by Alice Moore
“Mistletoe.” Blinking slowly, my brows came together in confusion before William pointed to the ceiling. Sure enough there was a little, pathetic, lonely patch of thistle, but it certainly wasn’t a mistletoe. Smiling widely, I tore my eyes off it to tug on William’s beard, pulling his mouth back to mine.
“You could’ve just kissed me.” Grinning madly, William shrugged off my suggestion to set me on my feet with a soft grunt.
“I thought this was nicer, especially with the things I plan on doing later, Risha. I wanted to give you your present alone.” My heart fluttered in its cage, and I stiffened when William pulled out a tiny box from his back pocket. “And before you start getting any crazy ideas… you know- just open it, baby girl.”
Blood roared in my ears as I took the case, and I licked my lips nervously as William’s gaze bored into my head. My fingers tingled, tips going slightly numb, and my heart raced wildly. Slowly, carefully popping the top, a gasp flew from my mouth at the metal that glinted under the yellow lights of the room.
Inside the box were two items carefully entwined, and I couldn’t do anything more than stare for a few seconds. The bigger object was a key- a house key- with tiny letters etched into the handle. Ducking my head, I squinted to read them as joy blurred my vision.
Home. It was such a simple message, but I hiccupped all the same before my gaze drifted to the smaller of the two items. The second was a perfectly cut diamond set on a dangler, and the dazzling intensity of it threatened to blind me. Soft, forest green silk jutted from between the cushions, and I carefully tugged and wiggled the fabric free.
“It’s so beautiful… I- I don’t even know what to say, William.” My voice cracked, and I tore my eyes off the choker to watch blearily as William smiled. A complete mess, my mind could barely register his movements as he took the necklace to drape it across my throat.
“Say you will, Risha…” Sweeping my hair over my shoulder, William fastened the choker firmly before pulling back to cup my cheeks. His eyes bored into mine, and I gulped down the lump in my throat while my seams started to unravel.
“I will. I will- yes.” Laughing at my own admission, I wrapped my arms tightly around William’s neck to accept his fevered, sweet kisses. This man and the man that treated me so roughly were the same, and I wanted both sides. His house key was heavy, biting into my palm as I clutched it tight, and the box fell to the floor, forgotten. My heart was on fire, spreading warmth throughout my body, and even when he pulled away that feeling didn’t die down any.
“Merry Christmas, Risha.” Grinning, I placed one last, deep kiss on his lips before pulling back to touch my gift. The silk bands of the choker hugged my throat but not too tightly, and I let out a happy sigh.
“… You have to wait for your present.” Giggling at William’s mock frown, I carefully put my key in my jean’s pocket before sticking out my tongue at him. “Too bad.”
“You’re killing me, baby girl.” William’s groan couldn’t shake my resolve, and I huffed before grabbing his hand. Heading back to the party, I let my happiness take over every cell in my body as my mind whirled. His intentions with his gift made it so much easier to give him mine.
“Hey-y-!” Cheers and applause met me when we emerged from the hallway, and red seeped into my cheeks at the notion that everyone knew about this but me. Sauntering over with two glasses of whiskey, Nash handed William one before grinning down at me. “Congratulations! You’re officially William’s sub. Every good bitch needs a collar, right?”
If I knew him any less, Nash’s words would’ve been offensive, but I only shook my head with a laugh. Hugging Natalie quickly, I glanced around for Cynthia to watch her chat on the couch with Martin’s mom. The woman looked 20 years older than she really was, but Cynthia’s involvement in her life had a physical effect. She looked so much better than the first time I saw her two weeks ago even though she’d had a round of chemotherapy two days ago.
The only thing this day was missing was children running, screaming, playing, and my smile turned soft. Pretty soon that wouldn’t be the case.
“Risha, can you help me and Brena with the food real quick? We’re all ready to serve.” Nodding at the request, I followed Natalie into the kitchen, and Brena and I exchanged a quick, wordless wave. “So, we’re going to eat, and then it’s present time. We all talked, and we think you should go last.”
