by Addison Fox
…
Mayson saw the light go out of Holt’s eyes before she’d even finished her statement. On an inward curse, she berated herself for bringing up his family. Damn it, he’d already put up the no trespassing signs on that one. So why’d she walk clean through the yellow caution tape?
Her voice unnaturally bright, she forked up one last bite of her omelet. “How’d you manage to get away this weekend? From the sound of it, you keep a pretty busy schedule.”
“An executive I’ve been trying to strike a deal with is here, so I thought I’d take advantage of the invitation. I also thought I might have a shot at seeing you again.”
“Oh.” Her fork clattered against her plate and she rested it against the ceramic. His sweet words were the opposite of the tense moment over his past, and she scrambled to keep up at the change in direction. “You could have just asked Keira.”
“Would she have known a mysterious woman named Elizabeth? Especially since you weren’t wearing a bridesmaid dress.” His gaze faltered at that before his eyes narrowed in deeper confusion. “Why weren’t you wearing a bridesmaid dress? I assume you were in the wedding?”
“I had a run-in with the delicious Bordeaux I was so thrilled you had a bottle of. I had just come back down from my room when I ran into you.”
“So this explains how you became a bridesmaid incognito.”
“Blame it on the wine.” Among other things, her conscience taunted.
Before she could give in and blurt out the news of what that night had produced, Holt pointed toward the windows. “You up for that walk on the beach I promised you?”
“Sure.”
It didn’t take them long to navigate the small downtown area until they came upon the beach. The heavy waves of the Atlantic crashed against the shore as Mayson and Holt walked along a small path that wove through the edge of town. Where she usually found the heavy pounding of waves soothing, her emotions were more roiled up than the foaming ocean.
Tell him.
“You clearly have fond memories of your grandparents, but you didn’t say much about your parents.”
Thoughts of the baby faded as images of her mother’s face filled her mind’s eye. “We lost my mother to breast cancer almost a decade ago.”
“I didn’t know.” He reached for her hand and gave it a slight squeeze before lacing his fingers with hers.
She took in the subtle offer of comfort before turning toward him as awareness dawned. “And since you never made it in to the wedding to hear the lovely toast my new brother-in-law made to her memory, how would you?”
“I was waylaid.”
A sly smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “So you were.”
“And your dad?”
“We don’t see much of him.”
“Oh?”
“He’s never been all that interested in the family business, which means he’s had very little interest in us since we’ve become so invested in it.”
“That seems awfully selfish.”
“I’d say you just pegged my father to a T.”
Mayson knew it was petty to talk about him that way. She did love her father—had worked hard to come to grips with her feelings on his limitations—but every so often that edge of hurt she worked hard to keep in check rose up and swamped her.
“His loss.”
“Yes, I think so.” She squeezed his hand once more before pointing toward a small set of steps that lead down to the beach. “Why don’t we head down and walk a bit.”
Five minutes later they had their shoes in hand as they left two pairs of footprints in the wet sand. “You talked about your charity when we met at the wedding and a few hiccups you were facing. What happened with that?”
Mayson couldn’t hold back the shock—or sweet roll of attraction that filled her belly—at the fact he’d remembered her talk of Hands, Hearts and Hugs. “It’s still unresolved, but we’ve got another pitch to the town council in a few weeks.”
“What’s the problem?”
“We need a bigger facility. The number of children we can reasonably house and care for is limited by space, and the waiting list has more than doubled the current occupants. We thought we had a builder in place to help us add on to the facility, but the township is giving us a hard time.”
“Why?”
“They’ve been encouraged to believe the land wasn’t intended for such a large number of tenants so they’re using zoning restrictions to keep us from building further.” They came to a stop on a small outcropping of rock and Mayson took a seat on a large boulder that had dried with the morning sun. A renewed wave of anger and frustration gripped her at the reality she might not see the organization grow as it needed to.
“Wouldn’t that have been the case when the original facility was built?”
“It was before my time with the organization, but I know there’s a lot of history there. The founder built the charity for his sister, but another family member has always protested the use of the land. From what I’ve been told it’s complicated and messy, made even more so by bad family behavior.”
Holt shook his head as he took a seat next to her. “I see it often in my line of work. Property comes available or comes off the market often at the whims of those who’ve inherited it.”
“Do you think we have a chance?”
“I wouldn’t say no out of hand, especially without knowing the specifics, but it does sound like those blocking the development are going to slow things down at a bare minimum. What about alternatives? Do you have other options?”
“Not really. The charity is well-run, but they don’t have a lot of excess funds. To go out and buy new property before selling this one would put a financial strain on them they can’t quite absorb.”
“I could look into the zoning for you.”
“Would you?” Another shot of warmth filled her at his ready offer. “I’d love to have an objective third party who really understands this stuff weigh in.”
“Sure. Shoot me the details and I’ll nose around a bit. It’s all a matter of public record.”
“Thank you.” On impulse, Mayson leaned over to press a quick kiss to his cheek. Light stubble on his chin scratched against her lips before he turned toward her.
