The Baby Contract (The Billionaire Bachelor Series) (3 page)

Abby squeaked out a ‘yes’ to his question. His eyes never left the window, for which she was grateful. Her face flamed hotter, and she could only imagine the five shades of scarlet it’d turned. Silence stretched between them, and Abby inhaled the heady, spicy scent of his expensive aftershave until she felt ready to hyperventilate.

“I have a business proposition for you, Miss Haden. It seems I’ve come into a situation where I must provide an heir to the family name within a year.” He paused and a muscle in his jaw worked. “I have no desire to be tied down at this point in my life.”

Another pause. The muscle in his jaw kept working and she imagined she heard the slight grating of his teeth. His gaze moved back to hers, pinning her in place. A storm raged in the depths of his eyes and a chill raced over her skin.
I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side.
Her heart rate kicked up another notch; she was at a loss to the direction of their conversation.

Nervous anticipation mixed with a dose of annoyance with being out of the loop. He didn’t strike her as someone who’d beat around the bush.

The bomb dropped. “Miss Haden, I’m willing to pay you five hundred thousand dollars to have my child.”

Abby shook her head in disbelief, and clutched the edge of the kitchen counter. The medical chart clattered to the floor, catching her big toe, followed by the bag. The pain didn’t quite register. “Have your child? What? Why? Why me? What?” She clamped her teeth to stem the flood of words.

“It’s a complicated story as to the whys, but rest assured I’ll handle all medical expenses. I will also pay all fees to provide a good education. And you’ll have sole custody. The only thing I require is that the child take the Whitmore name and be declared an heir.”

Abby blinked several times, sure she
had
to be dreaming. At the age of thirty-two she’d all but given up hope of having a child of her own. Her biological clock had kicked into high gear, but she’d long ago decided she needed to be married first. And the older she got, the harder it seemed to find that one decent guy to spend the rest of her life with.

Now the incredibly sexy and notorious Austin womanizer, Liam Whitmore, wanted to
pay her
to have a kid? She was completely dumbfounded.

“I…I don’t know what to say, Mr. Whitmore.” Abby’s eyes couldn’t be still, darting around the cozy kitchen like an agitated bird, unable to settle on the man before her. “Why not ask the women in your social circle?”

“The women I date aren’t an option. As I said, I want my freedom, and the women I associate with wouldn’t be happy with just a small cash payoff.”

Small?
Of course for Liam the billionaire, half a million dollars was indeed small.
This can’t be happening.
“I must be dreaming.”

“Unfortunately not, Miss Haden,” Liam replied. The deep rumble of his voice rasped over her nerve endings, a thrilling sensation only adding to her whirligig thoughts.

“I’m sorry, but I have to think this over.” She fixed her gaze on Liam’s forest-green silk tie with a golden tiepin monogramed with LW, imagining it’d cost several weeks wages for her. “It’s really sudden and…”
crazy.

His thick black brows knit together, and he scowled briefly. He recovered and pulled a business card from his pocket. “Call me within the next couple of days with an answer, Miss Haden. I don’t have much time.”

Abby took the card, frowning at her trembling hand. Liam left her alone while she recollected and reassembled herself into a presentable person. She left the kitchen and headed for the door, waving goodbye to Caroline on the way out. Liam’s gaze pierced through her retreating back as she fled, leaving her insides a quivering mass.

She had her car door open, ready to make her escape, when Liam caught up to her. He grasp the door, invading her personal space.

“One more thing, Miss Haden.” His presence enveloped her, his body heat adding to the scorching sunlight. Her spine stiffened in reflex. “I trust you will keep our conversation in confidence. Otherwise, there may be consequences.” His eyes glittered with the unconcealed threat.

Anger fired and she faced him, meeting him squarely in the eyes. “Don’t worry, Mr. Whitmore. I have no desire to make an appearance in the gossip rags with you. I’d never lower myself to such means to get attention.”

She turned to her car, but he placed a hand on her shoulder before she could climb inside. She spun around, ready to give the overbearing jackass a piece of her mind. Her gold necklace with its small heart-shaped charm dangled from his fingertips. Her eyes widened and she snatched it away. Her most precious belonging...it’d been her mother’s.

