“I have a feeling the test is going to come back saying he’s not the father.” Nicole cringed when she said the words. “And it is possible Cooper is your son, Scott.”
Since pictures of her and Jordan on vacation together had appeared less than a week after they’d broken up, he’d suspected Nicole had started seeing Jordan while they were still together. It hadn’t bothered him. Back then he’d taken his lack of emotion on the matter as a good indication he’d never cared much for her.
“Jordan and I started sleeping together in September. You and I didn’t end things until November. ”
Yep, she’d cheated on him. Big shocker. Still, he felt nothing.
“You were always away for business. Jordan and I got together after we guest starred on the same episode of Code Red. It sort of just happened.”
“Nicole, you don’t need to explain. I don’t care. But we used protection.” Her cheating on him no longer mattered. However, having a child with her did. He’d made it a point from the beginning to always use a condom with Nicole.
“Don’t you remember it broke one night?”
He hadn’t thought of it until now, but yeah, he remembered. It’d happened the night he’d returned from Germany. He’d spent a week in Berlin on business, and when he came home, he’d found Nicole waiting for him in a leather corset and thong. “So if the test comes back and Jordan’s not the father, Cooper’s my son?” Someday he wanted children. He didn’t want them at this moment, and he definitely didn’t want them with her.
Nicole looked away. “Well… maybe.”
Not the answer he expected. “Christ, how many other men did you sleep with when we were together?” He’d guessed she slept around but hadn’t realized she was that loose.
She blushed, something he’d never seen her do before. “Besides Jordan, only one other. I’ve wanted to work with…. Well, his name isn’t important. He made it clear the part in his movie was mine in return for a few nights together. It didn’t seem like a big deal. And I didn’t think anyone would find out. So I spent a weekend at his house in the Hamptons.”
At this point, he didn’t care how many men she’d been with. “Let me make sure I got this. If Jordan isn’t the father, the baby’s either mine or this other guy’s?”
Her bottom lip trembled. “If he’s not Jordan’s I am hoping Cooper’s your son. That’s why I came to you first.” She sniffled, and he thought she might actually cry. “Of course I hope Cooper is Jordan’s son. But, well, I don’t think he is.”
No wonder she’d insisted on a face-to-face conversation. You didn’t drop this kind of news on a guy over the phone. “What do you need from me?”
“If Jordan’s results come back negative, will you go for a paternity test? It’s a simple test. It doesn’t even require any needles or blood. They collect cells by swabbing the inside of your cheek. The results are back in five to seven business days.”
“I’ll go, but what if Cooper is my son? Then what, Nicole?”
Nicole’s face brightened. “We were good together. At least when you were around and not in some other country. And Jordan called off the engagement. We could try again. Cooper and I could move in here.”
The woman’s tight shirt was cutting off the blood supply to her brain. It was the only explanation. How else could she think he’d get back together with her after she’d admitted to cheating on him? “I’m with someone.” Christ, how am I going to tell Paige about this? “And we’re happy together.”
“Oh, well.” She shrugged, a good indication she didn’t really care about him either. “We could share joint custody of Cooper. I’m hoping Jordan and I work things out anyway. Although the engagement is off, we’re technically still together but taking some time apart.”
Damn right they would share custody if Cooper turned out to be his son. “When will you know if Jordan’s the father?”
“He had the test done Monday before he flew out to Los Angeles. So I think the results might be back tomorrow or Friday. I can call you when I hear from him.”
“Do that.”
***
Paige considered being able to visit her parents and grandparents often a perk to living near them. In fact, she made it a point to do something with her mom once a month or so. Since the auction back in June though, she hadn’t seen either her parents or grandparents. Between extra shifts at work, seeing Scott, and then her trip to Virginia Beach, she hadn’t had the spare time. When her mom invited her along to ladies’ night at the pottery studio in Woonsocket, she’d immediately accepted. She found painting relaxing and since her visit with her brother she’d been wound up tight.
