The Baby Contract (The Billionaire Bachelor Series) Read online

  Chapter 17

  He’d become completely inept around Abigail. Liam had driven to the home he kept on the outskirts of the city. His apartment had seemed too claustrophobic, and he used the expanse of his house to pace through as he replayed the evening with his date. She’d called him an ass. An ugly insult, the ugliest he’d ever received and he’d been called many things in his life. From Abigail ass was the absolute worst. And he’d deserved her anger. He felt appalled at his own behavior.

  Of course he didn’t own her, but he couldn’t help the possessive feelings that swelled when he was with her. Seeing Breck chatting her up made his face hot. He was a well-known playboy, putting to shame anything Liam might be accused of.

  And then Richard had had the balls to approach her… The SOB. Liam took a deep, steadying breath, trying to calm his rising blood pressure.

  Not to mention the frustration. God, the constant frustration! Every turn seemed the wrong one, and half the time he didn’t know what direction he needed to head. Not only with Abigail, but his own wants. Relationship or no relationship—it was an easy question, but he bounced back and forth like a rubber ball with it. One minute he wanted nothing more than to have Abigail in his arms every night, and the next minute, his old need for solitude demanded his attention.

  He’d reminded himself countless times that being a bachelor was what he was good at, not building intimate relationships. Liam wanted to focus on this very simple thing, yet he couldn’t. Not with the smell of Abigail’s shampoo easily called to mind. Or her sweet-as-honey taste and the shade of blue her eyes took when aroused.

  He shoved his hands through his hair as he fell back onto his couch, staring at the wall. He was losing his mind over her. Abigail was too much for him, completely outside his realm of experience. What did he know about wooing a woman like her? He’d proved again and again not a God damn thing. And he did want to woo her. He could deny it all night long, but he couldn’t lie to himself about his feelings. They were there. They’d taken root and snaked their way into every part of his life, including his self-control and common sense, making both useless. He was a blundering idiot around Abigail.

  He’d always assumed if he married it’d solely be for convenience. A woman with political aspirations who’d use him to catapult her career, or had family with the same goals. He’d get an attractive bed partner out of the deal, and that was it. Liam had never once considered he’d marry for love. Love. He swallowed hard, the four-letter word like a bucket of ice over his head, as was the notion he’d put Abigail and marriage together in his mind.

  He wanted to know what she thought of him, but feared the answer. She’d built a fragile foundation in his heart, one that she could easily smash into splinters. Liam groaned and rubbed his hands over his face. He didn’t want this, any of it. His life was stable, well-built and strong. Predictable, monotonous, and without surprise. A frown played over his lips. And one little nurse had walked into the middle of it and made him question his own self-imposed rules.

  He had to make things right, if for no other reason than Abigail deserved it. Liam wasn’t in the habit of making amends to those he’d offended, and he considered his options. He snatched up his cellphone and pulled up a flower shop on his internet browser. Roses? Lilies? Orchids? None seemed adequate. Flowers withered and died too quickly, such things made apologies appear as fleeting.

  He pulled up a jewelry shop. Glittering diamonds and gold didn’t quite fit with her, she only wore her mother’s necklace and didn’t have her ears pierced. Engagement rings caught his eye and he snorted, closing the search window before he pitched his cellphone onto the end table.

  He was in one hell of a mess. He needed to make an impression on Abigail that she wouldn’t forget easily. Something meaningful, not a frivolous token to beg forgiveness.

  An idea blossomed in his mind, and he let it simmer. The Double H Ranch. It was in financial straits. Abigail’s family needed to get out from beneath the burden of the place. He could make a few calls and then make an offer. Not that he’d have any use for a cattle operation, and he wouldn’t know where to begin in flipping an agricultural based business. Regardless, the idea had taken a firm hold. He’d purchase the place with his personal account then decide what to do with it from there. It wouldn’t be in an attempt to control Abigail, he reminded himself, but a way to offer an olive branch for peace.