“I found it lying on the floor by the front door,” he said. “The clasp looks like it needs to be repaired.”

She mumbled a quick ‘thank you’ and retreated inside her car.

Chapter 3

Liam watched her drive off, annoyed with his haphazard approach to the offer. Miss Haden seemed offended. He’d assumed the direct approach would be best, but obviously she’d been blindsided. Not that he could blame her. It wasn’t every day someone was offered cash to have a kid. If he’d been in her place, he wasn’t sure how he would’ve reacted.

She didn’t say no.
Liam hung on to that, a thread of hope he desperately needed at the moment.

He rubbed his jaw and blew out air. He’d lost touch with how to deal with people outside of a boardroom. Honestly, he had very little contact with people beyond the dealings of business. Marty’s and charity functions were the extent of his life beyond Whitmore Tower. Not that he regretted his reclusive life; he’d never been much of a socializer, even as a kid.

Without the nurse’s cooperation there were no other options. He’d racked his mind for any other woman who would take the situation lightly—not strap him into marriage and the endless functions of parenthood. He’d spent a long, sleepless night running into dead ends and a wall of frustration, until he’d given up and headed to work at four AM.

Having his child outside of a relationship would mar reputations, making a woman the butt of embarrassing gossip. Not an acceptable thing when you rubbed shoulders with influential political figures and others with impressive standings in society. In his circle, people considered their reputations more valuable than gold. Not that he’d ever gone out of his way to impress anyone, but he couldn’t expect others to share his views.

He hated the deceitful world that surrounded him. Men and women with gleaming careers, and tarnished skeletons stuffed into the backs of their closets. Skeletons made up of lies and tricks, always easily accessible to those who wanted to take them out, brush them off, and dirty them up some more.

His father hadn’t played at being a righteous public figure. He’d never tried to hide who he was, displaying his calloused personality and less than commendable lifestyle without shame. Even the tabloids couldn’t make a game of digging out his dirt when it was in full view to anyone who wanted to see it. One of the few things Liam could respect him for, he’d never believed in sporting a false front to garner even falser respect.

Never had Liam felt so alone, and he wished he could share his worries with his mother. With her ill health, he wouldn’t risk upsetting her. Not that she’d be surprised by anything his father would do. They had long ago separated, she living her life, and his father his, shortly after Liam had left for college. Though they hadn’t gone through with an actual divorce, they, nonetheless, had little to do with one another.

His parents had always been such opposites. His mother kind, soft spoken, and forgiving. His father, a hard and driven man who accepted no weakness. Liam often wondered what had brought them together in the first place.

Without Miss Haden he’d have to face the inevitable—lose his company or his independence. He’d have to contact a former flame, explain his situation, then a quick marriage, and a quicker conception. He rubbed his hand over his face. Even if it
were
all possible, he’d spend the rest of his life with a woman who didn’t challenge or excite him. None of his past relationships had, and one of the reasons he’d decided against marrying before the age of fifty. His old man had had extramarital affairs long before his parents separated, but he couldn’t do the same. Maybe he wouldn’t love the woman, but he wouldn’t break his vows, regardless of what they were based on.

His company or his independence. Both bitter defeats, nearly level to one another when viewed through his eyes.

Liam shoved his hands inside his pockets and turned his face toward the sky. His skin heated until sweat trickled down his brow, the blazing sun making him squint despite his closed eyelids. He thought of Miss Haden, with her wholesome looks untouched by makeup, and long blonde hair pulled back in a practical ponytail. When she walked she had a bounce to her step that brought out his smile, and a refreshing lightness of character which sparkled in her eyes.

A child would be happy with her; it wouldn’t be shuttled off to nannies and boarding schools. His own mother had resisted those things, and while under her wing in his earliest youth, he’d been happy. Though he didn’t want to be involved with the messy and tedious business of raising a kid, he didn’t want the child miserable either.

The oppressive sunshine won out. He turned on his heel and marched back inside his mother’s home.

