Lucky Baby Read online




  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Lucky Baby

  Layla Valentine

  Contents

  Layla Valentine

  Lucky Baby

  Copyright

  Want More?

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Epilogue

  Layla Valentine & Ana Sparks

  Mountain Daddy: The Single Dad’s New Baby

  Introduction

  1. Serena

  2. Serena

  3. Serena

  4. Serena

  5. Ethan

  6. Serena

  7. Ethan

  8. Serena

  9. Serena

  Lucky Baby

  Layla Valentine

  Copyright 2017 by Layla Valentine

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part by any means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the explicit written permission of the author. All characters depicted in this fictional work are consenting adults, of at least eighteen years of age. Any resemblance to persons living or deceased, particular businesses, events, or exact locations are entirely coincidental.

  This work was previously published as Jay’s Lucky Baby

  Subscribe to my new releases newsletter and get a FREE copy of my super-steamy book, Dare

  LIKE me on Facebook for news, giveaways and more!

  Chapter One

  Lauren

  I tighten my hold on the railing and press myself against the hard metal. Hong Kong’s skyscrapers glint under the sun, seeming as if they were made out of fire themselves. A warm breeze hits my face and I close my eyes. With the cruise ship gaining speed under my feet, I’m flying.

  “Enjoying yourself?” an unfamiliar voice asks.

  I start and turn to see a middle-aged woman wearing a baseball cap and holding some kind of fruity cocktail. I feel my cheeks redden. Was my enjoyment of the moment that obvious?

  “Sure.” I grin sheepishly.

  She smiles knowingly. “Get it, girl. Live it up, while you can. One day you’ll be my age, wondering where all the good times went.” She gives me a wink and ceremoniously sips her drink.

  I try not to laugh. “You’re American.”

  “So are you.”

  “Yeah, but…did you know that before you talked to me? How did you know I would speak English?”

  With my black hair and pale skin, people have been coming up to me and speaking in Cantonese all week long.

  “I didn’t, hon. I just hoped you would.”

  I glance back at the shrinking city. With the sun getting lower in the sky, the blinding light seems to be getting even brighter. I blink and turn away from the railing.

  “I’m Lauren.”

  “Donna. From Florida. Nice to meet you.” She extends a tanned hand and I shake it.

  “You’re not here all by yourself, are you?” Donna asks. “Where’s your boyfriend?”

  I suppress a laugh. “I’m here with my parents.”

  “No boyfriend?”

  “No boyfriend,” I confirm.

  “But you’re so pretty.”

  “Thanks,” I say uncertainly.

  “You have a northern accent. Let me guess where you’re from…New York?”

  “Right on the first try,” I admit with a grin.

  “Are you here looking for a boyfriend? Because, you know, they call Macau the Vegas of Asia. You could get yourself a rich boyfriend there.”

  “My parents would love that,” I reply sarcastically.

  Donna chuckles and swats at my arm.

  “Lauren!”

  I turn at the sound of my mother’s voice. Still yards away, she’s striding down the deck with her scarf billowing around her neck and her hips swaying. She could have been a supermodel, but instead, she went to school and became an accountant. Still, regardless of her job, she has gorgeous skin. We look more like sisters than we do mother and daughter.

  Mom places her hand on my shoulder. “Who’s your new friend?”

  “Donna Tuttle. Nice to meet you.”

  They lightly shake hands and I can see Mom studying Donna, trying to figure out whether she’s appropriate company for me or not.

  I suck in my lower lip and hold back a sigh. I’ve been out of school for only two weeks, and already, I feel like I’m ten years old again. My parents are always there, waiting to pass judgment, waiting to make decisions for me. Waiting to decide my destiny.

  Mom turns back to me. “It’s almost dinner time.”

  “Okay. I’ll be right there.”

  Donna looks confused. “Oh, goodness. I thought they weren’t serving for another hour.”

  Mom coolly smiles. “We like to freshen up beforehand.”

  She may not have ended up walking runways, but Mom always treats every event like we keep company with royalty. To her, this isn’t a little cruise between Hong Kong and Macau. It’s the Titanic, and we’re about to have dinner at the captain’s table. Retiring to our rooms and tying on our best pearls and diamonds pre-caviar is of utmost importance.

  I say goodbye to Donna, telling her I hope to see her again, and follow my mother to our cabins. It’s a short cruise—just overnight—but my parents managed to book us two separate cabins. I get dressed in the flowered cocktail dress and nude heels that I know Mom and Dad want me to wear, and freshen up my makeup.

