by Leslie North
Billionaires & Babies
The Billionaire’s Accidental Baby
Matchmaking the Billionaire
Pregnant by the Billionaire
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales, is entirely coincidental.
RELAY PUBLISHING EDITION, APRIL 2019
Copyright © 2019 Relay Publishing Ltd.
All rights reserved. Published in the United Kingdom by Relay Publishing. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover-Design by L J Mayhem Covers.
www.relaypub.com
Blurb
Donovan Fitz lives by the saying: Go big or go home. And what could be bigger, and draw more attention to him and his mega-billion-dollar video game business, than creating a reality TV show about his quest for a wife? He’ll just have to deal with the distraction of his sexy producer, Melissa Hampton, and try to forget the amazing night they spent together. It’s all about the show, the attention, the ego-building blaze of publicity…until he finds out Melissa’s pregnant with his baby. Now all Donovan wants is her. But the plot twist of becoming a father while still looking for a wife is ratings gold and could be the big-break Melissa deserves. If only he can convince the camera-shy Melissa that putting their story out there would be good for both of them.
Melissa is terrified—and excited—at the prospect of becoming a mother. And if she’s honest, Donovan’s excitement about becoming a father is sweet. What’s not sweet at all is the pressure to use her pregnancy as a dramatic twist in their reality show. She craves a quiet life at the edges of show business and doesn’t want anything to do with the spotlight. In the end, though, Melissa knows she can’t hide completely if their show is going to bring in the ratings. Too bad that means she can’t trust a thing Donovan says to her while the cameras are rolling.
The reality is, though, she’s fallen in love with him, despite her determination not to. And now Donovan must figure out which will crush her less: killing her career-making show or letting her ignore just how right they are for each other.
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Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
End of Pregnant by the Billionaire
Thank you!
About Leslie
Also by Leslie
1
Donovan looked out at the boardroom full of television producers. All attention was on him. It sizzled and spread through him, giving his confidence a big push.
He was here to not only pitch his idea but get that yes he needed. Not just for his company, but for his personal life.
“So picture this. Picture me.” He sent the ten executives his best dazzling grin. The kind they needed for ratings. The one that Donovan knew made women, which accounted for half of the room, shake in their boots.
He’d spent the last eight minutes going over his proposal. Now he needed to drive it home.
“The most eligible bachelor of the gaming industry.” His gaze swept over the brunettes near the front, who had been frowning for most of his proposal. He zeroed in on the golden blonde at the back. She’d caught his eye since the second he entered the room. He amped up the smile.
“And I need a wife,” he went on. “I needed a wife yesterday. I have no aversion to creating the sort of high jinks you need for ratings. I’m okay with nudity, even.” A titter went through the room. “And I clearly have zero problem being in front of an audience whose yea or nay could change the course of my future.” He held his hands out from his sides, lifting a brow. “So what do we say? Can we marry off this incredibly handsome gaming CEO for ratings or what?”
Donovan stole a glance at his phone, which had just illuminated with a message. The clock showed he’d hit his ten-minute pitch timing perfectly. Now came the feedback.
Seats creaked as some executives leaned back and adjusted their position. Donovan had come up with this idea a few weeks ago in response to the bet launched between him and his friend Nick, after their best buddy Brian got hitched. Whoever found a wife first would win a cool million dollars. Donovan didn’t need the money—not by a long shot—but he wanted to win.
He and his buds had always seen competitiveness as akin to godliness. He who competes best—and hardest—wins. And what harder bet was there than marriage?
Donovan didn’t care about the happily-ever-after. He just wanted the prestige. And almost as much, he wanted the face time for his company. Being the star on a reality TV show meant automatic publicity for his company, Fitz Gaming. They were positioning themselves to take on the big names in the first-person role-playing games, with a hugely secret and potentially game-changing project in the works. This reality show couldn’t have been more perfectly timed.
But time was running out. It needed to get underway now if he was to have any hope of the timelines coordinating for both the bet and the launch of his company’s new project. Nick had sent one of his own developers to hone a matchmaking app, like setting a bloodhound on a fugitive.
If Donovan wanted to win, he needed to put a ring on it first.
He just needed one willing finger. Preferably with looks and brains to match.
But even that was negotiable.
“Your idea is very compelling,” one of the top-ranking producers purred, her black glasses sitting low on her nose. She’d been watching Donovan through slits, as though carefully ripping apart every word he said. “And this area of television is almost always highly watched.”