“Okay- yeah. I can do that.” The thoughtfulness touched my heart, and Natalie grinned at me before we turned our attention to the mountain of food. Brena and Natalie had worked all day in two full kitchens to make the spread, and my mouth watered as I took it in. I was an alright cook, but these two were beyond anything I could make. There were two hams, two ducks, a mountain of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and green beans- any dish associated with Christmas was on display.
And by the time dinner was over, it’d all be eaten and washed down with beer and wine.
“I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m so grateful my mom has questionable morals and low self-esteem. I wouldn’t trade Cynthia for anyone, but you’re in my top three, no contest.” Speaking lowly, I balanced a serving dish full of cauliflower in one hand and a plate of biscuits in the other. Hauling one of the hams beside me, Natalie flashed me a toothy grin. My mind flew back to our spa day, and I giggled at the memories. Where Cynthia was assured, Natalie freaked out right alongside me. She was a nice change from my best friend’s cynical nature.
“I agree.”
Dinner whirled by with the force of a hurricane, and by the time I was nestled on the couch next to William exhaustion weighed down my limbs. My stomach was distended; whenever I found my plate empty, more food would just appear out of nowhere. Satisfaction pulsed through me with each slow, steady pump of my heart, and I was glad Nash had such a big house. There was no possible way William and I would make it back home.
“Alright! Me first!” Cynthia’s excited squeak caused my heavy eyelids to pop, and I shuffled against William’s side as she snatched up the gifts she’d brought. Everyone received a package, and a wry smile crested my cheeks as the sound of paper ripping rang in my ears.
Every person received a bra similar to the one I wore to the seminar, and Natalie got three. Even the men. Laughter followed, and I held my present on my lap quietly as I worked up the energy to open it.
“Hey, Frank- you can have mine- my pecs aren’t big enough for it.” A giggle burst from my throat at Nash’s tease, and he made to throw the balled-up fabric across the room before Natalie snatched it.
“You will not!”
The gift giving was slow, arduously slow, and nerves tingled my belly the longer it seemed to stretch on. Beneath the brightly lit tree the pile of presents was dwindling, and I watched through anxious eyes. When only my bag was left, I carefully stood up to reach for it. Sweat slicked my palm, and I licked my lips heavily before taking a discreet, deep breath.
I handed out everyone’s present but William’s, saving him for last, and he smiled tenderly up at me as I stood over him. With trembling fingers, I held out his box, and my heart thundered in my chest. Blood drowned out the sound of people tearing open their gifts, narrowing my world to the man in front of me.
In slow motion William carefully unwrapped his gift, starting at the ends, and I held my breath. He was overly cautious not to rip the bright red wrapping, and I clutched my bag straps tightly. Blinking hard before it became impossible, my eyelids struggled to close from the desire to watch this moment in its entirety.
The necklace box was a sparkling silver, and I clamped my teeth around my bottom lip while William wiggled and worked it open. Confusion clouded his features when he realized there wasn’t any chain inside, and I leaned in unconsciously.
Shock rippled across William’s face when he uncovered the contents, and my heart squeezed and stuttered. The silence was deafening, creating a ringing in my ears, but I still heard him when he choked on his own breath. Wide, searching eyes met mine, silently asking me too
many questions to really process, and I only offered a bare nod in return.
My mind refused to work, too focused on William’s reaction. His fingers trembled when he reached for me, dragging his knuckles along the fastenings of my jeans. Tilting my hips, I held myself very still as he sucked in a sharp breath.
“You’re pregnant…” The positive test in the box fell to the floor when William got on his knees, his mumble filled with disbelief and awe. Pressing his forehead against my abdomen, he didn’t see me nod again as he gripped my butt with clammy palms.
“We’re going to have a baby, William.”
