SECRET BABY (A Billionaire Romance)

by Mia Carson

  Richard, the only man I knew who needed a woman’s attention constantly, hadn’t been content with the chicks already at the bar, so he’d invited some others he knew. I wondered about Richard’s taste in women as he leaped off the stage, grabbed one of the women nearby, and swung her into a dance. She was plain, although I had to admit her bubbly personality added beauty and animation. Of the three, she was the most attractive, and the only one who hadn’t just ended a relationship, it seemed. The other two had spent the first hour speaking to each other about how men are assholes and couldn’t be trusted. Not touching that, I thought as I lifted my beer to my lips again.

  For the eighth time, I wondered why I had agreed to come. I had a ton of work on the ranch to deal with. As the owner of a two-hundred-thousand-acre ranch, one of the largest ranches in Texas, my mind was always preoccupied with ranch business. I had paperwork piled on my desk I’d been putting off because I preferred to be outside working with animals. Several hundred head of cattle needed to be moved to the back pastures so the front could regrow, and the steers needed clipping soon or they’d become full-fledged bulls.

  A big hand clapped me on the shoulder, interrupting my thoughts. Richard yelled over the singer performing Beyoncé on the stage. “Hey, man! Your mind is too busy. Have some fun!”

  I sat back and smiled sardonically. “A smoky bar isn’t much fun.”

  “It is if you get drunk enough,” Richard answered, eliciting a giggle from the bubbly blonde next to him. “Isn’t that right, darlin’?”

  “Sure is,” she replied in a squeaky voice that would drive me crazy if I had to listen to it on a regular basis. She was a little more than tipsy and leaned precariously against the table, so I picked my beer up before it could spill everywhere.

  Richard leaned in close, and I could smell the alcohol on his breath. I’ll be driving home tonight, I mused as I waited for Richard to actually speak intelligibly. I was still sipping on my first beer and wondered if I’d be able to lift Richard’s keys without an issue.

  “Hey, buddy, don’t worry. The girls who are coming are hot.”

  “Do you think you’re whispering?” I asked with a smirk.

  “Am I not?” Richard asked, looking from me to the bubbly blonde as if confused.

  “Nope, but that’s okay,” the blonde answered, smiling hugely at what she hoped was her night’s conquest.

  I stared at her with what I’m sure was a look that screamed you’re an idiot on my face and turned away. The door to the bar opened, letting some of the smoke escape. Two women stepped inside, both attractive, though the brunette was stunning, drawing eyes from every corner of the room. She moved like a goddess, her long hair swinging and shining even in this dark atmosphere. Long, shapely, muscular legs encased in skinny jeans drew my eyes, and her graceful saunter towards our table made my heart pick up its pace just a bit.

  I elbowed Richard. “I think your friends are here.”

  Richard turned and bellowed, “Mel!” He rushed to her and embraced her, lifting her off her feet. She smiled uncomfortably and patted his chest. She turned to her friend and introduced her. Richard hugged her as well, pulling a laugh out of her.

  I just shook my head. Richard was a good-looking guy, but he was a scamp and a cheater, and everybody knew it. Girls flocked to him, though. I watched as Richard led the women over to the table, my eyes focused mainly on the brunette whose name was Mel. She was young, probably mid or late twenties, but not out of my league. As she approached, she looked at me and smiled. Her eyes were startlingly green, dominating her face with their luminescence. Her smile brightened her lovely face, and I had to shake my head to stop staring.

  “Will, this is Mel, and this is Nikki,” Richard introduced the women as the bubbly blonde sidled up next to him, waiting for an introduction. Richard smiled down at her patronizingly. “And ladies, this is my new friend, Cammie.”

  “Hello, all,” Nikki said with a wave for the whole table. Mel smiled but didn’t speak. “I’m heading to the bar. What do you want?”

  “Hey, isn’t it your birthday?” Richard interrupted.

  “Sure is!” Nikki answered with a grin.

  “I’ll buy you a birthday shot, then,” Richard told her. He grabbed her hand and dragged her to the bar, leaving Cammie behind to pout. She moved to her two friends and conversed in low, hissing tones.

  “Nice to meet you,” I said, extending a hand to Mel. I held her hand a little longer than necessary, enjoying the soft feel of her skin. She smiled at me, and a vague memory touched my mind, one I couldn’t grasp. She was familiar, but I wasn’t sure why.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too. Will, right?”

  “That’s right.” I released her hand, a smile on my face that I hoped was charming. I gestured to the stage. “Do you karaoke?”

  “Only after I’ve had a few drinks.” She laughed a sexy, deep laugh. “What about you?”

  “I don’t, but I get a kick out of watching others humiliate themselves,” I told her, a chuckle behind my words.

  “Me, too, though if I get enough liquid courage in me, I’ll be up there doing the same damn thing.” Mel laughed again, leaning across the table so she didn’t have to yell.

