ROMANCE: Billionaire Romance: Tantalizing Temptation (New Adult, Short Stories, Billionaire Romance, Contemporary BBW Romance)

by R. E. Swanson

  *

  The following week, we went to dinner at Kendall and Gabe’s house. Nadia had fallen asleep against Kale’s shoulder, and I offered to take her upstairs and tuck her in. Kendall nodded, smiling. She and Kale now needed to talk about custody arrangements. I’d balked at first, thinking that I didn’t really belong here for the conversation, but Kale had kissed my hesitance away, saying, “You belong with me, and I want your input.”

  As I walked back downstairs, I could hear a little bit of their conversation. “Are you even able to take off time for work?” Kendall had asked.

  “I own the company, Kendall, of course I can take off as much time as I need and even work from home when I have to,” he replied kindly.

  I was now in the living room, and walked up next to Kale as he took my hand. Kendall was watching us.

  Kale then looked at Gabe. “Thank you for stepping in when I wasn't here. Nadia really seems to be attached to you, and I don't want to take that away from you.”

  “She's a good kid,” Gabe smiled.

  Kale continued, “I don't want to go to court for any custody situations, because I think we’re adults and we can do this ourselves, especially because you and Kendall have taken amazing care of her without me.”

  Kendall smiled brightly.

  Gabe spoke. “Thank you. That really means a lot that you approve of me. You’re Nadia's father, and we’re co-parenting now so it’s only fair to Nadia that all of us get along even when we don't want to at times, so she sees that even in the toughest times of her life, she has support from all of us.”

  “Does us include Angie?” Kendall suddenly spoke.

  “Yes,” Kale replied. “Without a doubt. Why don't you guys come over tomorrow for dinner, you, Gabe, and all three children?”

  “We’d like that,” Kendall said, grabbing Gabe’s hand.

  *

  Kale and I drove home, and this time the car ride didn't feel so tense. In fact, with some of the custody arrangements made, Kale seemed lighter and more carefree. Instead of driving to my apartment, he drove me to his penthouse building. He unbuckled and leaned over to kiss me on my lips. I could feel his lips crushing mine, rough with need. I moaned softly, then after a few minutes, I pulled away.

  “Everything’s changing for us now, isn’t it?”

  He rested his forehead against mine and spoke with a whisper. “I hope so,” he said. Then he pulled a small box out of his pocket. “Angie, will you marry me?”

  “I—yes. Yes!” I laughed, and happy tears rolled down my cheeks.

  He placed the ring on my finger, and the diamond sparkled like a star.

  He smiled, looking at it, then took my face in his hands. “I love you, Angie. Thank you for making me so happy.”

  *

  That night was wondrous, and our lovemaking was infused with something even more special, a notion that this was the beginning of a new phase of our lives—our lives that would be linked together always.

  *

  A year passed, and life was great for us. We saw Nadia every week and she came over every other week, and Kale was a wonderful father.

  He said goodbye to me at the door. “I'm heading to work, I'll be off at six, and I’ll bring Nadia home after.”

  We kissed, and then he headed out the door.

  I hadn't told him yet because I wasn't completely certain, and I wanted to be sure first, but I thought I was pregnant. I had quit going to the office, but I continued to take in projects for his company. These projects, though, were novels that I’d fallen in love with, novels that I wanted to see succeed. When I moved in with Kale, he had set up an office for me, so I could pursue those projects.

  Nadia and I had become very close, and Kendall and I got along better than we both had thought we would—we text and talk like close friends; in fact, I would call her my best friend.

  As soon as Kale left, I walked to the doctor’s office. I waited in the exam room for the doctor to come in and share the test results. A part of me really wanted to be pregnant, because then Kale and I would have our own family as well. But if I wasn’t, we were still very happy with Nadia.

  Someone knocked on the door, and my heart skipped a beat. “Yes?” I called.

  The door opened and the doctor came in, closing it behind her. “Congratulations Angie, you are pregnant,” she smiled.