  When I come out of my room, both my parents are in the hall, the perfect picture of a happy, middle-aged couple. They both look me up and down and give nods of approval.

  Mom beams in my direction. “I knew that dress would suit you perfectly.”

  I smooth down the pleats of the brightly colored dress and give her a smile. She bought it for me before I got home from college, and while I don’t know how much it cost, I’m sure it wasn’t cheap. I don’t follow fashion at all, but even I would be a doofus to not know the designer whose name is sewn into the collar.

  We make our way to the dining room, where dozens of white tablecloth-clad, circular tables are placed around the room. A string quartet plays on a small stage, and waiters in bowties scurry around with bottles of wine. I settle into my seat and lay my napkin across my lap. The number of utensils laid out next to my plate hints at a five-course dinner.

  I stay silent while my parents peruse the wine list and discuss the pros and cons of vintage bottles. I left my phone in my cabin, and I desperately wish I hadn’t. It’s onl
y been a little over a week since I’ve seen my best friend, Willow, but I already miss her desperately. Just a quick ‘hey’ from her would be well appreciated.

  “We’ll have the Malbec,” Dad tells the waiter, who gives a nod and takes the wine menu from him.

  The bottle order and the soup on its way, my parents turn their attention to me.

  “So,” Dad begins, taking a moment to clear his throat before continuing. “How have you liked your graduation trip?”

  I don’t skip a beat in replying. “It’s been amazing.”

  I’m not lying. It really has. When my parents told me they wanted to take me on a weeklong trip to celebrate my graduation from college, I already had a list of destinations in mind—Hawaii, Italy, Costa Rica.

  Hong Kong had never crossed my mind. It was the land of my ancestors, the place my mom’s parents had been born. Though they’d left China when they were in their twenties, immigrating to America and having my mom in New Jersey, I’d never once thought of visiting where they came from.

  Just a week in the city had turned my world upside down. My parents had taken me on trips before, but never to somewhere so exotic. The sounds, the people, the food…even the colors, seemed different. Walking through Hong Kong’s streets, I felt alive in a way I never did in New York.

  The last seven mornings, when I opened my eyes, I actually saw what was in front of me. I wasn’t consumed by thoughts of school, work, relationships, or anything else. I was living in the moment.

  “I wish Pop-Pop and Ma could have come,” I sigh.

  Mom purses her lips in that way that says she’s having an emotional moment, but doesn’t want to show it. “The flight would have been too much for your grandfather.”

  “I know,” I agree. “I can’t wait to show him the sketches I drew, though.”

  Dad gruffly grunts. “Or you can just show him pictures.”

  The heat of oncoming anger flows through me. There’s an aggressive tone to his voice, and I think I know where the conversation is headed. Taking a moment to myself, I take a deep breath before responding.

  “Pop-Pop likes my drawings.”

  “He’s just indulging you,” Dad says dismissively as he busily rearranges the silverware on the table. He’s not looking at me, instead seeming overly-involved in getting his soup spoon exactly where it needs to be.

  I don’t know how to respond to that comment. My face is practically burning now, and my vision swims with tears as the waiter arrives and puts a bowl of some kind of creamed soup in front of me.

  My drawings are good. I know they are. And I’m not just being cocky. I’ve been sketching since the moment I could hold a pencil. My parents used to encourage it, too. When I was a kid—and even in high school—they always bragged to their friends about what a good artist their daughter was.

  But then, once I started college in Connecticut, things changed. It all had to do with my post-college plans. When art was something that I did for fun, everything was hunky dory—but once I started talking about making a career out of it, the shit hit the fan.

  “You have a business degree,” Dad sternly reminds me. “What would be the use in letting that go to waste?”

  I force myself not to laugh out loud over the absurdity of the question.

  “It’s a great degree to have,” I agree. “And it’s going to be perfect for starting my own illustration business.”

  My parents exchange a quick look.

  Dad works his jaw. “You’ve enjoyed this trip, right?”

  “Yes,” I dumbly say, though I’m pretty sure I’ve already said as much.

  “How do you plan on continuing to take these kinds of vacations? This is a graduation present, Lauren. It’s something fun for you to experience before you get serious again and go to grad school.”

  “Dad, I don’t need to go to grad school—”

  He barrels on with his speech. “You can’t make a living drawing pictures for kid’s books. I know that sounds like a great idea right now, especially with your friend Willow living out her ‘creative’ fantasy, but just wait and see what happens. Five years from now, she’s going to be a nobody, living in a shack in Queens. Do you want to end up like that?”

  I’m trying really hard to keep my composure. I am. But my dad just managed to insult not only me, but my best friend as well.

