Secrets of a One Night Stand--A pregnant by the billionaire romance

by Naima Simone

  She shook her head to rid her brain of the memories. “I can’t believe it. I can’t do it.”

  “Do what? Go to the funeral? I don’t think it’ll hurt just to pay your respects.”

  If only that’s what she meant. She tugged on her ear and glanced around. No one was in the front of the clubhouse with them. “Take the company, the money, the estate,” she said in a thin voice. “I don’t know how to run anything.”

  India had leaned in to hear what Ashiya had to say. After Ashiya spoke, India grunted and leaned back. She gave Ashiya an are-you-kidding-me side-eye. “Ashiya, you run a business now.”

  “A small clothing store here in Jackson Falls. And not even new clothes. They’re consignments. I can’t run a corporation.”

  The thought of being in charge of million-dollar decisions, having to report to a board of directors, fighting for respect from people who’d spent their entire careers in the corporate world made her stomach twist in a dozen glass-encrusted knots. No, she couldn’t do it. Wouldn’t do it. They’d eat her alive in less than thirty seconds.

  India rolled her eyes. “Girl, get out of your damn head. Before you start having a panic attack and telling yourself all the things you can’t do, how about you first find out what exactly you’ve inherited and what, if anything, you have to do about that?”

  Ashiya took a deep breath. Her stomach still twisted. Her palms sweat, but India’s words took the edge off her anxiety. Until she knew for sure what was going on, there was no need to freak out. The freak-out could wait until she was sure Brianna was right.

  Please, God, let Brianna be wrong. She sent up the quick prayer.

  She met India’s you’ve-got-this gaze. “You’re right. I just never thought I’d be in this position. You know I never wanted to be a part of that world.”

  Understanding crossed India’s features. India’s desire to stay out of the running for top billing in the Robidoux family was one of the reasons she and Ashiya had been so close. Ever since they were kids and India gave Ashiya her favorite teddy bear instead of laughing when she’d learned that at eleven, Ashiya was still afraid of the dark she’d mentally adopted India as her little sister.

  “Not wanting to be a part of it and being able to survive it are two different things,” India said in a supportive voice. “Regardless of what happens, I believe you can handle it.”

  Ashiya wished she had a tenth of her cousin’s optimism. “Time will tell. Look, I need to talk to Momma about all this. See what she thinks and then make plans to go to Hilton Head. I guess I just needed to talk to someone first and get my initial freak-out out of the way. You know Momma. She’ll tell me to calm down, act like a Robidoux, and take everything my grandmother left and more.”

  At times Ashiya thought her momma forgot that Ashiya was half Waters. That even though her dad had generated his own wealth, he’d given up the wealth from his family when he’d married her. Elizabeth Robidoux Waters had not known her husband knew he wouldn’t inherit a thing if he married her. She also hadn’t forgiven him once she learned the truth. He’d only wanted to be happy, and despite her parents’ strained marriage, her dad had found his own way without the help of his mom or his wife’s rich family. He was why Ashiya had tried to avoid being as cutthroat as some of her Robidoux cousins.

  India nodded and patted Ashiya on the shoulder. “I’ll tell Elaina that something came up. She’ll be fine.”

  Ashiya reached into her purse and pulled out a card. “Give this to her, okay? I know she didn’t want gifts, but I still thought I’d get her something. Tell her to enjoy it.”

  Ashiya had gotten Elaina a yearlong subscription to a tea-of-the-month club. Since her cousin was cutting back on alcohol, she’d focused on using tea to calm her nerves. Ashiya hoped the gift would be welcome from the prickly Elaina.

  “I will. You go. Talk to your mom and call me before you head out of town. If you need me to go with you—”

  “No, I’ll be fine. I may need drinks when I return.”

  “I’ve got you.” This time when India opened her arms for a hug, Ashiya took it. She’d need all the emotional support she could muster if the inheritance was really hers.

