Baby Benefits by Emily McKay Read Free Book Online Page B

wrong?
    Relying on his gut had gotten him through innumerable business decisions. But relying on Raina was also second nature. In the nine years she’d worked for him, she’d never given him bad advice. Maybe her female intuition trumped his gut.
    “Okay. I’ll call her.”
    A tentative smile spread across Raina’s face. “Thank God. Because she was driving me crazy calling me.”
    For an instant, she looked both young and unbelievably appealing. This new Raina drew him in a way the cool professional Raina never had. But which was the real woman?
    Something tightened deep in his gut. With all his concern about Kitty, he couldn’t help wondering if he was worried about the wrong woman.

    As much as she didn’t want to be alone with Derek at his house this morning, she wanted even less to be alone with Isabella. The tiny infant reminded her all too much of Derek.
    She had the same intense blue-gray eyes, which slanted down at the outside corner in exactly the same way, giving her expression a sort of thoughtful intensity. Her hair was thick and curly, just like his, though her curls were a coppery-gold where his were dark brown and close-cropped into submission.
    Only their mouths differed. Isabella’s tiny rosebud lips often parted in big toothless grins. Derek, on the other hand, almost never smiled, and when he did, never bared his teeth. It was an oddity she’d grown accustomed to. By now she was quite fond of his rare, close-mouthed smiles. Which somehow made it all the harder to see Isabella’s generous, trusting grin.
    Looking at the baby, Raina felt her heart constrict. Watching Isabella was like glimpsing another version of Derek himself. One who was less closed off. Less protective of himself.
    Over the years they’d worked together, they’d spent countless hours together. He trusted her opinions. He’d discussed business goals and work strategies, but he’d never opened up to her. Not about anything personal. He’d never let her in.
    But Isabella was different. Infants were born ready to love. They could bond with anyone who responded to their needs and paid them enough attention. How easy would it be to spend the next two weeks lavishing all her repressed love for Derek onto this tiny infant? How easy would it be to fall just as deeply in love with Isabella as she was with Derek?
    All too easy. But for the health of her heart, it would be a mistake of catastrophic proportions.
    No, the smart thing would be to keep her distance.
    However, Isabella’s gaze followed Derek as he left the room to call Kitty. She stared at the closed door to his home office through which he’d disappeared.
    After a few seconds, she turned her head back and shot Raina a decidedly suspicious look.
    Suddenly feeling defensive, Raina asked, “What?”
    Isabella frowned, waving her arms about. Not the cute batting at her toys she’d done when Derek was in the room, but in an annoyed, get-me-outta-here kind of way.
    “It’s no use getting mad at me. I’m not picking you up,” Raina explained, squatting so she was at Isabella’s eye level. “I’m just not doing it. You’re cute enough as it is.”
    Isabella cocked her head to one side, listening intently. She held her arms up to Raina, her expression flashing from annoyed to pleading. When Raina didn’t move, Isabella’s lower lip began to tremble. Her wide blue-gray eyes filled with watery tears. A whimper of unspeakable sorrow escaped her lips.
    Any second now, this kid was going to blow. She’d scream her head off. Derek would rush in, spot Raina’s vulnerability and the deal would be off.
    Faster than Raina could mutter, “Not on my watch,” she’d leaned forward and extracted the ticking time bomb.
    “Okay, kiddo, you win this round. Just don’t give me away.”
    When Raina pulled Isabella into her arms, her tiny body shuddered with relief. She buried her face against Raina’s neck, dampening her skin.
    At the feel of that precious weight in her arms,