Free The Playboy and the Single Mum (Vintage Love Book 2) by Alexia Adams Page A

he said, “So, because of this stupid photo of me and Jacqueline, I’ve taken a mother away from her young son.”
    “You could explain about the photo,” she murmured against his bare skin. Then she could get out of his arms, go home, and never know what it would have been like between them.
    He released her and stood. “No. That’s not an option. But I won’t be the reason you have to be apart from your son. He’ll just have to come with us.”
    ***
    Daniel stared out the window as they taxied down the small runway. They were once again strapped into the leather seats of Jacques’s plane, headed back to London. Lexy had called her friend and explained the situation so Max would be ready for their arrival.
    Dieu , she had a child. It was a complication in the next eight weeks he hadn’t expected. It was bad enough he was distracted by her. Lexy got him. She understood his career, his focus, and dedication, was able to talk intelligently about the things that mattered to him and life in general. And to top all that, she was as sexy as a concept car, and she made him laugh more than anyone in recent years. But she had a kid. Children were a definite line never to be crossed where he was concerned. Then Lexy made a snuffly sound, and the pain on her face caused an ache in his own chest. He was so screwed.
    “I’m not sure if Max is going to be happy to see me,” she said, her voice raw.
    “Why the hell not? You’re his mother; of course he’s going to be happy.” Daniel may not have known a mother’s love personally, but he could recognize it when he saw it. It was one of the reasons he’d insisted her son come with them. Nothing and no one, especially him, should keep a loving parent and child apart.
    The other reason was that having a kid around was the ultimate abstinence incentive. Last night had been amazing, up to the point when her phone rang. He’d never felt such an emotional connection with a woman before. It had the power to destroy him. But with her toddler in tow, there’d be no more sexy times. He could focus entirely on the track now. Merde , at least he hoped so. More likely he’d die of blue balls syndrome. Even the hint of tears in Lexy’s voice wasn’t the turn-off it usually was. He fought the urge to take her in his arms and comfort her.
    Lexy blew her nose before replying. “Sonia’s husband, Mark, has been taking the boys to the park to play football. This is the first time Max has had a father figure to do stuff like that with him. I’m worried he won’t want to leave this taste of a real family to come with me.” She looked away and nibbled on the side of her index finger.
    Women . He thought she’d be happy she didn’t have to leave her son behind. “You are a real family. I was raised with my half brother by a man I’m not even related to. But they’re my family. What makes a family is love.”
    At least that elicited a watery smile. “I’ve got that covered then. I love him so much. I worry constantly that I’m not doing enough, don’t spend enough time with him. He won’t have the same opportunities if he stays with me. But I can’t give him up…”
    “Why on earth would you give him up? What’s really happening here, Lexy?”
    She pulled in a shuddering breath. “Nothing. Sorry, I’m just being paranoid. If my boss, or anyone really, knows that Max is with us, I could lose my job and custody. That would destroy me.”
    “Why? Do you have some kind of court order stopping you from taking your son out of the country?” This was getting more complicated by the minute. Why hadn’t she told him any of this last night? Not that he’d given her a lot of time to talk after his announcement. He’d been so angry that she’d kept a huge part of herself hidden while he’d wanted to tell her all his secrets, he’d walked away. Now, in the light of day, he could see he hadn’t really been fair. But his brain had been deprived of blood for so long it hadn’t