by Leah Holt
Sure, I could have sat there, dwelling on the asshole that just threw a fist in my gut, and his cock in my pussy. But I decided not to.
Pulling myself up, I inhaled a deep breath. I had to relax, get control of myself. Obviously he wasn't letting me go just yet. I wasn't going to let him think he had gotten to me either.
If my mom's care was on the line and her health was in his hands, I had to think things through.
Maybe, just maybe, this could be my answer.
Am I ready for a baby? No.
But what do you do when your own mother needs you?
You do whatever it takes.
Would she want me passing this up? Would she risk her life for me to leave empty handed?
My throat was coated in a sour taste, stomach rolling with nerves and toxic waste. I had to figure this shit out.
One way or another, I knew my mom wasn't going to be the one suffering.
Not by his hands.
Chapter Nine
Hegan
Lunch— with my parents; the thought made me cringe. Ever since my father threw his lawyer's papers down on the table in front of me; I did anything I could to avoid him. The rant of constant reminders about finding the girl, leaving a legacy to our name, it was an unwelcome conversation that seemed to plague any interaction we had.
And I was highly annoyed by his antics. The repetitive nature of his comments, the reminders that if I wanted to keep my portion of the company, my chair at the 'round table,' then I better stop screwing around and focus.
He was making me sick to my stomach.
Pulling a plain black t-shirt over my head, I slid my feet into the bright white sneakers set on the floor. I hated wearing flashy suits, khaki pants and button-ups; that was what my mother dressed me in my entire youth.
I was told it was the appropriate style to represent our family. You know what I decided the day I turned eighteen?
Fuck that.
No more, no more uptight clothing with collars and ties. No more blazers and pants that had the seam running down the front. I burned that shit in the fireplace; another thing the maids were pretty pissed off about.
The clothes I wore now were a sense of freedom. A way to stand out from the rest of the clan in my father's country club.
I had broken the ties and cemented a piece of my own identity. Which had been long overdue.
Black sheep? Yeah that's me, and I'll gladly hold that title.
Who wants to be a cookie cutter version of everyone else? I certainly don't, life would be really boring if that was the case.
Standing at Copper's door, I knocked lightly against the wood. “Yeah?” she said, her delicate voice muffled behind the barrier.
“We need to leave in ten minutes.”
“Alright, I'm almost ready.”
Leaning against the banister, I rolled the car key in between my fingers, staring blankly at its movements across my hands. What is my dad going to think of her? I'm sure he's going to huff under his breath and turn his nose into the air.
Copper wasn't the daughter of a rich family, she didn't come from high class or wealth. I was fairly sure he would be egging me on to find someone else by the morning.
Luckily, the choice wasn't up to him, it was up to me. And my mind had been made up, she was the one. He would just have to deal with it, in the end he was going to get what he wanted anyway.
The light clicking of heels forced my head up. There, standing before me was a woman, a woman who could have been the center of a painting, the muse of a famous artist.
If she was spread across a canvas, it would go for millions. A picture worth hanging in a museum.
Or in my bed.
Her long red hair was pulled half up, loose strands framed the roundness of her face. Copper's lips were a light shade of pink, the apples of her cheeks mimicked the same softness.
My eyes scanned the entire length of her body. The supple bare flesh of her neck merged with her chest. A form fitting green dress rode her figure to her knees, the end slitting at the trim, making my eyes walk up her thigh.
She looked stunning. The light shining down onto her, causing her to glow in an angelic aura. She had rendered me speechless, and that wasn't an easy thing to do.
“Wow,” I said, the only three letters I was able to find and push out. She had taken all the words from my head, my mind only spinning with the desire to rip the dress off her and fuck her again.
Copper's eyes darted up to the ceiling, her hand nervously brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Stop it. This is all I brought, I had been expecting to dance, remember?” A hairline crack lifted at her lip.
I watched her try to keep from smiling, trying to hold her lips in place. “I'm serious, you look amazing.” My eyes were pasted on her, stuck against her body, unable to move.
Fiddling with the small, silver clutch in her hands she asked, “So, we're going to go have lunch with your parents, then what?”
“Then we fuck again. How else am I going to get you knocked up?”
“It doesn't always just happen. Did you ever think I could be on birth control? Hmm, then what?” Her high heels brought her closer to me, the scent of her perfume drifting up and coating my brain.
God she smells amazing. Her perfume is just as intoxicating as she is. Her legs look endless. I want her thighs to squeeze around me.
“Well? Did you hear me, or are you just going to keep fucking me with your eyes all day?” Her head tilted to the side, neck angled up.
“I would rather just fuck you all day.”
“Stop it. Be serious, did you think about any of that stuff? You didn't did you?”
“Are you on birth control?” Tracing her shoulder, her skin felt warm and silky under my fingers. Copper whipped her head away. A deep cherry red ran over her face, her hands twitching against her waist. “You're not, are you?”
Silently she shook her head no. Arching her head over her shoulder she looked at the large grandfather clock against the wall. “I still didn't agree to this yet. I didn't agree to have your baby. I'm only going to lunch with you because I'm still being paid.”
