Love In A Hopeless Place (BWWM Romance)

by Anna Rudolph

  “Ok. So I have the contract for the surrogacy, the contract to keep yourself healthy and the, um, signing away of your parental rights form,” Bryce pulled at his collar as if he was choking from his starched white shirt.

  Lateisha stifled a smile. This had to be awkward for him. Lateisha hated all of the seriousness and felt that she should lighten the mood. But she wasn’t sure how Bryce would take it so she closed her mouth tightly.

  “I’ll let you look them over a minute before you sign,” he said, pushing the papers across the table.

  Lateisha nodded. It was all too much. “You’re acting like I’m signing papers to have myself euthanized,” she said with a smirk.

  Bryce choked on the water he had just taken a large gulp of. “I guess it’s not all that bad, eh?” He said after a massive coughing fit.

  Lateisha covered her mouth with her hand to stifle the laughter bubbling in her chest. He was so buttoned up and proper that ruffling his feathers was so easy she barely broke a sweat.

  “Not at all,” she answered, with only a hint of laughter, and reached for the papers.

  While they waited for the food to come, Lateisha read through the papers. Everything was drawn up by Bryce’s lawyers and seemed okay to her. The relinquishing of parental rights form stopped her short though. She hadn’t really thought this part through as well as she probably should have. This would be her child by blood, hers and Bryce’s. The thought made her stomach flutter but she pushed the feeling aside. It was business, they didn’t have a relationship. And besides, she didn’t even want kids. Did she? Shaking her head with disgust for herself and her traitorous thoughts, Lateisha picked up the pen from the table and signed the contract and the health clause.

  “Can I wait on this?” She asked pointing to the parental rights form.

  Bryce’s face went dark. “I guess so,” he mumbled, a frown forming on his face.

  “I don’t mean to worry you but this is sudden and I haven’t really given thought to the part about it being my baby biologically. I’m not sure why. I’ll sign it, but I’d just like to mull it over a bit more before I do. Is that alright?” Lateisha explained.

  Bryce nodded, the dark frown still on his face. Hopefully her own indecisive mind didn’t fuck up her chances.

  *****

  Bryce’s mind was still reeling from the kiss, even a whole half hour later, when Lateisha dropped the bomb about not signing the relinquishing of parental rights form. His mood went from mildly embarrassed and light to dark and second guessing. Maybe she wasn’t the right choice after all? Sighing, he took the signed contracts from her outstretched hand. This night was not going as planned. Why the fuck did he kiss her? Well he knew why, she looked fucking sexy in the short black dress and he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her plunging neckline. But that wasn’t why they were there. He was there to sign a business contract with her to carry his child and already she was second guessing if she wanted to give the child up to him. Running a hand through his hair, which he still needed to trim, Bryce looked at Lateisha. For the first time he saw that she was vulnerable. The look on her face after she asked him to give her time made his chest clench. What was happening to him?

  “Sure,” he answered again as she folded the paperwork and shoved it into her purse. He had to stop himself from grabbing it from her to smooth it out.

  “Are you sure? You don’t look sure?” Lateisha asked, pulling at her dress.

  Bryce identified that as a nervous habit. How after only a week was he able to know her that well?

  “Yes. Take the time you need. I just wanted to get started right away with the insemination so that the baby would be born this winter. I’m planning on flying down to Florida to visit my father around that time and I’d like him to be able to meet the baby.” Bryce answered. A simple yes would have done but he had to tell her more about himself. Keeping his distance and keeping this relationship professional was proving harder than it seemed.

  “Thank you so much. We can start the process if you’d like. I’ll sign, I promise. I just need to absorb it that’s all.”

  They ate in silence the rest of the dinner and Bryce picked up the check, handing the waiter his credit card. From the corner of his eye he saw Lateisha’s face. She looked a bit embarrassed or ashamed.

  “Are you sure I can’t pay for my dinner?” She asked, smoothing her skirt with fervor.

  “It’s okay, honestly. This is part of the health clause, making sure you’re fed well.” Bryce laughed.

