Pregnant with the Tycoon's Heir

by Elizabeth Lennox

She was frantic now and didn’t have time to deal with this. “But I told you I’d talk to Mr. Danislov! I’m not moving upstairs. There’s no need for me to be anywhere but here in the marketing department.”

  Linda laughed, a malicious sound that everyone heard and reacted to. “So the big guy wants you close by! Now I understand how you earned the right to take on the whole campaign. Looks like someone made a powerful friend. Moving up in the world?” she asked, but a snide expression came to her otherwise pretty features. “So you’ve decided to lay down on the job. Interesting. I wouldn’t have thought that of you. Either way,” she shrugged, “I guess we now know how you got your impressive promotion, don’t we?”

  Naya’s features paled at the implication the other woman was making. “You’re wrong!” she said with vehemence. But Naya could only pray that the evil woman was incorrect in her assumption. Looking around, Naya suddenly realized that the others around the cubicle area were all listening. Some of them were glancing away, as if she were somehow stigmatized by this horrible scene.

  Turning back to Linda, Naya lifted her chin in the air, determined to not be the office punchline. “You can assume all you want, Linda. But until you have proof, keep your snide insinuations to yourself.” With that, she spun around, determined to get out of the woman’s area. Naya felt dirty just reacting to that insult, especially since it might be true!

  She was turning around when she spotted Pierce in the marketing department, coming towards the now-silent group. How she could have missed the daunting shadow his enormous frame created was a mystery, but she had.

  Her green eyes widened as she took in the fury residing in those pale, grey eyes. Was he angry with her? What had she done wrong? She’d only defended her honor and her work ethic! He had absolutely no right to be angry with her!

  Linda didn’t see Pierce as he walked down the hallway. Instead, she turned to Jeb who was glancing worriedly from Naya to Linda who was, technically, next in line now that Mark had been laid off. Her eyes narrowed as she said, “Jeb! Aren’t you supposed to be pulling up research for Anthony? If Ms. Banks can’t figure something out on her own, she shouldn’t be dumping the task on someone else.” Linda glanced over at Naya, but there was no reaction. “Do your own work, Naya.”

  Only then did Linda turn around and come to a stand-still, finally understanding why the whole room had gone silent. Staring right back at her was the man himself. She glanced at Naya who was also standing transfixed.

  Pierce couldn’t believe what he was hearing. From what he could discern from the conversation, Naya was doing the whole campaign on her own. He’d checked with the security personnel earlier today and knew that Naya had stayed late, until after midnight, in order to pull her ideas together. Now he suspected that she’d worked alone. Apparently, his instruction that she was in charge of the entire campaign had been ignored. He was astute enough to understand what had happened though.

  His eyes narrowed as he ascertained the mood in this department. “Do you know how to work the computer to pull up that research Ms. Banks asked for?” he asked of the woman standing in front of him, her gaudy gold jewelry clanking together. His voice was smooth as silk as he walked slowly towards the harshly beautiful woman. She wore too much makeup and he instantly wondered what was underneath all of that mask. Most likely a bitch he thought.

  The woman straightened her shoulders, obviously thinking that she was about to score a point. “Of course I do. Everyone should know how to work that computer system. It is a good source of previous information.”

  Pierce’s eyes narrowed down at her. “I’ve heard that the computer is a bit glitchy.”

  Again, Linda wasn’t backing down. “It has moments when it is difficult to work, but still…”

  He lifted a hand, instantly silencing the woman. “Since you know how to work the system so well, then I will task you with finding the information Ms. Banks requested from your co-worker.” Turning to Naya, he said, “If this woman doesn’t give you adequate information, you need to come directly to me and I’ll ensure that she receives the remedial training she deserves on how to provide adequate research assistance.”

  Linda’s mouth fell open with the first words. “But I’m not a research assistant! I’m the marketing director.”

  Pierce’s eyebrow went up. “I was under the impression that I fired the marketing director.”

  Linda’s mouth now opened and closed as she tried to regroup. “Well, yes, but I was second in line so I just assumed that you would shift me into that role.”