  My heart melted with joy, and I couldn't hold in a few happy tears. I couldn't wait to tell Kale. He’d be home in a few hours with Nadia, and I knew he's just going to be excited.

  *

  I was home. Nadia and Kale had arrived a few hours after me, and I already had dinner made. Nadia had run to me, and I picked her up, giving her a tight hug.

  “I missed you Angie,” she said with a smile on her face.

  “I missed you too, kiddo. Did you have fun with your mom and Gabe?” “Yes, Gabe took me to the zoo last week, and Mama took me to the park.”

  “The zoo sounds like fun,” I said. “Are you hungry?”

  Nadia nodded her head excitedly. “Yes!”

  I chuckled. “Why don't you go wash your hands and you can help me set up the dinner table.”

  “Okay!”

  Kale put his arms around me as Nadia left, and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around him. I couldn't help but smile at him, and I saw the look on his face.

  “You're smiley today,” he said.

  “That's because life is really good right now.”

  “Is it?” he asked.

  “Yes, It is,” I replied.

  “How so?”

  I studied his face, and then I spoke. “Well...” I said. I’d thought I was going to be able to come out and just say the words I'm Pregnant, but I was wrong. I took a few deep breaths. “I'm pregnant,” I said.

  His face went slack with shock, but he wore a huge smile, too. “How far along?”

  “Well, doctor said I'm just five weeks along.”

  “When did you go?”

  “Today,” I said. “I’ve suspected for a few days, but today it’s confirmed.”

  “Why didn't you tell me? I would have gone with you to the doctor.”

  “I wanted to be sure myself before I told you, because if it was just a mistake, I didn't want you to be disappointed, not only that but I wanted you to focus on Nadia, and work.”

  “And I will,” he replied, gently kissing my cheek.

  Nadia came back out, holding up her hands. “All washed, Angie,” she said happily.

  I kissed Kale once more, and then Nadia and I set the table.

  *

  As we had dessert, Kale told Nadia that she was going to be a big sister. She jumped in excitement, and I was relieved because Kale had just come into her life and I didn't want her to feel like he was going to leave her again.

  “Is it a boy or girl?” Nadia asked.

  I chuckled at her question. “I won’t know for a few more months, but I promise when it’s time to find out, you will be right in the room with us.”

  “I will?”

  “Of course you will,” I said. “You are going to be a big sister and I want you there with me.”

  *

  My stomach was large as I sat in the rocking chair with Nadia on my lap. We were watching Gabe and Kale trying to put up the nursery, and Kendall was downstairs starting dinner for us. As odd as it was, it was nice having them around for support and comfort and just as friends.

  “This one goes here,” Kale said, holding up one of the bar railings.

  “No, It doesn't,” Gabe tried to tell him, but at this point far into my pregnancy, Kale was more hormonal than I was, and that was saying something.

  “Are you sure?” Kale asked, giving him a look with his eyebrow raised.

  “More than positive, I have put up two cribs before.”

  “Correction,” Kendall said, coming in with a laugh. “You watched me put up two cribs before.”

  Gabe's face was now flushed by the work, and he just shook his head, looking back
in the instructions.

  I couldn't help but laugh.

  “Glad you think its funny love,” Kale said, looking over at me.

  “Oh, I don't think it’s funny,” I said. “I know it’s funny.”

  He just sighed deeply and ran his hands over his face. “Why don't we take a break?”

  “Giving up so easily?” Gabe asked, smirking.

  “Yes.” Kale stood up with a groan.

  A notification showed up on my phone, an email from the author of His Mistress’s Arms. Her book had been published and released last week, and I couldn’t be happier for her. She’d delivered her book baby, and now I was about to have a human baby. Smiling, I opened up the message.

  Dear Angie, Thank you again for your time and the heart you put into my book. I just found out it’s on the NYT Bestseller’s List!