Mayson knew the instant the simple gesture changed into something else entirely. Something hot and urgent as greedy wisps of need reached out to wrap sly tendrils around both of them. His arms came around her, tightening as he dragged her against his chest. She shifted her hands at the last minute so they settled against his shoulders, the hard muscles under her fingers flexing as he pulled her close.
Those lush, sensuous lips quirked in a half smile before they took possession of hers, and then there was nothing but need as each fought the battle to consume. The heavy crash of the ocean faded as the sound of her heart swished in her own ears, matched in counterpoint to the heavy thrum of Holt’s pulse under her fingertips. His lips were firm under hers before they opened, his tongue sweeping into her mouth in a show of carnal possession.
She opened for him, allowing him to fill her, the immediate slam of her heart against her ribs vivid proof of how badly she wanted him. Needed him. She brushed off that knowledge, shoving it into a small corner of her mind, resolute to take it out later and worry about it then. In the meantime, she was back in Holt’s arms.
With one hand still firmly splayed against the hard muscles of his shoulder, she used the other to trace the hard, corded lines of his throat, before grazing the rim of his jaw. Stubble abraded her fingers and she marveled at the sheer differences in their bodies, evidenced in the decidedly male growth of beard.
Those strong arms that held her tightened as he shifted on the rock next to her. With questing fingers, she felt his hand move from where it rested on her thigh, stroking up to the sensitive skin of her stomach. He rubbed a small area above the waistband of her shorts before running a small circle around the rim of her bellybutton with the pad of his thumb. Sensation fi
lled her at the light touch, the muscles beneath her skin clenching in need. And then reality came crashing back in as she realized where his hands rested.
“Mayson?” Confusion clouded his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s something I have to tell you.”
The news had eaten away at her since she’d finally admitted her concerns that she was pregnant to Camryn the night before, but now that she was faced with telling Holt, the words stuck in her throat. All of the same emotions from earlier—happiness, joy, fear—seemed to lodge in the center of her chest. It was only when she dug down deep and focused on the one that was clamoring the loudest that Mayson acknowledged the depth of her problem.
She was filled with joy at becoming a mother. And she had to acknowledge the very real possibility Holt would feel the exact opposite.
“What is it?”
“I’m pregnant.”
Shock painted his features in stark lines before he stood and began to pace. “You’re what?”
Mayson fought the urge to rub her arms at the loss of warmth and stood, unwilling to stare up at him from her perch on the rock. “I took a test this morning.”
“How is this possible?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten, Holt?”
The joke fell flat and he swept an arm wide. “We used protection. Is the baby even mine?”
Hurt—raw and deep—struck at his words. “I’ve been with no one else.”
“But we used protection.”
“You can keep saying it, but it’s not going to change the outcome. What we used didn’t work.”
“And you’re positive?”
“I’ll go to the doctor this week, but I took two tests. They’re pretty accurate, from what my friends have told me and from the articles we’ve done in our magazines.”
“I don’t believe this.”
The shock on his face was rapidly fading toward anger, and Mayson simply stood still and watched. With each step he took, he trampled on another layer of her happiness.
And what did you expect, McBride? You blindside a guy you had a one-night stand with. Did you really expect him to start turning cartwheels down the beach?
The real problem was, she knew, somewhere deep inside, she had hoped he’d do cartwheels. That he’d be excited they were bringing a life into the world. Instead, she had to accept that her fling had produced consequences.
Consequences Holt Turner didn’t want.
Chapter Five
The drive back to Nathan and Keira’s house was a short one, but it seemed endless. Holt kept his hands firmly gripped on the wheel, even as the urge to pull over and beg Mayson for her forgiveness kept whispering in his ear.
He’d acted like an asshole at the news of the baby. Getting angry was low. Asking if the baby was his was even lower. Especially when he’d spent the morning thinking about how much she fascinated him and how he wanted to spend time with her. Find out more about her. Be with her.
But a baby?
He glanced over, surprised to see she hadn’t moved an inch since she’d buckled into her seat. Her hands were clasped in her lap and a bleak expression on her features, her eyes huge brown orbs that dominated her face.
He turned into the driveway. “I didn’t handle that very well.”
“And I should take some responsibility for that?”
“I’m not excusing my behavior, but maybe you could at least give me the benefit of the doubt. One minute I’m kissing you and the next I’m being told I’m going to be a father. It’s a lot to absorb.”
“And you think it wasn’t a shock to me?”
“Of course not.”
“I’ve got commitments, Holt. A busy job and an active life. Despite all that, I’m excited. Happy.”
“You don’t have to do it alone.”
“That wasn’t my point.”
“Well, maybe it’s mine.” The words were out before he could stop them, and as he turned off the ignition and turned to stare at Mayson, Holt knew he didn’t want to stop them. Was he looking for permanent with anyone?
No.
But would he stand by his child and his responsibilities to that child?
Absolutely.
“Look, Holt. No one needs to know the baby’s yours. I’ll handle this on my own. I told you because it’s the right thing to do and you deserve to know. Not because I expected anything from you.”