When it first opened on Diamond Hill, the pottery studio had contained only three tables. Since then it had tripled in size. Tonight every table in Paint Me was occupied by women of all ages and backgrounds. Right away, Paige spotted her mom and Aunt Tonya, her mom’s older sister, at one. They’d each selected the pieces they wanted to paint and were chatting away. Waving at them, she walked to the back of the store so she could select a piece herself.
“Hey, stranger,” Aunt Tonya greeted when Paige joined them. “Where have you been hiding? You know you’re always welcome to come over and enjoy the lake.”
Each year her aunt and her uncle, who lived on a large lake, put on a huge Memorial Day cookout. Paige hadn’t seen her aunt since then.
“I know, Aunt Tonya. I’ll come over soon.” She hugged her aunt who sat closest to her before moving toward her mom. “Thanks for the invite tonight, Mom. I haven’t been here in ages.”
Nora paused in her painting and kissed her cheek. “I’ve missed you. We don’t usually go so long between visits.”
A healthy dose of guilt smacked her in the gut. “I know.” Paige grabbed the sponge from the water bowl so she could wash down the ceramic frame she’d chosen to paint. “I’ve been working a lot of extra shifts and stuff.”
“It’s the ‘and stuff’ we’re interested in hearing about,” Nora said before she added more paint to her dish.
“Nora’s right, Paige. I couldn’t believe it when she told me Bebe bought you a man at the bachelor auction,” Aunt Tonya said as she stenciled flowers on her vase. “That woman’s always had spunk. Kind of wish she was my aunt too.”
Things may have worked out well, but she’d still rather not be reminded of that embarrassing night.
Nora paused in her own work to look at her. “I’ll admit when you told me what Bebe did, I wasn’t happy. And I certainly didn’t expect it to lead anywhere. Seems I was wrong.”
Her mom had been more than unhappy when she broke the news to her. Rarely did her mom swear, but when Paige called after the second picture appeared in the paper and told her everything, she used every swear word she knew.
“So tell us about him. I know he met you in Virginia last week, so you must care for him a lot, or you wouldn’t have invited him on vacation.” Mom went back to painting as she spoke. “But I think your dad and I should’ve met him before Joe and Trish.”
“I didn’t know you were so serious already.” Aunt Tonya couldn’t help but add her two cents. “Moving pretty fast.”
Her brother had a big mouth. “What else did Joe say?” She’d gotten the impression he liked Scott, but she hadn’t spoken with him so she didn’t know for certain. And she was more than a little curious about what he thought. After all, Joe did have a good track record when it came to determining the outcome of her relationships.
“Not much. Both he and Trish liked him. Said he appeared to treat you well and that you seemed happy together. Joe was shocked Gabby let Scott hold her.” Her mom looked up at her again. “Your brother said we’d like him.”
A bit of relief snaked through her body. “Everything Joe said is true. Scott’s… well, he’s perfect.” She realized no one was perfect, but it was the only word she could think to describe him. He treated her with love and respect. He made her feel cherished and special. Not to mention the sex was like none she’
d experienced before. What more could any woman want?
Her aunt and mom exchanged a look before her mom spoke again. “Perfect, huh? Sounds like someone’s fallen hard. So when do we get to meet Mr. Perfect? Your dad and I are both curious.”
“Soon, promise. This weekend I’m going to see him in New York, but maybe the weekend after.” Or maybe never. She loved him, but he’d made it clear he wanted a family someday, something she may never be able to give him. She’d rather know this weekend if he could live with that possibility before she got in any deeper. Paige just hoped she had the nerve to say the words when the time came.
Chapter 12
Aunt Bebe didn’t own an apartment in the city. Instead, whenever they visited together, she booked them a room at one of the hotels near Times Square. During those visits, a luxury town car or a limo always picked them up at the airport and drove them to their hotel. Whenever they went out they either walked or another town car picked them up. Today, she was on her own. Since it was Friday, she had the entire day off, but since Scott was expected in the office, she’d booked an early afternoon flight out of Logan Airport. She’d thought by the time she landed, collected her luggage, and had a taxi drive her over, Scott would be just getting home. Considering the traffic around her, she wasn’t sure she’d make it to his apartment before tomorrow morning. She’d left JFK airport twenty minutes ago and wasn’t much closer to Scott’s building then when she got in the car.
