Chapter 1
Zane – a man who’s about to receive a package that will change everything in his life
Zane
A hum of excitement fills me as I finish packing my bag. It’s been way too long since I’ve gotten away from my hometown island of Smuggler’s Hideaway. But the wait is over. Tomorrow I’m off on a trip to drive a motorcycle through South America.
I wish I could drive my own motorcycle but I’ll have to settle for buying one in Colombia. My brothers would lose their collective minds if I was gone longer than the two weeks I’ve already planned, which means driving my own bike is out.
My brothers and I own and operate Buccaneer’s Whiskey & Distillery. No matter how many times I explain to them how I can do my job as marketing manager while on the road, they won’t listen. Leaving me stuck in the office way more often than I want.
The doorbell rings. I’ve been expecting my brother Miles. He’s picking me up on his way to the Rumrunner bar where we’re going to celebrate my younger brother, Kai, and his girlfriend, Harper, being together.
I don’t understand the appeal of tying yourself to one woman for the rest of your life – I prefer a smorgasbord of women – but Kai’s happy and his happiness is what matters.
“I’m coming. Hold your smugglers!”
I fling the door open and smile at Miles. Except it’s not my brother on my doorstep. It’s a beautiful woman. I dial up the smile and flash her my dimples.
“Why, hello, beautiful.”
She rolls her eyes. “You don’t remember me, do you?”
I rake my gaze over her body. “Maybe I need a refresher.”
Forget about going to Rumrunner to watch Harper humiliate Kai. I prefer a warm, naked body in my bed. I open the door and motion her inside.
“Do you want to come in?”
“No, but she will.”
She will? My brow furrows. There’s no one else on my porch.
“She? Who?”
She reaches down to pick up her bag. Wait. This isn’t a bag. This is a baby car seat. And it isn’t empty. There’s an actual baby sleeping in it. The woman tries to hand the car seat to me but I toss my hands in the air and back up.
I have no idea what’s going on but I am not accepting a baby from a virtual stranger. Let’s face it. I’m not accepting a baby from anyone other than my family. And, even then, I have to be bribed. Other babies? No way. No how.
“What exactly is going on here?”
“I didn’t realize you were this slow. You certainly weren’t slow in bed.”
I scowl. I can be slow in bed. I just prefer not to. Fast and furious is way more fun in my opinion. But how does she know about my preferences in bed?
“Have we met before?”
She sighs. “It’s a good thing you’re pretty because smart you are not.”
“I’m not stupid.”
“Let me give you a refresher. Yes, we’ve met before. Yes, this is your baby. And bye-bye.”
She sets the baby car seat back on the ground and whirls around to escape. I catch her wrist before she can flee.
“What the hell? You can’t leave me a baby. I don’t even know your name.”
She spits daggers out of her eyes at me. “Do you sleep with so many women, you can’t remember all of their names?”
Technically, I never sleep with women. I undress them, give them an orgasm or two, and then leave. Sleeping isn’t involved.
I scratch my neck. “I suck at remembering names.”
“Could you be any lamer?”
I’m getting annoyed. I didn’t make this woman any promises. I never do. I’m always clear. A night of fun with no strings attached. Nothing else is on offer. And it never will be. Settling down is not on my agenda.
“I’m sorry, I don’t remember you. Why don’t you come in and we can discuss this?”
“There’s nothing to discuss. Adele is your baby. I’m done raising her on my own. You’re up.”
“How do I know this…,” I clear my throat. “…Adele is mine?”
She plants a fist on her hip. “Are you saying I’m a slut?”
“How the hell would I know if you’re a slut? I don’t know who you are!”
“Don’t you dare yell at me in front of the baby,” she hisses.
I inhale a deep breath. I’m not one to yell at people. Especially not a woman I don’t know. Or, at least, don’t remember. I’m usually laid back and easygoing, but this situation is not usual.
“Let’s start over. I’m Zane and you are?”
I hold out my hand and she stares at it for a few long moments before finally placing her hand in mine.
“Daisy.”
“Hi, Daisy. It’s lovely to see you again.”
“I wish I could say the same,” she mutters.
I ignore the jab and nod to the baby. “And this little girl is yours?”
“Ours. She’s ours.”
I grit my teeth before I lash out. I might enjoy playing in the sheets with women but I’m always careful. Always. Babies are not on my agenda. I have no interest in becoming a parent.
“I always use protection. You’re certain Adele is mine?”
“I’m certain and now I’m done with this conversation.”
She whirls around to leave again and panic strikes. She can’t leave this tiny creature behind. I have no idea how to handle a baby.
“You can’t abandon your baby with me.”
“She’s your baby, too.”
I have no idea if this baby is mine, but denials aren’t getting me anywhere.
“You can’t abandon our baby with me.”
“You’re up. I’m done being a single mom. I’m done missing out on all the fun. I’m done with missing classes.”
Classes? She must be a college student. I rack my brain for memories of any women I’ve slept with who were college students but I come up empty. I don’t spend a whole lot of time talking to a woman about their lives when I seduce them.
“I’m sorry you’re having a difficult time. Let’s discuss this. Let’s figure out a solution.”
“I have the solution. Daddy’s going to raise Adele. Discussion over.”
My heart stutters as my chest tightens. I can’t raise a baby. I can’t be a dad. I have no idea how.
“I can’t handle a baby now. I’m leaving tomorrow to drive through South America.” Even in my panic, I know better than to claim this baby isn’t mine.
“Too bad. I’ve cancelled plans for the past four months. You’re up.”
“Four months? Is she four-months old? What else can you tell me about her?” Maybe if I keep asking Daisy questions, she’ll change her mind.
“You’ll figure it out.”
“Figure it out?”
She starts backing up. “The way I did.”
“But…”
I don’t get a chance to finish before she sprints to her car. I chase after her but the baby screams. I stare at her for a second before I swear and reach down to pick her up.
“Shush, baby. Don’t cry.”
I rock her in my arms and she immediately settles. Phew.
“What am I going to do with you?” She stares up at me with big blue eyes. The same blue eyes I gaze into every morning in the mirror.
Shit. Is this baby mine? What am I going to do?
I do the same thing I’ve always done when I need help. I go in search of my brothers.