The Miracle Baby Box Set: Volume One: Books 1 - 4

by Hamel, B. B.

  Getting a job was a good first step, but there’s still so much more I can do.

  I glance over at Will again, eyes lingering on his body. My gaze moves up toward his handsome lips and I realize with a start that he’s looking at me and smiling. I quickly look away, back to my book, and I hear him chuckling softly as he turns over onto his stomach, face on his arms.

  I’m embarrassed, but not embarrassed enough to stop myself from glancing over at his ripped back and his cute, tight, muscular ass. I’m such a freak for guys with fantastic butts, and Will’s is the best in the game.

  I go back to reading and we spend a while like that. Will eventually puts on sunscreen and joins me under the umbrella, but the damage is already done. His skin’s slightly bronze and slightly pink, and I know he’ll be feeling that one later. I don’t give him shit, though, and he doesn’t complain. That’s another thing I love about him, he accepts what happens and moves past it.

  “I’m sweating,” he says after another half hour of silence. “Let’s go in the water.”

  “I don’t know,” I say. “Aren’t there sharks?”

  He laughs. “Seriously, this far north?”

  I shrug. “Shark lives in the ocean. That’s the ocean.”

  “There aren’t any sharks this far north,” he says, standing. “Come on. Get your pretty ass up.”

  Reluctantly I follow him, leaving my hat behind. The water’s absolutely bone-chilling cold but he just plows right in, diving under a wave and hollering like a wild man. Meanwhile I’m standing on my tippy-toes, arms wrapped around my torso.

  “It’s so cold!” I say.

  “Get in here, you freaking baby,” he shouts back. People are looking at me and I feel really dumb, but it’s so, so cold. “Get in here right now, you coward.”

  “No way,” I say back. “Just let me read. It’s too cold.”

  “I’m going to carry you in here,” he threatens, coming toward me. Waves wash around him and I suddenly think he’s Poseidon emerging from his domain.

  “Will,” I warn, stepping away, but he has that grin, and I know nothing’s going to stop him. He comes toward me, all bristling muscle and six-foot-whatever. I turn to run away, laughing a little, but he’s too fast. He snatches me up and lifts me.

  I’m embarrassed but I love that he’s touching me. He can throw me around so easily, and it’s actually pretty fun and a little hot. “Put me down!” I say, laughing some more as he throws me over his shoulder.

  “Okay, if you want me to.”

  He puts me down right into the water, and a sharp burst of freezing cold rushes over my skin.

  “Oh, fuck!” I shout, and he cracks up as I flounder. “Oh shit oh shit ohshit, it’s cold!”

  I’m jumping up and down like a moron. “Just go under,” he says.

  “Cold!”

  “Under!”

  A wave comes and I don’t think about it. I just dive under, right into the freezing cold water. I pop up next to him, still freezing my ass off, but now I’m totally soaked.

  “See?” he says. “All better, right?”

  “No!”

  “Aw, come here.” He swims over to me and grabs me again, pulling me against him. “Don’t be such a baby.”

  “Now I kind of wish there were sharks,” I mutter through clenched teeth.

  “Why?” he asks.

  “To put me out of my misery.”

  He laughs again. “It’s not that bad.”

  “It’s definitely that bad.”

  We swim side by side for a little bit, and although the cold never gets better, I do like being so close to him. Will keeps swimming over and nudging me, pushing me, picking me up, and basically taking every opportunity possible to touch me. I pretend like I’m fighting back but really I want him to keep touching me, keep brushing against me, keep giving me a reason to stay in this damn ice bath with him at all.

  Eventually though, a big wave comes and I can’t take it anymore. “I’m riding this in!” I call out.

  “Aw, hold on, I wasn’t done,” he says, but I don’t answer. I’m too busy swimming fast to catch the wave.

  I manage to get it just in time and I ride it forward. The wave breaks and I’m on top of it, so it propels me forward until I end up in the sand, very ungraceful, but alive.

  “Good one!” Will calls to me as I stand up. I look back at him, and his eyes go completely wide, a huge grin on his face.