  He glanced at the clock, noting it was nearing eleven PM. Too late to call his banker. Liam may be at a loss around Abigail, but he was confident of his business skills. The Double H was in trouble and he knew how to fix it.

  * * * *

  Spencer nearly choked with his disgust. He kept his face impassive despite the tears shed by the woman standing before him.

  “You need to step up, Spencer. I can’t do this on my own.” Angela sniffed and swiped her sleeve under her nose. Black streaks of eye makeup stained her flushed cheeks, making what he’d once considered a cute face into a clownish mask. Contempt filled him as he looked down at her.

  “As I’ve explained, my wife can’t find out about this.” He straightened his shirt cuffs before clasping his hands behind his back. “I’d never hear the end of it.”

  They stood within the shadows of a grove of trees. Evening had settled over the city park next to Lady Bird Lake, and outside of joggers few people were out. No one to overhear his uncomfortable conversation with the girl.

  Angela narrowed her eyes. “So what, I have to raise a kid all on my own? Do you know how expensive kids are, Spencer? Remember, I work in a law firm. I’ll sue you for child support.”

  “You know you have options, Angela. You don’t have to fall into the motherhood role that’s completely unsuitable for you.”

  She bared her teeth. “I’m keeping the kid. End of discussion.”

  Spencer simply grinned. “As far as suing me for child support through your employer it’d be conflict of interest. Plus, remember how much money I’ve put into the firm. They have the honor of representing the CFO of Whitmore Incorporated. You’re easily replaceable there, Angela.”

  She crossed her arms, shoving her ample cleavage higher. He’d been infatuated with her breasts, they’d been his weakness that she’d used to seduce him. A low-cut dress showcasing her tits, which at the same time barely covered her ass when she walked—how was he supposed to resist when he’d bumped into her at a bar? Damn seductress. He looked away, regretting he’d fallen for her wiles. He should’ve kept his dick in his pants.

  “You’re a real bastard, you know that?” A fresh flood of tears poured down her cheeks.

  He lifted a shoulder. He’d heard worse from better. “How do I know it’s even mine, Angela?”

  She snorted. “You know damn well it’s yours, Spencer. You think I wanted this drama in my life right now?”

  He’d always been able to talk his way out of trouble, but this time words failed him. Throwing insults back and forth had gotten him nowhere. He was in deep shit, and sweat trickled beneath his shirt collar.

  “You assured me you were taking birth control,” was all he could think to say.

  She lifted her chin. “Sometimes it fails.”

  “Sometimes rather conveniently, I’d say.”

  “Fine, I figured you’d want out, so here’s the deal. You want me to keep my mouth shut then you’re going to make it worth my while. I want one hundred fifty thousand dollars so I can move back to Illinois.”

  Spencer’s mouth dropped open. “What the—”

  “I know you can come up with the cash,” Angela interrupted. “And it’ll help with medical costs and the like. This is the deal. You give me the money, and I’m out of your life.”

  The bills were piling higher and higher. He’d had a run-in with his bookie that morning. He owed the SOB five hundred K after a double down he’d lost. A debt he couldn’t easily walk away from, because the man would make his life very uncomfortable. On top of mortgages, car payments, his wife’s hobbies, and oth
er outstanding debts, he’d fallen into a hell hole.

  Now he had to pay this bitch one hundred fifty thousand dollars because she’d lied about being on the pill? But what option did he have?

  “Fine. You’ll have to give me a few weeks.” If all went as planned, and Whitmore went to him, he should be able to get an advance on its sale.

  “I’ll give you three, then I’m paying a visit to your wife.”

  Angela stomped away. He watched her go. Fuck. When had life gotten so out of control?

  Chapter 18

  Abby plopped down on her bed, staring at the pregnancy test. A surreal moment. Her heart thundered in her chest and wrung in her ears. The room blurred around her. She took a deep, shuddering breath.

  Pregnant.

  Three pregnancy tests had all said the same thing, a fourth sat on the bathroom sink waiting to confirm the first three.

  Pregnant.

