The Baby Contract (The Billionaire Bachelor Series) Page 11

Liam’s booming voice sounded above her labored breathing. She rolled onto her back. Her chest hurt with her exertion and she couldn’t see straight.

  “Bear,” she managed after two tries. “Bear.”

  He sat next to her. “Bear?”

  She nodded. “In…the…” She flopped her hand, unable to finish the sentence.

  Liam moved to the windows, searching the landscape. He turned back to her.

  “I don’t see anything now. Never go out alone, Abigail.” He joined her on the bed and grabbed her hand. “It’s dangerous, especially if you don’t know the land.”

  His fingers felt good, safe, and she clung to them.

  “Are you sure it was a bear?”

  She nodded again, her breathing finally getting under control. Adrenaline leached from her limbs and painful throbbing settled in her temples.

  “Grizzly or black bear?”

  She licked her dry lips. “It was huge, had to be a grizzly.”

  Liam rubbed his jaw with his free hand. “We’ll need to stay inside then. I haven’t seen many around here, but that doesn’t mean one hasn’t moved in.” He studied her closely. “Are you okay?”

  Abby pushed up to a seated position. She wanted to throw her arms around Liam and feel the security of his embrace. Instead, she pulled her hand from his and balled it with the other between her thighs.

  “I’m fine. I just got the crap scared out of me.”

  “You’re shaking.”

  “I’m okay.”

  She peered out the glass, half-fearing the bear would be outside, waiting with its giant teeth bared. Nothing but a few birds stirred. Relief washed through her. She’d been beyond lucky. Actually, she’d experienced a miracle with the sudden appearance of the mule deer. She said a silent prayer of thanks.

  Liam reached up and tucked hair behind her ear. His eyes drifted over her face before settling on her mouth. She realized they hadn’t kissed. Well, outside of their first tryst, but that was simply a heated prelude to sex. They hadn’t had a proper, soul-searching kiss of passion. He leaned in.

  She felt trapped. As trapped as she’d been between the grizzly and an open expanse of wooded mountain slopes. Kissing was intimate. Intimate would lead her down avenues of heartache. Abby turned her head away. “I need a shower.”

  She heard Liam swallow. He rose and left her alone. She watched him go. The antsy feeling returned in full force and she went into the bathroom. A relaxing soak in the jetted bathtub sounded perfect after her close call with both the bear and Liam.

  * * * *

  The days flew by, blurring one into the other. They fell into a routine. Morning sex followed by breakfast. Liam worked for a few hours, then afternoon sex after lunch. A few more hours of work for Liam, dinner, and after that, the long nights were incredible. She learned more about her own desires than she had with any other lover. Liam had a way of drawing out her carnal side. He was patient when needed, demanding at other times, but always within the boundaries she’d set.

  Abby had the difficult task of keeping what they did at arm’s length despite the growing attachment she couldn’t help but feel for her lover. Though not particularly affectionate, before falling asleep, he’d spoon around her. The only real time he seemed much more than a detached booty call. And Abby couldn’t help but sink into the warmth and comfort of this tiny bit of closeness. As she did so she’d feel the meager control she had over her own emotions slip from her grasp that much further.

  By the time the plane arrived to take them back to Austin, she felt sure she’d lost a part of herself while in Aspen. A part she’d never recover, because Liam had it. No doubt he’d be a selfish man if she were to tell him her heart hadn’t remained detached. That she’d fallen just a tiny bit in love with him in the process of trying to make a baby. Surely he’d take that sliver of heart he’d stolen from her and tuck it away somewhere he didn’t need it. Someplace he’d never again think to look for it. Of course it was her fault; she’d always had a problem with keeping her emotions in check. If her past proved anything, it proved that.

  Seated in the luxury jet, with Liam attached to his laptop as he always was, Abby mulled over the situation she’d stumbled into. She had to distance herself from Liam, she had to or risk being broken by this experience. Abby refused to be broken by another man, in any kind of way. She placed her hand over her stomach, saying a silent prayer that within it life grew. A life that would save her family’s farm, a life that would save Liam’s company, and a life that would fill the void she felt growing in the center of her heart. Because then, it would all be worthwhile.