  They pulled apart, and Ashiya watched as India went back toward the dining area. With a determined sigh, she went to the door leading out of the clubhouse. She wasn’t looking forward to this conversation with her mom, but she couldn’t possibly go to the funeral and learn the contents of the will without saying something to her.

  She pushed open the door at the same time someone pulled from the other side. She lost her balance and stumbled forward on her high heels. She barely stopped herself from falling. A warm hand reached out and steadied her by the elbow.

  “Excuse me,” she said.

  “Sorry,” a familiar male voice said at the same time.

  Ashiya froze. The blood rushed from her face, and her lungs decided breathing wasn’t necessary at that moment. Her eyes jerked up. Surprise, embarrassment, and regret sent her body into a confusing tailspin. The familiar face seemed just as surprised to see her. Her heart squeezed while the lingering touch of his hand on her elbow turned her limbs into jelly.

  Russell. The guy she should have chosen. Fine as hell Russell. He would be the person she saw when she was already discombobulated.

  Fine as hell was a weak string of words to describe Russell Gilchrist. Tall, broad of shoulders, thick of thighs, and sweet of heart, Russell was the perfect embodiment of good guy with just a hint of bad boy beneath to make a woman fantasize about seeing him lose control. The lights from outside the clubhouse added a silvery glow to his sandy-brown skin and brought out the gold in his hazel eyes. He’d offered her everything she said she’d wanted in a relationship, and in turn she’d broken his heart when her jerk of an ex came back and said all the right words with wrong intentions.

  After recognition entered his gaze, he quickly snatched his hand back. “You good?” His voice didn’t seem as concerned now that he recognized her. Instead it was cold, clipped, as if he couldn’t wait to get away from her.

  “I’m fine. I was in a rush and didn’t—”

  “Then I’ll let you get going.” He stepped to the side so she could walk away.

  Ashiya sucked in a breath. Three years had passed, yet she still couldn’t get used to seeing the cold look in his eye. Three years of seeing him occasionally around town or at parties and trying to accept the way he barely held her gaze or spoke to her in a tone warmer than an Antarctic. She’d seen his other side. She’d seen the adoration shining in his eyes. Heard the way he whispered her name when he was deep inside of her. Knew he could be the most caring person she’d ever met. Knowing that only made this side of him hard as hell to accept.

  “Russell, I…”

  “I’ll see you around.” He walked pass her and entered the clubhouse without another glance her way.

  Heat spread through her cheeks. She looked to the sky and groaned. No matter what she said or did, she couldn’t break through the silent treatment. Not that she could blame him. She’d toyed with him. Used him to make her ex jealous, and by the time she realized she was falling for Russell, it was too late.

  She wanted to rush back into the clubhouse and demand that he talk to her. That he let her explain. That he give her, them, another chance. Instead, she sighed and walked to her car. Getting Russell back was still on her bucket list, but she couldn’t focus on that particular goal at the moment. Right now, she had to figure out how to get rid of a million-dollar inheritance.

  Don’t miss what happens next in…

  Foolish Hearts

  by Synithia Williams

  Available September 2021 wherever

  HQN books and ebooks are sold.

  www.HQNBooks.com

  Copyright © 2021 by Synithia R. Williams

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Blind Da
te with the Spare Heir by Yahrah St. John.

  Blind Date with the Spare Heir

  by Yahrah St. John

  One

  “Yet another article, Julian.” Angelique Lockett sighed in frustration. “Must you continue to live up to your repute as Atlanta’s most eligible bachelor?”

  Julian shrugged as he glanced at his mother with her elegantly coiffed, black shoulder-length hair and her A-line 1950s-style dress. It wasn’t like he was trying to be notorious for his playboy ways. He just happened to like the fairer sex.

