“Yes.”
“Excellent. Follow me, please.”
He ushered me to a black limo in the parking lot and I slid into the luxurious back seat. Immediately, all thoughts of how much money this man had assaulted my brain. I would have to be on my best behavior to win him over tonight.
The limousine stopped in front of one of the ritziest restaurants in town. I’d never eaten there before because it was way out of my league in price. I was immediately happy I’d chosen the black dress to wear. Ned opened the door and informed me Mr. Hampton already waited inside. My stomach fluttered, but I squelched my nerves and stiffened my spine. Nothing would deter me from my mission tonight. By the time I made it inside, the imminent anxiety eased, and I was much more in control.
“May I help you, miss?” the hostess asked.
“Yes. I’m meeting a Mr. Hampton here for dinner.”
“Ah, yes. Follow me please.”
The restaurant was an old establishment, and it was sectioned off in a multitude of private cubicles. We weaved our way around until we arrived at Hugh’s table. He stood and seated me. “You look lovely tonight, Molly.”
“Thank you. So do you.” And he did. He was wearing a navy suit, a crisp white shirt, and a patterned blue tie. “I have to admit, I didn’t know what to wear since I had no idea where we were eating tonight.”
“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve always wanted to eat here.”
“This is your first time?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Then I’m happy I chose it. Tell me, why the change of heart? I was sure from the way you sent me away you’d never want to speak to me again.”
I cringed at his words. He was right. I had treated him poorly. I guessed there was no use beating around the bush, so I might as well jump right into my explanation. But as I was getting ready to open my mouth, a gorgeous woman walked up to our table and said, “Well, if it isn’t Hugh Hampton.”
Six
Hugh
“Claudia,” I said.
I didn’t introduce my silent partner as she eyed Molly like she was a stain on the chair before turning her attention to me.
“I see things haven’t changed,” she said to me while pretending Molly didn’t exist. The things I wanted to say were held back because the damn woman had me by the balls. I clenched my teeth and bit back cursing her to hell, where she’d come from. Claudia had been a mistake my dick hadn’t seen coming, in more ways than one. In my bid to start my business, she’d offered some capital. Things had been good between us then and that had turned out to be one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Now I shared my corporation with her.
She kept glancing at Molly as if I should introduce her. But it was better for me and especially Molly if Claudia didn’t know anything about her.
“I’m in the middle of a meeting. If you’d like to chat, I can have my assistant work with yours on a suitable time.”
“Touché,” Claudia muttered. “We do need to get together. I got a call I think you’ll be interested in hearing about.” Then, on pencil-thin heels, she clicked away.
“And that was?” Molly waited for an answer.
“An error in judgment.” The words slipped from my mouth and her brows drew up. I amended my statement. “No one you need to worry about. And trust me, it’s best you don’t know her. She’s a viper in human skin.”
Molly waved it away. “I’m not sure why I asked. What you do is your business.”
Grateful she’d given me an out, I pulled out a bound document and set it in front of her.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“Our agreement.”
Something like betrayal crossed her features when our eyes met. “We need this?”
“It’s for your protection. If you have my child and something happens to me, everything I’ve promised to you is written down and will supersede a will.” I tapped it with an index finger. “In summary, I’ll give you this in good faith.” I pulled out a check and slid it across to her. Her eyes nearly bugged out when she saw the sum. “Then when you go to have tests run to check your health and the ability to conceive, I’ll give you this.” I opened up the portfolio and pointed to the summary schedule of payments. “As you see, by just doing the tests, you will have earned enough money to pay the bills I saw.”
She licked her lips and quietly said, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but that won’t cover everything.”
I nodded. “Once you are confirmed pregnant by a doctor of my choosing, you will receive this amount, which should be enough to take you out of financial debt and secure your financial wellbeing for the long term.”
She glanced up with almost childlike concern. “And what if I miscarry?”
“Everything I’ve given to you up to that point is yours to keep, including the gift card. If you give birth, there is a final lump sum. Then a monthly stipend will be given to you and each child.”
“Each child?”
But then we were interrupted by the waiter. It was another ten minutes before we came back to our conversation.
“Each child?” she repeated when we were alone again.
“We’ll be going to a fertility doctor,” I said. “It’s possible they will give you hormones that could increase the chance of multiple births.” She sat back. “Don’t worry, you and any child we have together will be well taken care of, including a nanny or nannies if needed.”
She nodded. “So if we are going to a fertility doctor, does that mean they’ll artificially put your sperm into me?”
“Hell, no,” I said a little too loudly. A few patrons turned our way. I lowered my voice. “I won’t take a chance there’s a screwup and they put the wrong sperm in you.”
“Better for you.”
“Better for us. I think I’ve proven that.”
Her lips twitched.
“There is one thing I should point out. From this moment forward, your pretty pussy is mine. I can’t chance that someone else will get you pregnant.” When she started to balk, I pointed at the check in front of her. “I think you’ve been properly compensated for your time.”