  “Willow is a talented actress,” I say slowly. “And her parents support her.”

  Mom clucks.

  “She’s spoiled,” Dad retorts. “That’s what she is.”

  I spread my hands wide in disbelief. “Why are we talking about this?”

  Mom twists her wedding ring around her finger, something she does when she gets anxious or upset. “Put yourself in our shoes, Lauren. What if you saw your own child going down a path that you know they’re going to regret?”

  I give my answer some careful thought. I don’t want to be disrespectful to my parents, but I also can’t just sit here and take their belittling anymore. They were the ones who pushed me to go to business school. I was only trying to make them happy. I thought that college would be some kind of compromise. With a business degree under my belt, I could show them that I was focused and savvy enough to go into business as a book illustrator. I could show them that there was a way to incorporate what I wanted with what they thought I needed.

  Now, I see I was wrong.

  It’s bad enough walking through the world feeling like no one is on your side, but with your own parents against you, a somewhat-bad situation can become hell.

  I take another deep breath. Knowing this conversation would come up eventually, I have a monologue prepared.

  “I know it seems unconventional,” I tentatively say, looking from one parent to the other. “But a lot of other people have actually done it. Look at all of the children’s books that are out there, today. A real artist illustrates each one. There really are people making a living off of doing this.”

  My dad, of course, has a rebuttal. “And for every one of them, there are twenty others who aren’t ‘making it’.”

  I sputter in disbelief. “What? Where are you getting this statistic from?”

  “Look around you, Lauren. There are struggling artists everywhere. Our waiter is probably one of them.”

  “I have a plan,” I harshly whisper through gritted teeth. “You know that.”

  Dad drops his voice, as well. “Gallivanting around the world isn’t a plan, dear.”

  “It’s only going to be for a little while. And you know I’m not going to ask you guys for any money. I’ll save more than enough from my summer job. Then, once I’m done traveling some, I’ll come home and get to work on starting my business.”

  Both my parents gaze back at me with unmistakable looks of pity. A lump forms in my throat and falls into my stomach, dragging me down. I’m defeated. There’s nothing I can say. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to tell them that my plan is a viable one. They just don’t want to believe it.

  “This is pointless,” I mutter, more to myself than to them. Tossing my napkin on the table, I quickly stand up.

  Mom blinks at me in confusion. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m not hungry,” I answer, venom in my tone.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dad’s face turning red. I don’t care. My parents have given me every material possession a person could want, but they’ve never given me the one thing that I desperately need: for someone to really believe in me.

  Moving fast—not an easy feat in heels—I stalk across the dining room. There’s a ringing in my ears, and my hands shake at my sides.

  At least they could humor me.

  A dozen thoughts fly through my head. Worse, is the anger enveloping me. It gets stronger as I walk down the hall to our cabins. Yanking open my door, I grab my purse and shove it into the messenger bag that my sketchbook and pencils live in. I need to take a breather, and it’s not going to happen while on the ship.

  Luckily, my timi
ng is perfect. The cruise ship docked at the port in Macau some time during dinner. The plank is down, allowing passengers to disembark. The cruise’s program had this period scheduled off, giving us three hours of free time in Macau.

  I’ve never needed ‘free time’ more than I do now.

  As I walk away from the ship, the adrenaline steadily leaves me. The sights and sounds of a new city in the early evening fill my senses. Buildings tower around me, cars honk, and pedicab drivers call out to each other. I make each step slower than the last, taking in everything and looking for something worthy of sketching.

  I pass a large fountain in the middle of a square and then turn right, following my nose. A large market that’s partly outdoor, partly indoor, is winding down for the day, but there are still rows of fish laid out across beds of ice, and fresh, vibrant produce piled high in crates.

  Because I lied to my parents about being hungry, I buy a stick of fried meat from a vendor and go back to the square. Eating helps calm my nerves even further. The fact that I don’t even know what I’m eating is kind of exciting. It helps me forget about the hurtful things my parents said.

  Finished with the meat skewer, I pull out my sketchbook and survey the area around me. A group of schoolkids plays soccer on the other side of the square, their ball bouncing off the side of a building. A woman walks nearby, pulling a wailing toddler behind her. A stoic old man watches from his perch on a bench. Certain that I’ve found the perfect subject, I get to work surreptitiously drawing him.

