A Baby in His Stocking (13 page)

“Thank you.” Smiling up at him, she said, “You're looking awfully spiffy in your suit.”

“I want to kiss you.”

Then why don't you?
Mouth dry, she forgot to breathe.

“But after we've told all these fine folks how we're just friends, I suppose we should behave.”

Aren't you the one always urging me to be bad?
“You're right.”

“But when the clock strikes twelve…well,” he chuckled. “It wouldn't be right ringing in the new year without a proper kiss.”

“I agree.”

Once the countdown started, they gravitated closer and closer. The crowd vanished. All Natalie remembered was her hunger for this man's lips to graze hers.

Three…

Closer.

Two…

Closer.

By mutual unspoken agreement, they skipped
one
and went straight to their own personal celebration.

“You passed the house.”

“I know,” Wyatt said, turning onto his own drive. “I miss my own home. I want to be there with you.”

Instead of speaking, she reached for his hand.

Easing his fingers between hers, he knew the night would be unforgettable. He hoped in a good way.

His glass house reflected the dark forest. He'd chosen the tinted material for its reflective quality. In subtle ways, it was a lot like him. He enjoyed looking out, but preferred no one looking in. For if his personal life was inspected too closely, it would be all too possible to see his flaws.

Barely an hour into the month, January was proving brutal.

Wyatt hustled Natalie inside, pointing her toward the restroom while he turned up the central heat and made a fire.

“This place is breathtaking,” she said. Having taken off her heels, she'd startled him. “See many deer or other animals?”

“All the time. Raccoon. Coyote. Opossum.” He added another log to the fire. “Before he was married,
Cash stayed out here once and told me he saw a bear, but you know Cash and his love for a good tall tale.”

“Cash?” Grinning, Natalie stood next to Wyatt in front of the fire. “Can't imagine him spinning a yarn.”

“Want tea? Might not be your favorite flavor, but I'm sure I can scrounge up—”

Placing her fingers over his lips, she said, “Enough small talk. You and I are both adults and no matter how much we'd like to pretend we don't know where this night is going, we do.”

Hands low on her hips, he asked, “What about everything you said last night? You know I have nothing long-term to offer.”

“And you know I'm determined to raise my baby on my own.” Arching her head back, she pulled pins from her long hair, sending it in a wild tumble.

“I'm trying not to be that guy, Nat. I don't want to use a pregnant woman for sex.”

Lips pressed tight, she shook her head. “You're telling me now's the time you decide to grow a conscience?”

“I don't want to per se, but should.”

Raspy, as if not sure where to find her next breath, she asked, “Where's that leave us? Other than in your amazing house. Not a kid in sight—unless you count my baby bump.” Natalie's voice was barely audible above the crackling fire. He'd been around the block more than a few times and usually picked up on a woman's hint to take things to an intimate level. But Natalie wasn't just any woman. He'd grown to care for her. Deeply. If they did make love, would he wake regretting it?

Worse, would she?

“Your son is very real.” Tugging her to him, it took
his every ounce of willpower not to unzip her dress. “If we do what I'm pretty sure you're suggesting, will we still be friends in the morning?”

“Since when do you care?” Natalie gave him a mighty shove, but he held firm.

“I've always cared. I have too much respect for you to use you.”

“What if I'm using you?”

That threw him off balance. Now he was the one releasing her and backing away. “The Nat I know would never say something so crass.”

“For the record, as soon as my baby's born, I'll never be the same. Christmas night, you wanted to take it further, but I said no. Why is it now a problem for
me
to want physical pleasure?”

Hands to his forehead, Wyatt said, “Nat, it's not a problem. We're consenting adults. The thing is, just last night you were adamant we not make love, now you're—”

“Don't you ever shut up?” Bridging the gap between them, she tossed her arms around his neck, kissing him with passion he didn't even try to deny.

Her lips still pressed to his, she removed his suit coat and loosened his tie.

All night she'd tortured him with her dress. Josie wasn't nearly as blessed as Natalie in the boob department. Squeezed into the figure-skimming gown, Natalie's breasts had heaved and teased. Now, Wyatt didn't waste a second ditching the garment. But then she presented him with another dilemma—a black lace bra and thong that in dancing firelight proved the most erotic thing he'd ever seen.

