
Mesmerized, he sucked in a deep breath and squatted beside the rocking chair, clenching its arm with itching fingers.
Paulito needed a loving mother, but even with imaginative effort Marc couldn’t picture himself married. At least not yet.
Holly could be the closest thing Paulito would ever have to a mother, if...
“Move in with me,” Marc whispered.
“What?” The bottle dropped from her hand. Her gaze shot to him, incredulous and bewildered. “What did you say?” Her voice lowered to a rough murmur.
“Come live in my condo,” he said, with a firm tone to convince himself his request wasn’t completely crazy.
His eyes strayed over her blushing cheeks, her parted lips. He inched closer, unable to resist the sweet temptation...then jerked backward.
Conflicting feelings twitched his insides. His baby needed Holly, the best mother in the world. If she agreed to live under his roof, he swore he’d never take advantage of their proximity in the same house. He’d behave like a gentleman—even like a monk—to make her forget his playboy reputation. And he’d battle his attraction to Holly every step of the way, so as not to scare her away.
“Are you crazy?” Her jaw sagged and her eyes rounded, two beautiful turquoise pools shimmering with uncertainty.
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.” He stroked the baby’s scalp. “Paulito needs you and you love him.” It was the only possible way he could give his son a loving mother...and protect himself from a noose around his neck and his Abuelita’s nagging.
She exhaled, her gaze following his fingers’ gentle motion on Paulito’s head. “Of course I love him, but I have my work. I’m as busy as you, if not more.” Her lips pinched as she narrowed her eyes.
“If you move in with me, we could dovetail our shifts and share his care.”
Please, Holly, say yes.
“You and me, living together? Just like that?” She flipped her hand open. “How could you even think about it?”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to imply any...hmm.”
Never.
He blinked. The thought had filtered through his mind, but to his credit, he’d discarded it right away. “It’s just a roommate arrangement. Consider it a business proposal, cross my heart.” With all due respect and no hanky-panky, so help me God.
Marc gazed at her with deep longing. This arrangement would torture him for sure, but to have Holly caring for Paulito, Marc would squeeze every bit of lust out of his system. He silently vowed to maintain his part of the bargain if she agreed.
“Really?” Pink spots blossomed on her cheeks. She shook her head. “You forget I have to study when I’m not on duty.”
“I’ll make sure you have time for yourself. My apartment is in a residential building. It’s quiet and the view is gorgeous. An excellent atmosphere for concentration. And I’ll be available if you need help reviewing for your exams.”“It’ll never work.” She exhaled and shook her head.
His breath caught in his throat. “Why not? Please Holly, think about it.”
Marc had never asked anyone for anything in his life. But at the moment, he was ready to beg her to say yes. Every one of her gestures spoke of motherly love for Paulito.
“Stacey will come back soon.” Holly glanced right and left. “Will you please get up?” Frustration underscored her hushed tone.
Disappointed, Marc straightened up and stepped back.
He hadn’t convinced her. Poor Paulito, he’d miss her loving care.
“I want to do the right thing for Paulito, but I can’t do it alone. Guess I’ll have to send him to San Juan.”
Holly held the baby against her chest. “To San Juan?”
“What else can I do?” He dropped his arms. Would he have to travel back home in a month and admit defeat? “Oh, Holly, you should see yourself holding him. You love him like a real mommy.”
“Please! Stop the emotional blackmail.”
“You’re the only one I can trust implicitly. It’s only for two months.”
“You said three.”
“Only in case of unforeseen delays. Hopefully the work permit will come on time.”
She didn’t answer as she raised the baby on her shoulder and patted him gently on the back until he burped. Marc moved aside to allow her to place Paulito in his crib.
“Holly, I need your help.” He turned her toward him, held her at arm’s length and captured her gaze. “Unfortunately, I don’t have many choices. I can’t keep him in a daycare at night or get a reliable baby-sitter at such short notice. And I’d prefer not to use Jenna’s services.”
He paused to let his alternatives sink into her mind, and then repeated slowly, “Please, move in with me. For Paulito.” He saw the look of desperation and love she threw in the direction of the crib and held his breath.
A knock on the door interrupted the brief silence. Marc stepped away from Holly and fumbled with a formula bottle.
“Come in,” Holly called.
The door opened. Jenna entered, her face brightening with a dazzling smile. “Dr. Suarez, I didn’t know you’d be here. I wanted to see if Dr. Collier needed me to take over with Paulito,” Jenna said without even looking at Holly.
“Stacey will be back soon. Maybe you can check with her later.” Holly’s voice was cooler than icicles.
Marc wished the redhead would stop bestowing come-hither smiles on him. He didn’t like the tempest gathering on Holly’s forehead.
“By the way, Dr. Suarez,” Jenna continued, oblivious to Holly’s scowl. “I’m totally at your disposal if you need my help for Paulito.”