“That makes me sound like a hooker.”
“No, that makes you more like a surrogate.” That was the wrong thing to say as I watched her cringe. “I didn’t mean it that way, though if you are found to be an unfit mother, I will retain full custody.” Her back stiffened. “I don’t see that as a problem. And if you do, you will see that it’s language to protect our child. The language goes both ways. If you feel I’m unfit, you can seek full custody.”
She relaxed some and flipped through the pages like she was shuffling cards. “Why so many pages?”
I shrugged. “My lawyer drafted it. You can have a lawyer of your choosing review it. And with this first payment, you should have enough money to pay for one. But I will cover that expense as you need that money for more urgent matters. Just send me the bill.”
She nodded. “So what’s next?”
“Besides dinner?”
She laughed some. “Yes, besides dinner.”
I pulled up my phone. “I have an app that can assist figuring out when you’ll be ovulating after you answer a few questions.”
“Seriously?”
“No need to be shy now. We will be parents. I need to know when your last period was.”
She turned a lovely shade of red that made my dick uncomfortably hard. But she answered that and several more questions.
“It looks like this coming weekend you’ll ovulate. We need to get those tests run tonight.”
She pointed at her chest. “Just me?”
I shook my head. “Me too. You need assurances just like I do.”
“That’s magnanimous of you.”
“That’s selfish of me. I want inside of you with nothing between us as soon as possible. In fact, after tonight, you will be in my bed every night until I’m positive you’re pregnant with my chi
ld.”
Her brow arched. I lifted my glass of Scotch and sipped.
Then I added, “Unless you want to rip up that check and walk away.”
Seven
Molly
Tests. Ovulating. Sleeping with him every night. As the saying went, this shit was getting real. Then I reminded myself about Mom, the stack of bills, and Dad sitting behind bars.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m in.” I pulled my gaze away from my knotted fingers up to his magnificent silver-gray eyes. I found myself drowning in them as my worries about Mom and Dad faded away. All I could remember was Hugh sliding in and out of me, and how amazing the sex had been. I crossed my legs, hoping that would ease the building pressure. “Um…” I cleared my throat. “I also don’t have a problem sleeping with you either.”
A smile grew across his face. “Good. Then shall we proceed?”
“Proceed?”
“With our plans?”
“Oh, right.” My heart thudded in my chest.
“Don’t be nervous, Molly. I can’t be that bad.”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then what?”
“What will I tell Chloe? She’s bound to call and wonder what’s happened to me.”
He leaned across the table and picked up one of my hands. “Don’t worry about Chloe. She no longer works for me. And when the time comes, we’ll figure something out.”
“I wonder why she hasn’t called me,” I mused out loud. I couldn’t believe she’d quit and hadn’t said anything to me.
“Why don’t we run by your place after dinner so you can pack a few things, since you’ll be spending your nights with me?”
My thoughts raced as words froze on my tongue. How awkward was this going to be? I would basically be living with him until my pregnancy was confirmed.
“What’s running around in that head of yours?”
“Nothing, other than figuring out what I need to bring.”
“You sure about that?”
Why was he so observant? “Yes, I’m sure.”
Our food arrived and the waiter asked if we needed anything else. Since my brain was so addled, Hugh had ordered for me. That was something I never let a man do, but he did not disappoint. Sitting before me was a lovely filet mignon and a mouthwatering stuffed baked potato. When I cut into the steak, it was cooked to perfection.
“How is everything?”
“Delicious.” I practically moaned the words. I never ate like this, being on the tight budget that I was.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
I polished off my plate without even noticing that he was watching me eat. At least not until I finished and looked up to see him staring at me. I wiped my mouth with the crisp linen napkin and immediately stared down at my empty plate.
“I’m sorry,” I said in a hushed tone.
“Whatever for?”
“I inhaled my food and didn’t talk much.”
“You enjoyed a good meal and that’s important, especially if you’ll be carrying my child. Besides, I hate to see a woman pick at her food. It’s extremely annoying. You buy a dinner, you ought to eat the damn thing.”
I jerked up to see his mouth twitching with humor, and I laughed with him. He didn’t seem to be an overly lighthearted guy, so I was seeing a different side to him, and I liked it.
“You won’t have to worry about that with me. I enjoy eating, as you can probably tell.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I aimed my thumb toward my hips. “I’m not one of those super skinny girls. That’s all.”
“You look perfect to me and that’s all that counts.”
I took the compliment. I was never happy with my body, but then again, what woman was?
We finished our wine and Hugh paid the bill. For once, I didn’t worry about the price of the meal. What a great feeling it was, too.
Hugh escorted me outside and we waited for the valet to return with his car.
“No driver tonight?” I asked as we waited.
“No, I drove.”
A few minutes later, a silver Bentley pulled up. Hugh helped me inside and the scent of leather filled my nostrils. I’d never been in a car this fancy, other than the limo that had brought me here. Too bad this was only going to be temporary.
“Nice wheels,” I said.