“You're stunning,” he managed before nuzzling her cleavage, moving down to her huge belly. He'd never
been with a pregnant woman, and Natalie was proving a major turn-on. It no longer mattered another man was her baby's father. Wyatt blocked the fact from his mind, preferring to picture himself in that role. And why shouldn't he?

He dropped his pants and boxers, freed her breasts and helped her step clear of her thong. He sat on the sofa, aching with need. She sat astride him, easily taking him in, setting a rhythm seemingly calculated to cause him the most pleasure. Leaning forward, bracing herself on his shoulders, she covered his mouth with hers. Their tongues mimicked motions old as time. All too soon, he tensed before succumbing to a white-hot thrill. Natalie visibly trembled. Her internal quivers thrilled him anew.

Smiling, still breathing heavy, she asked, “Does this place have a tub?”

“Depends,” he teased, “do I get to join you?”

 

“Y
OU BEING SUCH A
take-charge woman is a turn-on.”

Natalie splashed Wyatt with warm water. “In my current condition, unless we really wanted to get kinky, there wasn't much choice.”

“Hmm…” His expression brightened. “Talk like that gives a man ideas.”

Yawning, she said. “Too bad for you it's going to take days for me to regain the energy we just burned.”

“I've got time.” His flirty grin renewed her craving for more grown-up fun, but also saddened her to think they'd never be intimate again.

She'd allowed herself this one night, but no more. Any further close contact and Natalie might never let him go. Trouble was, he never wanted to be caught.

 

“Y
OU BOTH LOOK GREAT
.” A week later, Natalie jiggled Esther while the private nurse Georgina had hired took Josie's and then Dallas's vital signs.

“Thanks.” Josie held out her hand for Natalie to hold. “How can I ever show you enough appreciation for all you've done?”

“Nothing but your full recovery is needed,” Natalie said, voice hoarse with gratitude that her friends were finally well enough to return home. Truth be told, as much as Natalie had enjoyed her time playing house with Wyatt and the girls, Natalie should be thanking Josie.

The couples' king-size bed had been replaced with two rented hospital beds and a new shelf loaded with medical supplies had been set in place of Josie's giant weeping fig. Aside from those changes, the elegant room with its thick carpet and burgundy floral bedding and draperies remained the same. Even cheery sunlight warmed the dangerously cold day.

“Give me that baby,” Dallas barked. Still wearing a cast and struggling with headaches, his grumpy-meter spiked off the charts.

“Yes, sir.” Natalie gingerly handed him his daughter.

“Hello, gorgeous.” Cradling the infant to his chest, he kissed the downy top of her head. “I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever hold you again.”

“I never lost hope,” Natalie said. How amazing would it be to have a man so much in love with her son?

Josie asked, “How long until the twins get home from school?”

Consulting her watch, Natalie said, “A couple hours.
Mabel's probably about done with her nap. Want me to get her?”

Josie turned down her offer. “She's always cranky when she has to wake before she's ready.”

“True,” Natalie said with an understanding laugh. It was a strange sensation, knowing her friends' children so well.

“I'll bet you're ready to get home,” Dallas said.

“I suppose.” Seated in a lounge chair, Natalie wasn't sure what to do with her hands. She'd spent so much time chasing after the girls that now that her help was no longer needed, she felt a little lost. The home she'd once found perfect would now seem shabby and cramped.

“With Georgina and the nurse here,” Josie said, “please don't feel obligated to stay. I'm sure you're itching to get back to school. I know I am.”

Was it wrong Natalie hadn't thought about returning to her once-fulfilling job?

Dallas said, “I can only imagine the mess Wyatt's made of my ranch. Sooner I get out on the range, the better.”

“He's done great.” Natalie recalled the afternoon after Wyatt had inspected for damage after the snow. Finding the dead cattle had been hard on him. “You owe him a big thank-you for working so hard to keep everything running just the way you like. Not only that, but he's helped me in caring for the girls.”

“That was quite a speech,” Josie noted. “Anything you want to tell me?”

Praying her superheated cheeks didn't give her away, Natalie snapped, “No. Wyatt and I are friends. Nothing more.”

“They totally did the deed.” Using his free hand, Dallas bunched the pillows beneath his head.

“You're horrible,” Josie said to her husband. “Remind me why I married you?”