  Pierce tilted his head as if to acknowledge her point. Naya almost laughed when Linda’s shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. Because Naya knew that Pierce was just luring her into a trap.

  “I can see how one could make that assumption. If you were next in line after Mark, then you must be the most experienced marketing person on the team, is that right?”

  Linda wasn’t sure what to say, but she stammered through, fully aware of the entire marketing department listening in on the conversation. “Yes. I am the most experienced.”

  He nodded his head and Naya knew that this was going to be bad. “Fine. Then I want you to pick six different products and come up with a marketing theme for them. Report to my office tomorrow with your ideas.” He waited while his words sunk in. Then went for the punchline. “And you can do it all on your own. Since you’re so experienced,” he added in.

  Linda gasped, horrified. “But most marketing ideas take weeks to develop! It takes a lot of brainstorming.”

  He had turned away, about to address the group. But with her argument, he turned to face her once again. “I understand that. Unfortunately for you, your co-worker, Ms. Banks, created a whole series of commercials in twenty-four hours. I thought her ideas were right on target for what I’m aiming to achieve with this company.” He smiled slightly as Linda realized what he was saying. “So if you’re the best, you can develop something better than she did, right?”

  Dismissing the woman with a look of pure disgust, Pierce turned to the rest of the staff who had been watching the conversation. He noticed several people who were trying to contain their glee at the other woman’s set-down and knew that Linda would probably have to go. From experience, he knew that people like that never transitioned to a good team–member. They were too self-centered and greedy for ambition, deserved or not.

  “Ms. Banks was not given the opportunity to run a campaign for any reason other than the fact that she spoke out against the previous campaign, which was a miserable failure, to your previous director, offering options that might have helped to resuscitate a bad idea. Her ideas were insightful and innovative. And by the way, I didn’t give her the chance to work on new ideas. I demanded it of her. This is not a democracy. This is a business. You are a team. If anyone thinks they don’t need to work as a team, to help out others on the team when there is a problem, get the hell out of here now.” He glanced at Linda who was still defiant but leaning against the wall now. Obviously resentful. “I don’t have time for prima donnas. If Ms. Banks asks for assistance, then I expect you to give it. I also expect Ms. Banks to return the favor.” He looked around, ensuring that everyone understood him correctly. “Does anyone have any questions? Or does someone else want to question my integrity by assuming Ms. Banks was given this opportunity for reasons other than her skill?”

  There was silence throughout the whole room.

  “Good!” and he turned around. With a sharp glance at Naya, he looked at the movers who had been frozen in place for the last several minutes. “If Ms. Banks doesn’t want to be moved to the executive floor, then she may stay here. It will mean a lot of walking up and down from the different floors to brief me,” he said, speaking to her even though his words implied he was speaking to the group in general. “But I also understand that a move away from your co-workers means a lack of brainstorming power.” He turned back around, taking in everyone with his next words. “And brainstorming is the only way that th
ings get done with effectiveness and efficiency.”

  With a sharp nod in Naya’s direction, he walked out of the department. A moment later, the elevators absorbed his huge frame and there was an almost communal sigh of relief.

  A fraction of a second later, the entire marketing team, minus Linda, moved closer to Naya, surrounding her to congratulate her on the marketing ideas she’d obviously presented to their new company owner. Some people were patting her on her back and others were eagerly offering her assistance, giving her ideas on how they could help. Thankful for his assistance, she moved to one of the conference rooms and spread out her story boards, explaining her idea.

  Several hours later, Naya knew that she needed to go up and thank Pierce for what he’d done, but she had been procrastinating. She didn’t want to see him. Not after yesterday and…well, just not after yesterday. Not after the way they’d ravished each other and then she’d fallen asleep on the man. Oh, and she couldn’t forget sneaking out of his penthouse suite once again! Yep, that was a stellar decision there!

  No, she should just send him an e-mail, thanking him for interceding on her behalf before the rumors were more firmly entrenched in everyone’s mind. An e-mail would work, she told herself. In fact, an e-mail would probably be better. More efficient. More succinct.

