A Magical Christmas: Daddy by Christmas / Greek Doctor: One Magical Christmas / The Christmas Baby Bump

In the dark, he could see her tug up her sweater. All at once there was silence. Jarrett looked over at Mia as she leaned over the child at her breast, stroking him.

His chest tightened at the scene. Finally turning away, he concentrated on the snow blowing across the front window, but he could still hear Mia’s soft voice as she talked to her son. Leaning back against the headrest, he closed his eyes and tried not to think about how much he wanted to wrap his arms around both of them and protect them. Yeah, he’d done a great job of that so far.

Restless, he sat up. “Life is pretty simple to him, food and Mama.” He looked at her as she moved the baby to her shoulder and began to pat his back.

“Sometimes it scares me that I have someone who’s so dependent on me,” she admitted.

“You’re a natural at this.”

She paused. “How can you say that when you’ve seen me at my worst?”

BJ gave a burp and she lowered him to her other breast. This time Jarrett didn’t turn away from the silhouette of mother and son. He’d never seen anything so beautiful. Leaning across the console, he reached out and touched the baby’s head. “I’ve only seen a mother who loves her child.” His chest tightened at the sight.

Their gazes met in the dark car. “I do love him. At first I was so frightened, but he’s become my life. I know technically he’s my nephew, but—”

Jarrett placed his finger against her mouth to stop her words. “In every way that counts, Mia, he’s your son. You carried him in your womb, now you nourish him from your body.” His fingers moved and grazed her breasts. “It’s beautiful to watch you with him.”

“Oh, Jarrett.”

At the husky sound of her voice, he shifted closer. He felt her breath against his cheek.

Suddenly a bright light shone through the windshield, illuminating the front seat. He drew his hand away, but continued to hold her gaze.

“It seems we’ve been rescued,” he said, knowing he wasn’t so sure about his heart.

Chapter Ten (#ulink_4771e062-b44e-5cbb-bf43-fa7a437a289f)

IT was after eleven o’clock by the time the tow truck pulled Jarrett’s SUV out of the snowdrift and they’d driven back to the apartment. The night had been long, but still Mia didn’t want their time together to end.

Jarrett walked her to her apartment door. “I’m sorry about tonight. I never should have taken that back road.” He glanced at BJ in the carrier. “I would never do anything to endanger either one of you.”

“Of course I know that. You didn’t cause the bad weather, Jarrett.”

He watched her a moment, then he finally said. “I probably should let you get some sleep.”

She put her hand on his arm when he started to step back. “Won’t you come in for some coffee?” Did she sound desperate? “I have something for you.”

He looked surprised. “Okay, but let me grab something from my place first. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

With a nod, Mia went into the apartment, leaving the door unlocked. She quickly dressed her son in his sleeper and put him in the crib, knowing in just a few hours he’d be awake and hungry. She checked her makeup and went back into the living area, quickly picked up several baby items scattered around and tossed them into her bedroom.

She’d finished plugging in the lights on her tabletop Christmas tree when there was a soft knock. She tugged on her sweater and brushed back her hair before answering the door.

“Oh, my,” she gasped as Jarrett walked in carrying several presents. “What did you do?”

He set the packages down on the table. “I took Jenna shopping yesterday and she convinced me that BJ had to have all these things.” He raised an eyebrow. “You should have seen what I talked her out of.”

Mia eyed the boxes, but picked up the stuffed bear. “He isn’t even sitting up yet.”

“Then put some away for his birthday.” He smiled and her heart tripped.

She glanced toward the present under her tree. Before she lost her nerve, she grabbed the tissue-wrapped gift and handed it to him. “This is for you.”

He looked touched. “Mia, I didn’t expect anything.”

She shrugged as if it were nothing. “It’s probably silly.”

He tore through the paper and uncovered the charcoal-gray scarf she’d knitted. As he examined it she wondered if he could see the mistakes.

He stared at her, his brown eyes tender. “Did you make this?”

She managed a nod. “Nola taught me while I was on bed rest. I’m not very good.”

She didn’t get to finish as he leaned forward and placed a sweet kiss on her mouth. Chaste or not, she felt dizzy.

“Thank you. I’ve never received anything so nice.”

Jarrett had trouble holding it together. He hadn’t enjoyed the holidays for a long time. His mother’s death only days before Christmas had left a little boy devastated with grief.

“You’re welcome,” she said, her voice hoarse.

He finally stepped back and draped the scarf around his neck before he lost all control. “I have something for you.”

“Did Jenna pick it out, too?”

“No, I did.” He pulled a small jewelry box from the bag. “So I can’t blame her if you don’t like it.”

She blinked seeing the store name on the box. “Oh, Jarrett, you shouldn’t have done this.”

He smiled at her. “You haven’t even seen it. Maybe you won’t like it.”

She gave him a stern look. “Of course I will.” She opened the box to see a sterling-silver chain with a round charm engraved with BJ’s name and his date of birth.

She glanced at him. “I was wrong, I don’t like it. I love it. Oh, Jarrett. It’s perfect. You couldn’t have gotten me anything I wanted more.”

He released a breath. He’d bought women gifts before. Why did he care so much about this one? “I’m glad.”

She took it out of the box. “Will you help me put it on?” She gave him the necklace and turned around. Moving aside her rich brown hair, she exposed her long slender neck to him. Somehow, he managed to fasten the clasp, but she was too tempting not to lean down and place a kiss against her exposed skin.

He felt her shiver, but she didn’t move. He slid his hands around her waist, pulling her against him. He whispered her name and after a few seconds, he turned her in his arms. “This isn’t a good idea. In fact it’s crazy. You just had a baby, and I shouldn’t be thinking…”

“Oh, Jarrett.” She shook her head. “I don’t see how…I’m having enough trouble trying to handle my life. You’ve seen me at the worst times, and you have to be tired of rescuing me.”

“Maybe I like rescuing you.” He didn’t let her go. He had no business wanting her. He was all wrong for her. But all he wanted was to be with her.

“I want to be self-reliant.”

“We all like to be. But there are some things that are fun to do with someone else, someone special.”