  Chapter 15

  Liam leaned back in his office chair, twirling an ink pen between his fingers. A week had passed since he and Abigail had returned from Aspen. He couldn’t get the nurse out of his head. Her taut body, her bright smile reflected in her eyes, the way she fit him in bed. He pitched the ink pen on the desk then rubbed his hands over his face. Even now, his cock hardened, and he could taste her sweet pussy on his tongue. Hear her moans, feel the way she wrapped around his length…

  “God damn it.”

  The past week his sleep had been hit-and-miss, making his mood even worse. He’d done a bit more digging into Abigail’s history—something to stay connected with her—and he’d discovered that her family’s ranch was in massive debt. An article in a regional newspaper had detailed the ranch’s struggles with livestock theft and lost profit.

  After a few moments of hesitation, he picked up his desk phone.

  “Mary, get me Mr. Smith from the bank on the line.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The bank president’s voice soon greeted him. Another floundering manufacturing business had appeared in Whitmore Incorporated’s crosshairs. Another assimilation to make his empire that much stronger. This one produced floor tiles and hadn’t turned a decent profit in two years. Liam had drawn up plans for the business’s new production direction before he’d left for Aspen. Though he knew little of floor tile, he knew what made a company work, and how to drop poor management.

  He spoke with Mr. Smith, and the bank seemed more than happy to unload the failing business and its debts. He wondered what Abigail would think of his acquisition, or, more precisely, what she thought of him as a person.

  He blew out a breath and spun his chair toward the windows. Austin’s clouded skyline offered little distraction. How could one woman weave her way into his thoughts so easily? She held some special power over him, and he couldn’t shake the spell. He stood from his desk and paced the room, but found it not enough. He thought of the local park. Getting some air might help clear his head.

  He left, letting Mary know to hold his calls. An hour was all he needed. The drive was pleasant, and when he stepped out of his car, he found the area surprisingly deserted. Then again, Monday was a work day.

  He took a path that wound around flowering bushes, their perfumed fragrance filling the air. He took a deep, cleansing breath, hoping to ease some of the tension in his neck and shoulders. A fountain stood in the center of the park, its soothing gurgle working its way into his agitation. He saw a figure walking toward him, head down, taking quick strides. He immediately recognized the woman as she nearly passed him by. She paused and turned slowly, lifting her chin, but her eyes remained hidden behind oversized sunglasses.

  “Abigail,” he greeted.

  “Uh, hi, Liam.”

  Their awkward encounter didn’t sit well with him. “How are you?” he pressed.

  She lifted a shoulder. “It’s still too soon to know if…” She looked around and lowered her voice. “If a pregnancy took. I should know within two weeks.”

  He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. Liam missed hearing her voice, especially at night while in bed.

  “I’d like for you to stop by the office this evening after closing.” He wasn’t sure where he was going with the request, but he pushed on. “If you have the time in your schedule.”

&nb
sp; “Why?”

  Why? Good question. “I’ll make an appointment for a pregnancy test with my doctor.”

  Abigail tilted her head to the side and he felt her curious gaze from behind the sunglasses. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll use my own physician.”

  “I have the best physician in Austin.” He wanted some more time with her, and he felt like he was getting the brush off. He hated how annoyed it made him feel.

  “And I’ve been going to mine for five years,” she countered. “As soon as I find out one way or another, I’ll be in touch.”

  Abigail definitely sounded annoyed, and Liam tried to think of what he might’ve said to upset her. He came up empty.

  “If you’re not, we’ll need to work out a schedule to try to conceive again,” he said.

  She chewed her bottom lip, and suddenly he worried she might back out of their deal. Especially considering her foul mood.

  “Remember, we’re under contract,” he reminded her.

  She frowned and her nostrils flared. Her skin flushed to bright scarlet, competing with the shade of her red scrubs. “Oh, how can I forget?” she snapped. “I assure you, I’ll keep my end of the deal, whether I like it or not.”