  I liked it when she leaned closer. Over the stench of smoke, I smelled something flowery and sweet. When her hair moved, the lovely smell floated to my nostrils. I wished I could put my nose in her hair before the smoke soaked into it. Frowning at my thoughts, I sipped my beer, lukewarm after sitting for an hour, and wondered what the hell was wrong with me. Poetry wasn’t my forte, but I was thinking of this woman like a poet would his lover. Dumb.

  Richard returned with shots for everyone on a tray. He handed one to everybody at the table, even the women we’d just met. He lifted his, gestured to Nikki, and shouted, “To this sweetheart right here, we wish you a happy birthday!”

  A chorus of happy birthdays followed, and everyone shot back the tequila Nikki had chosen except me. Mel shivered as she swallowed the fiery liquid.

  “Why didn’t you drink yours?” Mel asked.

  “Somebody has to drive that idiot home,” I replied, using my beer bottle to point at Richard.

  Mel threw her head back and laughed loudly, nudging Richard with her elbow. “Accurate description!”

  “Birthday girl karaoke!” Richard yelled, ignoring the insult and shoving Nikki playfully towards the stage.

  Her eyes widened. “I’m not drunk enough for that! Unless Mel comes with me.”

  “I don’t sing. You know that,” Mel said. “You go. We’ll cheer you on from here.”

  “Not without you,” Nikki yelled, grabbing her hand and pulling her along.

  I watched as they headed to the stage, indulging myself in a stare at Mel’s perfect ass encased in the skinny jeans. She works out, I thought as Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” began to play. As she and her friend sang about surviving after a heartbreak, I watched Mel closely, and the vague familiarity became a clear memory as she performed a little dance move here and there during the song. I jerked involuntarily when I remembered who she was.

  Ms. Ulrich, my daughter’s dance teacher at school. I moved my eyes to Nikki and realized she was also a teacher at the high school my daughter attended. English, I was sure, though Cara hadn’t had her yet. A grin spread across my face. How had I not recognized her? I’d met her before, though briefly, at a parents’ meeting for all dance team members. Of course, she probably met tons of parents, so I wasn’t at all surprised she didn’t recognize me.

  Throughout the evening, I attempted to flirt with Mel, but she didn’t really respond. I’m good at flirting, when I choose to do it, so her lack of response was a little frustrating. She seemed oblivious to it, and then it hit me. She didn’t realize I was flirting with her, which was weird. She didn’t know how beautiful she was, and I’d bet she thought that all the men hitting on her were just being nice. Richard tried to flirt with her as well, but she was completely uninterested in him,
barely replying, even going so far as to move away from him. I was happy she at least didn’t seem to dislike me as she did Richard. A story was there that needed to be uncovered later.

  After a couple hours of karaoke and flirting, most of the bar had cleared out. Richard and I had already agreed that a Whataburger run was necessary to end this night. Richard walked his trio of non-babes to the door while Mel and Nikki settled their tab, which was probably low, considering Mel hadn’t drank much and Richard had paid for most of Nikki’s drinks.

  I hurried before they could get out the door. “Hey, why don’t the two of you join Richard and me at Whataburger?”

  Mel and Nikki exchanged glances. “I’ve got practice in the morning,” Mel murmured to her, her eyes wide to indicate her meaning. She didn’t really want to go.

  “What time is it?” Nikki asked as she tried to fish her phone out of her pocket.

  I glanced at my watch. “Nearly one. Still plenty of time to sleep.”

  Nikki laughed and winked at me. “That’s exactly right. Come on, Mel, I’m starving after all that singing and dancing.”

  Mel rolled her eyes adorably at her friend. “Fine, fine. Lord knows I could use a breakfast burrito.”

  “Awesome!” Nikki exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

  “One of y’all is sober, right?” I asked, though I could tell Mel was.

  “I am. Only had that shot. After that, just Dr. Pepper,” Mel explained. She waved a hand playfully at me. “But thanks for asking.”

  I smiled at her. “Do you know where the Whataburger is?”

  “No, but we’ll follow you,” Mel told me. She looked at Nikki. “Hey, I’ve got to use the bathroom before we go.” Nikki nodded and she turned to walk away.

  Nikki stepped closer to me. “So, you like her, don’t you?”

  I laughed. “Am I being obvious?”

  “Not to her,” Nikki said, shaking her head despairingly. “The woman is completely unaware when men are attracted to her. But don’t worry, I’ll help you.”

  “Help me how?” I asked, narrowing my eyes with worry.

  “However I can,” Nikki replied with a wink. “She’s a lot of fun.”

  “Why does it feel like you’re trying to convince me?” I teased.

  “You don’t need convincing; I can tell,” Nikki said, laughing.

  Mel rejoined us a minute later. “Are we going?” Mel asked, smiling her calm smile.

  “Hey, give Mel your number in case we get lost,” Nikki told Mel before walking off to find Richard.

  Mel’s forehead furrowed as she watched her friend walk away. She turned her eyes on me, and I smiled. “Give me your number and I’ll text you so you have mine.”

  “Yeah, okay,” she answered and recited her number. I sent her a text immediately and waited for it to come through. The chime sounded, and she lifted her phone.

