by Jade White
***
“So you want to know if she needs money.” Blair cut the end of a cigar and offered it to him. Thomas waved it off and looked around the office.
“Yes, if there’s a chance she would accept a lot of money to bear a child for me. I think I have a good shot, because she’s really into her research and wants to see this happen.”
“Is she hot?”
“Not that it matters, but yes she is.” Thomas thought about her pretty face and the excitement she had for her job. There was no denying she was sexy.
Blair Schmitt wasn’t a real private investigator, but he was a rich business man who loved to find things out about people. He was also one of the only other were-bears Thomas knew was in the area. They’d been friends since grade school and he could always count on him when he needed to know something. In the past, it had been information on a potential client, this would be something Blair would jump all over. He did the side P.I. stuff just for the fun of it. He would trail someone and do extensive research on them just for fun. He fancied himself a modern day Dick Tracy and even had the hat.
“That makes it better.” He wiggled his brows and typed furiously into some database he had while holding the cigar in his mouth.
“How long until you’ll have some information?” For a brief moment, he felt a little guilty for digging up information behind her back, but he just had a feeling she was the one to help him. He needed some kind of assurance she would have no choice but to accept a hefty offer of money.
***
Melissa was excited at the prospect of finally being able to study her theory. Mr. McMillian was easy to look at so she’d just blabbed her whole life story to him right away. Usually, she was pretty reserved with those sorts of things. Something about him just made her want to open up, she’d have to be careful with that in the future especially when she met the mother of his future child.
“Who was that gorgeous specimen?” Tilly rushed into the room clutching a clipboard. Her assistant was the only other person who worked in Melissa’s office. She lived for the clipboard and always had it whether she had something to give to Melissa or not. She was also completely man crazy and was always willing to talk about how good looking someone was.
“A client, Tilly, what’s going on?”
“Nothing, I just needed to gush to you about Mr. Handsome out there. Whoo girl, that smile.”
Tilly had been a good friend of Melissa’s for a very long time. She was the opposite of her in most every way and they’d always just clicked.
“He wants a baby,” she laughed as Tilly fanned herself with the clipboard and started typing the things she’d written about Thomas in the computer.
“I’d be happy to help him with that.”
Tilly didn’t miss a beat. It was safe to say Melissa was the more reserved of the two.
“Calm down, you horn dog. You’re married. This is our chance, it’s a chance to use what I’ve spent the past three years working on. We can finally see how it works and if it will be successful.”
“Did you tell him the risks?”
“I didn’t.” She felt a bit ashamed. “When he picks the right girl, I’ll talk to them both and tell them what the risks are for the baby and for her.”
“You will?” Tilly raised an eyebrow.
“Of course I will!” Melissa tried to look appalled. She would never willingly let someone do what she wanted them to do without telling them that there was a risk of losing the baby and there was a risk of some pain.
“He asked if I would do the treatment on myself,” she said quietly, but Tilly heard her.
“What did you say?”
“I said I would, of course, give someone a chance to have a baby that was a part of their line, their heritage. I’d never thought of it until he asked me. Once we prove this works maybe I could be a surrogate for a paranormal family, think of the possibilities.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. You have to prove it works and get Mr. Dashing to find a good candidate.”
“He said like seventeen people or something had tried with him.”
“I don’t doubt it looking at him, honey. You know, you could do with a good bed partner, maybe you should consider why he asked if you would do it.” Tilly started to walk out of the room.
“Don’t be silly. He was accessing the risks through my willingness to do it,” she yelled after her and went back to typing in her computer. The truth was she wasn’t sure why Thomas had asked that question, and she also wasn’t sure when she’d stopped calling him Mr. McMillian in her head.
This was something she’d dreamed about for a long time. It was going to be amazing to be recognized for her work. She’d not told him she hadn’t been able to save the woman. It wasn’t something she was medically able to do at that time. It had tortured her for a long time, but she thought if this was something she could do successfully, then she could really make a difference in the paranormal world.
She didn’t realize it had gotten late as Tilly moved about turning off the lights and getting the building ready to close up. She’d been lost inside her head thinking about the possibilities. Luckily, she hadn’t scheduled any more appointments for the day, so she was able justify not keeping her focus on work.
“Are you going to your mom’s tonight?” Tilly asked.
“I am. Probably need to stop somewhere and get dinner.”
“Go ahead, I’ll close up.”
“I love you, Tilly.” Melissa shut down her laptop and headed to her car. She really hoped her mom would be having a good evening.
***
Thomas sat at his kitchen table waiting for a phone call from Blair. It was getting later and he thought Blair would be a lot quicker than he was. He was eating some take-out leftovers and having a glass of wine while reading one of the many magazines he kept meaning to cancel the subscription for.
The knock on the door took him off guard. No one ever came to his apartment unannounced. He slowly walked over and peeked into the hall to see Blair’s distorted face looking back at him.
“Let me in, I have news.”
“What the hell? Why couldn’t you just call me?”