  “Right. Okay,” Lateisha said with a chuckle that sounded forced.

  They gathered their things and exited the restaurant. Bryce’s car pulled up to the curb and his driver, Gerry, stepped out.

  “Are you ready, sir?” He asked, taking Bryce’s briefcase and placing it into the car.

  “Not just yet, Gerry,” Bryce answered.

  Lateisha hung back, and he assumed she was planning on walking down the street to the bus stop because her eyes kept drifting to where people sat under the covered platform.

  “Would you like a ride?” Bryce asked, stepping back to whisper in Lateisha’s ear.

  He saw her shiver and tried not to think about it being from their proximity or the intimate way he whispered in her ear. But being that it was mid August she wasn’t likely cold.

  “Uh, no, I’m fine. I was just going to…”

  “Take the bus?” Bryce finished for her.

  “Yes,” she said her face to the ground.

  “Well, considering you just signed a contract to keep your body safe from harm I think it’s in your best interest to catch a ride with me or be found in breach of contract.” Bryce added.

  Lateisha laughed and Bryce ignored the way his heart and cock responded to the sound.

  “But I’m not pregnant yet so it’s not in effect.”

  “You got me there. But what’s the harm in it, Lateisha?” He asked, even though he knew damn well what the harm was.

  *****

  What was the harm, he asked? Lateisha knew damn well the harm was that they could both fuck up the contract and lose what they both were after. She would admit she was attracted to him. He was kind, handsome, and sexy and a billionaire, what wasn’t to be attracted to? But Lateisha’s life was complicated enough without adding a failed relationship with a billionaire to the mix. She could tell right now if they did start something and he tired of her, which he likely would, she would be devastated.

  Resigned, she slid into the back seat of the car as Bryce scooted over to the far side. Gerry closed the door and Lateisha looked out the window, afraid to look at Bryce, afraid of what she might see in his eyes.

  “I’m not going to bite, Lateisha,” Bryce said, his voice deep and full of lust.

  What was happening? She had to get out of this car.

  “Bryce, I…” She started but it was no use, because when she turned, Bryce was right there next to her.

  His scent wrapped around her like a blanket and she ignored the feeling of security it brought her. Lateisha raised her hands to his chest and gave a feeble push. Before that they weren’t touching, just sitting very close. When her hands connected with his chest, which was rock hard underneath his dress shirt, Lateisha’s body heated against her will. She wanted to pull back but she couldn’t; she was lost in the sensation for a moment.

  “Lateisha,” Bryce whispered, moving in closer to her.

  His lips brushed hers and she groaned despite her best efforts to remain detached. It felt so right, his body warm and hard under her hands, hands that began to roam of their own volition. They roamed over his chest and down his abdomen, stopping at the buckle of his belt. Lateisha wasn’t thinking, she was feeling and what she felt right now, with Bryce, she never felt with anyone else. Her fingers fumbled with his belt buckle but she managed to get it undone. Bryce moaned into her mouth, deepening the kiss. Their tongues entwined, dancing together in a way that made Lateisha wet between her legs.
This was really happening. She managed to get his belt undone and unbutton his pants. While she did that he was reaching for the sash that kept her wrap dress closed. With one tug he had it undone. The dress fell open and exposed Lateisha’s black lace bra and underwear.

  “Fuck,” Bryce whispered, the curse sounding so out of place in his proper hint of a British accent.

  Bryce wrapped his large hands around Lateisha’s trim waist, letting the dress fall down her shoulders as he pulled her close to him. Her skin felt like satin and he couldn’t wait to taste her, all of her. He reached around behind her and unclasped her bra. The thin material of lace fell away and exposed her full, plump breasts. Bryce cupped them in his hands and leaned down to take a nipple in his mouth.

  Lateisha moaned as Bryce licked the light brown peak until it was stiff. It felt so good, too good. While he moved on to the other breast, Lateisha dropped her hands back to his pants, reaching inside of the waistband and cupping his hard erection. Her small hands could barely circle his large girth and he growled, deep in his chest as she wrapped both of her hands around him. The sound of the partition between the front and back of the car snapped Lateisha out of her lust. She removed her hands from his cock as if the heat of him burned her.

