Not his baby: A BWWM Billionaire Romance

by Rebecca Dupree

  She had no idea what it meant at the time, so she ascribed it to all the problems and stress she had been under: grief over her mother’s death, bills piling up without end in sight, the possibility of losing her car, joblessness. Now, she knew better, and it all made sense why it was happening.

  Pressing against her chest, as if that would suppress her gag reflex that seemed to be her constant companion nowadays, Gina silently moaned. Could this possibly get any worse?

  She glanced at the untroubled Jill, sleeping soundly. She envied her so. Throwing herself back down onto the mattress, Gina squeezed her eyelids tight. Not that she believed it would work, but she actually started counting sheep, jumping over a little picket fence, like the one she saw last time she and her mother visited the countryside. The thought of happy-go-lucky times with her mother actually managed to calm her down, and in a few short minutes, Gina’s mind gladly relinquished control over to the Sandman, who did his job successfully.

  When she heard the annoying buzz of the alarm clock, Gina was caught somewhere between sleeping and being awake, but she hastily jumped out of bed and started getting ready. She stopped being afraid of waking Jill up a long time ago, and seeing that Jill partied all night long and returned home somewhere around dawn, it was quite a task waking her up. So, Gina went about her usual morning business, trying to be as quiet as possible, but not really overdoing with it. After all, she wouldn’t leave the house without her morning coffee, and the machine was unfortunately as old and as loud as an aging rooster. However, not even this managed to wake Jill up, who would simply turn over and continue slumbering.

  Gina knew the end of Jill’s patience was coming soon, so she was eager to find a place of her own, as soon as her unbalanced financial state allowed her. Sipping her scorching coffee, Gina stood by the window. By the illumination of the street lamps, she quickly skimmed through a few pages of the morning paper, trying to see if there was anything cheap but acceptable available in the rentals. Disappointed, she folded the paper almost as quickly as she picked it up, took a big sip that burnt most of her taste buds, and rushed over to the wardrobe, in search of something appropriate for work. She’d have to change once she got there, and her uniform didn’t really suit her stylish tastes, but that’s how it had to be for the time being.

  She got to work quickly in her clunker of a car, parked it at her usual spot, and rushed over to the janitorial office in hopes of catching Ricky there before he went off to tend to his usual business.

  “Whoa, Bonita! What happened to you?” This was the greeting Ricky offered her instead of wishing her good morning.

  “That bad, huh?” She pushed back a loose strand of frizzy hair behind her left ear, which refused to stay there. “I haven’t been sleeping very well lately.”

  “Sorry to say, but…I can tell.” She knew he didn’t say this to offend her, but simply because he was the kind of man to be worried about his friends. “Everything okay at home? Anything old Ricky here can give ya a mano with?” He smiled at her tenderly.

  “Well, maybe if you had a couple of grand stashed away somewhere that you don’t need…” She winked at him. “Or if you know someone who’s willing to rob a bank with me, I can make it worth their while.” She laughed, and he joined in.

  “Dinero, eh?” He nodded, sighing at the same time. “That damned dinero. Sorry, Bonita. That’s the one thing I could never help anyone with.” He sounded genuinely sorry, and she knew he meant it.

  “Well, best not get too into it, Ricky. We all have our crosses to bear, and this one’s all mine. Let me get ready, and I can walk you down the hall.”

  “Ready when you are,” Ricky replied, his work equipment already locked and loaded.

  “How’s Maria?” Gina’s voice was heard from behind the screen where she was changing into her work clothes, careful not to knock over the little rose bush that was sitting on the table, right next to the screen on the other side. She knew Ricky brought it from home, as it was a reminder from his wife that she always loved him.

  “Oh, bien, bien. Been having some migraines. The doctor says it’s the weather,” Ricky replied. “But I do feel bad seeing her in pain like that.”

  “I know what you mean.” Gina was all ready in a matter of minutes, and the two left.