So glad I don’t drive in this every day. The poor taxi driver must have an ulcer the size of a dinner plate after dealing with this all the time. Paige gripped the door handle and squeezed her eyes shut as a black SUV tried to cut in front of the taxi. She lurched forward when the driver braked hard. When she didn’t hear the crunching of metal, she pried her eyes open. Once again the taxi had come to a dead stop, surrounded on all sides by other vehicles.
I could walk and get there faster. If she didn’t have a large suitcase with her, she’d pay the driver and hop out. She should’ve taken Scott up on his offer and let him meet her at the airport. While they’d still be stuck in traffic, she’d be with him rather than inside this stifling taxi. She’d ridden in taxis before, and normally they had air-conditioning. Either the driver preferred not to use it or it didn’t work, because all the windows were rolled down, allowing the noise from outside to filter in along with the sweltering heat.
The taxi inched forward, but not even a slight breeze came through the open windows. If she came again and Scott offered, she’d let him get her at the airport.
Considering Scott lived in a luxury apartment building on what the media dubbed Billionaire’s Row, she shouldn’t have expected anything but the grandeur greeting her now. Perhaps because he came across as a regular Joe, she sometimes forgot which family he belonged to and just how wealthy he really was. The uniformed doorman who’d just held the door for her and the lobby reminded her of both those things well. Large, modern-looking, and in her opinion ugly chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting light across the spotless floor. Across the lobby to the left, another uniformed doorman stood beside double glass doors that led into the five-star hotel located on the first three floors of the building. She’d never stayed in the hotel and didn’t want to imagine the price tag associated with it, but Aunt Bebe had. She’d said although smaller than most of the others in Manhattan, it was one of the best.
Pulling her suitcase behind her, she headed for the other end of the lobby and the sleek looking security desk. A few people who most likely lived in the building sent glances her way, but none spoke or even smiled at her. Considering the apartment building’s elite status, residents probably knew who else lived around them. Or at least had a good idea, so they knew she didn’t belong.
Two attractive uniformed guards occupied the security desk stationed to the right of the three elevators. No one was getting upstairs without passing by them first.
“Can I help you?” A guard with a well-trimmed beard asked when she reached the desk.
“Yes, I’m visiting Scott Belmont.”
“Name please?” Mr. Beard reached for his computer keyboard.
No paper lists for this place. “Paige Foster.”
The guard typed in her name. Liking what he saw on his computer screen, he said, “You’re all set. Go on up, Ms. Foster.”
Paige thanked him and went to the elevators. After pressing the up button, she realized she had no idea what floor she needed. Embarrassed, Paige turned and pulled her suitcase back to the desk. “Excuse me. What floor is Mr. Belmont on again?” She remembered him mentioning apartment A, but nothing else.
This time the clean-shaven guard answered her. “Fiftieth. Apartment A.”
It seemed no sooner did she press the button inside the elevator than the doors were opening outside Scott’s apartment door. Honestly, she couldn’t recall ever riding in an elevator that moved so fast. It must be another perk of living in the building. And she guessed there were many.
Scott pulled open the ebony-colored door and stepped toward her. “Great timing.” Reaching down, he grabbed her suitcase while at the same time he loosened the scarlet tie around his neck. “Got here less than ten minutes ago myself. I intended to leave the office earlier, but got tied up.”
She kissed him before stepping across the threshold and onto the black hardwood floor. Unable to stop herself, she glanced around her surroundings. The apartment was unlike anything she’d seen before. While Aunt Bebe and her granddad had stunning homes, they’d all been decorated in a traditional fashion. The type of style that never went out of date regardless of the decade. There was nothing traditional about Scott’s apartment, at least not the part she saw now. Instead of outer walls, all around her were floor-to-ceiling windows and every few feet a huge white pillar caused a minor break in the view. To the left, a long dining room table stood with another ultramodern, and somewhat ugly, chandelier over it. Directly in front of her, a light gray area rug covered a section of the floor. A square marble or maybe granite coffee table had been placed in the center. Two odd-looking leather chairs and a white sofa faced each other with the coffee table between them. A white upholstered bench finalized the seating on the rug. None of it was furniture she’d put in her house.