  “Bryce, we can’t…” She said at the same moment the driver noticed he had interrupted something.

  “Oh! Sorry, sir,” he yelped, rolling the partition back into place.

  Lateisha hung her head with mortification and shrugged her dress back on, stuffing her bra into her purse. She tied the sash quickly without looking at Bryce.

  “Lateisha, I’m sorry…” He started and she could hear his belt jingling as he buttoned back up.

  Lateisha shook her head, “It’s fine.”

  After righting their clothes they scooted to opposite sides of the car and remained silent for the rest of the ride back. When they arrived at Lateisha’s apartment she whispered her thanks and slipped from the car. She didn’t look back as she entered the building, flames heating her face. How could they complete their contract; the contract she already signed, after what just happened?

  *****

  Bryce stared out the window as they approached their destination. He didn’t want to turn and watch Lateisha slip from the car silently. What had he been thinking? He was going to jeopardize what he wanted most right now; a child. Bryce kept telling himself he didn’t have time to date, or have a girlfriend. There were too many obligations to fill with his company and everything else he had to fulfill. He shook his head as he heard Lateisha whisper goodbye. Willing himself to not turn around, Bryce gave a heavy sigh. At the last minute he turned just as Lateisha was walking into her building. If letting her walk away right now was the best thing to do, why did he feel like such an ass?

  “Can you take me to the office, Gerry?’ Bryce snapped at his driver with more venom than he meant. It wasn’t Gerry’s fault he was in a foul mood. If anything he should be thanking Gerry for interrupting something that could have ruined his goals.

  “Certainly, sir. “ Gerry answered with a questioning look in his eyes when Bryce caught them in the rearview.

  Bryce looked away, not wanting to explain to himself, let alone someone else, just how much he felt like a failure. At his age, Bryce’s father not only had two children and a devoted wife but a multi-billion dollar company. Bryce only had one and he felt like a failure. It’s funny how the success he studied so hard to deserve inheriting was the thing he cared about the least. What Bryce wouldn’t give to have someone to come home to at night and a tiny person who looked like him to snuggle with. When he was in graduate school all Bryce thought about was the company. Lately all Bryce thought about was a family.

  Sighing heavily for the second time, Bryce exited his car, giving Gerry an apologetic nod.

  “It’s okay, sir. I’ll see you in a few hours,” Gerry replied.

  Bryce told Gerry he would call him and entered the now deserted building. The only people in the building at this hour on a Friday evening were Bryce and the night security guard at the front desk. Bryce waved and said hello then headed toward the bank of elevators that led to the top floor. Using his key card, Bryce pressed the number sixteen after swiping it and rode the elevator up. He refused to think about Lateisha, but the way she felt against him, the way she tasted, wouldn’t leave his mind. Shifting uncomfortably and adjusting his dress pants around his growing erection, Bryce stepped from the elevator and headed toward his office. Maybe a few hours of honest work would clear his mind. If not, he wasn’t sure what he would do about the surrogacy situation.

  *****

  Lateisha hurried into her room, hoping that Becky was still at work. She stripped off the dress and threw it on the floor of her closet. Not wearing a bra reminded her of what happened in the limo and she groaned; partially from embarrassment and partially from unfulfilled arousal. She needed another shower and to go to sleep. Tiptoeing past Becky’s door, just in case, Lateisha went into the bathroom and started the shower. Five minutes in she heard a door slam; Becky was home. Waiting to exit the shower until she was sure Becky was in her room, Lateisha shut the shower off and towel dried her skin. Just as she was wrapping the towel around herself, Becky entered the bathroom.

  “So, how was the ‘date’ with baby daddy?” Becky asked, rolling her eyes.

  Lateisha frowned, “Just leave it be, Becky. I’m not in the mood.”

  Becky shrugged. “Fine, suit yourself. But don’t come crying to me when it all blows up in your face,”she said and turned on her heel, walking into her room and slamming the door.