  Passing through the busy corridors, Gina hoped she wouldn’t bump into Benjamin. She had no idea why she thought of him at that moment. There was something about that guy that just didn’t sit well with her, and after having spoken to Jeanie about him, she liked him even less. She felt like seeing him would ruin her entire day, and was ashamed to admit that she was listening to Ricky with divided attention.

  “Well, this is me, Bonita.” Ricky pointed at an office. “Where are you today?”

  “The conference room again.” She snorted. “Makes me think I did a lousy job last time, but no one’s telling me.”

  “No, it’s not that. The big boss just likes that room to be extra nice, all the time. He’s all about…how do you say…cleanliness is next to godliness, you know.” He winked at her.

  “Well, that makes me feel better. Thanks.” She pressed the button, and the door opened immediately.

  “Gracias, Bonita. See ya later!” He waved his mop as the door closed upon him.

  Gina took a deep breath. The stupid conference room again. She didn’t feel like passing by the reception desk. Seeing the androgynous secretary also didn’t have a very healing effect on her. On the contrary but there was no way around it. However, it seemed that luck served her this morning, and the reception desk was surprisingly empty. What could this mean? This never happens, she thought to herself.

  She quickly reached the conference room and pressed the door knob without knocking. Ricky assured her it would be unlocked as well as unoccupied. But Ricky was wrong. There was someone in the room, and that someone was none other than Tyler Reid himself.

  When Gina opened the door, almost barging in, expecting no one there, she found Tyler seated comfortably at the head of the big table, skimming through a pile of papers that rested before him. He looked like a million bucks, plus some on the side. His muscles were tucked neatly into a sky-blue shirt that was unbuttoned around the neck. He had a navy blazer on, and in the side pocket, a little triangle handkerchief. His hair was ruffled, as always, and on his face, there was a faint tan, as if he had just returned from a quick getaway in Miami. For one brief second, Gina caught herself in wishful thinking, imagining what a day at the beach with this Norse god would be like, just lounging all day long, with sculpted, tanned bodies around to bring you anything you could wish for. She could almost taste that ice-cold margarita, and her body shivered at the mere thought.

  Whether he noticed her shivering or not, Tyler did sense something. He always had a knack for knowing exactly what women were thinking about, and, of course, acting upon it, if he fancied so.

  “Ah, Miss Sellers!” He lifted his gaze and met hers. “Didn’t know you’d be here today!”

  “I can come later, or…” She wasn’t sure if she was expected to give him some privacy and then clean later, or whether it was okay for them both to do their jobs at the same time.

  “I’m actually waiting for Ben, as I need to go over some stuff with him, but you feel free to go about your business.” He smiled a row of pearly whites. “It seems we can never have a few minutes just to ourselves, can we?”

  She wasn’t sure what exactly he meant, but then again, she was too tired to play any games. Dutifully, she smiled at him, and nodded. Extracting a pair of yellow gloves from the little cart that she brought in with her, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work.

  Surprisingly, she found it extremely difficult to focus on her job with Tyler present. She couldn’t escape the feeling that he was more focused on her bending to clean the hard-to-reach places than on the papers in front of him. But she didn’t dare to look at him. Not once.

  Tyler’s attention was equally dissipating with Gina there. Even though
he tried his best to stay focused on his paperwork, Gina’s bending was too distracting. Being the kind of guy who preferred a well-shaped derriere, he definitely found Gina’s appealing, while still trying to make it look like he didn’t even notice she was there in the room with him.

  As she did her job, Gina had to catch her breath a few times, and even lean against a chair at one point, as she noticed that she was getting tired way too easily. She hoped Tyler didn’t notice, because that could mean the end of this job, which was the basis for her entire future. She just couldn’t risk losing it for anything in the world.

  When Tyler reached for his cup of coffee, his chair slid to the side, making him lose balance and spill the luckily lukewarm liquid all over his shirt. Ready to curse, but then remembering that Gina was present, he whizzed through his teeth in annoyance. Gina immediately rushed to him.

  “I can get that out for you in a second, Mr. Reid. Just stand still.” She started blotting the spilled coffee with a paper towel in an effort to remove the liquid. As his shirt pressed against his chiseled chest, her hand could feel the palpitations of his heart.

