Page 35 of Surgeon's Surprise Baby
“Sophie is on her baby gym mat on the floor in the den.”
“Okay.I brought her a toy.It’s a stuffed animal.A lamb.”
Sophie didn’t need more toys, but he looked so pleased with himself as he showed the little animal to her that she didn’t have the heart to tell him that.“I’m sure she’ll love it.Go on in.I’ve got work to do for the greenhouse.”
“I saw it when I got here.It looks like it’s finished.”
“No, but it’s getting close.”
He left the room and soon after she heard him talking to Sophie and Sophie laughing.She’d only recently begun to laugh, and it gave Aria a happy feeling whenever she heard it.
Ryan was a good father.She’d worried at first.Not because he was a bad person.But he’d been a bachelor accustomed to moving around for a long time.Would he stick this time?If he didn’t—that was the reason she couldn’t allow herself to fall for him again.
Oh, like you don’t have feelings for him now?
Of course I do.I love him because he’s the father of my child.But I’m not in love with him.
Keep telling yourself that, girl.You might even start to believe it.
*
“When did youmove the crib?I thought you were going to call me to help?”Ryan came out of the baby’s room after putting Sophie to bed.
“A couple of days ago.I’m so attuned to every little sound she makes I don’t sleep very well.But since I moved her, I can actually sleep.And I still hear her if she cries.Especially with the baby monitor.”
“Doesn’t that do the same thing having her in your room does?”
“I can turn down the monitor to where I only hear her crying.”
“I have a monitor at my place.”Not that she’d let him have the baby over there by himself.Yet.
He wasn’t sure what he was about to do was the right thing, but he had to try something.It had been a long time coming but he’d realized once he saw Aria again that he was still in love with her.She didn’t believe him, though, and he couldn’t blame her.He’d never told her—hell, he’d never admitted even to himself—that he loved her.Not to mention, she was convinced he’d leave her again, like he’d done before.Like he’d done everywhere he’d been since he left the army.
He’d just have to convince her he was serious.And sincere.“Can we sit down and talk?”
“Okay.”She let him lead her to the couch.He sat beside her.
“I’ve been thinking about what you suggested the other day.”She looked confused so he added, “You know, about us having a casual, no-strings relationship.I changed my mind.I’m saying yes.”
“You’re kidding.You acted like I’d insulted you horribly.In fact, you said I did.Like you’d never heard of such a thing.”
“You have to admit the way you put it was insulting.”
“I didn’t mean to insult you.I was being honest.”
Honest.Right.“At any rate, I’m saying yes.”
Her eyebrows drew together.“Why did you change your mind?”
He took her hand and smiled at her.“I had several reasons.The main one is I’m in love with you.”
She goggled at him.“What?”
“You heard me.”He shrugged.“I decided I’d take you any way I could get you.So if you don’t want to be involved and just want sex, then that’s what we’ll do.Well, you will.I’m in love with you, though, so it will mean something to me.”
She stared at him for a solid minute.“You’re crazy.If you think having sex with me will make me change my mind about us, you’re totally wrong.”
“I think it can’t hurt.”