“But it needs to be done well,” another producer butted in, holding up a finger. “If it’s not done well, it doesn’t matter how many muscles the guy has. We saw that with Rock of Love. Donovan doesn’t want to be another Kid Rock.”
“There’s no way in hell he’d be another Kid Rock,” another producer countered. “But there’s no way in hell I’d take this project.”
A lively discussion erupted, and Donovan tried to keep tabs on who said what. It was hard to follow over the hullabaloo. The producers didn’t agree—that much was certain. For every loud voice in favor, there was an equally loud voice with compelling reasons why not. Donovan didn’t let the smile or his straight back falter.
Donovan’s eyes kept flitting to that honey blonde at the end corner of the table. She’d been mostly silent, conferring quietly with those immediately around her, her silky-looking tresses pulled into a loose topknot. She looked every inch the casual California producer, but there was something else about her. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
She was deep in conversation with a producer at her side. The honey blonde said heatedly, “No, but it’s worth it.”
The producer at her side said, “But you’re junior.”
All eyes turned to the two of them. Honey Blonde seemed startled that attention had turned their way.
“Anything to add from down there?” the slit-eyed producer asked.
“Ian and I were discussing the viability of this show in the current market,” the prettiest lady in the room said. A grin tugged at his lips as she spoke. “I think this is a gold mine. And an extremely strong project.”
“But Melissa,” the slit-eyed producer at the front of the table said. “Ian is right. You’re junior. You’ve never headed a project like this before.”
“I can do it,” Melissa said, pushing up her glasses. Big, brown eyes locked on Donovan, which made his stomach clench with anticipation. Please let this be the woman I get to work with.
“I don’t have time on my schedule,” a producer across the table from her said, “but this project should get the green light. I’ll oversee Melissa’s work if that’s all it takes.”
Another murmur erupted. The raven-haired production lead at the front of the table sat back, steepling her fingers. “I do think this project deserves the green light.”
Donovan pumped his fist internally.
“But I’m not convinced we have the staff for it.”
Melissa leaned forward, commanding the attention of the table with an assurance greater than her status should imbue. “I can do this. And more than that, I want to do this. It’s exactly the type of entertainment I liked to be involved in.”
“I want Melissa,” Donovan blurted, pointing at her. And maybe he did want her—in more than one way. A pleased smile crossed her face, and something warm passed between them. Something that promised a hell of a good time. “That’s the sort of enthusiasm I want for this show. Because yes, I know this is your company’s decision, but I also have certain objectives. Certain standards, let’s say. I want someone totally invested in this project.”
“That is absolutely me,” Melissa said, nodding. “And if any of you are concerned about my experience, trust Frank’s.” She pointed at Frank across the table, who nodded his agreement. “He won’t need to supervise much, though. I’m more than confident I will bring this show from greenlight to Emmy.”
“I’ve seen her in action plenty of times,” Frank said. “She basically saved our asses in Vegas during the filming of You Against the House. She’s got this.”
Donovan couldn’t stop the pleased grin. This was as good a yes as he needed. As far as he was concerned, this project was happening.
“So this sounds like a go then.”
The slit-eyed producer at the front sighed, shrugging. “Let’s see it through.”
“Great.” Donovan shut his folder of notes and zeroed in on Melissa. “Melissa, may we speak a moment?” The rest of the producers stood, milling around, and more chatter erupted.
She nodded and stood, adjusting her loose-fitting blouse. He couldn’t rip his gaze from her as she came his way. Delicate peep-toe shoes, skintight jeans, a style that screamed cute without much effort. No thousand-dollar nails, no hair that she refused to allow out of place lest a camera swing her way. She tossed him a bright smile as she came up, hand extended.
“So we can formally introduce ourselves,” she said, her small hand fitting easily inside his. “I’m Melissa Hampton. Junior producer at Perspective Studios.”
“I’m Donovan Fitz. CEO of Fitz Gaming. And soon to be your newest plaything.”
Melissa laughed, and a blush stained her fair neck. He’d made her blush within the first minute. Good work.
“I want you to come over tonight,” Donovan said. “To my house, so you can get the lay of the land and we can start brainstorming what this show will truly look like. Does seven sound okay?”
Melissa blinked, hooking her thumbs on her belt loops. “Okay.”
“I’ll have dinner there, so you don’t need to eat beforehand. Any dietary restrictions?”