  Her fury left him blinking, but he quickly recovered. His own rising anger laced his words. “You liked it very much, as I recall.”

  “I also enjoy my vibrator.”

  Her words were a slap in the face. Liam stepped back from her, spun on his heel, and left. An emotional scene wasn’t what he’d wanted, but her anger had affected him nonetheless.

  It doesn’t matter. It’s only a business arrangement. The inner pep talk replayed in his head, but it didn’t help the hollow spot he felt deep inside. He wasn’t used to rejection, and he’d always known how to get the deal he wanted...through forcing someone’s hand, but he had no way of forcing Abigail’s.

  He thought of her family’s struggling ranch. His instinct said to call their lenders and see what sort of deal they’d take on the place. Of course he had no use for a cattle ranch, nor any desire to own one. Then again, under good management, who knows? The place might be profitable. Corporations were getting into ranching.

  Taking over her family’s ranch wasn’t a good option. She’d hate him for sure, even if he could offer her family a secure way out of their financial crisis. Making Abigail associate with him left a sour taste in his mouth. He shouldn’t feel the need to make her do anything. He respected her too much to try to force her hand like she was a corporation he was trying to acquire.

  Liam climbed into his car and started the engine. He sat inside, cranking the air-conditioner to high. Abigail appeared and walked to her car a few rows down. He waited until she was safe inside before he pulled out and left.

  The drive back to the office took entirely too long. Abigail’s aloofness left him agitated. He repeated to himself yet again that he hadn’t intended on having a relationship with her. She had every right to ditch him as soon as their arrangement ended. Hadn’t he done the same with women in the past? He scowled, focusing on the heavy midday traffic.

  Once back at the office, he called Spencer in.

  “Where are the weekly reports I asked for?” he demanded as soon as his cousin walked inside.

  “I told you I’d have them by the end of the week,” Spencer replied, folding his arms over his chest.

  Liam slammed his fist down on his desktop, and Spencer flinched.

  “I want them today.”

  “That’s all well and good, Liam, but I won’t have them today. I’ll have them later this week, the same time I always have them to you. I have other priorities in this company outside of being at your beck and call.”

  Spencer sounded pissed, and his feathers were rarely ruffled. Liam eyed his cousin, his annoyance replaced by curiosity. Liam leaned back in his chair. Spencer met him squarely in the eye.

  “Something you want to share?” Liam asked, lifting a brow.

  “Not a thing.” Spencer’s cool exterior had returned, the slight flush in his face waning. “I’ll have those reports for you tomorrow.” He turned and walked to the door.

  The day dragged by, and long after everyone had left, Liam sat at his desk redoing figures. A headache drummed in his skull, and he finally rose and walked out of his office, heading toward the break room for a cup of coffee. He was surprised to see Spencer’s door cracked open. He was still in his office with his cellphone to his ear.

  “He and the nurse spent a week in Aspen. A week of fucking isn’t a guarantee of a pregnancy. Yes, I’ve heard your threats a hundred times.” Spencer’s lowered voice carried out into the darkened hallway. He hadn’t noticed Liam who’d stepped to the side, out of view. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

  The call ended. Liam resisted storming into the office to confront Spencer. Instead, he eased down the hallway to the break room and filled a mug with coffee. He sipped the strong brew, wishing for bourbon, but knowing he’d been hitting the booze too much lately.

  Who had Spencer been talking to? Liam rubbed his jaw. No doubt someone from KayBona. Anger rose into a choking ball in his throat. A janitor came into the room, and Liam nodded for her to continue cleaning. He took his coffee back to his office. Spencer had left.

  It wasn’t until nearly nine PM that he finally gave up on work and walked into his apartment. He stripped out of his clothes and stepped into the shower, the hot spray biting into his skin. His thoughts found Abigail as a distraction from his suspicions about his cousin. Not as she was today at the park, but as she was in Aspen. His cock jumped, thickening as Liam took it in hand. He jerked off, the orgasm fast and unsatisfying, doing little to soothe his frustrations. Compulsively masturbating was becoming a bitter habit in the evenings. A shallow attempt to pacify the non-stop need he felt for her.

