Billionaires & Babies: The Complete Series

by Leslie North

  “Exactly.” He surged forward, pressing his lips to hers. “You’re the only woman I want, on screen and off. Please be with me, Melly. I’ll even give you the key to my secret lairs.”

  Melissa laughed, collapsing against his chest again, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m yours, Donovan. I’ve been yours even when I didn’t want to be. I don’t want to be with anyone except for you.”

  Donovan smiled so widely his cheeks hurt. He cupped her face in his hands and tried to memorize every detail of this moment. Of this love. Of this doorway to the future.

  “All right, then. Let’s go give the audience what they want.”

  “Turns out what they want is exactly what I want,” Melissa said, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. “Us, together.”

  Epilogue

  ONE YEAR LATER

  At the end of the aisle, Elvis waited.

  And next to Elvis stood Donovan.

  Melissa wasn’t dreaming. In fact, she kept pinching herself to make sure. This was real life, and this was actually happening. She was dressed from head to toe in a rose ball gown, something between Disney princess and eighties prom, a bouquet of white roses clutched in her hands, about to walk down the aisle.

  Donovan’s outfit straddled the line between Disney and eighties as well, but he wore it much better. Melissa wasn’t sure if his black suit technically qualified as sequined or not, but it had a definite sparkle. He’d picked it out himself from the back of the Vegas chapel, right next to the pile where she’d found her wedding dress.

  It was equal parts dreamy and hilarious. Exactly how they’d imagined it over the past year. Once the final episode of the reality show was filmed, it quickly became apparent to Melissa that she was marrying this man no matter what. The only issue was the timing. With a baby on the way, it just didn’t seem right to launch full-scale wedding planning on top of a pregnancy—or on top of wrangling a newborn.

  So they sat on it and consulted family and friends, finally coming up with this glorious outcome: a Vegas wedding with all their closest loved ones in attendance. Something quick and easy and fun. Something that would both be hilarious to look back on, but which still nodded to roots—in this case, Melissa’s showy upbringing.

  Elvis motioned for the processional to start. Melissa’s parents jolted into motion, little baby Joy’s face looking just like a doll’s as she gurgled over her grandmother’s shoulder. Her sequined onesie was perhaps the only thing they’d prepared in advance. Melissa’s mother was, of course, the generous benefactor of Joy’s wedding outfit.

  Her mother’s long, sure strides reminded Melissa of how she walked onto stage most nights. Once her mom and Joy were settled in the front row, all eyes turned toward the back of the chapel. Melissa laughed into her fist. It wasn’t funny necessarily. No, it was totally funny. She couldn’t see Elvis’s eyes behind his huge gold-rimmed sunglasses, but she imagined this must be just another day on the job for him.

  Donovan turned to face the back of the chapel, and she could see on his face that he was right there on the same page with her, laughter seeping out the seams. He clasped his hands behind his back, a shit-eating grin on his face as her father walked her down the aisle. Her dad had worn his circus best for the wedding—a vibrant blue top coat with high-waisted black pants. He left her at the altar with a tiny kiss on her cheek. Donovan scooped her hands into his.

  In the limited rows of seats facing the altar sat Brian and Nick and their families, as well as Donovan’s mother and younger sister, and a small handful of Melissa’s closest girlfriends. Melissa beamed out at all of them. She waved at Joy, who had just turned six months old and was the definition of tiny, happy baby. She lived up to her name.

  She and Donovan and Joy were already so happy. Melissa had moved into his house soon after they filmed the proposal, and things had just turned into a happily-ever-after whirlwind. Lots of sex. Setting up the actual nursery, with no cameras involved. Buying baby clothes and infant thermometers. More sex. And well-rationed celebrity coverage since the reality TV show took off and became a hit. Donovan’s glib comments about women had propelled his publicity upward as he predicted, which meant the show got more coverage, and his ensuing game release broke records for sales.

