Attainment (The Temptation Series) by K.M. Golland Page A

our son is concerned,” Alexis warns.
    I chuckle. “No, Hunny, I was just thinking quite the
opposite.”
    “What are you two talking about?” Lucy asks as she gets up
and fetches the drinks.
    “Nothing,” I advise, wanting my secret daddy’s business to
remain just that—secret daddy’s business.
    Passing me my coffee and Alexis her white chocolate, Lucy
flippantly responds, “Fair enough.”
    “Now, I’ve spoken to Mum and Dad, Bryce,” Alexis says as she
gently changes Brayden to feed from one breast to the other. “They are on their
way here, together with Jen. Rick and the kids are also on their way. Jake and
Johanna will visit us when we are back at home as Jake is currently on a run to
Brisbane. Um...Carly and Derek are coming in tomorrow for a quick visit. And
Tash, Lil, Jade, and Steph will also probably visit when we are back at home.”
    “Right,” I state, dubiously. “Alexis, I’m not sure you
should have all these visitors so soon? Is it safe for Brayden to have so many
people around him? He needs to get stronger first, build up immunity or
something. I’m sure I read that somewhere.”
    “Visitors are fine, providing they are not sick. I’m sure
none of our family and friends would visit if they were under the weather in
any way, shape, or form.”
    I smile half-heartedly at her attempt to ease my mind, all
the while thinking that I will now have to go gather some of those surgical
masks. The last thing I want is some germy fucker sneezing or coughing or even
breathing on my baby boy.
    Alexis sits Brayden upright and places his tiny head in the
palm of her hand, her fingers spreading out on both sides of his cheeks. The
position she has him in puffs his already puffy cheeks even more—he looks so
bloody cute.
    She starts gently patting and rubbing his back. “Here, do
you want to burp him? I need to pee.”
    “Sure,” I answer hesitantly, as I sit on the bed.
    Replacing her hands with my own as she passes Brayden over,
I proceed to mimic what she had just been doing; lightly holding his face and
patting his back. He lets out a teeny little burp.
    I laugh. “You get that from Mummy.”
    “He does not,” she complains in defence.
    “Yes, he does.”
    “I burped so much during my pregnancy because of all that
hair,” she says as she strokes his fair baby wisps.
    “I still don’t believe it. Babies having hair cannot make
you burp,” I repeat. Although, I must admit, he does have a decent head of
hair.
    “Yes, they can, Bryce,” Lucy chimes in.
    “Thank you, Luce,” Alexis adds as she readjusts her breasts
while wincing.
    I notice the obvious discomfort on her face. “What’s wrong?”
    “My milk isn’t properly ‘in’ yet so feeding kinda hurts,”
she explains, “Actually, it borders on downright painful.”
    Appearing to be in the middle of typing a text message, Lucy
adds to the conversation. “She needs Lansinoh, Bryce.”
    “Yes, Miss Know-it-all, I’m fully aware of what Lansinoh is.
It’s in her bag.”
    Lucy pokes her tongue out at me and jumps up. “I’ll get it—“
    “No, it’s fine. I’ll get it,” Alexis interrupts. “I need to
freshen up anyway. I’m going to have a shower.”
    “Do you need any help?” I offer.
    “No. I’ll be fine. I’ll yell out if I do.”
    I lower my voice so that my smug little sister cannot hear.
“Am I doing this right?” I ask, indicating my method of burping.
    Alexis gently brushes her lips across mine. “Yes, you’re
doing just fine, Daddy. In fact, you’re perfect.”
    ***
    Later that day, I watch Brayden being passed around to
person upon person, and I really don’t like it—I don’t fucking like it at all.
    First he is handed to Maryann, then Graeme, then Jen. Soon
after, he is Lucy’s arms followed by Nic’s. Then—of course—Nate and Charli want
a cuddle and, as if she hasn’t just cuddled him for a good part of the
afternoon, Maryann has him once again. Watching what reminds me of ‘pass