  The word bounced off her brain as she tried to absorb what it meant. This was what she’d hoped for, but now that it’d happened, Abby felt lost. Her empty home felt even emptier without someone to share the news with. Of course, she’d have to tell her father and brother, something she didn’t particularly look forward to. And she needed to tell Liam. A tremor of excitement slipped through her at the idea of being able to see him again. But it was quickly shadowed by the notion that their contract was complete, and they had no further reason for involvement.

  Not to mention their fight. It’d been nearly a week since the formal dinner she’d attended with him. Yes, she should be furious with Liam for hinting she was his possession. Yes, she knew better than to get involved with a domineering man again. Yes, she should walk away before it was too late. But her heart hurt. It hurt every morning when she awoke until she fell asleep exhausted at night. It hurt when she battled nausea at the sight of food, and the dizzy spells she suffered while tending patients. It hurt when she thought of raising a child who’d never know their father.

  Abby covered her face with her hands. She’d done her absolute best to hang on to her anger, but time had watered it down to mild irritation. The jerk had tried to bully and boss her around, but since that night, he hadn’t tried to push himself on her. She hadn’t heard from him, which was different than what she knew from guys in her past who couldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.

  Now that she was pregnant, he’d go his way and she’d go hers. A tight ball of emotion tightened in her gut, and she refused to study it. She’d known the whole time they’d end their commitment at this point. Her life would take a dramatic turn while his would continue unimpeded.

  She blew out a breath and grabbed her cellphone to make an appointment with her physician to confirm things. After the call she sat on her bed, mulling over the news. She wanted to call Liam right away, but at the same time dreaded doing so, because the end was inevitable. Best to wait for the blood test anyhow. Any reason to procrastinate on what she had to do. She placed her palm on her abdomen and tried to imagine the tiny life which had taken hold. A tiny little non-descript peanut of a life form. In a matter of months it’d change her life forever, and her biggest dream would come true. It still didn’t seem real.

  Tears trickled down her cheeks and she wiped them away with the back of her hand. She rose and paced the room, not quite sure what to do with herself since it was her day off. Tomorrow she’d get an official pregnancy test at her physician, and in a couple of days she’d call Liam.

  She tidied up her home, loaded the dishwasher, put in a load of laundry, and did what she could to keep her hands busy. Once her chores were finished, she walked into the spare bedroom which would soon be a nursery. Boxes were stacked along the walls, odds and ends she didn’t use but couldn’t part with. An old recliner claimed one corner, which she decided to donate to the women’s shelter she volunteered for. Mint green walls with a teddy bear border. Refurbished furniture and her own baby crib. She clasped her hands and said a silent, prayerful ‘thank you’.

  It was late afternoon when her cellphone chirped. Abby jogged through her house, in the back of her mind hoping it was Liam. Instead, she saw her father on the caller ID. Usually it was her brother who called.

  “Hey, Dad,” she answered.

  “You’re not going to believe this,” her father said in greeting. “You won’t believe a damn word I’m about to tell you.”

  He never cursed. Abby’s stomach flipped over. “What’s wrong?” The bank. The bank must’ve called the loan.

  “Someone bought the ranch.”

  Abby shook her head, not comprehending. “What?”

  “Someone came in and bought the ranch out from under us, Abs. Without our knowing it. The bank called us this morning.”

  Her heart dropped to her feet. “But you still had a month, right? How can they sell it if you had a month left?”

  Her father blew out a hard breath. “No, Abs, they foreclosed a week ago. Howard had given us time to find a new place.”

  Abby had to sit down on a dining table chair. She covered her face with her free hand. She thought she’d be her family’s salvation. She’d been sure of it. Tears welled up then spilled down her cheeks.

  “Dad, I-I’m so sorry.”

  What would they do?

  “The whole place, cattle and all, is going to one man.”

  “Who?”

  “You won’t believe this but some big Austin tycoon named Liam Whitmore. He paid cash for the place and hasn’t decided what he wants other than to keep us ‘on staff’ as he puts it.”

  The cellphone dropped to the floor, and Abby’s breath left in a whoosh. She felt like she’d been punched in the gut. Her father’s voice drifted up from the linoleum.