 

    Taker - A Single Dad's New Baby Romance (Criminal Passions Book 4) Read onlineTaker - A Single Dad's New Baby Romance (Criminal Passions Book 4)A Baby, Quick! Read onlineA Baby, Quick!The Sweetest Mistake Read onlineThe Sweetest MistakeThe Single Daddy Situation Read onlineThe Single Daddy SituationA Baby For Christmas - A Billionaire's New Baby Romance Read onlineA Baby For Christmas - A Billionaire's New Baby RomanceTaming The Cowboy (She's in Charge Book 4) Read onlineTaming The Cowboy (She's in Charge Book 4)The Triplet Scandal - A Billionaire's Babies Romance (Scandalous Book 3) Read onlineThe Triplet Scandal - A Billionaire's Babies Romance (Scandalous Book 3)A Baby For Christmas Read onlineA Baby For ChristmasRock 'n' Stroller - A Rockstar's Secret Baby Romance (Baby Surprises Book 4) Read onlineRock 'n' Stroller - A Rockstar's Secret Baby Romance (Baby Surprises Book 4)Scandalous Box Set Read onlineScandalous Box SetSold to the Hottest Bidder Read onlineSold to the Hottest BidderHot To Touch - A Firefighter's Baby Romance Read onlineHot To Touch - A Firefighter's Baby RomanceThe Fake Bride Loophole - A Mountain Man Romance Read onlineThe Fake Bride Loophole - A Mountain Man RomanceBidder - An Auctioned to the Billionaire Romance (Criminal Passions Book 2) Read onlineBidder - An Auctioned to the Billionaire Romance (Criminal Passions Book 2)The Baby Blindside (Baby Surprise Romance) Read onlineThe Baby Blindside (Baby Surprise Romance)The Boss's New Plaything Read onlineThe Boss's New PlaythingHow To Have Surprise Quadruplets (How To... Book 2) Read onlineHow To Have Surprise Quadruplets (How To... Book 2)Surprise Packages Read onlineSurprise PackagesHow To Wed A Billionaire (How To... Book 3) Read onlineHow To Wed A Billionaire (How To... Book 3)Prince Baby Daddy - A Secret Baby Royal Romance Read onlinePrince Baby Daddy - A Secret Baby Royal RomanceA Baby, Quick! (Baby Surprises Book 3) Read onlineA Baby, Quick! (Baby Surprises Book 3)How to Have Your Boss' Baby Read onlineHow to Have Your Boss' BabyBaby Surprises 7 Book Box Set Read onlineBaby Surprises 7 Book Box SetFake It For Me - A Fake Wife Billionaire Romance Read onlineFake It For Me - A Fake Wife Billionaire RomanceMountain Daddy Read onlineMountain DaddyMy Brother's Best Friend - A Second Chance Romance (San Bravado Billionaire's Club Book 8) Read onlineMy Brother's Best Friend - A Second Chance Romance (San Bravado Billionaire's Club Book 8)Sinner - A Bad Boy's Baby Romance Read onlineSinner - A Bad Boy's Baby RomanceThe Wedding Steal Read onlineThe Wedding StealThe Wedding Steal - A SEAL Romance Read onlineThe Wedding Steal - A SEAL RomanceBuy Me, Bad Boy - A Bad Boy Buys A Girl Romance Read onlineBuy Me, Bad Boy - A Bad Boy Buys A Girl RomanceBreaker - A Fake Boyfriend Romance (Criminal Passions Book 3) Read onlineBreaker - A Fake Boyfriend Romance (Criminal Passions Book 3)Dr. O's Baby (Baby Surprises Book 5) Read onlineDr. O's Baby (Baby Surprises Book 5)Take Me - A Bad Boy Steals a Bride Romance Read onlineTake Me - A Bad Boy Steals a Bride RomanceTwins for Christmas Read onlineTwins for ChristmasTwins For Christmas - A Billionaire's Secret Babies Romance Read onlineTwins For Christmas - A Billionaire's Secret Babies RomanceFour Secret Babies - A Second Chance Billionaire Romance (San Bravado Billionaires' Club Book 7) Read onlineFour Secret Babies - A Second Chance Billionaire Romance (San Bravado Billionaires' Club Book 7)Do Me Doctor Read onlineDo Me DoctorSteal Me - A Navy SEAL/Virgin Romance (Alpha Passions Book 1) Read onlineSteal Me - A Navy SEAL/Virgin Romance (Alpha Passions Book 1)Wanna Puck? Read onlineWanna Puck?Hot Pursuit - A Marooned with the SEAL Romance Read onlineHot Pursuit - A Marooned with the SEAL RomanceMountain Daddy: The Single Dad's New Baby (A Baby for the Bad Boy Book 1) Read onlineMountain Daddy: The Single Dad's New Baby (A Baby for the Bad Boy Book 1)Steal The CEO's Daughter - A Carny Bad Boy Romance Read onlineSteal The CEO's Daughter - A Carny Bad Boy