Chapter 1

Have I mentioned how adorable this baby is? If I haven’t, I am going to repeat it. She is so friggin adorable that I never want to let her go. Her mother must be so proud to have her. She must be thrilled to have this cutie as her baby. Looking at her now makes me remember something I never want to remember again. 

I could have had a baby like her, too. She would be four years old now, but I was deprived of that right. He took my baby away from me, he…

“Umm… Can I have my baby back now?” It’s that male voice again, and this time, I turn to face him. 

Well, shit, this is one fine man.

He is so beautiful, even with his hair looking like a car ran through it. He looks good enough to eat. His eyes are so black, I can drown from staring at them and his lips, man...Even though they are pressed in a thin line, they still look so kissable. His nose is a little crooked. It must be from an accident. 

I’m already drooling at this point. I mean, he is so damn HOT. He fills his suit so perfectly that I could almost see his abs. He could be a model.

“Stop staring,” he snaps, and that is when I realize that I still haven’t replied to what he said. Hell, I can’t even remember what he said. He must have seen the confusion on my face, because he repeated himself.

“I asked you to stop staring, and will you please give me my baby.”

Huh…. Rude much?

“Your baby?” I confirm. He is this baby’s father. That is a shame. Mr. Hot Stuff is already married.

“Yes, my baby,” he repeats slowly this time.

I resist the urge to laugh at him. He must think that I am stupid. “Oh, I am sorry, I just….” 

He interrupts me. “Don’t bother. Just let me have my baby. I don’t have time for all this.” He rakes his hand through his dark hair.

“Rude much?” I scoff.

“What did you say?” 

Oh shit, I said that out loud.

“Yes, you did,” he says. He looks like he’s about to blow up.

Wait, can he read my mind? I am very sure I didn’t say that out loud.

“You said it out loud, and you are still saying it. See, I don’t have time for all these mind games. I have an interview….” 

This time, I’m the one who interrupts him. “Oh my God, the interview. Where is it being held? I am pretty sure I’ve missed it by now.” I panic and try to catch my breath.

Good lord, how did I forget about the interview? I am such a fool.

“Are you here for the interview?” Mr. Hot Stuff asked.

“Yes. I am sure it is over by now.” I check my watch. It’s already 9:30. So much for coming early. Get used to living on the streets, Melissa. Ben will surely throw you out of his house now.

“Yeah. It should be over by now, but the interview hasn’t happened,” Mr. Hot Stuff says.

“What do you mean, it hasn’t happened?”

“Did you do your research about this company at all?”he asks, instead. 

“No, I didn’t have the time to do that. I applied at the very last minute.” I look away. 

He lifts his eyebrow. “You are in luck, Miss….”

“Brooks,” I supply.

He nods. “Miss Brooks. The interview has been rescheduled for tomorrow by 9am.”

“Really?” I ask, and he nods to confirm. 

“That is good then,” I mutter to myself, looking back at the baby sleeping in my arms. Her hold on my finger has loosened now. I guess it is time to give her to her father.

I stand up gently and hand the baby back to her father’s outstretched hand. My arms feel empty immediately, but I let her go.

What the hell is wrong with you, Melissa? You only held her for an hour.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and check out Mr. Hot Stuff. The sight of him holding the baby makes my heart clench, and I feel my eyes water. 

And that’s my cue to get out of here. I can’t embarrass myself. 

I slowly make my way to the revolving door, but Mr. Hot Stuff’s voice stops me.

“Miss Brooks, thanks for your help. I appreciate it,” he says.

I smile and say nothing else. 

I let out the breath I don’t even realize I’ve been holding once I exit the building. That was intense. I already miss the baby; I miss the feeling of having her.

 I knew it was a bad idea to hold her first, but I just couldn’t resist. So now I have myself attached to a baby and I don’t even know her name.

Way to go, Melissa.