When She's Bad by Leanne Banks Read Free Book Online Page A

financial problems.” The baby made a rustling sound as he moved in his makeshift bed and Delilah froze, lowering her voice to a whisper. “We have to be quiet.”
    He nodded his head in the direction of the kitchen. “Let’s go in there.”
    Delilah’s heart sank. His questions were going to continue and she wasn’t sure how to answer them.
    “Why doesn’t the father of the baby help her?”
    Delilah was certain the father of the baby had helped. Howard Bradford was a lot of things, but he’d always been conscientious about his financial support of Lilly. Delilah knew Howard had done the same for Willy. She just didn’t know exactly how. “Willy’s father is dead,” she said. “Nicky doesn’t feel like she can handle the baby by herself and I had agreed to be the godmother in case both parents died.”
    “But both parents haven’t died,” Benjamin said, looking at her as if he didn’t quite believe her.
    Delilah resisted the urge to squirm. “That’s right, but, uh—”
    “So you shouldn’t be legally responsible.”
    “That’s probably true, but—”
    “Does Nicky have other family? Maybe—”
    Delilah waved her hand. “It’s a long sad story. I’m really the only—” She choked over her words. Damn Howard Cash Bradford and his Viagra . How was she supposed to take care of a baby and the spa? Hadn’t Howard known she would be a horrible mother? After all, she’d lost her mother when her father had taken custody of her. He hadn’t even allowed visitation. What did Delilah know about mothering? She felt sure of defeat. “I’m the only one.”
    He frowned. “But it’s obvious you didn’t expect this. It’s very strange.”
    “Yes it is. But that’s my family for you,” she murmured, oddly grateful that her last statement was true. For some reason, she didn’t like lying to Benjamin. He seemed like he had more integrity in his little finger than most men had in their entire bodies. But that was probably an illusion, she told herself, and she didn’t know him very well.
    He studied her again and she held her breath, wondering what he saw. Did he know she was a flaw-filled scaredy-cat? Ridiculous, Delilah told herself and forced herself to breathe.
    He shrugged. “If you’re willing to accept responsibility for him, then you must know what you’re doing. Let me know if you want me to get some referrals for nanny agencies,” he said and started toward the door. “Good ni—”
    Panic froze her feet. Adrenaline sent her dashing to her door to stop him. “Wait!” She plastered her back against the door. “You can’t leave.”
    He lifted one of those dark sexy eyebrows. “Why not? Everything seems to be under control here.”
    For this second , she thought. What if that baby woke up? What was she going to do with him when he needed something? What was she going to do with him when she needed to go to work tomorrow?
    Delilah swallowed a scream and a healthy measure of pride. “Not exactly.”
    He rested his hands on his hips. “Not exactly how?”
    “I mean I’m not prepared to take care of this baby.”
    “Then give him back to his mother.”
    “But I have to take care of him because I made a promise.”
    That stopped him. He understood promises. He sighed and raked a hand through his hair. “Then you need to get ready to be a single parent.”
    “And I will, but I, uh, uh—” The words stopped in her throat. She forced them out. “I need your help.”
    “Mine?” he asked in an incredulous voice. “What can I do?”
    “Well, you’ve already helped. You got him to go to sleep and you remembered that I’m going to need to hire a nanny. And I was hoping you might help me juggle things until I can make arrangements.” She took a deep breath and waited and waited. Delilah was desperate. She knew he probably wouldn’t come through. No man in his right mind would agree to giving her what she wanted.
    But heaven help her, she needed help. Terror clawed through her.