A spark lit under his skin and it didn’t take long for the fuse to ignite. “You’re not doing this on your own. Just because you and I don’t have a relationship doesn’t mean we can’t form one for our child. I already like and respect you. I will do this with you.”
“What are you suggesting?”
What was he suggesting? Something permanent? “I think we both need to think about that. Decide what raising our child is going to look like. For both of us.”
He was prevented from saying anything else by the sound of a car pulling up behind them. A glance over his shoulder had him clenching his fists and muttering. “Of all the times.”
“What is it?” Mayson turned to look behind them. “It’s Teddy Craddick. He’s an old friend of my grandfather’s. We’ve known him our entire lives.”
“Of course you have.” The odd urge to laugh welled up in his throat. Teddy Craddick was an old friend of the McBride family? “He’s the one I’m trying to get a deal with.”
Holt was prevented from saying anything further when a large, booming voice ricocheted in their direction. Holt leaned toward Mayson. “I’ll come around and get you.”
He waved at Teddy as he rounded the front of the car then opened her door. She put her hand in his. “Thank you.”
The same urge that had gripped him on the beach before he kissed her rose up in him once more at the feel of her hand in his. Regardless of the surprise they were dealing with, none of it diminished how badly he wanted her.
“Let’s go say hello.” Mayson dropped his hand before she turned and waved at Teddy. “Come on.”
Holt followed her down the driveway as they met up with Craddick. The man put the old in “old school,” but his influence in New York business circles was legendary. “Holt, my boy. It’s good to see you.”
“Teddy.” Holt stuck out his hand, amused at the not-so-subtle glances the older man kept tossing toward Mayson.
“Mayson.” Teddy turned toward her, his hand reaching for hers before he bestowed an elegant kiss on her knuckles. “It’s a pleasure to see you.”
“Uncle Teddy. It’s been a long time.”
Teddy pulled her into a tight hug. “Too long, my girl. How are you?”
They exchanged polite pleasantries and it took Mayson about thirty seconds to extract details on Teddy’s wife and family. “She’s off with our oldest, putting the finishing touches on wedding plans.”
Mayson clasped her hands together. “I’d heard Jennifer was getting married. What happy news.”
The conversation swirled around the three of them, casual and friendly, yet filled with careful—and obvious—observation of each other. Holt knew Teddy was curious as to his relationship with Mayson and, if he wasn’t mistaken, he could see the older man was pleased at the idea there might be something there.
“I’ll leave you two to get back to your conversation, but why don’t you both sit near me at lunch. I’d like to spend more time catching up.” Holt felt Craddick’s attentions shift his direction as the man sized him up. “I’ve been reviewing that proposal you sent me last month. Since we’re both here, maybe you could walk me through your ideas.”
“Be happy to.”
Teddy turned to look up at the massive house that rose up behind them. “Nathan’s bound to have a conference room or two hidden away in here. You free around eleven?”
“I’ll see you then.”
Mayson gave the older man a quick peck on the cheek before waving him off. Once he was out of earshot, she turned back toward Holt with a smile. “He’s a sweet man.”
; “Are we talking about the same person? Teddy Craddick, the owner of Craddick Inc., a multinational corporation on the forefront of logistics and transportation?”
“The very same.”
Holt was still surprised at the direction the conversation had gone and the man’s sudden receptivity to his ideas, but he couldn’t shake the notion something had just shifted between them. “A puppy is sweet. Teddy is a barracuda. One, however, who has never abused his power and position, to the best of my knowledge.”
“He’s got a tough reputation, but he’s fair and as honest as they come. He and my grandfather got on famously.”
“Teddy Craddick is someone I admire a great deal. It’s why the fact that we’ve never been able to put a deal together sticks in my gut so badly.”
Mayson stared at the front door, where Teddy had disappeared through the entryway. “Perhaps he’s rethinking that. He certainly seemed interested in what you had to say.”
“Maybe so.” Thoughts of doing a deal with Craddick vanished as the news of the morning returned to hit him full-force. “Look, Mayson. I meant what I said. We’re going to figure out the baby. I’m not going to leave you to go through this by yourself.”
A gentle smile creased her lips. “You say that now. Take the time to think about it. We don’t owe each other anything, and I have no expectations of you.”
“Maybe so, but I owe my child something.”
…
I owe my child something.
Holt’s words continued to rattle around in her mind as Mayson got ready after her shower. The house had woken up and she could already hear the festivities starting up out on the lawn.
A brisk knock pulled her from the mirror where she applied her makeup. “Mayson! Open up.”
She opened the door to find both of her sisters on the other side. “Why aren’t you downstairs, Keira? I can see the party’s getting back into full swing.”
“I told her she needed to get up here.” Camryn lightly pushed Keira through the door before closing it behind her.
“What’s wrong?” Keira glanced around the room.
“Nothing.” Mayson waved them both to the bed. The expectant looks shooting her way from Camryn had another one of those crazy waves of emotion swamping her, and the stress of the morning and telling Holt escaped in a rush. “Nothing’s wrong. But. Well. I’m pregnant.”