  I whooped and clapped, surprising everyone. When I shared the news, we celebrated with sparkling cider. Nadia’s little brothers’ faces scrunched up at the bubbles, so Kendall gave them plain apple juice, instead.

  *

  A month later, I was in the hospital having our baby girl. It was a long labored birth that I thought was going to go wrong, but Kale kept insisting that everything was going to be okay. It was okay—I had him by my side, and we were finally going to have marriage new little baby. I pushed one last time and soon enough, Kale and I heard our daughter crying.

  Kale kissed my forehead and smiled, holding my hand. “I’m so proud of you, love. You did a great job.”

  I held on to him, I was lucky enough to have him next to me, and to have him as my soul mate, and as our daughter’s father. It had been a long time since I’d been the frazzled editor seeking solace in the perfection of words, but now I was a wife and mother, and perfection was just a word itself. Life was crazy and messy and beautiful, and our lives were full of love. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  BONUS - Dominated by Two Badasses

  Go Back To Table of Contents

  Menage Romance

  Brenda threw a glance at her wrist watch and wondered what was taking her fiancé so long. It wasn’t like him to be late and she was just starting to get worried. Suddenly, the women at the next table started giggling, before stopping abruptly. They’d seen him, too—his powerful, broad shoulders, his flawless skin, and the kind of face that looked like it belonged in Hollywood films. He strolled in and flashed Brenda his usual dazzling smile.

  “I’m sorry,” he started to say as he leaned in closer to Brenda and planted a soft peck on her cheek. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

  “Not at all,” Brenda answered. “You were only five minutes late and that is so unlike you, you almost got me worried.”

  “I was stuck in traffic,” he went on to say and apologized once again.

  Brenda shook her head. “Really, it’s okay. It’s only five minutes.”

  “You are wearing that dress,” he said. “It makes me want to bend you over this table and make you say my name.”

  Brenda felt her face flush with desire. “Thank you, love,” she answered. “Maybe we should go back to my condo—”

  “Have you ordered?”

  “Not yet,” she answered. Typical Paul. Changing the subject just when it was getting interesting. “I was waiting for you.”

  “You must be famished,” he said lovingly as he placed his hand on hers. He sat up and signaled for a waiter with his right hand who was at their side in a second.

  “Please get us the wine list,” he said. “My assistant had called earlier and requested the chef to prepare a meal for us, please find out if it’s ready.”

  Brenda watched as the waiter left them and rushed over to the kitchen. She remembered back to when she’d first started dating Paul, when the fanciest meal she’d had was from the Italian restaurant chain next to the shopping mall.

  “Paul,” she said.

  “Yes, dear?”

  “We should take the meal up to the room.”

  Paul looked at his wrist watch and gave her a worried look. She felt herself pouting—this was it, where he said he was sorry, but he really was in a rush…

  “I have to catch a plane, dear,” he said.

  “But you were out of town last week,” she complained.

  “I know,” Paul answered. “I’m sorry. This is an impromptu meeting; it was scheduled this morning. There’s no way I can get out of it, though.”

  “How long will you be gone?”

  “A week, maybe two.”

  “What?”

  “I am sorry, love ,” Paul answered, “but you are always welcome to come with me. France is beautiful this time of year.”

  “We both know how that turned out the last time I went on a business trip with you,” Brenda answered.

  She’d spent the days shut up in their hotel room in Barcelona, afraid to venture out on her own, but unable to keep Paul with her longer than the time it took him to chug his morning coffee. The entire time, she’d wished that she’d stayed home. At least at home she could understand the road signs and ask directions.

  “Come on sweetie,” he said. “Don’t be like that.”

  “I am sexually frustrated,” she said out loud and did not realize how loud she was until a few people in the room turned their attention to them curiously. The three women at the table next to theirs burst into another fit of giggles.

  “Hush, my love,” he said after a few minutes.

  “I will be back and I will take care of you.”

  “You make it sound like an appointment or something.”

