Forbidden: A Stepbrother Secret Baby Romance by Vesper Vaughn

airplane clothes, I see," she says with more than a hint of disdain.
    "Mom, I had a little luggage mix-up and my wardrobe is a little limited right now. Plus, I figure we won’t be going anywhere for the week,” I say.
    She folds the paper, sighing with irritation. "Fine." Then she turns her smile on for Ryan. "Now this is the grand baby I know and love. None of that crying nonsense from yesterday!" She reaches out and grabs his body. I am relieved to have his weight out of my arms. She bounces Ryan on her knee. He reaches out and tries to grab her steaming mug of coffee. I whip it out of his reach, nearly spilling it over the pristine, white tablecloth.
    I pour myself my own coffee out of the French press that sits, silver and gleaming, in the middle of the table. "Plans today, Mother?"
    She looks over at me. "Well, I do have a luncheon this afternoon that I was going to invite you to, but not if what you're wearing right now is any hint as to the rest of what you packed."
    I feel relief cascade over my body. I obviously didn’t mean to pack this way, but if it saves me from going to a mind-numbing, ass-kissing society lunch with my mother then I consider my wardrobe a win. "Looks like I'm staying here, then," I say brightly, sipping my coffee. It’s the best tasting brew I've ever had in my life. Rich, full-bodied and somehow creamy even though I've added nothing to it. I suddenly see a rare opportunity to manipulate my mother in a way that benefits me. "Me and Ryan will just be here all day. He hates being away from me."
    My mother is cooing at him when I say these words. She looks up hastily. "Nonsense! The reason I RSVP'd was specifically so I could show off my grandson. Can't you send along some extra formula or something?"
    I feel a rare win coming for me. If I’d suggested for her to go on an outing with the baby solo, she would have balked. This way it seems like her idea. Manipulation for my own benefit. I have a hard time feeling guilty about it considering how she usually treats me. "Well, if you think he'll be okay, I can probably find something to do around here. And then I can be here when Paul arrives." Paul had texted me overnight saying that his flight would land at around two o'clock California time. I haven’t replied to him. I'm still seething.
    My mother beams. "Well, it's settled then. I can get Ryan into one of the cashmere outfits I bought just for this occasion, you can fill up his diaper bag for me, and we can be off for our day of fun!" My mother looks positively gleeful. I know that Ryan will be the model baby she expects him to always be. He’s had a full, restful night of sleep.
    The cook brings over a steaming plate of perfectly whipped scrambled eggs and a golden-brown, crackling slice of apple strudel. "Orange juice?" he asks.
    "No, thanks, I'm good with coffee," I reply.
    My mother stands up from the table. "I need to go get us both ready to leave then!" Ryan claps his hands and giggles. I pinch his leg lightly and blow him a kiss.
    When they are gone, I dive headfirst into my breakfast. It is beyond delicious. "This is the best breakfast I've ever had in my life- uh," I suddenly realize I have no idea what the cook's name is.
    "Richard," he says. "You can call me Richard."
    "Richard, thank you. Dinner was also delicious last night. I haven't eaten that well in a really, really long time."
    Richard smiles at me as he scrubs the cast-iron skillet. "A mother should always be well fed if I have any say in the matter. You're here for the next week, right? You won't go hungry; I can promise you that."
    I finish up my plate and look over at Richard guiltily. "Is there any way I could possibly-" Before the words are out of my mouth, Richard produces a second plate of eggs and more strudel.
    "I had a good feeling you'd want more," he says.
    I stammer out a thank you. As I pick up my fork once more, Jax appears in the kitchen. "Morning, Richard," he says with a smile. "Tessa." He has a wry