  It takes me half a second to realize what’s wrong. My bikini is mostly off, just hanging on by a strap. I grab it and fix it, and while the whole thing lasts no more than five seconds, the damage is already done. Will’s eyes are wide and his smile means he saw my breasts.

  “Hell, yeah!” he yells, whooping. “I love the ocean!”

  “Asshole!” I yell back, which gets me a few glares, but I don’t care. I stomp back to our spot, thoroughly embarrassed now, although still smiling to myself.

  Clearly he liked what he saw.

  Will joins me not too long later. He lies out in the sun again, this time after covering himself liberally in sunscreen, and I’m pretty sure he falls asleep. I check my phone and there aren’t any messages from Julissa or Eleanor, which is good. I feel bad taking time away from Cara, but I really needed this. I can’t remember the last time I was a young person again. I’ve been a mom pretty much since I got pregnant, and obviously more so since Cara was born. Spending a few hours having some carefree fun is so amazing that it’s actually hard to explain.

  The day slowly slips past. We go in the water one more time, and fortunately this time I don’t end up flashing him. We take a walk, although Will takes it nice and easy, but mostly we just sit in our chairs and make stupid jokes. He brought sandwiches again for lunch, and even snuck a little vodka into a coke for both of us, so by the time the end of the day comes around, I’m drowsy and satisfied.

  We head off around six. I help pack up the truck and we sit there in the cab together for a minute before he gets going. He looks over at me, leaning across the center console.

  “That was fun,” he says.

  “Yeah, it was.” I cock my head, moving closer to him. I feel dizzy with desire, excitement, and pure fun. That was the most fun I’ve had in a long time, and of course it was with Will. He’s the only person I’ve ever met that can actually make me get outside of myself and loosen up.

  “Listen, about earlier,” he says softly.

  “Are you about to talk about me flashing you? We made an unspoken promise never to speak of that again.”

  He grins and shakes his head. “No, not that. I was thinking about out at our spot, when I went down on you.”

  My eyes go a little wide. “Really?”

  “I haven’t stopped thinking about it.” He reaches out toward me, pulling me closer. “Kissing you. Tasting you. Addie, do you even know how fucking gorgeous you are?”

  “No,” I say stupidly, which is the truth. I don’t think I’m gorgeous at all.

  He kisses me softly, and I can hear a moan escape my lips. I feel so stupid, but I can’t help myself. I push myself into the kiss, letting his tongue touch mine, our lips moving together. His big hand is in my hair and I want to climb across the cab, straddle his lap, and let him push my bikini bottoms aside until his cock sinks inside of me.

  Instead, some kid shouts nearby, and I pull away like a shot. There’s a family coming down the sidewalk toward the car parked behind ours, and I’m blushing like mad. I can’t believe I was just about to throw myself at him and practically beg him to fuck me.

  He doesn’t say anything. He just starts the truck and we drive back home together. We end up chatting about nothing, just some new super hero movies that we’re both totally sick of, but I keep thinking about that kiss and that desire. I can’t keep trying to pretend like it’s not there. I’m practically buzzing for him, and when we pull up in front of Eleanor’s house, I just jump out of the truck.

  “Thanks for today,” I say as he rolls down the window.


  “Sure,” he answers. “I had fun.”

  “Me too.”

  “See you again soon?”

  “Yeah, uh, sure.” I grab my stuff from the bed of the truck and hurry toward the house.

  I don’t look back as he pulls away, but I want to. I can feel his gaze on my ass, and I know what he’s thinking.

  He wants the same thing I do. He wants to relive that night, the best and the worst night of my life. I’m afraid if I don’t get away from him, I’m going to do it, and it’s going to happen soon.

  14

  Will

  I need to know the truth. It’s driving me absolutely fucking insane, almost as much as this intense desire for Addie herself.

  The closer we get, the more I want to ask the question, but I’m afraid of the answer. I wanted to invite Cara to the beach for selfish reasons, and not just the ones that I was admitting to myself.