“Because this is much more dramatic, don’t you think? Do you have a nice scotch?”
Thomas got up and went over to fix a drink, mostly because he wanted to know what Blair had found out and if it would be to his advantage. Once he’d gotten his drink and taken a sip, Blair pulled out a folder that looked really thick.
“Is that all the information about her?”
Blair blinked and stared at the folder. “Oh no, I have another meeting after this.”
“You’re a strange person, Blair.”
“So here’s what you need to know. Her mother is currently very sick and she’s paying for her treatments because the insurance isn’t cutting it. She’s also going through a messy divorce with a fairly crazy man who is costing her a lot of money as well. Throw in lots of school loans and the cost of living and it’s a mess. It’s great news!” Blair beamed.
Thomas gave him a scolding look.
“Okay, well, it’s not great for her, but it does mean she needs money and that means you will be able to entice her.”
“Yes, now you just have to help me figure out a way to offer it without letting on that I know, and without it seeming really unsavory.”
“I feel like no matter what you do, it’s going to be unsavory. Hopefully, you’ll get some weird and kinky make a paranormal baby sex out of it.” Blair wiggled his brows and plopped down on the couch.
“You’re no help at all,” Thomas said and sat next to him to think.
“Hey, I found all the information you needed, I’d say I’m heaps of help. Personally, I think you’re brave wanting to have children at all. What a crazy responsibility, and you can’t sleep with whoever you want. No, thank you.”
“Actually, this will be an arrangement where we aren’t in a relationship. I can actually sleep with
anyone I want to.”
“You truly think a chick is going to allow you to impregnate her and not want a relationship?” Blair had stood up and bent down in his face.
He pushed him back, almost causing him to fall over the coffee table. “Yes, I do. When you establish the rules early on, then it can be successful. Like any good arrangement, you know what the expectations are going in and you don’t get hurt. Piece of cake.”
“Oh, that’s brilliant.” Blair laughed. “I’m taking bets on this at our next cigar party.”
“That’s really mature, Blair.”
“It’s perfect; this will be the most fun I’ve had betting on someone’s life.”
“You realize how insane that sounds?”
“I do, but don’t worry, I’m going to take a gamble and bet that it will work out just the way you think it should.” He was counting numbers on his fingers with his tongue out. Thomas just let him do his thing.
“Thanks, buddy.” Thomas got up and fixed a drink, hoping his college buddy would leave soon. He was always too much to handle after a certain time of the day.
CHAPTER TWO
Thomas stared at the phone on his desk. He didn’t know if he should ask her over the phone—it seemed impersonal. He just felt like since there was money in play asking over the phone would be an acceptable way to do it. It would save him from having to look at her pretty face when she turned him down flat. He didn’t think she could afford to, but he also knew everyone in the world wasn’t so easily swayed with the prospect of more money no matter how sick a loved one might be.
Finally, he picked up the phone and called. Her assistant answered.
“Hello, may I speak to Miss Rancic please? This is Thomas McMillian.”
“Oh, yes you can, hold on a second, honey.”
The phone clicked and he nervously waited.
“Mr. McMillian.” She sounded happy to hear from him, but he was sure it was only because she was excited that he may have found a partner to help her with her research. It was really now or never. He didn’t want to scare her with too much money, but he also didn’t want to low ball her, so he had thought carefully.
“I’ll cut to the chase Miss Rancic, I’m prepared to offer you a lump sum payment of $50,000 to be the one to carry my baby. I realize this may come as a shock, but I think you are the perfect candidate and no one else will do.”
That last part was improvised. He waited a long time because she didn’t say anything. For a moment he thought she’d dropped the phone, but finally he heard her clear her throat.
“I’m sorry, you want me to do what?”
“Carry my baby. It’s a great way for us both to get what we want. I mean if that’s what you want, to use your body for science. I’ll pay you for the effort and toll it will take on you, of course.”
“I do want the science to work, and I really need to do the research, I’d just not thought about doing it myself, for you.”
The way she said “for you” made his body tingle a little.
“I know. Think about it, take a week. Once you’ve thought about it for a week, we’ll have dinner and a conversation to decide. No hard feelings if you decide not to, but I can’t think of anyone else in the world who would be more perfect.”
“You don’t even know me, Thomas.” She lowered her voice and the way she said his name caused a small chill to run up his back.
“I know you’re passionate about our world, and that you’re beautiful. What more could I want for my child?”
“There would be a moment when we’d actually have to have sex for this to work. You realize that don’t you?” She choked on the word sex.
“I know where babies come from Melissa.” He chuckled.
“Yes, but I’m being serious. That’s why I thought you could pick someone you were intimate with. I’m certainly not ready for a relationship.”
“Right, because of the divorce.” He cringed at the mistake. He wasn’t supposed to know that about her.
“How do you know that?”
He thought quickly. “You introduced yourself as Miss Rancic, but your business cards had a different last name.” He was proud of himself for thinking quick on his feet.