Later in the day, and back in his office, Liam found it hard to concentrate. Charity sat across from him, long legs crossed, a curious look on her face. She tapped an ink pen to the pad of paper in her lap.

“You’re not going to tell me what’s wrong?” she broached. “If you tell me what it is, I might be able to help.”

They’d known one another since college. While she could’ve gone further with her business degree and intellect, she’d chosen the hefty paycheck he’d offered her to be his personal assistant. Charity was one of the few people he could trust, and he’d wanted to keep her close.

He frowned and leaned back in his office chair, turning away from his assistant to stare out the windows. Dwarfed buildings stood below, while beyond, hints of green and dusty brown of the natural landscape appeared. The ribbon of Lady Bird Lake glittered, a dark watered-down stain nestled between the vibrant green of its trees.

In a few hours over a million bats would swarm from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. A nightly spectacle that fascinated many who lined up on the bridge to watch it in the warmer months when the bats lived in the city. People could slap down asphalt and steel, and call the ground their own, but they’d never completely dominate Texas. That was part of the reason he loved the state.

“I’m surprised you haven’t heard about the whole mess from Spencer,” he stated, returning to the topic at hand.

“He did seem anxious after the will reading, but hasn’t commented on what happened. At least to me, but he knows where my loyalty lies.”

She was the one friend he had in the entire city, he thought as he studied the clear sky. Friendship had never come easily for him, his patience lacking in the effort it required. Liam blew out a breath then explained his situation, including approaching Miss Haden with his deal. Charity remained quiet, and when he turned back to her, he found her sporting a look of disbelief.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her face a mask of empathy. “You really are in a tight spot.”

He rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger, a headache throbbing behind them. He pulled open a desk drawer and grabbed a bottle of ibuprofen. He popped a couple in his mouth, swallowing them dry. “If Miss Haden doesn’t take my offer, I’m shit out of luck.”

“Give her time, don’t count her out yet. I imagine you’ve completely shocked her.”

“What would you say?” he asked, curious to her opinion.

She pursed her lips. “If I were her, I’d consider what five hundred thousand dollars could do for me. I met her once when you had me drop off paperwork to your mother, and she looks like the maternal type. I think she’ll seriously consider your deal.”

He leaned his elbows atop his desk and grinned. “What about you, would you consider my offer?”

She returned his smile. “I don’t object to rug rats running around underfoot, but they aren’t coming from this body. I’ve worked too hard for it.” She winked.

He hadn’t been serious with his question. While Charity was a loyal employee, she also had a wild streak which couldn’t make room for a pregnancy. A wild streak the tabloids hadn’t even touched on—an everlasting puzzle for him. Then again, pairing him and Charity up seemed to sell for them.

“Come out to my place this Saturday, Liam. Summer’s almost gone and you haven’t been to visit once. I’m throwing a pool party.”

“I have to work,” he said.

She shook her head. “That’s not an acceptable answer. Come out, or I’ll show up butt naked on your stoop and make a scene.”

He chuckled. “A naked woman isn’t much of a threat.”

“Well, I don’t think the neighbors will appreciate it. And you’re desperate for some relaxation, and don’t say you aren’t. Not to mention you’ll have a chance to hang out with several attractive women in tiny bikinis. Maybe you’ll hit it off with one of them, and she’ll help you forget your woes.”

He took a moment to consider the offer. Bikinis didn’t appeal to him with the amount of stress he was under, but an opportunity to walk away from it for a few hours did. Charity threw raucous parties. He’d find a way to stay in the background and let the chaos be a distraction.

“What the hell, I’ll be at your place around noon Saturday.”

“Perfect.”

The day trudged on at a marcher’s pace and very little went right. A company called Harbor Incorporated had backed out of a deal, deciding against a leveraged buyout. Liam recognized the tactic of trying to secure a better bottom line for themselves and normally he handled it with ease. This time, he’d had a loud disagreement with its owner, venting more emotion into the conversation than the situation warranted. It gave the owner the upper hand, or at least Liam believed it had. One thing you never wanted to show was frustration in a business transaction, unless you wanted to prove your weakness against your opponent.