Over Esther's head, he blew her a kiss. “Because together, we make gorgeous babies.”

“That's right,” Josie said. “Looking at that angelic face, how could I forget?”

Five minutes of Dallas and Josie's lovey-dovey banter proved Natalie's limit.

In her room, she packed her few belongings, being extra careful not to crush the precious pictures drawn for her by Mabel, Betsy and Bonnie. Her favorite was a no-brainer—the one Betsy had given her, featuring all four girls and their temporary mommy and daddy. The one she'd proudly proclaimed was a representation of their family.

The family now officially disbanded.

Where was Wyatt? Josie and Georgina had tried calling his cell, but he hadn't answered. Not surprising considering some of the remote areas of the ranch he might've gone to. Would he care she was gone?

Knowing she wasn't strong enough to deal with her shattered emotions should he not, she hugged her friends and both their daughters. She found Georgina in the kitchen and hugged her, too.

At that point, self-preservation kicked in. Without making another stop, she all but ran to her car.

 

L
OWERING THE BRIM OF HIS
cowboy hat, Wyatt shaded his eyes from the sun. Astride his favorite paint, Oreo, Wyatt caught a flash of chrome. Where was Natalie headed this time of day?

A glance at his watch had him wondering if there was something wrong with one of the twins.

He kicked Oreo into a gallop, making it from the high pasture to the house in record time. If something was wrong, Natalie would have at least left him a note.

After reining his horse to the hitching post near the back door, he headed inside. Damn if his pulse wasn't racing from apprehension. If the twins were all right, what if something had happened to Esther or Mabel? Worse yet, Natalie's unborn son?

Wyatt was midway through searching the kitchen when laughter floated from upstairs.

Tackling the back stairs two at a time, he jogged the hall only to get a shock. Settled pretty as you please in the master bedroom were Dallas and Josie. Josie held Esther while Dallas worked the TV remote. Mabel sat on Georgina's lap. A uniformed nurse stood in a slant of sun, writing on what looked to be a chart.

All Wyatt could think to say was, “Where's Nat? She okay?”

“Nice to see you, too,” Dallas said in his customary gruff tone.

“I didn't think y'all were getting in till later. Nat's making her special meat loaf for dinner.”

“Already did,” Georgina said, braiding Mabel's hair. “She left it in the fridge. Such a sweet girl. Too bad she can't find a husband.”

“She doesn't want one,” Wyatt snapped.

“Trust me, every girl wants one.” Putting a bow on the end of one braid, Georgina started on the other side.

“No,” he fired back, “Nat told me that after Craig left, she'll never trust another guy. She's afraid of getting hurt.”

“Hmph.”
Georgina didn't look convinced.

Josie said, “Sounds like you two got to know each other fairly well.”

Wyatt shrugged. “I s'pose. Anyway, where is she?”

“Naturally,” Georgina said, “she went home.”

“Just like that? She didn't even say goodbye?”

“Sure, she did.” Josie kissed her baby. “Just not to you.”

For the life of him, Wyatt couldn't figure why he cared, but Natalie taking off without so much as a backward glance in his direction incensed him. Had what they shared—whatever it happened to be—meant so little?

“Wyatt, sweetie,” Josie said, “would you mind doing me a huge favor and changing Esther's diaper? She smells suspicious.”

Dallas asked, “Since when does my little brother change diapers?”

“Natalie taught him.” Wyatt loved how Josie and his brother discussed him as though he was a trained circus pony.

“Come here,” he said to a fussing Esther. Cradled to his chest, she quieted.

“She likes you,” Josie noted. “I'm glad you two finally bonded.”

“Hell,” Dallas said with a laugh, “we should send him a bill for all the parenting experience we gave him. By the time he has his own kids, he'll already be a pro.”

Wyatt wanted to hold in his frustration for a time when he and Dallas were alone, really, he did, but his temper got the best of him. “You know, Dallas, when it comes to you and your one-liners, I can't take one more. For the record, I will never have kids. So each and every time you aim a dig at me for not being mar
ried with rug rats of my own, you twist the dagger deeper.”

“Wh-what?” Georgina was instantly by his side. “Why are you saying this? How would you even know?”

He gave them the abridged version, after which, though the ladies present coated him with sympathy and apologies for times they said things that they now realized were insensitive, Dallas remained stoic.