Page 52 of The Christmas Cowboy

“That’s debatable.” He hung up his jacket and waited for her to explain.

“This is why I said us getting married was a mistake.”

“Because of Trent.”

She nodded miserably. He put his other hand on her uninjured arm, and gently turned her to face him. “It wasn’t a mistake. We aren’t a mistake.”

“How can you say that? You didn’t really want to marry me. You can’t want to be responsible for another man’s child.”

“It’s your child. You said yourself he has nothing to do with anything now. And yes, I do want to be a father to your baby. Our baby.”

She believed him. If only she wasn’t afraid Trent was going to try to claim the baby. To spite her, if nothing else. And if he did, that could hurt Liam in so many ways, not the least of which was Trent’s probable attempt to cut Liam out of her and the baby’s lives. “You’re not even attracted to me. Not really.” She stopped talking for fear she’d burst into tears. Why was she having these feelings when Liam had shown her—and said—many times that he thought she was sexy and beautiful? Why was she so insecure now?

Because being with Liam, being married to him was her dream come true. And sometimes she didn’t trust that it wasn’t a dream.

“Not attracted to you? What do you think all the sex we’ve been having is about?”

“You’re a guy. We’re married and you’re too damn honorable to cheat. So of course if you want to have sex you’ll have it with me.” He was staring at her like she had two heads. “Oh, just let me go.”

Instead, he put his arms around her and pulled her close. Walked her backwards until her back was up against the door and her entire front was smashed up against him. “You think I don’t want you.”

Unable to speak, she simply nodded. Was she being stupidly insecure? Probably.

His mouth came down on hers in a hard, demanding kiss. The kind of kiss that curled her toes and made her panties get wet immediately. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, their tongues playing with each other in an edgy rhythm, making it clear what both of them wanted.

Val wrenched her head away. “Wait. Wait.”

He stopped kissing her but he didn’t let her go. One of his hands was clamped to her ass, pressing her close. The other slipped beneath her shirt and fondled her breast.

“I can’t. We can’t. Let me go, Liam. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“About Trent.”

“Yes. About him…and the baby.”

*

He let goof her and backed up a step. Damn Trent Harvey. He didn’t know what the bastard had done to make her say they were a mistake. How could everything be great last night and today she was talking mistake? “What do you need to tell me?”

She began to pace. Her hand shook as she pushed her hair back from her face. “About Trent and what happened when I saw him. You know I met Cici at the diner today.”

He nodded, even though he’d forgotten.

“When I left I ran into Trent. Literally.” Her gaze lifted and locked with his.

“Okay. That explains how you saw him. But what did he say to you that convinced you we’re a mistake?”

“I told him we were married. He got mad and said you weren’t going to raise his baby.”

“The baby he denied was his. Sounds like him.”

“Yes. I pointed that out but he wouldn’t listen. So I left. Or tried to. That’s when he grabbed me and said that he wasn’t finished. I’m afraid he’s going to try to claim the baby. What am I going to do?”

“We.” He reached out and stopped her pacing. Pulled her toward him, but gently. “We will figure it out. You’re not alone in this.”

“But he knows it’s his baby. I told him. As soon as I found out I told him.”

“So? He doesn’t have legal proof. Legally I’m the baby’s dad.”

---