Free A Navy SEAL's Surprise Baby by Laura Marie Altom

thinking?” Natalie asked.
    “Wish I knew.” Leaning forward, Pandora rested her elbows on her knees, covering her face with her hands. “Calder’s my boss—nothing more. I owe him zilch but my promise to give excellent care to his son.”
    “You’re not falling for him, are you?”
    “No.” Pandora laughed. “That’s ridiculous. I barely know him. Besides, things between us are strictly professional.” Except for the way my pulse races every time his gaze meets mine.
    “So what’s the problem?”
    She glared at her friend. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be here, would I?”
    Lips pressed tight, Natalie seemed to think an awfully long time before she said, “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but are you afraid that if Calder finds out you lost Julia, he may fire you?”
    “Honestly?” Pandora sighed. “That’s exactly what’s wrong. This is the best job I’ve ever had. Assuming I still have it by the time I get Julia back, I suppose I’ll tell Calder everything, but until then...?” She gazed outside. “Guess I’d like him to get to know the current me as opposed to the wretched person I used to be.”
    *
    P ANDORA STAYED AT Natalie’s office longer than she’d planned. By the time she returned to Calder’s house, she noted his motorcycle parked in the garage. Despite still being upset with him for the way they’d left things the previous night, she hated that he’d ridden home from work in the rain.
    Entering the kitchen through the back door, she held Quinn in the crook of one arm and her purse and diaper bag with her other.
    Calder stood at the kitchen counter sipping from a mug filled with steaming, fragrant coffee. He wore no shirt and a pair of Go Navy sweats. His hair looked damp. His chiseled profile was so strikingly handsome, her mouth went dry and her pulse skyrocketed.
    “Why didn’t you call me?” was the first stupid thing she thought to say. “I could’ve picked you up.”
    “No biggie. I didn’t mind getting wet. Besides, it’s not as if you were here, waiting by the phone.” He winked.
    She set her keys and bags on the kitchen table.
    Awkward silence between them took on a physical hum.
    “About last night,” he finally said after a gulp of his coffee. “I—”
    “I owe you an apology. That crack about a condom—it was completely inappropriate and unprofessional. Won’t happen again.” She glanced down at her tiny charge. His grin not only warmed her through and through but made her wonder what she was doing. She knew the only reason she’d been upset with Calder had more to do with her own insecurities rather than anything he’d done. How many times had she been too drunk to pick up Julia from day care? Or too broke to buy milk—let alone cereal? “I just hated hearing Quinn cry and it set me on edge.”
    “Understandable. His crying had me almost crazy.” He sighed. “I’m sorry for that snap about you being perfect. But you have to know, compared to me, you pretty much are.” He held out his hand for her to shake. “Truce?”
    “Yeah.” When she pressed her palm to his, her fingers to his, her every nerve ending pulsed. The attraction she felt for him was unlike anything she’d felt before. Unnerving in the way his lightest touch made her crave more. But Julia was her only priority. Getting close to her boss wasn’t even an option.
    “Cool.” He opened the fridge. “What’s your plan for dinner?”
    She looked at him, then Quinn, then laughed. “What do you want?”
    “Anything that doesn’t come from a bag or box. If I pay extra, could I bribe you into making more of your meat loaf—a double batch so there’s enough for leftovers and sandwiches?”
    “No bribe necessary. Assuming we have all the ingredients, it’d be my pleasure.” Her only request was that Calder either leave the room or put a shirt on!
     

Chapter Six
    “Get the lead out, Calder!”
    “Yessir, Master Chief!” All afternoon—two weeks after his fight with