  “Abs, you there?”

  She reached down and stuck the phone back to her ear. “Yes.”

  “I have to go, Abs. I love you.”

  “Love you too, Dad.”

  She leaned back in the wooden chair, staring off into space and not seeing anything but Liam’s face. Liam had taken the Double H. Why? Why would he do such a thing to her? A control tactic? Fury welled up until she wanted to gag over it. Like hell he would.

  It was almost closing time for Whitmore Tower, and she rushed out the door to her car. Traffic was a nightmare. Abby sped down side streets, and pulled into a parking garage with minutes to spare. She took the elevator to the top floor and charged through the foyer.

  “Ms. Haden?”

  Abby stormed past the stunned receptionist. Civility was out of the question, Abby saw red. She heard footsteps behind her as she rushed to Liam’s office door and threw it open.

  “Mr. Whitmore, I apologize,” the receptionist stammered over Abby’s shoulder as she barged inside.

  Charity sat across from Liam’s desk and her eyes widened when she took Abby in. Liam looked shocked as well.

  “What the hell did you think you were doing, Liam? You stole the Double H—my family’s livelihood—and I want to know why.”

  Liam’s mouth opened, but Charity piped up first. “I think I’ll leave you two alone.”

  She strode past Abby, grabbed the receptionist’s arm, and directed a security guard who had appeared outside. The door closed behind them.

  “You’re an ass. A bastard. A—”

  “Stop.”

  Liam’s loud command brought her to a halt. She sucked in air, trying her best to rein back her out of control anger.

  “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding,” he said. He leaned back in his office chair and folded his hands over his stomach, staring at her. His face was a mask of calm. Behind him, dark, formidable clouds gathered in the skies outside, promising a night of rough weather.

  Her eyes widened. “Excuse me? A ‘misunderstanding’?”

  “The bank was foreclosing when I contacted them. I didn’t steal anything.”

  Abby refused to let her pooling tears flow. She wouldn’t show a moment of weakness. “Why? Just why, Liam? This is all my brother and father have. It’s th
eir everything.”

  “Was the ranch why you wanted the two hundred fifty thousand up front?” he asked.

  “I’d do anything to save the Double H,” she replied.

  “Would you put all of the money into a failing ranch?” His voice had dropped to a near whisper and he looked almost sad.

  Her shoulders drooped, so quickly she felt defeated with Liam. Yes, she would’ve pumped every last cent into it if need be. “Whatever was left I’d planned on it going into a trust fund for the baby.”

  “And was the money the only reason you agreed to my deal?”

  “No. I want this baby.” She placed her hands on her abdomen and looked down to them. “More than you can imagine. I’ve wanted it for so long.”

  Just then her pregnancy really hit her—a staggering epiphany bigger than the whole of the universe. What had been a mere idea before, a collection of words in her mind, now had life behind them. A baby grew within her womb. A precious, beautiful, fragile beginning of a new life, and she’d never loved anything so much. Never fathomed the depths she could love something until that very moment. The tears broke loose of her hold and she sobbed. Liam was there, guiding her down into the chair Charity had used.

  “Abigail?” he asked gently. “Abigail, are you…”

  “Yes, I found out this morning.” She sniffed and took an offered tissue he’d dug out of his desk drawer. “Four pregnancy tests confirmed it.”

  He blew out a hard breath then ran his hand over his jaw. “Okay.” He strode to the opposite wall of his office then back again. “Okay.”

  Abby sought the anger, and found that it’d crumpled into a useless heap. She felt too drained to reassemble it into something she could use. She reached up to fiddle with her necklace then remembered she’d lost it at the dinner. Another heartache.

  Liam sat on the edge of his desk. He clasped his hands in his lap. “Abigail, look at me.”

  Abby forced her gaze up. A shaft of sunlight pierced the gloom outside, lighting up his eyes. The onyx color of his irises shifted to the deepest blue, and for the first time she saw Caroline’s gentle eyes staring back.