RomanceWanna Puck? - A MFM Bad Boy Hockey Star Menage (Share Me Book 1) Read onlineWanna Puck? - A MFM Bad Boy Hockey Star Menage (Share Me Book 1)My Protector (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 5) Read onlineMy Protector (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 5)The Baby Bargain Read onlineThe Baby BargainProtect Me - A Steamy Bodyguard Romance (You Can't Resist a Bad Boy Book 5) Read onlineProtect Me - A Steamy Bodyguard Romance (You Can't Resist a Bad Boy Book 5)Steal Me Read onlineSteal MeBaby, ASAP - A Billionaire Buys a Baby Romance (Babies for the Billionaire Book 3) Read onlineBaby, ASAP - A Billionaire Buys a Baby Romance (Babies for the Billionaire Book 3)Wanna Puck? - A MFM Bad Boy Hockey Star Menage Read onlineWanna Puck? - A MFM Bad Boy Hockey Star MenageRoyal Baby Read onlineRoyal BabySecret Daddy Surprise - A Secret Baby Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 4) Read onlineSecret Daddy Surprise - A Secret Baby Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 4)Take My V-Card Read onlineTake My V-CardPower Play - A MFMMM Reverse Harem Billionaire Romance (You Can't Resist a Bad Boy Book 6) Read onlinePower Play - A MFMMM Reverse Harem Billionaire Romance (You Can't Resist a Bad Boy Book 6)Nanny For Hire - A Steamy Single-Dad Billionaire Romance (San Bravado Billionaires' Club Book 2) Read onlineNanny For Hire - A Steamy Single-Dad Billionaire Romance (San Bravado Billionaires' Club Book 2)His Baby Secret - A Second Chance SEAL Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 1) Read onlineHis Baby Secret - A Second Chance SEAL Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 1)Hot Pursuit - A Marooned with the SEAL Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 2) Read onlineHot Pursuit - A Marooned with the SEAL Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 2)Mountain Daddy_The Single Dad's New Baby Read onlineMountain Daddy_The Single Dad's New BabyNanny For Hire - A Steamy Single-Dad Billionaire Romance Read onlineNanny For Hire - A Steamy Single-Dad Billionaire RomanceSecond Chance Twins - A Steamy Billionaire Secret Babies Romance (San Bravado Billionaires' Club Book 1) Read onlineSecond Chance Twins - A Steamy Billionaire Secret Babies Romance (San Bravado Billionaires' Club Book 1)Royal Baby_His Unplanned Heir Read onlineRoyal Baby_His Unplanned HeirLucky Baby Read onlineLucky BabyHis Eternal Flame Read onlineHis Eternal FlameRoyal Baby: His Unplanned Heir - A Prince's Secret Baby Romance Read onlineRoyal Baby: His Unplanned Heir - A Prince's Secret Baby RomanceTake My V-Card - A Billionaire Second Chance Romance Read onlineTake My V-Card - A Billionaire Second Chance RomanceSecond Chance Twins Read onlineSecond Chance TwinsAccidental Triplets - A Secret Babies for the Billionaire Romance Read onlineAccidental Triplets - A Secret Babies for the Billionaire RomanceJay's Lucky Baby - A Secret Baby Romance Read onlineJay's Lucky Baby - A Secret Baby RomanceSEXT ME Read onlineSEXT MEAccidental Triplets - A Secret Babies for the Billionaire Romance (San Bravado Billionaires' Club Book 4) Read onlineAccidental Triplets - A Secret Babies for the Billionaire Romance (San Bravado Billionaires' Club Book 4)Boss Me, Bind Me - A Billionaire Romance Read onlineBoss Me, Bind Me - A Billionaire RomanceKiller - A Bad Boy Romance Read onlineKiller - A Bad Boy RomanceLucky Baby - A Secret Baby Standalone Romance (A Baby for the Bad Boy Book 3) Read onlineLucky Baby - A Secret Baby Standalone Romance (A Baby for the Bad Boy Book 3)Nanny For Hire_A Steamy Single-Dad Billionaire Romance Read onlineNanny For Hire_A Steamy Single-Dad Billionaire RomanceSEXT ME - A Steamy SEAL Romance Read onlineSEXT ME - A Steamy SEAL RomanceIn Deep - A Secret Twins Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 6) Read onlineIn Deep - A Secret Twins Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 6)The Baby Bargain_A Steamy Billionaire Romance Read onlineThe Baby Bargain_A Steamy Billionaire Romance