Epilogue: Risha
“Mommy- Mommy- lookit!” Bending down to scoop Tyler into my arms, I smiled widely as he shoved his drawing in my face. His excitement pulled a laugh from me, and I nodded even though I couldn’t really see what he’d drawn. The smell of crayons invaded my nostrils, and with my free hand I gently took the page from his chubby, little fingers.
“It’s amazing, sweetie. Did you draw that with Lucy?” My probing earned me a giggle and a nod, and I hoisted my boy higher on my hip. “I’m so glad you had fun.”
“We deco-racted Auntie Nattie’s kitch-ten for her!” Grinning at the mental image that flourished in my mind’s eye, I set the paper on the counter. Running my hand through Tyler’s cute, loose curls, my smile only grew when he immediately shook his head to undo my work. “Stop! You can do Meli’s hair when she gots here-“
“-when she gets here, sweetie.” My words flowed out automatically, and I carefully set my son on the floor. “When Meli gets here.”
“When Meli ge-e-et-t-s-s here.” All I seemed to do lately was smile, and Tyler scrunched up his face before putting his pudgy hands palm down on my belly. “She takin’ too long. I want you to do her hair, not mine.”
“I know it’s a long time, Tyler. Why don’t you go show Daddy your picture, huh? Where’s Auntie Nattie?” My lips quirked up, remember that scene from so many years ago. William finally got me to call him Daddy, and my chest shuddered in a silent laugh. Rubbing my bump as Tyler grabbed his picture to run through the living room, I let out a sigh before Natalie entered my peripheral vision.
“You’re looking good today, Risha. How was your afternoon?” Wiggling her eyebrows suggestively, Natalie grinned even as a fire spread across my face. Taking Tyler’s small backpack from her, I propped it on the counter to pull on the zipper.
“It was very nice. I especially liked it when he massaged my legs in the tub. Oh- so nice. I owe you.” Shivering in delight, I laughed when Natalie made a fake, gagging sound, and she bumped my shoulder gently.
“You’re damned right you do. That little monster championed coloring all over my walls. I’m definitely fine with one.”
A high-pitched squeal rang through the house, and I rifled through Tyler’s backpack with an absent shake of my head. William was tickled pink that our first child would be a boy, and that excitement had never died down; I wasn’t sure it ever would.
“William is already talking about the next one. Meli’s not even born yet.” His eagerness for a big family was in every decision he made, and I sighed wistfully. “I caught him the other day on the phone with the bank setting up another trust fund.”
“It’s a good thing you have no plans of stopping, then. But I never did understand why you’ve waited so long. I mean, it’s been five years- you could’ve had at least three more kids.”
“We wanted to savor Tyler. Plus, now we know a little bit of what we’re supposed to be doing. Wanting a lot of kids doesn’t mean we want them one after another. I’m hoping for a year with Meli- but you know William. He refuses to buy condoms.” Natalie only hummed, and I raked my fingers through my hair before twisting to lean on the counter. “I’m not complaining, of course. But- I’m going to go check on the boys.”
“Yeah- I have to go, anyway. Nash took Lucy to get some ice cream, and you know that’ll take forever. I’ve gotta get dinner started and stuff, and maybe I’ll get lucky tonight.” Giggling at that, I nodded in understanding before Natalie made her way out of my home. She and Nash loved their daughter, but she’d ruined their love life. They were only just starting to get back into it.
But William and I didn’t have that problem, and a secret smile picked up the corners of my mouth. Having a whole afternoon to ourselves was a blessing we took full advantage of. I was too pregnant now to do anything too crazy, but I rubbed my wrists together at the memory of my favorite pair of handcuffs.
Heading upstairs, I followed the sounds of a man and his son towards Tyler’s room. Leaning on the doorway, I crossed my arms over my chest as I took in the scene through rose-colored lenses. William was crouched tightly at a kid’s table, but he didn’t look at all as uncomfortable as he must’ve felt. A tiny crayon stuck out from his fingers, and I rested my head on the wooden frame with a smile.