  “I appreciate the help, Miss Sellers.” He smiled.

  “Please, call me Gina.” Seeing the different social levels they both belonged to, it was only natural that he referred to her by her name. She had no idea why he didn’t do so from the start.

  “Gina,” he repeated, as if trying to see what her name would sound like on his lips. He seemed to like it.

  She continued to put some mild liquid detergent on a damp sponge, gently rubbing the stain in a circular motion. After a few seconds, Tyler’s shirt was spotless.

  “Wow.” He looked down where the stain used to be. “I thought I’d have to rush home and change.” He turned to her. “I really appreciate your help, Gina. I’ll have to find a way to repay you.” He winked mischievously.

  “All in a day’s work, Mr. Reid,” she replied, trying to sound as professional as possible, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door, and Tyler granting entrance to his assistant. Upon seeing Benjamin, Gina felt like frowning, but knew better. Benjamin, on the other hand, barely glanced at her, heading straight for Tyler.

  “Benjamin, there was something about these figures I wanted to discuss with you…” Tyler’s voice had a completely different tone than before. If Gina closed her eyes, she would find it hard to believe that it was the same person talking a mere fifteen minutes ago. But she also knew that in the business world, one couldn’t allow affections and sympathies. It was a dog eat dog world out there, and she knew Tyler had gotten to the point he was by eating a lot of his competition. One had to admire him for that.

  Benjamin turned towards Gina, expecting her to look back at him so that he could tell her to get out. And those were actually the exact words he would have used, if he hadn’t been interrupted by Tyler.

  “Don’t mind Gina.” Tyler nodded towards her. Gina’s back was to them as she cleaned behind the little table in the corner, a little smile of victory upon her lips. “I need you to focus on this particular spot here. Do you see this?” Tyler’s finger traced a number on the first sheet of paper lying before him. Benjamin bent down to take a better look. “Why is this only one hundred fifty thousand?” Tyler inquired, as Benjamin looked on meekly.

  “Yes, that is strange…” Benjamin commented. “May I?” He gestured to take the piece of paper, and Tyler allowed him.

  “I guess…” Benjamin continued, “…it’s because we’re charging only a two percent acquisition fee.”

  Tyler wasn’t satisfied with this answer.

  “And I plan on keeping it there. Is the property refinance fee still one percent of refinance proceeds for the Smithsonian deal?”

  Benjamin nodded.

  “Strange…” Tyler seemed lost in thought. “We need to focus more on commercial properties, then. We need to reach the three million mark in two months. Actually, try to make it one. Can you do it?” Tyler took back the piece of paper.

  Gina felt like there was hairball stuck in her throat. She swallowed heavily, but it didn’t help. Three million? For her, that was an unimaginable concept. Just one small portion of that money would solve all her financial woes. And she’d even have some left for a stable future. But it was only wishful thinking.

  “Sure thing, Mr. Reid. The Smithsonian deal is in the bag. Don’t worry about that. We’re still negotiating the Torchwood property, for another two million. I think we’re very close to closing the deal there as well.”

  Tyler seemed happy. This was the kind of answer he liked to hear.

  “That’s great, Ben. Now, I just need you to take care of these, and you can send them off. I checked everything, it’s on the line. But maybe Margaret could take a quick look before you send it in. Two heads are better than one.” Gina guessed Margaret was Tyler’s lawyer, and a guy like Tyler needed to have an unbeatable one.

  Suddenly, Gina felt the overpowering acidity of the detergent deep down her throat, and started coughing uncontrollably. Tyler looked her way, but seeing that her cough was persistent, rushed to her aid, which she refused with an outstretched hand, holding the other one close to her mouth. Once her coughing fit passed, she could see that Tyler was looking at her worriedly.

  “Gina, are you alright?” He was propping her up by the shoulders, and she could feel the heat emanating from his warm hands. It felt soothing.

  “Oh, I’m fine, Mr. Reid. I’m so sorry, I’ll immediately get back to work.” She reached for her cleaning cloth, but was stopped midway.

