by Nikki Chase
What can I do?
I’m a nobody. I’m not Heath, with his wealth, power, and high profile—or Angela, with her years of experience as a PR professional.
“Yes, you’re the only one who can save us now,” Angela says. “Are you serious, though?”
“Yes,” I say in a heartbeat.
“You mean that, right? You’re not just saying whatever you think I want to hear?” Angela asks urgently. “Because while I’m sure this is going to work, it also means that you’ll have to put yourself out there for people to scrutinize and judge.”
“Yes,” I repeat. I’m doing this. They’re attacking Heath, which means they’re attacking the only family I have. And I can’t just sit here drinking my caffeine-free tea and rubbing my pregnant belly.
Angela lets out a big, relieved sigh. When she speaks, the tension has disappeared from her voice, replaced by eagerness. “That’s perfect. You’re saving the whole company, Kat. You’re doing the right thing. You’re helping a lot of people keep their jobs.”
“What do I have to do?”
Now Angela’s all business. She speaks with the certainty of someone who has a solid plan. “You’ll just have to tell them the truth. I don’t know anything about your relationship—good job hiding it, by the way. I had no clue. But I know Heath, and I know you. I’m sure everything between the two of you is consensual.”
“Of course,” I say.
“I’ll be honest, I had my doubts. But seeing you so willing to put your ass on the line to save Heath when he insisted on not dragging you into this… I can tell you two have something real.”
“He insisted on what?” I ask, curious. This is the first time I’m hearing this.
“Well, I suggested that the only way I could see to solve this problem was for you to make a statement to clarify everything. But he said that was out of the question.”
I don’t know how to feel about this information.
On one hand, my chest swells at the thought of Heath being so protective of me.
On the other hand, this is my problem too, damn it. And if I can help solve it, I will. Bed rest, schmed rest.
Heath
Earlier That Morning
Everything’s perfect when I wake up.
I open my eyes to see a beautiful woman lying next to me, all soft and feminine and mine.
Oh, and she’s carrying my baby—in her belly, and not just in her arms like she said when I offered her the deal.
I never thought that deal would give me everything I could ever want.
I start to get up, but Kat takes my hand.
“Go back to sleep, kitten,” I say as I plant a soft kiss on her temple.
She makes a sexy, sleepy moan and my heart flips—my cock stirs, too. It’s been too long since the last time I fucked this gorgeous woman. The urge to claim her body and mark her with my seed again is building up, even though obviously my swimmers have already conquered her womb.
The human body is dumb sometimes. Having sex will not serve any procreative purpose, but fuck, I’d give up my left arm to do it.
But I can’t. I have to think of what’s best for Kat and our baby. I just wish my fucking dick got the memo. Jesus Christ, I’m already hard as rock and pulsating against my sweatpants. I can see it tenting the grey cotton fabric.
This reminds me of that time I had a raging boner at a pool party held by some kid from school. I had to slip into a bathroom and rub one out before going back out.
Kat puts my arm around her waist and I snuggle close until I’m spooning her, except I have to stick my ass out so my cock doesn’t poke her. That would make it really hard for me to stop myself from rubbing myself against her.
It’s warm under the blanket, and she’s warm, too. As I wrap my arms around her, my fingers graze the bottom of her tits—braless and enlarged by pregnancy. She smells like vanilla and cinnamon, like her body wash. I draw closer to take in more of her scent, and as my lips brush against the back of her neck, I freeze.
Don’t kiss her.
My lips and tongue on her neck are sure to elicit a few moans and some writhing from her. I know this because that move has never failed me with Kat.
Damn this bed rest.
Kat turns to me, her eyes heavy-lidded. Her lips curve to form a smile. “I didn’t hear your alarm.”
“It hasn’t gone off yet. I just thought I’d take a shower now, since I’m up anyway.”
“No, stay,” she says in a sweet voice I can’t possibly say “no” to.
So I run my hands over her back, smoothing out the creases in her shirt. Then, she fucking moans—she does it the way people getting massages do and not the way people being fucked do, but my cock doesn’t know the difference anymore.
I swear, right after this baby arrives, I’m ripping her clothes to shreds and burying myself balls deep inside her.
“How much time do you have?” Kat bites her bottom lip and gazes at me from underneath her lashes, desire darkening her big doe eyes.
“No.” I watch as she parts her lips and lets out a big, heavy sigh. Shit, I’m in trouble. “Don’t tempt me, woman.”
Kat giggles. She runs her delicate hand down my side, and my cock jumps in my pants. I swear my body’s forgotten its own age; I’m reacting more like a teenager than a twenty-eight-year-old.
Kat’s eyes widen as she glances at the bulge in my pants. A small smile plays on her lips. “Come on. You know you want it, too.”
“Fuck, do I know it,” I say in desperation. Can’t she see how badly I want her?
“Let me suck your cock,” she says with hunger in her voice. How did I luck out at finding this woman? She offers blowjobs without me having to ask.
We haven’t done anything in weeks, and the pent-up sexual energy that has built up inside me is unbearable. At night, when Kat’s asleep, I sneak out into the bathroom to jerk off. Without that release, I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep next to her tantalizing curves.
