Page 17 of Grumpy Santa

“I didn’t ask you to.”

“But you were going to,” she says.

I shrug. “I might have at some point, but not tonight. We don’t have to get married right now. But you will move in with me.”

Her mouth opens. “What?”

“You heard me. A pregnant woman should not live alone. You will live with me and I’ll take care of you and the baby.”

“Jared, I don’t think that’s necessary.”

I ignore her protest and point to her stomach. “Can I?”

“Of course.”

I drop to my knees in front of her and do what I’ve wanted to do since we found out about the baby. I put my lips to her belly. Then I glance up at Audrey. “You think they can hear us?”

She nods, her eyes filled with tears. “Harper said Johnny talked to her belly the whole time she was pregnant with the twins.”

“I’m going to love you so much, little one. You’re gonna have the very best mama and I’m going to learn all I can to be a good daddy.”

chapter nine

Audrey

A sob gets caught in my throat at Jared’s gentle, heartfelt words. To be on the receiving end of this man’s love must be overwhelming.

At the sound I make, he looks up at me. So damn handsome. But even more amazing than his face and ridiculous body, is that heart of his.

He sees my tears and comes to his feet, then picks me up and carries me out of the kitchen. We end up in a bedroom—I’m assuming it’s his when I see the size of the bed, covered in the no-nonsense navy blue quilt.

He lays me down, then climbs into the bed next to me. He opens his arms and I immediately curl into him, resting my head on his massive chest. I sigh, letting some of the stress from today melt away.

I feel the safest I’ve ever felt, wrapped in his arms. Despite the fact that my life flipped upside down today.

“I can give living here a trial run, I suppose,” I say.

“I make excellent grilled cheese sandwiches.”

“I might take you up on that.”

“You sure you’re not hungry now?” he asks. One hand rubs up and down my hip.

“No. I’m comfortable.” Why does this feel natural?

“Do I make a good pillow?”

I laugh. “Not really. You’re far too hard to be a pillow.” My mention of his hardness has my gaze falling to the bulge behind his zipper.

He knows I’m looking so he reaches down and adjusts his jeans.

“Why are you hard right now?” I can’t help but ask.

“Because having you this close does that to me.”

The deep rumble of his voice vibrates against my ear. I realize in this moment, this is my most favorite place in the world. Snuggled up next to him with the rich timbre of his voice echoing through my body.

“Knowing that you’re growing my baby is also an incredible turn on,” he admits.