  This was just the icing on their already-delicious cake. And hell if they didn’t know how to make the best cake topper.

  “All right, so uh, uh huh, let’s get this party started,” Minister Elvis said. He cocked his hip, scanning the audience. Melissa rolled her lips in, trying to contain a laugh.

  Elvis ran through a standard speech about love, keeping it short and sweet, before he hit the famous lines. When it came time for vows, Melissa and Donovan had agreed to keep it simple.

  “I promise to always protect you from prying eyes,” Donovan said when prompted by Elvis.

  “I promise to always produce the best life possible,” she said, unable to resist a grin.

  “That was cute,” he said in a quiet voice.

  “Now if y’all would please pay attention here,” Minister Elvis said. “I’d like these two lovebirds to kiss. Uh huh.”

  Melissa and Donovan leaned toward each other, starting with a chaste kiss that turned into something sloppy and full of tongue. When they broke apart, Donovan’s eyes were wild.

  “Now that’s what I call a kiss,” Elvis said. “I now pronounce you rock star and wife!”

  Their small gathering clapped and cheered while Elvis struck a pose behind them. The chapel photographer, who had been snapping pictures the whole time, stood in the aisleway to capture this iconic shot promised by the chapel: the happy newlyweds with Elvis in the background with a fish-eye lens. Donovan and Melissa walked down the aisle hand in hand and were then ushered into the small foyer, where they would sign the certificate.

  “Wow,” Donovan said, once they’d passed through the swinging wooden doors. “I can’t believe that just happened.”

  “Me neither,” Melissa said. The chapel photographer poked her head in and said, “Elvis will be with you shortly.”

  Melissa giggled, squeezing Donovan’s hand. “We’re man and wife, thanks to Elvis.”

  “Thanks to you,” he countered. “I would have pegged you for the traditional-wedding type.”

  “I thought you knew this by now,” Melissa said, knocking her rouched-taffeta-swathed hip against his. “There’s nothing traditional about me.”

  “And here this whole time you acted like you wanted normal,” Donovan chided, running his knuckles over her cheek.

  “I never wanted normal,” she countered. “I just wanted private.”

  “You wanted a balding camera guy with a low sex drive,” he teased.

  Melissa laughed into his chest. This man was her everything. Not only her rock, her partner, and now her husband, but he was the best damn father she could have ever imagined for her baby. Little Joy had hit the lottery.

  “Good thing we don’t always get what we want,” Melissa said as the swinging doors burst open. Elvis came through, saunter still in place. He produced an official document, which Melissa and Donovan had filled out prior to the ceremony, and then with a flourish, signed it exactly as she imagined the real Elvis might.

  “That’s all she wrote, folks. You’ve got thirty minutes before the next weddin’.”

  Elvis left the building—or the foyer, at least—and the rest of their friends and family began filing in. Brian and Nick whooped, clapping Donovan on the back. Everyone was abuzz with excitement and disbelief. Mom couldn’t stop gushing about the small details of Elvis’s suit. Brian’s wife Connie had their two-year-old hoisted on her hip, who was making silly faces at Joy. Nick had a protective arm around his wife Haley, while their girl Amanda ran circles around the foyer. Haley was just starting to show from her second pregnancy, and Melissa swore Nick never stopped grinning these days.

  “All right, all right,” Brian said, sending Melissa and Donovan a mock severe look. “Donovan might have been the biggest l
oser of the bet to see who got married first—” Donovan groaned—“but even though he lost, this wedding made up for it.”

  Everyone laughed. Donovan cinched his arm around Melissa’s waist. Her mom danced Joy around the perimeter of the foyer, making her wave at everything with one tiny hand.

  “Most epic wedding ever,” Nick agreed.

  “Thanks guys,” Donovan said, his chest puffed out. “What do you say to another bet?”

  Nick and Brian perked up.

  “Whoever has three kids first?” Donovan lifted a brow.

  “I love this idea!” Melissa’s mom quipped from the back.

