Page 35 of Secret Baby
Colt sat straight and sucked in his breath.
Vicki licked her lips that tingled from such a short kiss.
A knock followed with a thump that echoed in the air. Then a woman called out, "Honey, I'm here."
Colt stood fast and covered his mouth with his hand.
Vicki grabbed her glass of wine off the table next to her and swallowed a sip to somehow get the taste of him off her lips.
Colt tensed. Vicki turned around and saw the brown-haired, blue-eyed bombshell from the photograph. The woman's eyes narrowed as Vicki gazed immediately at her. Vicki held her breath and prayed she hadn't seen them moments ago.
With her hand on her hip, the woman batted her eyelashes. "Who's this, Collins?"
"Clara's birth mom." Colt stepped away. "Victoria is staying the night and helped watch Clara during the storm. Tomorrow, she moves in."
"Imove in tomorrow." Belle crossed her arms, and her eyes blazed at Vicki.
This was not the way to make friends. What was Colt thinking? Vicki said nothing.
"I read about the hurricane." Belle stepped closer, and her heels echoed on the floor. "I came to make sure you and Clara were safe."
Colt nodded. "We're all fine here, but you should have called."
"I was worried about you and my job. It's why I came; leaving the senators to the oil and gas folks is only temporary, since we're teaming up." Belle's stare turned toward Colt's profile, but then she walked right in front of Vicki. "I'm Belle Jordan. Collins' fiancée. I'm glad you're here now, but aren't you years too late?"
Vicki crossed her arms, and her cheeks heated. "I didn't know Colt had our daughter."
Belle clicked one of her heels. "Funny. Clara's mother abandoned her child the day she was born, and now you're here. Mighty strange."
"I thought my baby died," Vicki said. "I was lied to."
"Strange." Belle shook her head, and Vicki wondered if she'd even heard her. "Collins will be so busy the next few days. The timing is perfect, I suppose. You can watch Clara, and Collins can be free to do things for our upcoming wedding."
Vicki flinched as ice dripped down her spine.
Colt's voice became firm and commanding. "Belle, Clara deserves her parents, and Victoria will be here from now on. I need you to understand, I'm not moving to D.C. and I'm not working for your lobbyists."
"We are having this conversation now?" Belle asked as she crossed her arms. "In front of your guest?"
"I'll go." There was trouble in this rose garden. Vicki swallowed and turned to leave.
Colt's hand pressed against her shoulder. "Wait. Belle, you knew I had a daughter when we first met."
Belle cocked her finger to call Colt toward her. He nodded, let go of Vicki's arm, and followed Belle.
They walked toward the dining room for a more private conversation. She stared at the pair of them, and her cheeks felt hot. She should go.
Belle directed Colt to kiss her, but he just brushed his lips on her cheek. Vicki turned to leave. Her stomach felt like she'd be sick, so she said, "I'll check on Clara and then go to my room."
Family was what mattered. Colt's big, sexy gaze followed her for a moment, and her body heated despite the fact he had another woman in the room. She trudged down the hall.
As she left the tension-filled living area, she opened her daughter's bedroom and saw Clara as she brushed her teeth. Vicki dropped her hands to her sides and winked at Clara.
Clara put her toothbrush down and wiped her lips. Her eyes blared like Colt's when surprised. "Why are you here?"
"I came to read to you."
"What about Dad?"
