Billionaire's Baby Promise. Sarah M. Anderson

Then she paused.

      “She’s waiting for you to respond,” Christine said. Daniel glanced up at her to see that she was watching this entire scene unfold with interest.

      Respond? “Really?” he said, hoping that was what Marie wanted to hear.

      It was, apparently. She turned the page and chattered before waiting for Daniel. So he said, “Really?” again, this time with more emphasis. Marie nodded, her downy hair floating around her head.

      There was something awkward about this entire arrangement. He was sitting in the basement of a church that he did not attend, holding a child who was not his. But at the same time, there was something that felt...right about it, too. Marie was proof there could still be sweetness and innocence in the world.

      That realization he’d had earlier hit him again, harder this time.

      He had to protect her. He had to protect them both.

       Four

      Christine sat in utter confusion. She’d thought she was meeting with the slick, smooth-talking, dangerous man who had made vague promises about helping her weather the oncoming storm. But that’s not what was happening.

      When she’d seen him earlier, she’d almost jumped out of her skin. Gone was the executive vice-president of the Beaumont Brewery. And in his place was a man who was taking her breath away again and again. Seriously, if Sue had thought he was hot before, she would die of gorgeousness now.

      Christine had no idea a cable-knit sweater could be so danged sexy. And the way he was cuddling her daughter? She’d say this was a dream come true but her dreams were never this good.

      She shook her head. They had a limited amount of time before either Marie had a meltdown or someone noticed them and began to ask questions. She still had no idea if she could trust Daniel Lee, much less accept his help. She couldn’t let her attraction to him muddy the waters, either. She was done being dependent on other people to protect her name or family.

      So why couldn’t she do anything but sit here and stare as Marie curled into his lap and read him a story as if her daughter had known him all of her young life?

      And Daniel—the smooth, dangerous man who had showed up at Christine’s work—he was playing along. He was turning the pages for Marie and saying “Really?” a lot—which was what Marie wanted. He wasn’t checking his phone or his watch. He wasn’t complaining about Marie’s very existence.