  Paul paused for a minute as he accepted the wine list from the waiter who offered it to him. He took his pick from the list and watched as the waiter nodded and left the table.

  “I am sorry, pet,” Paul replied. “I work so hard so that we can both be comfortable, so we can have this wonderful life.”

  “It doesn’t mean much if I never see you,” Brenda complained.

  “Please,” he replied, “Let’s not argue today.”

  Brenda watched as the waiter got back to their table and poured her a glass of wine. She wanted to enjoy the meal but she only felt frustrated and took a sip from her glass.

  “I need to go to the ladies room,” Brenda said and got to her feet.

  His hand shot out and he gripped her wrist—not hard enough to hurt, just enough for her to take notice. “That dress,” he growled. “You wore it on purpose, to tempt me.”

  She couldn’t hold back her smug smile. “Maybe.”

  “Are you really as sexually frustrated as you say you are?”

  Wordlessly, she nodded.

  “I am a thorough man,” he said, and the hand that gripped her began making slow, sensual motions along the underside of her arm. “I don’t like to leave tasks unfinished. Loose ends. When I can’t take care of business, I hire other people to take care of it for me. What do you say to that?”

  She looked down at him in shock, at his blazing blue eyes, clear and challenging.

  “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” she asked.

  He nodded, once. “And when I come back, I want you to put this dress on and tell me about every…single…instant that you enjoyed while I was gone.”

  Shivering at the thought, Brenda stepped away. He let her go, touching her skin for as long as possible.

  She walked over to the ladies room with her purse clutched firmly in her hand. He wanted her to…what…have sex with someone else? Get her needs met? She was “unfinished business,” was that how he saw her?

  The ladies room door swung right open and Brenda walked over to one of the stalls. She buried her head deep in the palms of her hand and felt the hot stream of tears roll down her face. She cried for a few more seconds and took a handkerchief from her purse. In front of the mirror, she dabbed at her face, gently wiping away any stray mascara, before regaining her composure and walking back to the dining room.

  “So what do you think?” Paul asked as he look
ed at his wrist watch for the millionth time that day.

  One day I am going to strangle him with that watch, Brenda thought to herself before taking a seat opposite her man.

  “If you think it’s best,” she said, and unfolded her napkin. She offered him one of her most dazzling smiles and took another sip from her wine. “Thank you for working so hard to satisfy me in this way. I’ll do it—I’ll be with someone, and when you come back from Paris I’ll wear this dress and tell you about every single second. But I want to choose my partner.”

  Brenda was a smart girl and knew how to play her cards right; Paul was her sole provider. He had bought her a condo and an Aston Martin and ensured that she led a lavish lifestyle. Although she always wanted more time with him, she didn’t want to sound ungrateful.

  He nodded. “Done. Do you know how to get in touch with someone?”

  “No,” she said, honestly. “I’ve never done something like this before.”

  “I’ll text you some phone numbers,” Paul said.

  The food was brought over to their table and he began to chow down on the meal.

  “So where will you be going this time round?” Brenda asked as she nibbled on her food. She had no appetite but forced herself to eat anyway, knowing that Paul would be disappointed if she wasn’t enjoying herself.

  “Paris,” he answered without looking up from his plate.

  How easily he transitioned from talk of hiring her a…a gigolo…to talk of travel. She’d expected him to not answer her question, to turn it around to what sort of man she wanted to keep her company in his stead. Did he care so little for her, for her tastes?

  He took a sip from his wine glass and went on to say, “We might open a branch there very soon.”

  This piece of information got Brenda’s attention and she fixed a glance at Paul.

  “Maybe you should get me a job there,” she suggested and watched as Paul placed down his fork and ran his napkin over his mouth.

  “We have talked about this over and over again,” he said, and took a sip of his wine. “I don’t want you to work my dear.”

  “I know that,” Brenda complained, “but I don’t like idling around and doing nothing the whole day.”