  He climbed into bed shortly after, tossing and turning well into the night. If he’d had Abigail there, sleep would’ve came easily—after he’d spent his energy with her sweet and willing body. He felt he’d never sleep soundly again without her snuggled by his side with her soft breathing lulling him.

  In just the week they’d spent together, she’d wormed her way into every part of him. A drug he craved more than food and sleep. The withdrawal was a bitch to deal with. He could go out and find another woman to fill his needs, another soft and willing body to use up. But the idea of a strange woman in his bed left a bad taste in his mouth. She wouldn’t have Abigail’s feel, her apple scent, the pitch of her lust-filled voice. Without those things the experience wouldn’t be any more satisfying than jerking off in the shower.

  Tomorrow after work he’d seek her out, though why, he didn’t know. He worked over excuses until he finally found one. The hospital was having a fundraiser event and he’d need a date. He always attended the yearly black tie gala, though he never enjoyed it. A phony atmosphere of good will toward the worthwhile cause always surrounded it. For most it was simply a tax write-off and good PR. Then again, he had to wonder over his own motivations for donating to the cardiac wing. A superficial showing of remorse for the loss of his father? Perhaps, and he didn’t want to dig at his reasons too much.

  Abigail would look beautiful dressed in formal wear. A fitted red dress and pair of heels… He rolled over on his stomach and buried his face in the pillow. She might very well turn his invitation down, but it was a risk he felt willing to take.

  It was near dawn when he finally drifted into a fitful sleep.

  Chapter 16

  Abby stared at the formal invitation and frowned. “I don’t know, Liam. I’ve never been to anything like this.”

  She needed to tell him to leave her home, but the request failed her, it felt too good seeing him again. At the park she’d done a decent job of blowing him off, she’d practiced doing exactly that over and over again in her mind. Once she’d had the unexpected opportunity to carry out the plan, she’d had to deal with all the gut-wrenching regret that’d followed. Keeping her distance was
completely reasonable, but it had never been in her nature to be outright rude to people. And she’d been incredibly rude, even though his ‘under contract’ remark had been a low blow.

  It’d left a horrible confusion of sick feelings in her gut, costing her sleep and tears. For some reason anything and everything could set her off on a crying spell these days. Stress...had to be stress.

  Today when she’d gotten home from work, she’d found Liam sitting inside his SUV near her home. She hated the happiness that’d bubbled up within her, and did her best to hide it behind an impassive face.

  “The dinner won’t be as bad as you think. There will be a decent meal, a few speeches, and a little dancing,” Liam said.

  The speech part Abby could handle, but a formal dinner with all the forks? Then be expected to dance? Pretending to know proper dining etiquette followed by showcasing her two left feet for snobby socialites was not exactly a night to dream over.

  Liam stuffed his hands into the pockets of his slacks and rocked back on his heels. He dropped his gaze to the floor. His shoulders drooped. “I’d appreciate it if you’d come with me, Abigail. I apologize for the park. I know I upset you, but I’d like this evening with you to make amends.”

  He nearly mumbled the statement. The apology surprised Abby, and she studied his face. He lifted his gaze; his dark eyes strummed the feminine parts of her until they melted.

  “I don’t think I have anything to wear,” she tried to reason with both herself and Liam. She couldn’t give in, not so quickly at least. She turned her gaze out her front window. A silver compact car slowed as it passed her home, a hulking figure in the driver’s seat. The driver looked toward her house. Abby frowned at the stranger; she knew most of the cars that passed up and down her street daily. Maybe the man was lost or simply a visitor of a neighbor?

  “I can take care of that. I’ll send Charity out shopping. Just let me know your size,” Liam said, pulling her attention away from the window.

  She didn’t want him taking care of anything. If she attended the silly thing she’d buy her own dress. “No, that won’t be necessary. I can get my own dress.”