She shook her head no, looking a little dazed. Donovan pulled out his phone, and they exchanged numbers.
“I’ll text you my address later. Don’t be late.” He sent her a wink, though it was definitely not standard protocol for business meetings.
Something about Melissa activated his flirt drive. Not that it took much to be activated. But he normally didn’t mix work and pleasure.
This, however, would prove to be something different entirely. This was inherently a combination of work and pleasure. And if that was the case, he might as well throw the rulebook out and just see where he ended up.
If all went well, it would end in marriage.
But in the meantime? He drank up Melissa’s figure from behind as she turned to collect her things.
In the meantime, this could be a lot of fun.
2
Melissa navigated to Donovan’s mansion carefully. Driving slower than she ever had in her life. Double and triple checking street names and GPS instructions.
She wouldn’t be late because of it—she allowed herself plenty of time to get there. She just needed to make sure this wasn’t a dream.
Because all signs were pointing to a fever sweat at this point. That, or some sort of Inception-like reality where she achieved all of her career goals in one fell swoop just from asserting herself in her first-ever executive’s meeting that she’d only attended on accident.
The whole day still felt like something she’d dreamed about, rather than lived. Convincing her hard-assed senior executive producer to take a chance on her. On this project of all things, with a man who could melt her panties with only one glance. He’d looked at her approximately ten times over the course of that meeting. Her panties were toast.
She groaned when she pulled up to the last house on the street. Mansion through and through. She’d been in the television business long enough to see the richest millionaires on the West Coast, but never an actual billionaire like Donovan. She didn’t understand why people like him wanted more limelight. He couldn’t actually want a wife. These shows were never about what they purported to be. Curiosity swarmed her, but as she pulled onto his red-brick cul-de-sac, parking in front of a gleaming black garage door, she realized she needed some ground rules. For herself.
Because his was new territory she waded in. And she could lose control—fast.
Something about Donovan promised to be wild. His looks alone were enough to make her consider diving into the deep end. So she needed to be clear. This show was the priority—making it a blockbuster and proving to her senior colleagues that she had it in her. That she was capable of popular, high-quality television.
The goal was to make it to executive producer by the end of the year. And Donovan could be her ticket to success.
As she shut her car door, the front door swung open, and Donovan beckoned to her from the doorway. He’d changed from their meeting earlier that day. Instead of perfectly pressed black slacks and a button-down shirt with rolled sleeves, he had on black workout pants and a muscle tee. Biceps mounded as he waved his arm, snagging her attention.
Why had he worn a muscle tee? She forced a smile as she stumbled up to his door, suddenly self-conscious. Not only had she agreed to meet a billionaire for dinner at his estate, he was a billionaire who looked like this. Ripped and bronzed. Dark chestnut hair, blue eyes that arrowed right through her.
She’d fall all over herself if her career didn’t depend on her staying cool and collected.
“You made it,” Donovan said, gesturing for her to come in. She stepped into a small foyer. An ostentatious chandelier hung above their heads, glittering and complex. Typical mansion things, she supposed. “Let’s start with a tour.”
“Absolutely. I’m ready to get to work,” she said, tilting her head as she looked around, unearthing a notebook from her purse. “I can already tell your house is going to be the perfect s
et.”
“Most parts of it,” he said, urging her to follow him down the hall. “I’m planning on limiting filming to only half,” he said over his shoulder. “The socially acceptable half.”
“That sounds intriguing. The socially unacceptable half is what interests me more, I think.”
Donovan sent her a heart-stopping grin over his shoulder as he led her into a bright, airy kitchen. The walls were painted in alternating shades of lemon yellow and mandarin orange. Spotless, gleaming pots and pans hung from hooks centered around a kitchen island that she could have lain on, sprawled out, and still not come close to the edges.
“Gorgeous,” she murmured, unable to stop herself from glancing at him, too, while she scribbled a few notes about the layout. The scent of garlic hung in the air, and something bright, like lemon. “What’s cooking?”
“That’s our dinner. For after the tour.”
She tapped her pen against her lips, belly rumbling with anticipation. This man was already equal parts business shark and thoughtful host. “You’re okay with the nighttime cameras and all that for filming?”
“Sure. Just as long as it’s in the approved rooms.”
“Right. The socially acceptable nighttime shenanigans is all we’re going to air, don’t worry.”
Donovan snorted, strutting her way. Masculinity rolled off him, that heartbreaker smile pinning her to her spot. She swallowed, mouth dry.