  Yep, another lie, she thought as she put down her pencil and then rested her head in the palms of her hands.

  “Just get it over with,” she told herself.

  Naya looked around, for the first time realizing that the department had cleared out. The other offices and cubicles were quiet and dark. Glancing at her watch, she realized it was after eight o’clock!

  She could go up there now, see if he was still there. He most likely wasn’t. But at least, if she tried to talk to him, her conscience would be appeased slightly.

  Packing up her supplies, she thought about her little girl, her hand fluttering over her stomach. She hadn’t been eating very well lately. Nor had she gotten enough sleep either. Yes, the past few days had been stressful, but her baby girl had to take priority now. She couldn’t allow herself to maintain her normal hectic work schedule and be around stressful men. She definitely shouldn’t indulge in passionate, afternoon interludes. She needed to be careful, her priority taking care of her daughter.

  She stuffed her work into her tote bag and pulled it up over her shoulder. Turning out the lights to her office, she walked down the strangely silent hallway with a smile on her face. She’d been so wrapped up in the concept of being pregnant and the worry of the financial aspect of having a child, she hadn’t really thought about the reality of having a little girl. What was she going to name her daughter?

  Yes, she should probably come up with names for a boy, just in case, but as she pressed the button for the elevator, she somehow knew that this baby was going to be a girl. She laughed slightly, shaking her head as she thought to ask Cassy if she was thinking along the same lines.

  When the bell rang for the executive floor, Naya stepped out and looked around. Just as deserted up here as it was down on her floor. No sound, but there was a light shining out of an office further down the hallway.

  Her stomach fluttered when she realized that the light was coming out of Pierce’s office. So he was still here as well, huh?

  All the other offices were silent and dark. Naya moved down the hallway, but when she was about five feet from the open door, she reevaluated her plan to personally thank Pierce tonight. After this afternoon, being alone with him in a dark, quiet office probably wasn’t a good idea. She really didn’t want to be alone with him again. Every time they were alone, clothes came off and she ended up begging him to make love to her. It was crazy!

  Standing in front of his office doorway, she bit her lip, trying to decide. He really had stood up for her this morning. She should thank him. But tomorrow. She’d thank him for the words of defense tomorrow.

  Turning around, she almost ran straight into his massive, muscular chest.

  She would have fallen backwards if Pierce hadn’t reached out to grab her waist and pull her closer.

  “You’re still here,” she said with a gasp that showed both her surprise as well as her anxiety.

  He laughed softly and she could feel the vibrations from that sound. Whipping her hands off of his chest, she tried to step backwards, but his hands tightened on her waist. “Sounds like you were hoping otherwise.”

  Naya grabbed his wrists and pulled his arms away, stepping back. “We can’t touch each other,” she said, then cleared her throat since her voice sounded odd. “It’s too dangerous.”

  Pierce followed her. “Seemed pretty right for me yesterday.” He moved closer. “And it felt extremely right the other times too.” His head tilted slightly. “What was wrong about it? Is there something you’d like me to do more of? Less of?” he put a hand on either side of her head against the wall. “Or something differently? I’m a very good student, Naya.”

  The idea that this man could do something to her for a longer period of time, or even a shorter time period, made her shiver with possibilities. And no way could she criticize anything regarding his methods. The man knew how to torment her body to the point where she was almost insane with desire and need. “You’re very good in the bedroom, and you know it.”

  He laughed softly. “I didn’t think I’d heard any complaints from you the other day.” His head lowered and he started to nibble at her neck. “Why did you come up here?”

  he asked softly, his warm breath tickling her ear.

  Why had she come up here? Why not? Why wouldn’t she? If this was what was waiting for her, she’d be up here all the time. Naya sighed, tilting her head slightly so that he could find that spot that he’d…yes! Right there!

  “Talk to me, Naya. Tell me what you want.”

