Southern Admirer (Southern Loving Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

it’s
different.”
    “Because she is yours?” she asked.
    “Yes,” he said, looking at her. “Eat.”
    Jasmine huffed and ate her food in silence. Every
now and then, she would look up to see Shane talking to their daughter. There
was no emotional connection between them, it was only physical. Except for that
one moment during Shay’s birth, Shane’s lips touched hers and there was this
jolt of electricity when he kissed her. But there could be nothing between
them; his heart would always belong to another.
    Shane stared at a sleepy Shay, he inhaled her
sweet, new baby scent. There were so many emotions running through him. He was
stunned, thrilled and most importantly, Shane was freaked out. Fear was running
through his veins like a virus. He didn’t know the first thing about raising a
baby. He was clueless. He looked over at Jasmine, who was sleeping peacefully.
Shane knew that when shit hit the fan regarding Jasmine’s pregnancy and that he
was the father, he would have a price to pay and his friendship with Benjamin
would be on the line.
    ***
    It’d been three days since Shay was born and two
days since they’d been home. The baby book made her believe that coming home
with the baby was going to be a piece of cake, but that was a lie. What
happened to the crying, dirty diapers, and sleeping? But everything was worth
it when she looked inside Shay’s eyes. It was crazy hard, but she was lucky to
have Shane. Jasmine stared at the alarm clock on the nightstand and looked over
at Shay sleeping in the bassinet. She was sleep deprived, she haven’t had a
good night sleep since they’d brought Shay home. There were times when she
would watch Shay sleep for hours and now all she wanted was to get in a few
hours of sleep.
    “Wahhhhhhhhh!!”
    Jasmine shot up out of bed and threw the covers
off her and picked Shay up.
    “What’s wrong?” Shane asked, running into the
room. His green eyes were tired, and he hadn’t shaved in three days.
    “I think Shay’s hungry,” she said. Jasmine made a
few shushing noises and pulled her breast out. Normally she would be
embarrassed or shy, but Shane had seen her in her worst and plus he saw her pocketbook .
    “Here let me,” Shane said, taking the baby from
her. He gently patted her on the back with hopes of putting the baby back to
sleep.
    “I don’t think I was mentally and emotionally
prepared for this,” Jasmine sighed. Tears started rolling down her cheek; she
tried to stop herself from crying but couldn’t stop.
    “What’s wrong?” Shane asked, looking at her
strangely.
    “I can’t do this anymore,” she cried. “Nothing I
do is right.”
    Shane laid a sleeping baby back in its bassinet.
“Jasmine, we’re new at this and learning as we go. I wouldn’t expect you to
know everything right now at this moment.” He caressed the side of her face.
“Do…you think it would be easier if we contacted your mother, she could help
and teach you a few tricks of the trade.”
    “I’m not ready to tell them,” she said through
clenched teeth.
    Shane stood up and walked away from her. He headed
toward the door before he turned around and stared at her. “I’m not going to
keep Shay a secret. Having a baby is a joyful experience, not something you
should keep in shame. I have plenty of family who would love to meet our
daughter, Shay Melody McBride.” With that said, Shane walked out the door.
    Jasmine could tell by the sound of his voice that
she was on borrowed time with him and he would spill the beans with and without
her approval. Getting out of bed, she checked on Shay, before grabbing the baby
monitor and walking out the room. Walking out the room, she saw Shane standing
there wearing only briefs.
    Clearing her voice, she focused on the picture
hanging on the wall instead of gawking at the half-naked man standing the
kitchen drinking milk.
    “How long are you going to be here?” she asked,
with a hand on her hip.
    “I’m on vacation, honey. I have