Free Branded as Trouble by Lorelei James Page B

India didn’t know which was worse; dealing with three screaming kids, or one scheming man.
    But damn, what a man. If she pressed her lips together, she could still feel the surety of his mouth on hers as he’d leveled her with a steamy kiss last night.
    “Need a bib?”
    Crap. Was she…drooling? Her back snapped straight. “Why in the hell would I need a bib?”
    “The hell,” Eliza mimicked.
    “Not a bib for you, for Peyton.”
    “Oh.”
    Colt smiled and popped Shannie in her high chair. He chatted at both baby girls, as well as Eliza. His ease with the kids didn’t surprise India; that was why she’d called him.
    Bibs on, food warmed, India grabbed the rubber-coated baby spoons from the dishrack. “Which one do you want?”

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    Without looking away, Colt said, “Eliza, does Shannie still spit her food everywhere?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Then I’ll feed Peyton.”
    “Chicken,” India taunted.
    “A chicken says, bawk bawk,” Eliza offered.
    India and Colt both laughed.
    Shannie managed to eat half her jar of beans, the rest she sprayed all over India. But Peyton wasn’t a picnic; she cried and rubbed carrots in her eyes, which made her scream.
    “I’ll give Peyton a quick bath if you watch Shannie and Eliza.”
    “Deal.”
    By the time India undressed the fussy baby, ran the bath water, scrubbed her, rinsed her, dried her, diapered her, clothed her and returned to the kitchen, half an hour had passed and Shannie was crying in her high chair.
    India said, “Trade ya,” handing Peyton to Colt and lifting Shannie out. She shot a look at an entirely too quiet Eliza…who blinked at her impishly as she bit into a cookie. In fact, Eliza had a whole stack of cookies in front of her.
    “Colt! Where did Eliza get—”
    “We were counting them, and since she’s bein’ so good and such a helpful big sister, entertaining Shannie Banannie, I let her have a couple extras, right, cookie monster?”
    Eliza giggled.
    “You are a s-u-c-k-e-r, Colt McKay.”
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    Branded As Trouble
    “Mmm. Totally when it comes to these darlin’ girls.” He rubbed his cheek over Peyton’s head. “Babies smell so great after a bath, don’t they?”
    Seeing Colt’s softer side always made her melt a little. Where else did he show such sweetness?
    He shows it with you all the time.
    “What now?” he said.
    “Will you heat up two bottles while I bathe Shannie?”
    “Sure.”
    Thud . Eliza stood in front of her, cookie crumbs all over her face and clothes. “Innie?”
    “What, sweetie?”
    “I wanna baf with Shannie.”
    “Okay. But no splashing.”
    Serious contemplation occurred before Eliza grudgingly said,
    “Okay,” and flounced up the stairs.
    Bathing two kids took twice as long, especially when the older one insisted on “helping”. The living room was quiet when the three of them trooped back downstairs.
    The TV was on low. Peyton’s bottle was empty. She was sound asleep and drooling on Colt’s shoulder. Colt didn’t mind. He wore a look of contentment India had never seen, nor expected to see. The thought he’d make a terrific father flashed through her mind, and she tamped down envy for the lucky woman who bore his children because he’d make a terrific husband too.
    Eliza bounded over and jumped next to him on the couch.
    Right next to him.

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    Peyton stirred and Colt gently rubbed her back.
    “You want me to put her down?”
    “Nah. I’ll do it. Shannie’s bottle is in the pan.” He stood and Eliza immediately scooted into his spot. “I’ll read you a bedtime story when I get back if you pick a book, cookie monster.”
    “Huh-uh. I not sleepy.”
    But Eliza didn’t last long. Both she and Shannie conked out at the same time. Colt tucked her in while India laid Shannie in her crib and grabbed the baby monitor.
    India flopped on the couch and closed her eyes. A few minutes later