“I feel like my plane landed yesterday. I could’ve walked and gotten here sooner.”
Scott left her suitcase near a closet. “Yeah, it’d be nice if they could do something about the traffic.” After undoing the two top two buttons of his shirt, he pulled her close. “Can I get you anything?”
She leaned closer, committing the feel of him against her to memory. After this weekend she may never be next to him like this again. “Good for now.” Paige moved her hands across his neck, Scott’s skin warm beneath her fingers, before touching his shoulders.
“Let me know if you do.” He gave her a light kiss before stepping back. “I’m going to get changed. You can keep me company or make yourself at home, babe. Either way it won’t take me long.”
She’d never pass up an opportunity to see him in any state of undress. “Tough choice. Stay by myself or see you naked. I just can’t decide.”
Much like the dining room and living room, floor-to-ceiling windows acted as outer walls for the bedroom. A large king-size bed along with light gray sofa and coffee table were the only furniture in the room. Both the bed and couch had been positioned along the only solid wall in the room, allowing Scott and anyone else to enjoy the city skyline. A few paintings hung on the wall providing some color, but otherwise, various hues of black, gray and white filled the room.
“Put anything you want in the closet.” Scott disappeared through another door and she stepped closer to the windows.
“This view is insane, Scott.” She turned away from the windows and waited.
Soon he reemerged minus his shirt, a pair of jeans and T-shirt in his hands. “I guess. Honestly, I don’t notice it much anymore.” He dropped the clothes on the bed before taking off his suit pan
ts.
With Scott standing there in nothing but his boxer briefs, her pulse sped up, the city view forgotten. “I’m not only noticing but lovin’ the view right now.” She winked, causing him to chuckle.
“Glad you approve.” He pulled on his jeans before grabbing his T-shirt and coming around the bed to stand near her. “The master bath is in there.” He pointed to a closed door. “Unless you disagree, I think a nice relaxing soak in the hot tub is just what you need tonight after your flight.”
She couldn’t resist taking a peek inside the bathroom. This is a bathroom. Windows similar to those in the bedroom filled one wall. A hot tub large enough for three people filled the space closest to the windows, allowing people to relax and take in the view. She caught a glimpse of a toilet tucked away behind a pocket door. His and her sinks with matching vanities and a glass shower stall completed the room. She could get used to having a bathroom like this.
“Will you be joining me?” she asked, already thinking of the fun they could have together in the hot tub.
Arms circled her waist from behind, and he pulled her back against him. “What do you think?” He kissed her neck, and she closed her eyes, simply enjoying the warmth radiating through her.
“I think you better or else I’ll have to beat you.” She turned in his arms. “Or maybe just tickle you.” In Virginia Beach, she’d discovered the area just below his rib cage was extremely ticklish. Paige went for the spot now. “What’s it going to be?”
“You naked and wet next to me, or tickles. I need to think about this.” Taking a page from her book, Scott slipped a hand under her shirt and tickled her stomach. “I’ll put some serious thought into it while I cook you dinner.”
Scott set down the French bread and salad. He didn’t cook often, but he enjoyed doing it when he had the time. Plus making them dinner tonight allowed them to stay in.
Paige followed him from the kitchen to the dining room table. She’d kept him company while he prepared their meal, something he hoped she’d be doing a lot more of in the future. Unfortunately, depending on what happened with Nicole and how Paige took the news, she might not be back here again. He’d thought about telling her tonight about Nicole’s visit and the possibility he had a son. After a lot of going back and forth, he’d decided to wait. Hopefully, the test results would come back, and Jordan would be the father, making everyone concerned happy. If that happened, he wouldn’t need to get involved. He had his fingers crossed. At the same time, his conscience demanded he tell Paige everything if it came back Jordan wasn’t the father, and he had to get tested.
Falling For the Billionaire Page 14