  “I won’t hear of any such thing.” Tyler’s voice was gallant and kind yet again. “I want you to go and rest a little. Get a drink, water, coffee, whatever will do you some good. But I want you to rest, got it?” He pointed his finger at her, like at a little scolded child who needed to promise they would behave from now on.

  Gina knew she had to agree. The last thing she wanted to do was argue with her boss or make a big deal out of a simple coughing fit.

  “Thank you, Mr. Reid. I’ll do so immediately. Let me just pick up these things.” She gestured at the little cart.

  “Nonsense. Just leave it here. It won’t be bothering anyone.” He smiled. “You just go on and take a break. Work will be waiting when you return.”

  When Gina closed the door, Benjamin snorted. In all his daydreaming, Tyler didn’t even notice it.

  “Anything to get out of working…” Benjamin mumbled, half to himself, half out loud.

  “What was that?” Tyler was shaken out of his daydreaming and only heard noise, not what Benjamin actually said.

  “Oh, I was just saying, Mr. Reid,” Benjamin boldly spoke up, sure that his boss would share his opinion, “how those people would do anything to get out of work.” His indignant tone didn’t sit well with Tyler. He eyed Benjamin with distrust.

  “What do you mean, those people?” Tyler asked, aiming for clarification. The last thing he wanted in his company was racism, especially if it was aimed at his latest interest.

  “Oh, I just meant…” Benjamin got confused. His comment was obviously a miss with his boss, and he realized it only now.

  “I think I know exactly what you meant.” Tyler was getting impatient with his assistant, who had shown some not too praise-worthy human characteristics a few times before. But Tyler kept thinking it was always a misunderstanding on his part. This time, he wasn’t willing to let it slide. “And I don’t really like it. Not one bit.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Reid…it won’t happen again…” Benjamin whined, like a cornered mouse, eyeing the door.

  “I don’t want you to be sorry.” Tyler pierced him with an intolerable glance. “I want you to be a team player. And there is no me or you, black or white, in a team. We’re all the same. I thought you understood this when I hired you, that my company isn’t just a group of employees who happen to share the same kind of job.” Tyler walked over to the window, glanced outside, then returned his gaze on Benjamin. “We’re all a family.
We work towards the same goal. Only that way can we be successful, and be the best. Do you understand that, Benjamin?” The tone of Tyler’s voice assured Benjamin that this was his first and last warning. There would be no more.

  Benjamin swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes, Mr. Reid. I understand.” He could feel his ears burning. He was furious at that damn housekeeper who got him into so much trouble. I’ll find a way to get you yet. Benjamin’s thoughts were racing, and he could feel his blood pressure skyrocketing.

  “That’ll be all. I’ll see you for the afternoon meeting at four.” Tyler concluded their conversation, and Benjamin knew it was time for him to leave. He grabbed the papers he was told to send, and like a hunchback, scurried out of the office.

  Tyler sat down and moved the papers further away from him. He remembered hearing Gina cough and how his heart raced when he neared her. He could smell her perfume. Lilacs in bloom. So fresh, so fragrant, so much like her. It suited her perfectly.

  Tyler had always thought of himself as the eternal bachelor, the kind of guy who could try anything once, but not really more than that. After all, there was so much to try in this world. And Gina would be his latest conquest. With his eyes still closed, he smiled. Gina, Gina, Gina. Her name had such a lovely ring to it. He loved repeating it in his mind, over and over again. She would eventually be his. There was no doubt about it in his mind. Once Tyler Reid set his mind on something, that something, or in this case someone, didn’t stand a chance.

  Chapter 7

  Gina was sitting nervously at the doctor’s office. Jill was supposed to come with her, but as always, something came up at the last minute, and with lots of sorrowful IOUs, Jill went about her business, leaving Gina alone yet again.

  She was fidgeting, and even though she knew it was annoying other patients in the waiting room, she just couldn’t stop. Her nerves were a wreck, and even though the test was positive, and her mind kept telling her that yes, she was one hundred percent pregnant, there was still a faint glimmer of hope that the doctor would tell her it was something else.