Marrying the Playboy Doctor (15 page)

She froze, a horrible icy fear creeping over her.
What?
How could she have possibly misunderstood?

“Kylie, I think I need to talk to Ben first—to make sure he’s all right with me marrying you.” Seth glanced at her, his gaze completely serious. “Don’t you think?”

“Yes.” She managed to find her voice. “I think that asking Ben first would be perfect.”

“Well, then, hurry up and eat so we can get back before his bedtime.”

She laughed, and took another bite of her cold roast
beef sandwich. There was absolutely no question in her mind as to how Ben would respond to Seth’s question.

She was the luckiest woman in the world to have not one but two wonderful men in her life.

Seth sat across from Ben at Kylie’s kitchen table, feeling unaccountably nervous. What in the world had he been thinking? How could he possibly have left the fate of his future in a six-year-old’s hands?

Kylie’s reassuring smile helped a little.

He cleared his throat. “Ben, what would you think if I asked your mom to marry me?”

Ben eyed him suspiciously over the rim of his glass of milk. “Why do you want to marry her?”

“Because I love her. And I love you. If I marry your mom the three of us can be a family.”

“So you’d live here with us forever?” The excited glint in Ben’s eyes made the tension ease out of his shoulders.

“Yes. I’d be your dad and live with you forever.”

“Cool. I’ve always wanted a dad.”

Seth glanced at Kylie, who blinked away tears, then back at Ben. His own voice was husky with emotion. “Good, because I always wanted a little boy like you, too.”

There was a long pause as Seth realized this was it. This was his new family. And he wasn’t afraid. In fact, he felt pretty darn good.

He planned on making Gregory Taylor proud of him.

“Well,” Kylie said brightly, “I guess that’s settled, then. Ben, finish your milk and then go brush your teeth.”

“Aw, can’t I stay up a little later? Please?” Ben pleaded, looking straight at Seth.

Oh, boy. He was in trouble. The kid was already trying to get his way by playing the old parent against the new parent.

“Listen to your mother,” he told Ben, as he stood and crossed over to Kylie. He drew her up and put his arm around her, adding, “And when I’m your dad, you’d better listen to me, too.”

“All right.” Ben sighed and walked toward the doorway.

Seth was glad Ben had listened—at least this time—although he was sure there’d be other challenges down the road. He pulled Kylie close, covering her mouth in a soft kiss.

“Hey, no kissing!” Ben called over his shoulder, his expression mirroring his disgust.

Seth raised his head and grinned. “Sorry, Ben, but there is absolutely going to be kissing. And you may as well be prepared for babies, too.”

Kylie choked on a laugh, hiding her face against his neck.

“Babies?” Ben grimaced, and then let out another heavy sigh. “Okay, but I only want boy babies. A little brother to play with could be fun.”

Seth shook his head, glancing down at Kylie—the woman who held his heart, life and soul in her tender yet capable hands. “Actually, I’m open to either. But I’d especially like a girl baby—just like your mom.”

ISBN: 978-1-4268-4159-0

MARRYING THE PLAYBOY DOCTOR

First North American Publication 2009

Copyright © 2009 by Laura Iding

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