“Thank you, Jenna. I haven’t made any decisions yet.”
“Any time, Dr. Suarez,” Jenna insisted. “I’ll be going now. Sorry for interrupting, Dr. Collier.” She threw a knowing glance at Holly and walked out.
“Wow,” Holly said when the door closed behind the redhead. “What do you do to these nurses to get so much adulation?”
How could he explain that Holly was the only one he wanted in his arms?
Remember your pledge.
No romantic hints from now on. “Come on, Holly.” He shook his head to clear it of any lascivious thoughts. “You see why I need your help? Can you imagine me stuck with her? In my apartment? At night?”
“I guess it would be quite a show.”
“There’d be no show, bec
ause I’d throw her out the first night, and I’d be back at the starting point.” He stepped closer to her and touched her arm. “Holly, Paulito needs you. Say you’ll do it, please.”
“When will you take him home?” Holly asked, her gaze resting on the sleeping baby.
“Tomorrow, if I’m ready, and if it’s okay with you.”
She bit her finger, chewed on her nail and mumbled. “Fine.”
Marc exhaled as relief surged through him. “Thank you, Holly. Thank you for doing this for Paulito.”
“Of course, it’s for Paulito. But I have some conditions.”
“Anything you want.” He’d give her the moon if she asked for it.
She was one of a kind. A pure delight. He wanted to take her in his arms, prove his gratitude, shower her with kisses.
Remember your pledge.
If only he could erase the rotten playboy impression she’d formed about him seven years ago. If only he could prove to her he was different from her father.
Would she start taking him seriously and give him a chance?
Dios, if only he could keep her forever.
Forever? Had he say forever? He squirmed uncomfortably.
Let’s not rush things. We’ll cohabitate and then... He smiled, delighted she’d agreed to come live with him.
Not with him. In his apartment. There was a huge difference.
****
Holly shook her head as he left the room. Was she an idiot? Yes. A complete, absolute idiot, because only an idiot would have agreed to his insane request. As if she needed the stress of sharing a home with him.
It was for Paulito. The poor darling had no mother to love him. Marc had adopted him and pledged his devotion to his nephew, but Marc’s generous intentions would never transform him into a loving mother.
Right now, both Marc and Paulito needed her.
It felt good to be needed.
During the past four weeks, she’d done her best to keep the orphaned baby healthy and safe, and she felt like a mother to him.
Holly leaned on the rail of the crib and smiled, watching the sleeping baby who’d worked his way deep into her heart and had become an integral part of her life.
She’d move in with Marc and continue to care for the baby, because, honestly, she couldn’t imagine herself living without the little fellow.
It’s the right thing to do. She loved this baby so much. And she wanted to help Marc. As a good friend would.
Still, sharing an apartment with him sounded uncomfortable, even overwhelming. She’d have to list her conditions and make sure he agreed to every single one.
At three-thirty, Marc returned to her room. “Ready? We have some serious shopping to do. You’ll have a cheerful room, Paulito.” He bent to pick up the baby. “Ew.” Marc scrunched his nose, holding the baby at arms’ length. “It smells yucky.”
“Babies poop, you know.” Holly couldn’t stifle an ironic smile.
“Here. All yours.” Marc tried to hand her the baby, but she shrugged without taking him. “You should learn to change your son before moving him to your place.”
“Hey. It’s not that difficult to put on a diaper.”
“Glad to hear it. Here’s a clean one, and wipes, and cream.”
“But it’s a poop, and a big one.” He sniffed and then grimaced in disgust. “Fine, I’ll do it.” Marc deposited Paulito in his crib and unsnapped his overalls. A pair of chubby legs escaped and wriggled against the sheets.
“Careful when you remove the front of the diaper,” Holly coached. “Cover him with this towel. Paulito is already famous for his aim if you’re not quick enough.”
Marc exhibited a proud smile. “So small and so smart. Already a true Suarez.”
“Pfff, I hope you’ll find other things to be proud of with him.”
Marc rolled the soiled diaper and discarded it in the diaper pail, then finished cleaning and dressing the baby. “Now, you’re all clean, my boy.”
“Not yet. His undershirt got dirty. It needs to be changed.”
“Dirty? Where?”
She pointed at the spot and bit her lips on a laugh.
“Oh, this.” He frowned. “Are you sure it’s from...” He brought the material to his nose and jerked back. “Okay, where are the clean shirts?” He undressed the baby and discarded overall and undershirt.
She handed him the two items and let him struggle to slide the shirt over Paulito’s head. The baby shrieked. Holly bit a smile. “Easy. You’re suffocating him. And don’t pull on his arms.”
“Okay. I’m trying to do it gently. Here, almost done, buddy.” Marc didn’t ask for help as he finished dressing his son. He picked up the baby and straightened. “Dr. Collier, did I pass the test?”