  Lateisha flinched at the loud bang of the door slamming. She dressed quickly and climbed into bed. Maybe sleep would help make everything clearer. Maybe sleep would make her feel like this whole thing was a good idea.

  *****

  The sun was so bright the next morning Lateisha could see it through her eyelids. Blinking awake, and then throwing her hand over her eyes to cover the offending sun, she turned over, loath to wake up today. The humiliation, as well as the way she felt when Bryce had his mouth on her nipple, came back to her and she whimpered. How could she ever show her face around him without thinking about that moment? Just as she had decided to let herself doze off for a bit longer; she didn’t have to work until noon, her phone rang. Growling with irritation she grabbed it from the nightstand and answered it, without checking to see who it was first.

  “What?” She barked, tired and sexually frustrated made for a terrible mood.

  “Lateisha?” It was Bryce.

  Shit!

  “Bryce!” She exclaimed, sitting straight up in bed. The one time she didn’t screen her calls she received a call from the one person she wanted to avoid.

  “That’s me,” he said with a slight nervous laugh.

  Lateisha smiled, he was so sexy when he wasn’t even trying to be. No those thoughts would just get her in trouble again.

  “What can I help you with at this ungodly hour of the morning, Bryce?” Lateisha asked.

  “It’s ten am, Lateisha. I’ve been up since five,” he said with a chuckle.

  Lateisha’s face heated. “Well we don’t all have multi-million dollar companies to run in the morning now do we?”

  “No, I guess not. And it’s a multi-billion dollar company.” He added with another laugh.

  “Oh, excuse me.”

  “Anyway, I’m calling to see when you will be available to start the insemination process. As I mentioned last night, I’d really like to get this on the road, so to speak,” Bryce said, his voice growing serious.

  Lateisha paused for a moment. Did he really want to continue this process after last night?

  “Bryce, I, well, I just thought that, I mean, after last night…” Lateisha stumbled over her words unable to put together a coherent sentence.

  “It’s okay, Lateisha. We both made a mistake. The dinner atmosphere made it feel like a date and we both got carried away.
That doesn’t mean I don’t want to continue.” He assured her in a stern voice.

  A mistake? Clearly Lateisha misinterpreted Bryce’s signals last night. She was just at the right place at the right time. She wasn’t anyone special. A pang, of what she wasn’t sure, sliced through her chest but she maintained her composure.

  “Right. Okay then. I’m off tomorrow if you’d like to make the appointment.”

  They discussed time and where to meet and Lateisha hung up the phone. Sighing, she decided to get up and get ready for work. Bryce made her feel like a slacker.

  *****

  The next morning Lateisha set her alarm for six and even managed to get up. The appointment was for eight, at her insistence, and she didn’t want to be late. She made a point of telling Bryce to make the appointment at eight so he wouldn’t think all she did was sleep until noon; even if that’s what she did most days. Today the sun was just as bright but for some reason her mood was not. Not wanting to send Bryce mixed signals, she dressed in a plain white shirt and dark jeans, choosing to pair it with black sandals. Nodding at her appearance in the mirror, she grabbed her purse from the dresser and headed downstairs. Becky was in the kitchen making coffee and Lateisha hid the frown that broke out on her face when she saw her. Becky would ask her where she was going so early and Lateisha did not feel like this conversation.

  “Good morning,” Lateisha mumbled, reaching into the cabinet for a bowl.

  “Wow, what are you doing up so early?” Becky asked, slapping her hand over her mouth quickly when she realized what she had said.

  “Ha ha, ‘Lateisha is a lazy bum,’” she muttered without answering Becky’s question.

  “Teish, I didn’t say that and you know it. I just don’t think I’ve seen you up so early since nursing school,”

  Lateisha sighed, “Sorry, I’m a bit on edge today.”

  “Why? Where are you going?” Becky asked, pouring more coffee into her cup.

  Lateisha turned away from her and headed to the fridge to retrieve the milk. She took her time pouring some Fruity Pebbles into a bowl and pouring the milk over them. Carrying it to the table, she sat down and began to eat, still not answering the question.