  I want to know who her father is, because the more I see that little girl, the more I think I know.

  The week after our little beach excursion, I have that Thursday off. Fortunately, Addie’s working that day, so I take the opportunity to go do a little digging the only way I know how.

  Eleanor answers her door with a surprised smile. “Will,” she says. “Lovely seeing you.”

  “Hello, Eleanor. How are you?”

  “I’m good, I’m good. Addie’s not here.”

  “I know. I’m actually here to see you.”

  She looks surprised, like I knew she would. “What could a handsome young man want with an old lady like me?”

  “Hardly old,” I say, grinning at her. “I was hoping you could make me some of that amazing tea.”

  She gives me a sly look. “Well, young man, apparently you know exactly how to play me. Come on in, make yourself at home.”

  I follow her into the kitchen and sit down as she busies herself with the tea. We make small talk about the weather, about her garden, and about Addie in general.

  “She’s in a much better mood since you came home,” she says, giving me a sly smile.

  “That’s good to hear. Was she unhappy before?”

  Eleanor shrugs. “Not unhappy. But she had no direction.”

  “Can’t be easy, having a baby without a father.”

  Eleanor glances at me, the quickest and barest glance, and my heart does a quick step. She looks away just as fast. “Sure, being a single mother is hard,” she says without looking at me.

  She comes over with the tea and places a cup in front of me. I wanted to work my way up to this, but this is my chance, and I can’t pass it up.

  “What do you know about him?” I ask her casually, sipping my drink.

  Eleanor shrugs. “Nothing, really. Addie kept him from me for a long time.”

  “You didn’t know who it was?”

  “She doesn’t like talking about it.”

  “I’ve noticed,” I say. “But she did eventually tell you?”

  “Yes,” she says, a little hesitantly. “Listen, Will, I’m happy you’ve stopped over for a visit. But if you’re here to do some digging, I can’t help you.”

  I laugh a little bit. “Am I that obvious?”

  “Yes,” she says sincerely, “but it’s okay. I know you care about her. You’re the only person in the world that can bring that girl out of her shell.”

  I feel strangely proud, hearing those words. Part of me knows it’s true, but it still feels good being reminded of how much she cares for me, because the feeling is mutual.

  “I just worry, is all,” I say. “Cara seems like a sweet girl.”

  “She is,” Eleanor confirms.

  “I just worry about who the dad is and why he’s not around. I mean, it must be pretty complicated. How’s Addie dealing with it?”

  Eleanor’s silent for a second. I sip my tea again and savor its musky, earthy flavor.

  “Not well,” she says finally. “Not at first, anyway. But what’s it matter? She’s doing better, Cara’s growing up great, and we’re all happy. We don’t need to discuss the past.”

  “You’re right,” I say, although I’m itching to do exactly that. “Would you tell me if it were something I needed to worry about?”

  She stares at me for what feels like a long time. “Yes,” she says finally. “Now, please, let’s drop it.”

  I nod and change the subject. I ask her about her latest charity, which gets her talking for a good half hour. When she’s done, I finish my tea and thank her.

  “I appreciate you letting me drop by,” I say. “Coming back into Addie’s life has been… it’s been hard.”

  Eleanor nods as she shows me to the door. “I know it has. You’re adjusting yourself, aren’t you?”

  “I am,” I say, “but I’m doing good.”

  She nods, looking concerned. “Don’t think any more about the father, okay? He’s not a threat to you.”

  That takes me by surprise. “Really?”

  “Really,” she says. “And feel free to come see Cara whenever you want. It might be good for you.” She hesitates, and adds, “for both of you.”

  “Thanks,” I say to her. “And thanks for the tea.”

  “Any time, young man.”

  I leave and head out to my truck. She shuts the door behind me, and that last comment keeps playing through my mind.

  Why would she want me to stop by and see Cara whenever I want? And why would it be good for both of us?

  I start the engine and slowly head back toward home, that question still playing through my mind. By the time I park the truck, I think I know the answer, and it’s the answer I’ve been avoiding this whole time, afraid it might tear me into pieces.