  He’d thought about not attending this Sunday’s family dinner at the Locketts’ ten-bedroom estate in Atlanta’s Tuxedo Park, but he hated to disappoint her. So Julian had prepared himself for her wrath over yet another article about his exploits, this time at a fall fashion show for one of Atlanta’s up-and-coming designers. Was it his fault he’d managed to snag both the designer and the model who’d been her muse?

  Julian wasn’t as tall as his father, his older brother, Roman, or his younger brother, Xavier, who once again had skipped the family dinner. They were each well over six feet. But what he lacked in height, he more than made up for in charm and snappy dress. Something about his light brown eyes, handsome face and perpetual five-o’clock shadow made the women of Atlanta powerless to resist him. It had earned him the reputation of incorrigible flirt and ladies’ man.

  “Aren’t you ready to settle down, like Roman?” She glanced over at his brother, who sat across the table with his wife, Shantel, who also happened to be Julian’s best friend.

  His Shantel.

  Or, at least, she had been until Roman had managed to steal her, taking away his safety net. Julian and Shantel had met at a college party when he’d attended Morehouse and Shantel, Spelman. Their platonic friendship had endured for over a decade, through his many love affairs, Shantel’s breakup with her high-school sweetheart and her mother’s suicide.

  He’d always looked at Shantel as a little sister, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he’d wondered if they might give it a go when he was ready to settle down. Maybe, unconsciously, she’d been his backup plan. But Roman had ended that dream and now the two lovebirds were sitting there making goo-goo eyes at one another.

  Julian wanted to barf. He couldn’t ever see himself falling in love, but he also didn’t like continually upsetting his mother. Besides, seeing how deeply Roman and Shantel loved one another, he couldn’t help but wonder if, perhaps, there might be something to all this love stuff. Was he missing out by not having found his soul mate?

  He finally answered his mother’s question. “Perhaps.”

  Everyone stopped talking and turned to look at him—as if he’d lost his marbles.

  “What?” He shrugged.

  “You’re serious?” Giana asked. Born less than a year apart, he and his baby sister were quite close. Other than Shantel, Giana was his go-to person if he needed advice. And he certainly hadn’t discussed this with her.

  “Why not? If Mother wants to set me up with someone, where’s the harm?”

  Angelique raised a brow. “If I set you up, and that’s a big if—” she fixed her light brown eyes on him “—do I have your word that you’ll behave with the utmost respect and that I won’t hear of any shenanigans?”

  “Scout’s honor.” Julian raised three fingers.

  “You were a terrible Boy Scout.” Roman laughed, sipping his single malt scotch. “You hated the outdoors, much less getting your hands dirty.”

  “While you were always a high achiever,” Julian scoffed, even though he knew everything Roman said was true. “Always trying to get as many merit badges as possible.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be the best,” Josiah responded from the head of the table. “You could learn a thing or two from your brother about responsibility.”

  And there it was. The ever-present competition egged on by their father. Julian wasn’t surprised. Roman was the favorite, constantly being pushed by their father to succeed because he was the eldest son and would eventually take over the Atlanta Cougars football franchise. Josiah had rarely taken an interest in Julian, which was why he was closer to his mother.

  “Well, I, for one, am happy to hear that you’re open to the idea of settling down, Julian.” Angelique spoke up as she always did when her husband tried to pit the two brothers against one another. “I’ll set something up soon.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Julian wiped his mouth and tossed his napkin on the table as he stood. “Dinner was great, as always.” He walked toward his mother. “We’ll talk soon,” he whispered, kissing her cheek.

  “Run away like you always do,” Josiah chided.

  “Josiah!”

  Julian detected rebuke in his mother’s tone, but didn’t care. You would think an MD behind his name would garner his father’s respect, but Julian knew otherwise. Even though Josiah had demanded he pursue sports medicine, the man had never been fully happy with his son’s chosen profession. It totally irked his father that Julian wasn’t playing or managing the team, just doing what he could to ensure the old man’s players stayed off the injury list.

  His father preferred discussing franchise business with Roman or playing football with Xavier. Or at least he had until Xavier’s accident had ended his career as a quarterback.