  She opened her mouth to tell him that she wanted him, but the words wouldn’t come out. She couldn’t admit that to him. Not this man! At least, not yet. She had so many other things she needed to tell him. But what those issues were, she couldn’t remember at this point.

  “Food,” she whispered, grasping onto the only thing that her mind could remember.

  Pierce instantly lifted his head. “You came up here for food?” he asked.

  Naya wanted to reach up and bring his head right back down to her neck. Why had he stopped? Damn it, why wasn’t he still doing that thing with his teeth and his lips?

  Then she remembered. She was hungry. Starving, actually. Looking into those eyes, she could barely discern the color in the dim light. “No,” she finally said. “I didn’t come up for food,” she finally said. “I came up for…” she couldn’t remember. It was all just a blur.

  That’s when she realized what was happening and, with a growl, stepped back, shaking her head. “How can you do this to me so quickly?” she demanded, furious with herself and frustrated with him. “I’m like a marshmallow around you.”

  He laughed at that. “I’m glad I have that effect on you.” He took her hand and lifted her tote bag up, not releasing it when she tried to take it from him. “No, I’m taking you out to dinner.”

  Naya pulled back, shaking her head. “No. The last time we went out to dinner, things…”

  He laughed softly again. “Got out of hand?” he supplied. He squeezed her hand as he gently tugged her into the open elevator. “I liked how they got out of hand that time.”

  Chapter 12

  Pierce woke up and reached for Naya, contemplating making love to her again. He was relishing the idea of her finally being in his bed when he woke up. But the cold sheets where a warm body was supposed to be finished the process of waking him up. Pulling himself up, he looked around. When Naya wasn’t in the bed, nor was she in the bathroom which was dark, he tossed off the sheets with a furious curse.

  “Not again!” He stormed into the shower and got ready for work. Or more specifically, he got ready to give Naya that spanking she’d been earning for the past week! Hell, for the past two
months!

  By the time he reached Naya’s office, he was in a raging mood, ready to roar with frustration. That mood was made even worse when he walked into her office only to find it empty.

  “Where is she?” he demanded of someone walking down the hallway. He really needed to reel in his temper since the innocent bystander cowered in the hallway.

  “I don’t know, sir. I’m sorry, sir. I can find her if you’d like?”

  Pierce rubbed his forehead, impatient with not having his prey readily available. “Find her and tell her to report to my office immediately!”

  A moment later, he was stalking out of the marketing department, almost tearing the door off of its hinges as his temper fired up several more notches.

  Chapter 13

  Naya stared up at the apartment, wondering if her mother would be there. Was this the day? Was this the time when Naya knocked on her mother’s door and discovered her mother was gone? Disappearing into the universe once again?

  She certainly hoped not. Because she really needed to talk to her mother today.

  Stepping out of her car, she looked around and breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted her mother’s car parked several spaces down. “Good,” she whispered.

  Before Naya had made it up the stairs, the door to her mother’s apartment was whipped open and Jessica stood there, staring at Naya with big eyes. “What’s wrong, honey?” she demanded, pulling Naya inside and slamming the door.

  Naya looked around, startled to see colorful, cotton bags stacked up, ten or twenty high, in various places around her mother’s apartment. “Wow! You’ve really made a lot of bags!”

  Jessica nodded with pride, hands on hips as the two of them stared at the piles of reusable bags she’d sewn over the past few days. “Yeah, it’s gotten easier. I sold a whole bunch of bags last weekend at the open air market as well as a few to some people over at the bottling factory and that gave me a bit more confidence.” She turned to look at Naya with an almost shy grin. “Plus a few extra bucks to buy more fabric and a different cutting tool. That makes things faster. Plus, Genie, my neighbor, mentioned that there’s a wholesale cotton warehouse over in the next county. The prices were half as much as what I was paying!” she explained. “And the signs you made for me? They were great! I sold so many bags at the market that first day that I ran out! People were asking if I’d be back again with more bags and I told them yes, but it might be a few weeks for me to make the stock.” She laughed, clapping her hands together. “I made over two hundred dollars, Naya! Isn’t that grand?”