  “Ohhh no,” Connie sliced her hands through the air. “We can’t bet on our families.”

  “We’re in the lead,” Nick countered, nodding toward Haley’s belly.

  “Yeah, but we’ve got twins in the family,” Brian spoke up.

  Melissa snorted, burying her face in her roses. “You guys can’t be serious.”

  “I’m afraid they are,” Haley muttered.

  “Just an idea,” Donovan said, squeezing his arm around Melissa’s shoulders. “Think it over.” Into Melissa’s ear, he whispered, “I would have a million kids with you, you know?”

  She dissolved into laughter, tears pressing at her eyes. “That might kill me, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

  “I love you.” Donovan cupped her face in his hands, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. Her mom wandered their way, and Donovan scooped up baby Joy. It was time for pictures inside, and then they’d allow a few press pictures outside the chapel once they were done. They’d all head off for drinks and dinner, before her mom and dad whisked Joy away so Melissa and Donovan could enjoy their first night as newlyweds.

  And hell, maybe get a head start on this new bet Donovan had proposed.

  At any rate, their wedding night was designed for just the two of them. Even though their relationship had been televised at the beginning, the long haul was just for them. The sweet moments, the trying times of parenthood, the quick fights and the drawn-out make-ups…all of that was only theirs.

  Because some things were meant to be private. And there wasn’t anything sweeter than sharing this unexpectedly joyful life with Donovan and their baby girl.

  End of Pregnant by the Billionaire

  Billionaires & Babies: Book Three

  PS: Do you want more sexy billionaires? Then keep reading for exclusive extract from The Billionaire’s Tenacious Boss.

  Thank you!

  Thank you so much for purchasing my book. It’s hard for me to put into words how much I appreciate my readers. If you enjoyed this book, please remember to leave a review. Reviews are crucial for an author’s success and I would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to review the book. I love hearing from you!

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  About Leslie

  Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pen name for a critically-acclaimed author of women's contemporary romance and fiction. The anonymity gives her the perfect opportunity to paint with her full artistic palette, especially in the romance and erotic fantasy genres.

  To discover more about Leslie North visit:

  LeslieNorthBooks.com

  PS: Want sneak peeks, giveaways, ARC offers, fun extras and plenty of pictures of bad boys? Join my Facebook group, Leslie’s Lovelies!

  BLURB

  Stephen Maxfield has the chance to save the business his father built, and only one woman stands in his way.

  With Duncan Enterprises crumbling, Stephen Maxfield knows that a lucrative building contract could be the ticket to saving the family company. He’s always been regarded as the unpredictable brother, and this time is no different. He’s prepared to do what he thinks is right—even if it means ousting his own father. Stephen faces another obstacle, however, in the form of Angelia Lopez, the gorgeous Duncan VP with her own plans to save the company.

  Angie Lopez has been groomed as Duncan’s successor, and she’s convinced that selling off pieces of the company is the way to save it. She’s busy making deals to break apart the business, while hoping that it brings together the Maxfield family. But when she comes up against Stephen Maxfield—all six feet eight inches of him—she’ll have to work harder than ever to keep her focus. Angie’s been burned by men in the past, and Stephen sets her aflame.

  Stephen has no time for romance, and Angie is on a dating time-out. But if the two can see beyond their business plans, they just may find they’re the perfect match.

  Grab your copy of The Billionaire’s Tenacious Boss (Maxfield Brothers Series Book One) from

  www.LeslieNorthBooks.com

  EXCERPT

  She was attractive. There was no doubt about that. Her dark hair was pulled tightly up in a bun, and Stephen wondered what she would do if he reached out and raked his hands through it, pulling out all the pins. He wanted to know how long her hair was. Would it sweep past her shoulders? Swing down to the small of her back? Brush all the way down to that luscious…

  “Is there a problem?”

  His eyes snapped back up, and he realized that her dark eyes were staring intently at him. There was a hint of temper in her voice, but it was controlled.