“Thanks.” He pressed a button and we sped off toward my apartment. It didn’t take long to get there, as the restaurant was fairly close. I would’ve liked to stay in the car because the seats were more comfortable than my bed.
“You coming up, or do you want to just wait out here?” I asked.
“I’ll join you, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind. I promise to be quick.”
We went inside and I threw some items into a small suitcase, like makeup, shampoo, a blow dryer, and then clothing I’d need for the next day for work. It didn’t take long at all.
On the way back to Hugh’s, I said, “Good thing I don’t have a cat.”
“Why’s that?”
“I’d have to bring him along.”
“You could’ve done that. I like pussy,” he said with a poker face.
“Oh, my God. I can’t believe you said that.”
“It’s true.” Then I noticed the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“You don’t laugh much, do you?” I asked.
He gave me a sidelong glance for a second, then turned his gaze back to the road. “Why do you ask?”
“Because you seem so serious.”
“I laugh.”
“Not much. Admit it.”
“All right. You’re correct. I don’t,” he said.
“Why not?” It made me curious about him.
He drummed his fingers on the wheel. “I’m usually preoccupied with work.”
“Stressful, huh?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t know where to begin, but you don’t need to hear it.”
“If you ever want to talk, I’m available. I’m pretty sure my picture appears under the word ‘stress’ in the dictionary, so I can probably relate. Maybe not in the same sense, but stress is stress, yeah?”
He checked me out again and nodded. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
I became aware of the part of town we had entered when Hugh turned into a parking garage. “Is this where you live?”
“In the building adjacent to this. Pay close attention because if you ever drive here, you’ll have a designated parking spot.”
I watched to see where we went and noticed that every spot was numbered. When we got out of the car, Hugh pointed to the space that would be mine. “Right there. That will be assigned to you for as long as we’re together.”
“Okay.” I couldn’t imagine driving my clunker up here. It wasn’t exactly a clunker, but compared to all the other cars it was. There was more money parked here than I’d ever have in my bank account for the rest of my life.
Hugh placed his hand on my back and led me to a walkway that connected to the next building. Then we stepped into an elevator. He used a key card, passed it over an electronic pad, and pushed the PH button. Shit. He lived in the freakin’ penthouse.
The elevator opened up into a foyer, which led to another set of doors. On the wall was a keypad, and he entered a series of numbers. When we heard the beep, we walked through into the most magnificent room I’d ever seen. It rivaled the house where I’d met him.
“Whoa. This is unreal.” I headed straight to the glass wall that overlooked the city. The room was huge and very modern, but it was the view that captured my attention.
“This is exactly why I bought the place. Once I saw the view, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.” Then he turned to me and said, “You enhance it that much more.”
Gone was the businessman and in his place was the guy who’d swept me away. Contracts were forgotten as his mouth took possession of mine. The only thing spinning around in my head was that I wanted—needed—t
his man.
Both of his hands gripped my ass and lifted me up. My legs wrapped around his waist as he walked me to his bedroom. I was so into the kiss, I didn’t notice my surroundings. Damn, the man could kiss. His tongue tangled with mine, twisting up my emotions in the process. My stomach was alive with a million fluttering butterflies, and my skin was on fire for his touch.
He set me on the bed, and I kicked off my shoes. My dress was up to my thighs as he spread my legs wide. Heat rolled off me as the passion flared between us. His smooth skin was begging to be touched, so I sank my nails into the collar of his shirt and pulled with all my might. The buttons went flying, pinging off the wooden floor.
“I really liked that shirt.”
“I didn’t,” I said. “It was in the way.” His throaty chuckle sent shivers racing across my skin. “See, I knew you could laugh.”
He tugged my dress and bra down, exposing a diamond-hard nipple. “Only you seem to be able to make me laugh.”
“Your laugh does this to me.” I pointed to my erect nipple.
“Then I’ll have to laugh more. I didn’t know it had that kind of effect on you.” His lips clamped down, sucking hard, and I moaned. I pinched the other one, because I was so ready for him to make me his. This dress was too cumbersome and only getting in the way, so I shimmied my hips, trying to get the thing off.
“Are you that impatient?” he asked.
“I want to be naked with you.”
“Let me do the honors.” He grabbed the hem of my dress and pulled it off. My bra followed next, freeing my aching nipples. I was left lying in my thong as he stared at me. I reached for his belt, but he stepped away, taking his time by teasing me while he stripped.
“You’re not fair.”
“Who said anything about being fair?”
I licked my lips when his rock-hard cock sprang free of its prison and my mouth immediately watered. Sitting up, I motioned for him to come closer. “Let me suck you off.”
“As much as I would love that, there’s not a chance in hell I’m wasting a drop of my sperm down that pretty throat of yours.”
His comment reminded me all too well that this was merely a business transaction to him, another contractual obligation. I nodded and lay back down.
Dirty Arrogant Boss: Cocky Billionaire Duet (The Cocky Billionaire Duet Book 2) Page 4