“Well, let's go. We can figure everything else out later...” My hand draped over her shoulder as I said, “While you're riding my cock.” A smile pulled up across my face.
She was trying so hard to wriggle her fingers into some form of control. She desperately wanted to believe that I would let her. It was written all over her words, all over her movements. Every time she says 'no,' it's her trying to squeeze an option out of me.
But I'm not giving her one.
Copper pursed her lips. A heavy breath fell from her nose, chest lifting with anger. “Dick.” She huffed out under her exhale.
Laughing, I shot her an even wider smile. “Come on, the car's in the garage.”
“Are we even going to be able to drive there? There's a shit load of snow, I bet the roads are a mess.”
“Nah, it'll be fine. I have a Land Rover. The main roads are probably cleaned up by now.” Pulling open the door, I ushered her in with one arm.
Standing at her side, I held her hips to guide her up. Watching her perfect ass slide into the passenger seat, I had the urge to slap it. Tapping her back side I watched it jiggle behind the fabric
Her head shot over her shoulder. “Keep your hands to yourself, Hegan.” She spat.
“I could try, but I won't. You feel too good to not enjoy in every way.” Winking at her, I closed the door and jumped in the front seat. “Alright, let's get this over with.”
Pressing the button on my visor, the large metal door yanked up towards the ceiling. Turning the key, I revved the engine and drove us in the direction of town.
We were headed to an upscale restaurant on a private beach, The Towers. It was owned by the country club my father had been a member with for years. And surprisingly, the closer we got, the more my stomach buzzed with nerves.
I just wanted to get this over with and get back to my main g
oal. Getting this girl fucking pregnant.
Copper had her hands tucked snug in between her thighs, she had hidden her delicious flesh from me under a coat. One of the many reasons I hated winter, too much clothing and not enough skin.
Her face sat firm looking out the window. Speaking into the glass she asked, “So tell me a little about your parents. I don't want to go in empty handed.”
“You mean you still haven't realized who I am?”
Keeping her gaze on the passing roadway, she shook her head no. “Should I? Because I don't.”
It blew my mind that she hadn't recognized who I was yet. Every woman in the state knew who I was. How could she not? Did she live in a fucking hole?
My father's name was on every little league field around, we had family commercials running on repeat for all the local stations.
It was actually a refreshing feeling that she didn't know. One of the reasons I had picked her in the first place. But I'd figured by now it would have clicked in her head. For fucks sake, she didn't ask the limo driver?
“My father is Brandon Alexander. Does that ring a bell?”
Shrugging her shoulders up, she twisted her face in my direction. “No.”
“Okay. Well, my dad owns an oil company. The largest one around. He's a bit of a prude so try not to take what he might say seriously. To be honest, my dad's a dick.”
“Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, figure of speech in the flesh.” She giggled, the light chuckle rolling from behind her lips. A full smile emerged, spreading across her cheeks.
“Funny. You might think I'm a dick for what I'm doing, but trust me, my father is ten times worse.” Turning into the lot, I parked out front. “Here we are.”
“Valet, the privileged man's way to park.” A grin was still painted across her face. “Or as I like to call it, laziness.” Her door swung open, the arm of a stranger held out to help her down.
A twinge of jealousy heated my core, making its way through my muscles to my head. It surged through the instant another man touched her, placed his hand on her flesh.
What the fuck. Why do I care if that guy helped her out? I wanted to do it, but who cares? I couldn't understand the feelings streaming my nerves. They climbed my spine, wrenching their grip around the base of my skull.
This was a totally new feeling for me, I never got jealous. Fuck, I'd normally be eyeing the next girl that crossed by my sight. Instead, my eyes heaved fire at the valet just doing their job.
I had the sudden urge to fly at him with my fist, knock him clear off his feet just so he knew she was mine. Swiftly I walked to her side. “Thanks, I got this,” I spat at him, bending my arm at the elbow for her.
The man, dressed in his gray suit, dipped his brow at me. Taking a step back, he nodded his head and turned to walk away.
“What the hell was that?” she asked, arching her brow.
“What?”
“That. You barked at him like he was doing something wrong.” Her hand glided around the muscle popping beneath my jacket. I felt her grip tighten around the firming ripple of my forearm.
Immediately the tension left my body. Her touch soothing me on the inside. “He did do something wrong. He touched you.” My sight held firm on the man aiding another person who had just pulled up.
She didn't respond, instead her fingers squeezed harder. Copper raised her free hand and wrapped it over my arm. Looking down at her, I noticed her cheeks were flushed. It could have been from the cold, but the small corner of her mouth that had peeled up to her ear, told me it wasn't.
Together we walked inside the restaurant. And it felt right, it felt perfect. For once, a single second in my crazy world seemed exactly as it should be.
Her in my arm, in my protection from the outside world.
Chapter Ten
Noella
My arm was wrapped inside his, firmly stroking the muscle beneath my palm; and a fire began to ignite inside my belly.
I didn't want that, I didn't want to feel any type of emotions towards him. But it happened. A sweltering heat cut through me, disarming the wall I had created against him.
