She's My Baby

She's My Baby
Adrianne Byrd

No husband, no boyfriend, no pets and definitely no children…These were the "rules" that took magazine CEO Leila Owens to the top. Always in charge, in control, she was never rattled. Until she finds a baby in her kitchen on Christmas–and a sexy neighbor wearing next to nothing knocking at her front door…Garrick Grayson didn't know whom to comfort first, the howling infant or the career diva without a clue. But with a little help, Leila's soon juggling bottles, naps and meetings, while Garrick is falling for adorable Emma–and gorgeous, feisty, maternally challenged Leila. Garrick had sworn off women married to their jobs; Leila had sworn off everything else. So why, when they were together, did things feel so…right?

The corners of Garrick’s lips twitched into a smile. He reached for the baby.

This wasn’t exactly the kind of emergency he had in mind when he bolted over here, but it was a job that still needed to be done.

Garrick nestled the little girl in the crook of his arm. As he swayed back and forth, the baby quieted down. “That’s a good girl,” he cooed.

“How did you do that?” his neighbor asked wide-eyed.

“I’ve been told I’m a natural with babies and animals,” he boasted proudly.

“You’re a godsend.”

The woman raked her fingers through her hair—something she should stop doing, he noted.

“Yeah, well, I guess if you just get us a new diaper, I can help you change her and then I’ll get out of your hair.” He didn’t mean to mention her hair, but it had a way of drawing the eye.

She blinked. “A diaper?”

ADRIANNE BYRD

has always preferred to live within the realms of her imagination where all the men are gorgeous and the women are up to all the challenge of whatever trouble they manage to get into. Her first Kimani Press release, She’s My Baby, was inspired by a true-life incident. Ms. Byrd’s youngest sister politely informed her that she was having a baby—ten days before her due date! Her little sis and baby moved in. They’ve been living with Ms. Byrd happily, temporarily, ever after.

She’s My Baby

Adrianne Byrd

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

For my niece Courtney Breanna White I hope I don’t screw this up

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed Leila and Garrick’s story. I have to admit that it was one of my easier subject matters to write about since I positively break out into a cold sweat every time my sister even hints for me to babysit my one-year-old niece. Some women, like me, really have to work to dust off unused maternal instincts. Like Leila, I discovered that even after sleepless nights, countless diaper changes and constant worrying, there is a unique joy in being around a baby. Nothing gives you the same kind of pleasure as when a child smiles at you. So much so that you find yourself doing the most ridiculous things—like “goo-gooing” while you’re holding up the line at the grocery store—just to win another toothless grin.

So, now I have a baby at the house…all I have to do is keep peeking out the window to find my Garrick Grayson.

It could happen…

Contents

Chapter 1 (#u5d4c565c-f0d1-5b81-b7d4-4717a03e1fe0)

Chapter 2 (#u4417b6ca-4df6-5f39-89b0-c6788bc39fb9)

Chapter 3 (#ue561acf9-5891-555d-b478-8aa4840a52d0)

Chapter 4 (#u426b6d8e-cd83-5cad-a440-167cffd2ba7f)

Chapter 5 (#u9f2bd329-8e65-5386-8ddb-9302411fe2b1)

Chapter 6 (#u25db90c8-f3d4-5ffd-b8ee-252b3947b554)

Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 21 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 22 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 23 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 24 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 25 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 26 (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 1