The worst thing is, Kat has been an absolute nympho. She touches me all the time, giving me that look—the one with the intense gaze, the small smile, and the slightly raised eyebrow. After showers, she walks out stark naked into the bedroom and then takes her sweet time picking out clothing items and putting them back in the wardrobe before she finally covers herself with the first outfit. It doesn’t make any sense. She barely even leaves the apartment.
She looks like a goddess with her heavy belly. She’s glowing. I don’t know if it’s from her pregnancy or from being able to spend her time doing what she loves at home, but I dig it.
After holding myself back for so long, my willpower is wearing thin.
Besides, the doctor said she’s allowed to have some outside stimulation, as long as there’s no penetration.
“Okay,” I hear myself say.
Kat turns onto her back, and I climb out of the blanket. I quickly slip off my clothes, then I get on my knees, straddling Kat’s head.
“Mmm…” Kat stares eagerly at my cock, her full lips parted.
I lower myself and lift my gaze to the ceiling when Kat’s warm, wet mouth envelops the head of my cock. Her tongue licks and swirls over me, making me groan.
I reach in front of me and slip my hand inside Kat’s panties. With her giant belly in the way, we can’t do a sixty-nine. But my fingers can still work magic on this woman’s body.
It doesn’t take long for us to reach our peaks. I finish her off with intense, prolonged teasing of her clit, while she makes me come with a combination of her beautiful mouth and her pumping hand.
“Do you think the baby felt that?” Kat asks as she rubs her round, tight belly over her shirt.
“I hope not.” I grimace.
Kat laughs. “Relax. He’s a lot more resilient than that. That’s what the doctor told me.”
“You mean the doctor who doesn’t believe in bed rest?”
“Yeah.” Kat shrugs. “I don’t know why you discount what he says. He’s a legit doctor.”
“I know. I just prefer to be safe than sorry.”
“Says the guy who’s famous for taking risks,” Kat says.
“That’s only when it comes to stocks.” I pull her close and give her a quick kiss on the lips. “With you? And our son? I’m not taking any risks.”
The corners of Kat’s lips tug up into a big smile. Despite her protests, I know she likes it when I look out for her best interests.
“I’ll take a shower, okay?” I start to get up.
Kat puts her hand on my abs, then traces the lines of my hard muscles with her soft fingers. “I’ll join you.”
“I’m almost late.” I give her a grin as I hop off the bed. “And with you in the shower, I wouldn’t even be able to make it to the office. Go back to sleep, kitten.”
Kat pulls the blanket up to cover her shoulders and gets comfortable. It makes me want to join her. It would be heaven to snuggle in bed all day with Kat and our baby boy. But I can’t do that.
There’s a time for everything, and right now is the time for a shower.
Once I manage to extricate myself from my favorite little seductress, I whizz through my routine for the day. I shower, have an avocado and a few strips of bacon for my breakfast, and drive to the office.
The day goes by like any other day, until Angela comes knocking on the door with unusual urgency. It doesn’t take long for her to explain what’s going on, and it doesn’t take long for me to decide what to do either.
When someone at a meeting casually mentions a press conference happening on the ground floor of the building, I realize I should’ve tucked myself in with Kat under the blanket this morning and skipped work.
Angela hasn’t told me anything about the press conference, which means she’s doing something behind my back. And considering her suggestion this morning to have Kat make a statement, I’m guessing that’s what’s going on.
If I were home, I could’ve at least stopped Kat from coming all the way here, or even prevented her from finding out about this PR crisis.
But now that she’s already here, all I can do is minimize the amount of information she shares with the media.
That said, they already know her name and recognize her face. It’s not like I can keep her identity hidden any longer.
But I also can’t just let her take this bullet for me. Besides, she’s supposed to be on bed rest. Surely doing a press conference counts as the kind of “strenuous activities” she’s not supposed to do.
“Excuse me, Mr. Zhang. There’s an emergency. I have to leave this meeting,” I say as I stand up from my chair. All eyes turn to me, especially those of my own employees. They know I never miss an important meeting with one of my biggest investors.
“But I flew here to see you, all the way from Beijing. Can’t we finish this before you leave?” The disapproval in his dark eyes doesn’t change my mind.
“Sorry, I have to leave now,” I say, already holding the doorknob with one hand. “Parker over there has handled numerous accounts like yours, and I’m sure he can help you with everything you need. I’ll personally review your paperwork once I get back to the office.”
With that, I rush down the hallway and mash the elevator button until the door finally opens.
I need to stop Kat before she makes a big mistake she’ll regret for years and years to come.
Kat
I sit in the front row, clutching a piece of paper in my shaking hands, which I rest on my heavy belly. At least the podium on the stage will hide my tremors.
It’s not easy to mentally block everything that’s going on around me. The reporters are abuzz with activity, putting together their equipment and pointing their cameras at the spot where I’ll stand—only five more minutes from now.
Good thing Angela gave me a short list of bullet points, instead of some long-winded statement. This will be torture, but it’ll only last a minute or two.
God, and I thought my first press conference was going to be about my book—preferably the debut one.