  Will: Lookin’ hot in those jeans!

  She laughed and looked back up at me. “Whatever, you weirdo.”

  “Call me a weirdo all you want, but you know two things. One, it’s true that you look hot in those jeans. And two, you like my sweet talking,” I told her, a grin so wide on my face it almost hurt.

  She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes, nodding her head slowly. “You’re right. I do look good in my jeans.” She winked and walked to her car. “And now you’re staring at my ass as I walk away.”

  “Yes, I am!” I called after her. “See you at Whataburger.” She lifted a hand and waved as she climbed in her car.

  Mel

  Will’s a funny guy, I thought as Nikki and I climbed into the car after some breakfast burritos at Whataburger. He’d bought our breakfast before we could stop him, claiming a gentlemen always buys a lady’s breakfast. Richard looked like a chump next to him, frowning because neither Nikki nor I paid him much attention.

  Will had made jokes and entertained us as we ate, and he’d laughed with Nikki when I threw some sarcasm on the table. Intelligent, too, I mused as I turned the ignition and Nikki mumbled something unintelligible before closing her eyes for a little nap on the drive home.

  A honk sounded, and I turned my head. Will waved to me, lifted his phone, and wiggled it. I frowned and picked mine up. I had two missed texts from him. I lifted my phone and waved it, smiling, and he winked and drove out of the parking lot.

  Will: Hey, beautiful.

  Will: Wow. Thought we’d become friends, but no answer.

  I chuckled. He likes me, I thought as a small thrill ran down my spine, pondering my answer. Smart ass? Funny? That’s always the way to go.

  Mel: We can’t be friends if you’re always so sensitive.

  Will: Are you texting and driving? That’s dangerous.

  Mel: No more dangerous than you doing it.

  Will: Who says I’m not home yet?

  Mel: You aren’t. Can I text you when I get home? I have to cart Nikki’s drunk ass inside.

  Will: Same with Richard. Don’t forget me, beautiful.

  Mel: Never.

  So, he was a bit of a flatterer, but there was nothing wrong with that. The man was good-looking, intelligent, and funny, and my guess was he knew how to treat a gal right. A small fear niggled in my brain… Like Richard, what if he was hiding a wife? Richard had pulled the we’re-getting-a-divorce-soon bit, but he and I had gone on that date nearly six months before and no divorce had taken place. I hadn’t even looked at Will’s finger to check for a ring.

  I reminded myself as I pulled into the driveway of my little house that just because Richard was a dick didn’t mean all men were. Give the guy a chance before you make judgments, I told myself as I looked at Nikki, who had begun to snore. With a sigh, I climbed out of my car and walked around to help her out.

  Ten minutes of finagling later, I had her tucked into the bed in my spare bedroom. I put a trash can nearby as well as a large glass of water and some ibuprofen. She’d have a hell of a headache in the morning, and I had to get her up early if she wanted her car. I had dance practice at ten the next morning.

  I stripped and put on my standard tee-and-shorts pajamas, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and settled into bed. The time stamp on the last text was nearly thirty minutes earlier, and I hoped Will had been able to get Richard and himself home.

  Mel: You make it home yet?

  Will: Just walked in the door. With Richard over my shoulder. Give me a few.

  I laughed as I pictured Richard draped over Will’s shoulder in a fireman’s hold. Richard was no lightweight. Will must be stronger than his frame looked. He was at least six feet, maybe a little more. His body was long and lean, and though I could tell the man had muscle, he didn’t look like a man who could pick up a two-hundred-pounder. Impressive.

  His hair was blond, but I bet in the sun, it had touches of red in it. He had little facial hair, but the five o’clock shadow had given him a rugged, cowboy look I liked. Boots, tight jeans—though not grossly tight—and an untucked t-shirt had given him the air of a man who didn’t care if he looked good, but who knew he did. I liked his confidence the most, though.

  I stretched out in my bed and turned off the light after plugging in my phone. Like one of my students, I opened Facebook and did a little trolling, looking for his page. Apparently, he didn’t have one, which wasn’t surprising. Not all men do. I looked at the selfie Nikki and I had posted. We were adorable, making faces rather than smiling.

  My phone dinged, and a silly grin split my face. I liked him, too, despite my initial misgivings that had nothing at all to do with him.

  Will: Did you fall asleep, gorgeous?

  Mel: No. I’ve been waiting impatiently for you to text.

  Will: Haha! Makes me a lucky guy.

  Mel: Hmmm, that’s true.

  Will: So, are you busy tomorrow night?

  Cuts right to the chase, I mused, smiling. I appreciated a man who didn’t play games. I was too old for that nonsense, and so was he. I flipped through my head to check for
plans and had none.

  Mel: I’m free.

  Will: May I take you to dinner tomorrow night?

  Mel: I would love to go to dinner with you tomorrow. What time?

  Will: I’ll text you tomorrow. The place I want to take you may need a reservation.

  Excitement pulsed through me. How fancy! A reservation! As a teacher in Texas, I didn’t make enough money to go to a place that required reservations, except maybe on my birthday.