“Oh, yes, well, I don’t really like to talk about that.”
He couldn’t believe that worked. “We don’t have to have a relationship if you’re not ready for one. You can be as involved or uninvolved in the child’s life as you want to. No pressure.”
“I’ll think about it. I have a patient coming in, so I have to go. A week.” She didn’t say goodbye, she just hung the phone up. He took that as a sign she would think of nothing else for the week so at least he’d get an answer. Now it was just a matter of waiting.
He found it difficult to get anything done the rest of the day. It was a very busy day and his assistant had come in three times already and talked for at least a minute before he actually heard her. There was something seriously wrong with him. His phone rang and he jumped before almost dropping it trying to answer. It could be her, with her decision!
“Big brother!” It was his brother, AJ, and he couldn’t help but be a little bit disappointed.
“Little man, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Two weeks from today is Leona’s birthday party at Mom and Dad’s. While I know you loathe them, your niece has asked for her favorite uncle to attend.”
“I’m her only uncle, and since she’s barely three, I doubt she asked for me specifically.”
“Well, I’m asking. You can’t say no to me and it would mean a lot to our parents and Emma if you came.”
“I’ll be there. Can I bring a guest?”
“Only if she’s not incredibly slutty. It’s two weeks from tomorrow and don’t buy anything for Lee that makes noise. That crazy-eyed doll you got her last year finally stopped talking. No more of that.”
“I don’t hang around sluts.” Thomas pretended to be hurt. “I’ll get her something that only makes a little noise.”
He hung up the phone before his brother could protest. He knew the person he wanted to bring, but it would depend on her answer. His brother was the perfect son. He had gotten lucky and met another were-bear in college and had three perfect little daughters. Emma was the perfect daughter-in-law and their whole little family made Thomas feel completely inadequate.
***
“Are you going to do it?” Tilly sat across from her eating some noodle and meat mash up she’d created from leftovers at her house. She always had the weirdest lunches.
“I don’t know, Tilly. He gave me a week. It’s only been two days. A baby is a big commitment. I can say it’s for science, but if I carry something for nine months then I am sure there will be an attachment on my part.”
“Of course there will be to the baby, and probably its handsome daddy, too. You’ve had a hard road with men, and you’ve certainly not been treated the way you should. There’s honor in the were-bear culture. I think he would treat you like a princess and you could do a lot worse.”
“I’m not ready for that type of relationship, but think about how many doors this will open if it’s successful? I won’t even have to tell him about the effects on me.”
“No, you can’t go into something like this with dishonesty. You need to tell him all the risks that are involved.”
Melissa knew she was right, but she didn’t want to tell him. It was only a possibility that anything would happen to her, and he might not do it if he knew the risks. She clearly had a lot more to think about than she thought she did. The good thing was lunch was over and they were going to have a very busy day.
Before she went to greet her next patient, she checked her phone to see five missed calls. Nathaniel was at it again. Her ex was constantly trying to be in her life despite the divorce being final. They were still entangled by debt and his inability to let her go. That was another thing that gave her pause on the baby side of things, he would be completely unavoidable while she was pregnant
. The money could help her get rid of him because she could pay off anything in both their names and get him off of her credit once and for all. She really needed to sleep on it for a few days. If she didn’t have work, that’s what she would do.
The day was over quickly and she was excited she could mark pelican off her list of shifters to meet. It was amazing to her how many species there were. The couple was having trouble conceiving due to the female only having one ovary. It was a problem that occurred within human women, but was treated a bit differently in the supernatural world. Melissa was thrilled she would get to help them.
“Tilly, you want to go to dinner? I don’t want to go home in case Nathan is waiting for me.”
“That man is still stalking you?” Tilly walked around turning off the lights.
“I don’t call it stalking so much as annoying me by showing up and calling me every hour, sometimes twice.”
“What exactly is your definition of stalking?” Tilly asked, her voice high pitched like it got when she was trying to make a sarcastic point.
“Just go to dinner with me, please?”
“Okay, but you need to establish some boundaries with that man.”
They went to a smaller Italian place close to the office. It was a place Nathaniel wouldn’t go to because he owed the owner some money. She really had picked a winner for a husband. He owed money all over town. Nathan wasn’t good with money, had a gambling problem, and a drug problem. He was pretty much the perfect storm of dysfunction and it was the reason her credit was so terrible.
She was not expecting to see Thomas at the restaurant with another woman, but right when they were getting settled into their seats there he was in a corner booth with a blonde. She couldn’t tell if the girl was pretty, but she assumed she was. There was a tiny spike of jealousy that moved through her before she could stop it, but she held her head up and smiled at him. He smiled back and raised his wine, causing the woman to turn around and give her a once over. She was beautiful, as Melissa had suspected.
Tilly turned at that moment to see what she was looking at and gasped loudly. She kicked Tilly under the table. Thomas was still smiling and there was no doubt he’d heard Tilly’s shocked inhale of breath. So much for being cool and acting like it was no big deal.