I look around me, imagining myself holding my first book instead of this stupid list. This is just a function room in the office building, but it looks nice enough. The reporters seem eager… Oh, if only they were here for my book, enthusiastically waiting to hear all about where I got my inspiration from, and whether certain side characters are going to be featured in my future stories.
As I scan the room, my eyes land on a tall, imposing figure just outside the function hall. He’s moving with confidence, like he’s on a mission.
Shit.
I try to get up, pressing my palms against my seat cushion to push myself out of it. Damn it, why do I have to be so fat?
Yeah, I know I’m just pregnant. But it’s hard not to feel large when my calves have merged with my ankles.
I move quickly—as quickly as a heavily pregnant woman can move.I waddle up the three steps of stairs up the stage and reach the podium.
Immediately, all eyes and camera lenses turn to stare at me. Conversations grind to a halt as people abandon whatever they’re doing to give me their full attention.
Whoa. I’ve never had so many pairs of eyes on me before. And to think there will be even more when those cameras put my face on TV and on tabloids—not to mention newspapers, if this gets big enough.
The mic on the podium sits a little too high, so I pull it down. Sharp audio feedback pierces through the room, and everyone winces as if in pain.
“Sorry,” I say into the mic when the noise finally stops.
Angela’s watching me with eyes as big as saucers and a facial expression that, without using any words, says, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?
This is not what we’ve planned. Angela was supposed to introduce me and stay beside me as I speak, but I need to improvise.
I catch Angela’s gaze and glance in the direction of Heath, who’s about to enter the function hall. He’s got the same expression as Angela, only with more anger. He asks the same question—what the fuck do you think you’re doing?—but his possessive gaze tells me he thinks he can tell me what to do.
Well, Mister, I’ve been patiently doing what you want me to do. The bed rest? Wasn’t even necessary. But I did it anyway. For you.
I probably shouldn’t admit at this point that the bed rest wasn’t horrible. I mean, getting to stay home and sit on my ass to write all day? That’s the life.
Angela follows my gaze and notices Heath. She seems taken aback. But then, she adjusts her glasses and starts marching toward him. She blocks his way and exchanges words with him.
It won’t take long for Heath to get past Angela. I don’t know what Heath plans to do to disrupt this press conference, but I’m not waiting to find out. I need to put whatever time I have to good use.
“Thank you for coming out here today,” I say into the mic. I pause for a second, distracted by the echo, and hold my cheat sheet in front of me. “I have a short statement to make regarding the news that’s circulating about Heath Anders and me.”
I didn’t think it was possible, but now there’s even more attention on me. Cameras freeze, pointed directly at me. Everything stands still. I don’t even notice any breathing.
So I take a breath and enjoy the silence for a moment. It’s hot here, under the intense lighting camera crews point at me. A thin film of sweat forms on my skin.
“I understand my name has been mentioned as Heath Anders’ victim. My name is Katherine York, by the way.” I feel dumb introducing myself in this way. Is this too late in the speech? I don’t know. This was supposed to be Angela’s bit, but now I’m just playing it by ear. “That’s right. You saw my name on the contract that was shown this morning by Jeff Scott.”
Some of the reporters sitting in front of me scribble things on their notebooks, and I wonder which parts of my statement will make it to whose articles.
“I’d like to state that there’s been no improper conduct, much less harassment, from Heath Anders, in the entire time I
worked for Anders Capital Management,” I say again into the mic.
Whispers turn into a low buzz among my audience, and I know I’m losing control of the situation. One man speaks up. “Katherine, are you carrying Heath’s baby?”
“Yes,” I admit, to the shock of almost everyone in the function hall. I can see the widened eyes, and the dropped jaws. “We’re together, and we’re having a baby. There’s nothing strange here. Just a couple who has decided to start a family.”
“What about the contract?” a reporter pipes up, his voice a little louder than the rest of them.
“The contract was just for fun. We didn’t mean it,” I say, as casually as possible. Easy and breezy. I put on a big smile and raise my eyebrows, as if I’m asking them, can you really believe Jeff thought it was real? He’s one crazy dude.
“Katherine,” a woman calls my name. “Did you start seeing each other when you were still working at Anders Capital Management?”
“We first met because I was Heath’s assistant. But as soon as we started to date, we decided it wasn’t a good idea for us to keep working together, even if there was no policy against dating in this office.” I smile.
This is easier than I thought it would be. Just tell them the truth, right? I can do that. I have to improvise a little, but I’m pretty good at fiction, too.
My reputation is going up in flames, and there’s no way for my name to not be forever associated with this scandal.
But I don’t mind it. If anything, this feels liberating.
I can finally do whatever I want, without caring about people judging me.
I don’t even care anymore about Vera, because I have my own little family now. Jesus, I can’t believe how much I used to worry about what she’d think when it shouldn’t have mattered.
She’s been asking a lot of questions about how I afford to hire a nanny to babysit his son for me. I guess now she’ll find out.
“What’s being pregnant like?” asks another reporter.
“Oh, it’s nice, but it’s not magical like some people say it is. I feel duped, honestly.” I’m starting to feel good about myself, having made a bunch of reporters laugh.
