Page 20 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
“And a pain in the ass.”
“I can see that.” A sweet giggle leaves her. “The water thing was pretty funny.”
“I’m glad I could let her check something off her bucket list.” That makes her laugh harder. The sound causes my chest grow warm. “Come on.” I hold out my hand to her. She takes it.
“We’re not walking?” Candy asks when I open up the passenger door to the gator I pulled out while she went to get her things.
“You’re pregnant, and the cab will keep you warm.”
“This is like a fancy golf cart.”
“This handles better and won’t get stuck.” She slides in. “And it will keep you warm too.”
“You know, I might be pregnant, but I can still walk around.” Candy smirks playfully.
“I’ll park it when we get to the center of town. The driveway is slick. I think someone is coming today to fix the heat sensors in it,” I tell her before hopping in the driver's seat and heading down the drive and into town.
The way her whole face lights up when she sees something she likes is sweet as fucking hell. From the bits and pieces I’ve picked up from her past, you’d think she’d be jaded, but she’s not.
“This town is full-on Christmas.” It’s what we’re known for.
“It is. That’s the draw. It’s the town’s busy season. Come spring, it will lighten, but many still come out for the shops and bakery. There will also be a farmers market until summer.”
“I love that. What about summer?” Good, I need her to love it here, but if the city is where she wants to be, then so be it.
“That’s our time. The summers are slow and peaceful. Allows the locals to do a reset.”
“This is the kind of place you could raise kids.” More of the tension I’ve been holding over her leaving lessens. This is the plan.
“It is.”
“But you don’t want kids.” She says it casually, but I catch her trying to read my reaction out of the corner of her eye.
Maybe I wasn’t sure before she showed up in my life, but now that she has, there isn’t a single doubt in my mind about wanting kids. I want them, unequivocally. Starting with the one she’s currently carrying.
“What makes you say that?” Have I done anything to give her that impression, or worse, does she not see me as the fatherly type?
“Last night. You said it.” I think back, and it hits me. I let out a low chuckle when I realize what she meant.
“I said Kindred and I wouldn’t be having kids.”
“Oh.” Those eyes of hers light up again. “That makes sense.”
“I’m glad we got everything out in the open, and now there won’t be any more misunderstandings.” Candy wrings her gloved hands together. I’m not trying to upset her; that’s the last thing I want.
I park the gator, ignoring the glances from the locals. I’m sure word is spreading like a blizzard by now. Soon the whole town will be coated in the news. I reach over and grab her hands.
“No rush.” I give them a squeeze.
“I don’t want you to be mad at me.” She says it so softly I barely hear it.
“Never.”
“You can’t know that.”
“I do.” Slowly, I lean in. Candy’s eyes widen a fraction before falling closed, letting me know she’s more than okay with me kissing her. I brush my lips against hers; the kiss is slow at first. She feels like home.
My hand moves to cup the back of her neck, her silky hair brushing against it. I skim my tongue over the seam of her lips, and they part for me so that I can deepen the kiss.