Hegan didn't want another guy touching me, even if it was innocent. His feral need to protect me, to keep me to him and him alone; it brought a smile to my face.
I can't explain why, or how. It just did.
Entering the restaurant, I knew right away I was out of place. I was the uncut diamond, in a world of precious stones.
Everyone around was dressed fancy. There were men wandering around in tailored suits, speaking with their hands as if the words would fly out from them and take shape. The women were all wearing floor length dresses, long waves of pearls cascaded over their chests.
And here I was in a dress that fit tight as a second layer of skin, and heels that screamed: 'Hey I'll let you fuck me!'
I had the sudden urge to slink away, hide in the bathroom and hope some tiny mice would bring me the gown I needed to survive in a place like this.
“This is awkward.” The whisper coaxed out the side of my mouth. Wide eyed, I stared up at Hegan as every head in the place turned to glare at me. The eyes of unknown people followed me as we walked through, hushed whispers floated between their mouths.
“Welcome to my world, Honey.” Flashing a wide grin, his arm wrapped tightly around my waist. “Don't worry about them, they're just jealous. I would be too if I saw you walk in with a guy like me.” Flicking his eyes down, he winked.
Suddenly, the knots building and rolling inside began to settle. Hegan had not only comforted me, but he complimented me at the same time.
My record with men in the past hadn't been the best. I used to be a shy girl, my nose in the books and my family. I've had a few boyfriends here and there, but nothing serious. The last guy I dated turned out to be a fucking asshole. He left me standing alone at a concert, and when I found him...
Well, let's just say he was preoccupied with other company.
Balls deep in a bathroom stall.
That was seven months ago and I've been single ever since. My only goal after that had been to help my family, pay my debt, and get my fucking life back.
There was no room left for another guy.
Hegan pulled me into his hip, leaning in he whispered in my ear. “See that guy over there? Green polo, hair slicked over to the side?” Nodding my head yes, he said, “That's Gerald Dillard. He owns the law firm my father goes through.”
I peered at the man as he tossed his head back laughing wildly, martini in hand. “He looks like he needs to just give up on hair. That comb over does no justice.”
Cracking a soft laugh, Hegan's hand climbed down my hip, gently cupping my ass. And when I thought I would've slapped it away, I didn't.
I liked it there, liked him touching me. Shivers swept up my spine, riding my back and flowing down to my toes. On impulse I pressed myself closer to him, filling any gap I could between our bodies.
Stepping through the archway into the dining room, Hegan glanced between the tables, his chin shifted up as he looked through the crowd of faces. “There they are. Back table to the left. My mother's name is Stella, and my dad is—”
“Brandon, I remember.” Twisting to look up at him, I asked, “Anything else I should know before we head into the dog pit?” Fluttering my lashes, a smile arched to one side.
“Yeah, they think you're my girlfriend.” Biting his lower lip, his eyes gaped open expanding beyond their limit.
“Of course they do.” The words trailed off under my breath.
I should have known. Why else would he bring me here to have lunch with them?
So, how does a baby fit in to this charade?
He wanted to keep me, paid for my services. Which, without my knowledge, included more than just my company.
Hegan bought me in return for a baby.
Now I'm meeting his parents as his 'girlfriend.'
What did he tell them about me?
It hadn't occurred to me to ask h
im. Fuck, I only met him once a couple weeks ago and it wasn't exactly under normal circumstances. We had spent a brief amount of time together. And until yesterday, I'd forgotten all about him.
Well, that's not entirely true.
He had crossed my mind a few times since that night. Hegan was hard to forget, you don't see many guys like him around. A sweltering mess of sexy with a dash of personality to top it off.
It didn't help either that he had sent my pussy into a watery pool when I danced for him that night. And that stood out in my memory.
The way he looked at me, the way his hand felt when he gripped my wrist. It was a feeling I'd never experienced, a feeling of pure excitement.
Extending his leg, he started towards the table. Following closely beside him, I was struck with a cold sweat. Trickling over my skin, its icy fingers traced the small of my back.
Alright Noella, if you can play the role of Copper, you can play the role of wealthy.
I had gotten pretty good at pretending since working at Tigress. Putting on the face of someone else had become second nature. I figured this was no different, all I had to do was act; that's all I ever did lately, act.
Inhaling deeply, I let my mind go blank. Just be yourself. What's the worse that could happen? You're not really his girlfriend. Hegan had swept me into the mess of his life, he hadn't done anything for me.
I didn't owe him shit.
Yet, here I was beginning to mold myself into what I thought wealthy was, and why?
Because he was paying for my weekend. But he didn't own me, he'll never own me. My spine lifted, neck following as I held my head high. I was just going to be who I was. And if he didn't like that, well too fucking bad.
I was tired of pretending to be someone I'm not.
As we approached the table, I watched his dad stand and straighten his suit. His hands came down to tug on the trim, shifting up to adjust his tie. Brandon had deep gray hair, combed back nicely, not a single strand was out of place.
Hegan's mother remained seated. She was wearing a light blue dress, small shiny sequins were layered across the top. Each tiny round spangle reflected the flicker of the candle set on the table.