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    Santa's Secret Baby
    Santa's Secret Baby
    Santa's Secret Baby
    Ebook93 pages1 hour

    Santa's Secret Baby

    By Alexa Riley

    3/5

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    About this ebook

    Jillian has a secret she's kept from the rest of her family, but after escaping from her monster ex-husband, she's ready to move ahead with her life. She plans on raising her daughter Rae and never thinking about the past again. Now she just needs to convince her heart to do the same. 

     

    Isaac had only a few hours with her, but it was enough to change his life forever. Locked away and all but forgotten, the only thing he's ever wanted was Jillian. When the bars are taken away and he's cut free… will he have enough time to save her? 

     

    Warning: This secret baby book is stuffed full of Holiday Cheer! If you feel like getting on the naughty list, Santa's lap is ready! 

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAlexa Riley
    Release dateDec 23, 2020
    ISBN9781386820871
    Santa's Secret Baby
    Author

    Alexa Riley

    New York Times bestselling author Alexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes. They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you! www.AlexaRiley.com

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    • 3/5
      Meh. Could descriptions be more scant? How old was Rae when her dad showed up? What did everyone look like? Was I supposed to be cheering the heroine on the whole time? Feels mailed in and not romantic.

    Book preview

    Santa's Secret Baby - Alexa Riley

    Prologue

    Jillian

    Istare at myself in the mirror and can’t believe this is real. I look like a princess, but I sure don’t feel like one. Your wedding is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, and I think I just made a horrible mistake. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath as I try not to cry. I’ve made this mess, and now I need to pull up my big girl panties and get on with it. 

    I’ve been spiraling since we found out my dad is sick. They said if he was lucky he could live a few years, and he’d only get that because our family could afford the best doctors in the world. We’re only buying time, and I so badly want to make sure the time we have left with him is filled with things he might miss. 

    Such as walking me down the aisle and holding his first grandchild. When Paul asked me to marry him, I stupidly said yes. I was a little taken aback to be honest, because when he said he wanted to go to dinner and talk, I was sure we were breaking up. There’s no real spark between us, and the few kisses we’ve shared were nothing to write home about. 

    When he said he thought we should get married because we make a good match, there were no words of love. He’d actually listed out reasons why we fit, and none of them were about love or soul mates. It felt more like a business deal than anything. 

    Before I knew what was happening, the ball was rolling so fast with wedding plans, and then there was no stopping it. For a brief moment I thought about calling off the wedding. I told Paul how I was feeling, because I thought he must be feeling the same way too. We’d never said, I love you, so I thought he had to have some trepidation. 

    I was wrong. Paul lost his mind and told me there was no backing out now. That’s when the threats started pouring from his mouth. That’s when the real Paul showed himself, and he struck where he knew I’d give in. 

    He told me he’d make my father’s life hell if we didn't marry. I didn't know if Paul had that power, to be honest, but the cold look in his eyes had me agreeing to stay the course. I didn't want to cause more problems, and my mom was hanging on by a thread. This wedding had both my parents in good spirits, and I didn't want to ruin that for anyone. 

    I found out then that Paul could be a cruel man when he didn’t get what he wanted, and I knew it even before I walked down the aisle. 

    You only have to do this for a few years. I open my eyes and try to steel myself. 

    I can divorce him later, and my father can leave this world thinking everything is okay and that I’m taken care of. I don't want my life to be a burden on him right now, and I also don't want it to be on my brother’s shoulders either. 

    I take the veil off my head and toss it on the chair. I did my part today and smiled as I walked down the aisle. I danced with my dad and my brother and cut the cake. When my parents left the reception, I quickly did the same, leaving my groom to continue drinking with his friends. I bet he hasn't even realized I’m gone. 

    The wedding was held at my family's estate, and I made my escape to my bedroom. Paul and I are supposed to leave tomorrow morning, and my stomach churns thinking about it. I glance over to my bed and wonder if he’s going to come in here tonight or go back to the bedroom he’s been staying in since we got here a few days ago. 

    There’s been one small blessing with my new husband. He has some kind of erectile dysfunction. He didn't go into much detail about it and got angry the few times I’ve brought it up. It made those handful of kisses make sense. I thought we never went further because I didn't want to, but also because there was no spark on his side either. 

    I pull at the wedding dress, wanting it off of my body. It took several people to get me into it, and now it feels like a strait jacket. I have to fight with it, and I hear a few tears, but eventually I get it off and shove it in the back of the closet along with the veil. I can’t look at it anymore because it’s just a reminder of how I’ve failed myself. I move clothes around to cover it up, then I stand there in the closet and try to breathe. 

    The hollow ache inside of me that’s been there since we got the news about my father grows deeper, until it’s a bottomless pit. I have a feeling the next few years of my life are going to not only be the hardest but the loneliest too. 

    Needing to wash the makeup off my face, I step out of the closet then freeze. My bedroom door opens, and my stomach drops, thinking it’s Paul. 

    A man I’ve never seen before steps inside and shuts the door behind him. He’s so damn big and dressed in a tight suit that clings to every bulky muscle. I would have noticed him if he’d been at the wedding or the reception, but he is a total stranger. 

    He’s got his phone pressed to his ear, and he sounds pissed as he speaks in French. I only pick up a few words, but he’s saying something about time and love and idiots. That’s all I understand from the few years of French I took back in high school. 

    He runs his hand through his short wavy dark hair in frustration, still not seeing me. But as he turns around and his blue eyes lock with mine, he stops speaking and lowers the phone from his ear. I suck in a breath as I finally get a look at what has to be the handsomest man I’ve ever seen in my life. Yeah, I would have noticed him before. He says something in French and ends the call, then slowly lowers the phone to his pocket. 

    Sorry, I was trying to get a moment alone. His eyes travel down my body and back up, and I remember I’m only in panties and a strapless bra. I should dart into the bathroom and cover myself, but my feet stay planted, unable to move. I open my mouth, but no words come out. "Have we

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