  15

  Addie

  I’m bone-tired from work all week when Friday rolls around. Fortunately, Cara goes down easily, which gives me a few hours of mindless TV watching before I crawl into bed to get some much needed sleep.

  I take off my bra and pull on an old t-shirt before sliding in under the covers. It’s just after ten, which is super late for me. I pull out my phone, intent on reading a little bit before turning out the light, but it suddenly starts vibrating.

  I blink at the screen. It’s a call from Will.

  “Hello?” I say softly, worried my voice might wake up Cara in the room next to mine.

  “Hi, Addie.” He sounds gruff and far away, like he’s outside or something.

  “What’s up, Will?”

  “I want to see you,” he says.

  “See me? It’s after ten and I’m in bed.”

  “Thinking about me, I’m sure.”

  “Hardly.”

  “Look out your window.”

  I pause a second. “Seriously?”

  “Do it.”

  I sigh and get out of bed. I walk over to the window and push aside the curtain, peering outside. Standing in our back yard is Will, looking up at me and holding a phone to his face.

  My heart’s beating faster now. “What are you doing here, Will?”

  “I need to see you. Come downstairs.”

  “I can’t. I’m in bed.”

  “No, you’re not. I can see you at the window.”

  I sigh, biting my lip. I want to go to him so badly, but I’m afraid of what this means. “Will,” I say softly.

  “Please.”

  That word breaks me. I know I can’t resist. “Fine.”

  I hang up the phone and step away from the window. I consider putting on a bra, but opt for a zip-up hoodie instead. I pull on a pair of moccasins and hurry down the hall, trying to be quiet. Eleanor’s in her room upstairs, I can hear her TV. I take the steps two at a time and sneak out the back door.

  Will’s standing by an old tree, arms crossed over his muscular chest. I stand there watching him for a second, feeling the chilly night air under my loose clothes. I know why he’s here, I can see it in his eyes, but what I don’t understand is why I’m not running away.

  “Come here,” he says to me. I move to o
bey him without thinking, but stop.

  “You shouldn’t be here. Cara’s asleep. I can’t just leave.”

  “Eleanor’s in there,” he says. “Cara will be fine.”

  I hesitate, biting my lip. I know that if Cara wakes up and cries, Eleanor will check on her eventually. She’ll also realize that I’m missing, and maybe she’ll look out the window and see…

  “Why are you here?” I ask him, although I know already. Of course I know. Everything’s been leading to this.

  “Come here,” he says again.

  I walk closer to him. I’m inches away when I stop. He unfolds his arms and reaches out the last bit of distance between us. He pulls me tight against him, hands on my hips.

  “I’ve missed you,” he whispers to me.

  “We shouldn’t.” I whisper back.

  “Probably not.”

  He kisses me anyway. I kiss him back.

  It feels so good, so, so good. It’s like coming home all over again, like he never left, like a piece of me just got snapped back into place. I reach up and run my hands through his thick hair as he kisses me deeper, pulling me tighter, and I know I’m not walking away from this. I don’t know how I possibly could, not after everything, all this anticipation and desire growing between us. I still hate him and I still love him and I still want him so bad it hurts.

  I pull back slightly. “This way,” I say softly, stepping away but taking his hand. He follows me wordlessly across the lawn. There’s an old shed nearby, empty now except for some shelves and an old car. I pull open the side door and we slip inside.

  He pulls the shed door shut behind him and steps up closer to me. I can feel my breath coming faster, my chest rising and falling, that strange excitement deep in the pit of my stomach. I want to scream and run around but mostly I want his fucking hands on my body.

  He steps up and roughly backs me into the old car, kissing me full and deep, one hand in my hair and the other on the small of my back. I feel the old steel against my ass as he crushes me against it. I think the car used to belong to Eleanor or her brother maybe, I don’t know, I don’t care. His hands push the bottom of my shirt up and I lift my arms, letting him pull it off me.