  Ignoring his father’s blustering from the other end of the table, Julian quickly hugged Giana and Shantel and shook Roman’s hand before leaving the room.

  He knew he wasn’t the favorite son, but living with the fact never got any easier.

  He’d nearly made his escape when he heard the distinctive click of high heels behind him.

  “Julian, wait up!” Giana called out as he made his way across the marble foyer to the front door.

  He turned to find his beautiful chocolate sister walking briskly toward him. As always, looking chic and polished, she wore her hair in a loose chignon and wispy bangs. Her red handkerchief dress, its one shoulder strap braided to match the belt around her slender waist, complemented her ever-on-the-mark sophistication.

  She caught up with him at the door and spun him around. “Were you just going to ignore me?”

  “That was the plan.”

  “You know Daddy didn’t mean any harm.”

  “‘It’s just how he is…’” Julian responded. “I know the spiel, Giana. You’ve said it a thousand times. Why do you always defend his bad behavior?”

  “Why do you always think the worst of him?”

  “Because I’m quite certain that if our father could have picked another infant in the maternity ward, he would have. I’m nothing like Roman or Xavier. Both are macho tough guys who live and breathe ambition. They have that drive Josiah looks for. I don’t. Sometimes I wonder if they swapped babies and I belong to another family.”

  “Don’t say that,” Giana said, glancing behind her as if she expected Josiah to appear out of thin air.

  Bless her heart, his sister was the apple of their father’s eye, a real daddy’s girl. Thus she could never believe he didn’t feel that way about all his children.

  “I speak the truth, Giana. You just don’t want to admit it, and that’s fine. You can continue to put your head in the sand, but I’m going to live in the real world where nothing I do will ever please him.”

  “You sound like Roman.”

  Julian snorted. “Is it any wonder? From the day I was born, he’s always tried to pit me and Roman against each other. We’re nothing alike.” His voice rose. “And I don’t want to be. I’m comfortable in my own skin and I could care less if Josiah likes it or not.”

  “Now that,” Giana replied, “is a lie.”

  Did his little sister know something he didn’t?

  She moved forward, right into his personal space. “You may fool everyone else with this I-don’t-care attitude, but you don’t fool me for a se
cond. You would give your left arm for half the adoration Daddy piles on Roman and Xavier.”

  “I’m leaving.”

  Giana chuckled as Julian rushed out the door. He hated that his baby sister knew him so well. Because…maybe, deep down, in places he didn’t like to look too hard, Julian secretly wished his father would love him as much as he did the rest of his children.

  * * *

  Elyse Harper attempted to lift all 170 pounds of her father, Frank Robinson, off the floor of the local bar where he’d passed out yet again. “C’mon, Daddy, it’s time to go.”

  “I’ll help you, Elyse,” Matt said as he eyed her from his place behind the bar. The hunky blond bartender with a dozen tattoos was dressed in his customary muscle shirt and faded jeans.

  Elyse knew Matt fancied her. She tried to ignore him, but whenever he called about her father, she had no choice. She usually didn’t fuss with her appearance when she came running to the bar, but today Matt had caught her right after work.

  As soon as she’d received Matt’s call, she’d rushed from her one-bedroom apartment in Midtown, still dressed in work attire and in full makeup. She’d seen Matt practically salivate as he’d eyed her belted shirt dress and high-heeled sandals.

  “Thanks, Matt.”

  Together, Elyse and Matt lifted her father from the floor and carried him to her Toyota Camry idling by the curb.

  Once they had her father safely in the back seat, Elyse closed the door. “Thank you so much for calling me.”

  “Of course. But, Elyse, you need to convince Frank to go to rehab. His drinking is only getting worse.”

  “I know. Trust me, I’ve tried to talk some sense into him, but he refuses to listen.”

  “Well, you get home safe, okay?”

  Elyse nodded as she slid into the driver’s seat.