She smiled her approval. “With an A+.”
Marc’s gaze met her eyes, scanned her face, and rested on her mouth. He took a step toward her and then averted his gaze. She lost her smile as she heard him groan.
“It’s too hot in here,” he mumbled. “Are you ready? Can we go?”
“I’m waiting for Stacey to babysit.”
“Let’s take Paulito with us. You have a stroller. I’ve borrowed Halsdale’s SUV. I’ll put the car seat in it. Leave a note on the door for Stacey,” he said gruffly as he held the baby against his chest like a shield.
****
With Marc at her side pushing the stroller and Paulito sleeping like an angel, Holly couldn’t remember a time when she’d enjoyed shopping as much as she had this evening. They toured the mall, Holly buying things for the baby like an eager momma.
At All For Babies, the sales clerk had them check a baby shower list with the items they wanted and directed them to the right area. Reading Marc’s name from the sheet of paper, the saleswoman advised, “Mrs. Suarez, in addition to a crib, you may want a bassinet to put in your bedroom. That way you can pick up the baby without having to get out of bed.”
Talk about an awkward moment. Holly’s cheeks turned beet-red. “It’s not Mrs—”
“Good idea,” Marc hastened to agree, while wrapping an arm around Holly’s shoulders.
“What’s wrong with you?” She disengaged herself and hissed when the woman walked away. “It’s not funny.”
She suddenly resented Marc’s eternally good mood. He’d joked about playing a role that was her secret dream while she struggled to ignore the smoldering effect he was having on her senses.
“Is it so horrible to be mistaken for my wife?” His murmur reached her like a caress. Hot, sultry fire burned in his eyes.
Holly averted her gaze. She didn’t want to be consumed. Never again. Not when he didn’t believe in commitment, and the word wife sounded like an amusing joke for him.
“I’ve had enough. I’m going back.” She pushed the stroller toward the entrance.
Marc caught up with her. He grabbed the handle and stopped the stroller. His blazing gaze scorched her face, but a sober expression replaced the previously amused grin. He touched her arm gently.
Her heart gave a jolt, an inferno raging inside her.
“Holly, I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.” He seemed sincerely contrite. “Please, forgive me.”
Fingering the strap of her purse, Holly tried to tame her racing pulse. Why mess up their outing with useless self-pity? She nodded, preferring to avoid a discussion that might go in the wrong direction. “Okay, forget it.”
“Believe me, Holly, I’ll do everything in my power to make this arrangement easy on you.” He captured her gaze and she could swear there was...tenderness in the chocolate brown depths.
How was she going to survive in the confines of his apartment when her belly churned with simmering emotions every time he looked at her?
“While we’re here, let’s have dinner at the Macaroni House,” Marc suddenly suggested. “It’s six o’clock, and we haven’t eaten anything. We can finish our shopping after we eat.”
They walked back to the parking lot. Marc stowed the boxes in the back of the S
UV. “In a couple of days, I’ll go look for a Jeep. My Porsche definitely doesn’t suit a baby’s clutter.”
“Imagine if he poops in your precious Porsche.” She burst out laughing at Marc’s sour expression.
It’d be so easy to build crazy dreams and assume they’d formed a happy family. Crazy was the word. Unreal and dangerous. She’d already suffered and cried from such dreams long ago. Would she ever learn to hold her emotions in check?
They strolled back to the mall and settled in the restaurant at a corner table. As soon as they placed their orders, Paulito grunted, squirmed, throwing his chubby legs in all directions, and finally let out a shriek that had the old couple at the next table scowling at them.
Marc picked him up. “He must be famished. A bottle, please.”
Ten minutes later, the baby dozed while sucking the last drops of his milk. “Good boy. Right on time,” Marc said, as the waitress placed their plates on the table, and a delicious smell of garlic and tomato sauce stirred a growling in Holly’s stomach.
She tilted her head and smiled at the former carefree bachelor practicing fatherhood. “You’re not done yet. He needs to burp, then we can eat in peace.”
Marc followed her instructions like a zealous student preparing for an exam. The baby released a loud noise without opening his eyes. “Atta boy! Off to bed now.” Marc laid him in his stroller and turned toward Holly with a big smile. “Not too bad for my first time. He’s easy to care for.”
Yes, the baby was adorable.
And the uncle even more so, his eyes gleaming with unconcealed pride.
Holly relaxed against her chair. She had done the right thing by not handing them both to Jenna on a silver platter. Holly could well imagine Jenna playing her best, seductive performance for Marc’s benefit in the romantic setting of his condo.
“Earth to Holly. You’re not eating and the food is getting cold. Why the scowl? I thought I passed my first tests?”
Holly sighed and reached for her fork. “You did great. Honestly.” She forced herself to swallow a bite. “About our arrangement, I have a list of conditions.”
“Shoot.”