  “No ma’am,” he said politely with a smile. “Just lost in thought.” He wasn’t at all ashamed of the fact that she’d caught him staring at her.

  Her eyes narrowed, but she turned back around again. He knew that she could see him reflected in the gleam of the elevator doors, so he kept his eyes from straying again. She was simply a small distraction from what was really weighing on his mind. Part of him couldn’t believe he was in San Francisco again. Duncan had called, and he’d come running. It was pathetic.

  There was something nostalgic about riding in the elevator again. He’d enjoyed more than one woman in this elevator when he was younger. His eyes flickered up at the camera and he smiled to himself. He’d given the security officers quite the show. What would the lone woman riding with him do if he pushed her up against the wall and pressed his lips to hers?

  She was dressed in a gray blazer and a skirt that showed off her tanned legs. Conservative. Business-appropriate. She was more than likely a secretary or a receptionist. Good old Duncan did like them young and pretty.

  “You do realize that I can see you, right?” she demanded. Stephen smiled as his eyes snapped up again. She hadn’t even bothered to turn around, and he met her look in the distorted reflection.

  “I’m sorry,” he said easily. “You’re a nice distraction.”

  She turned around and leaned against the wall, deliberately easing her gaze up and down his body. He grinned unabashedly. “There’s nothing wrong with a little distraction every now and then,” she said softly. “I’ve always wanted to know what kind of tools you construction workers carried in your tool belt. Are you all talk?”

  She thought he was a construction worker? Well, he was dressed in jeans and a work shirt. “That depends on what kind of tools you’re looking for,” he said in a husky voice as he stepped closer towards her.

  Lifting her chin, she smiled coyly at him. “I’ve always had a thing for a man in a hard hat.”

  “Come by my room later tonight, and I’ll show you every hard thing I have.”

  When he was inches from her, she tossed back her head and laughed. “God. You men are so easy.” The doors opened, and she nimbly stepped outside. “Have a nice day. I hope you looked your fill.”

  He stood in the elevator for a moment, stunned. Quickly, he realized this was his floor too, and he hopped out before the door closed.

  Her heels clacked on the tile floor as he followed her. Out of curiosity, he stayed a few steps behind her. If she was on this floor, she was, no doubt, closer to being Duncan’s personal assistant than a simple secretary. But this meeting was only for the Board. So what was she doing here?

  “What are you doing? That wasn’t anything serious,” she hissed as she whirled around.

 
; “It wasn’t?” he asked innocently.

  “No. And you shouldn’t be up here. Are you lost?”

  Was he lost? Well wasn’t that an interesting turn. “Maybe,” he said casually. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t be up here?”

  Her features relaxed. “I’m sorry. I’m a little high-strung today. This floor is for VP members only. We have an important business meeting in the works. If you let me know who you’re waiting for, I can help direct you to the right place.”

  “I have a meeting with Gabe Maxfield,” he said with a straight face.

  “Ah. Well Mr. Maxfield will be preoccupied in the meeting for a while. You’re welcome to wait by his office, or I can let him know that you’d like to reschedule, Mr.…?”

  “Maxfield,” he said with a smile.

  Frustration flashed across her face. “Yes, I know you’re waiting on Mr. Maxfield. You know what, I’m sure Gabe will realize his mistake, and he’ll be in touch with you as soon as the meeting is over. On behalf of Duncan Enterprises, I apologize for the inconvenience.”

  She had the power to apologize for the inconvenience? This was getting more and more interesting by the moment. She flashed him a small smile before spinning on her heels and moving faster. She must have realized that she was late.

  At the end of the corridor, she pushed aside the glass doors. Through the panes, Gabe caught his eye and raised an eyebrow. Stephen hadn’t actually called to announce he would be attending. The truth was, Gabe wasn’t sure if Stephen was coming or not.

  The woman rounded on him. “I thought I made it clear. This is a private meeting,” she said as she slapped her hands on his chest.