He’s such a sucker. William did anything Tyler wanted to do, and while he was strict sometimes, that often wasn’t the case at all. He listened intently to what Tyler was babbling about, his toddler lisp in full evidence. The look of concentration on William’s face was as laughable as it was endearing while he colored, and I covered my mouth to stifle my huff.
“Daddy, use this one-“ Snatching William’s crayon, Tyler replaced it with a red one that was even smaller than the first.
My baby boy had inherited so much from his father that I wasn’t sure I would be able to handle it when he was older. Already the signs were there of the controlling, dominant man he would become.
But there was nothing better.
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Here is a sneak peek of “Knocked Up by the Billionaire”
Chapter 1 to 3 out of 12 full chapters. Enjoy!
Chapter One:Natalie
Gnawing on my bottom lip, I flipped absently through the bills that were slowly but surely piling up on my desk. A sweet, sugary scent permeated the walls to my office, and I took a shallow breath deep into my lungs. Dropping my chin into my hand, I let my envelope slip from my fingers before reaching for my computer mouse.
“I made a .9% profit increase from last month…” My grumble bounced off the bland walls of my office, and my lungs deflated with a gust. “That’s better than being in the red, I guess. Paying bills online is a godsend.”
With just a few clicks I managed to keep the electricity on; I kept the water running; the rent was paid, and I leaned back in my swivel chair to flop my head back. Staring at the ceiling, I couldn’t stop the scowl that crept up onto my face. Running a bakery was so much more work than I had imagined, and none of it actually involved baking.
Livin’ the dream, huh? I would’ve worked out of my kitchen if I knew how insane it was to have my own business.
A soft knock pushed me back to the present, and I groaned loudly before picking myself up from my chair. Shuffling across the tacky, old carpet, I ran my hand through my hair and rolled my stiff shoulders. Of the three employees I had, only one still knocked on my door; and it was the most annoying kind of interruption.
“How many times have I told you not to kn-“ My tongue tied as Brena sheepishly stared at me, but it was the person behind her that drew my gaze. The woman was tall, blonde, and wore perfectly applied make up on her long, narrow face. Her skirt suit was impeccable, and there wasn’t a single hair on her head that was out of place.
“She asked for you, Nat.” Scurrying away, Brena disappeared beyond the hallway bend, and I pursed my lips together. This woman didn’t introduce herself, simply staring at me with intelligent, expectant blue eyes. Leaning on the door frame, I crossed my arms over my chest before opening my mouth.
“How can I help you?” Furrowing my brows, I scanned the woman once again only to catch sight of my worn sneakers. Clenching my jaw, I viciously beat down the surge of insecurity that came from seeing
what could’ve been four hundred dollar heels. Snapping to the woman’s face, my eyes narrowed on the perfect smile that stretched her lips, letting her perfect teeth show through.
And who said money can’t make you a beautiful person?
“Would you mind if I came in to talk? I’m here on behalf of Farber Properties.” For a moment I was still, my mind churning to figure out why this woman was even here. She waited patiently, and I huffed softly before pushing myself off the door frame.
“I pay my rent on time, so this can’t be about that.” My office was sparse; I didn’t even have a chair for her to sit in, and I sat on the edge of my desk as she shook her head gracefully.
“No. I’m talking to all of the business owners in this plaza to get your opinion about an overhaul remodel. I understand you’ve only just started renting for your bakery 7 months ago.” Setting her little, thin briefcase on my desk, the woman pulled out an even thinner file to lean back on her heels. “Before I get into anything, I should introduce myself. I’m Sasha Newton, a property assessment manager for Farber. I just want to let you know that we don’t plan on evicting you- I understand all too well how hard it is to start a business. Our overhaul remodel plans are for expansion onto the current building, making any repairs and upgrading our current blocks, and creating a bigger parking lot.”
Sasha spoke fast, and I pulled my lower lip between my teeth as she flipped open her folder.
“In your contract, it’s stated that you’ll be exempt from any property improvement fees or rent increases for two years. However, I can’t do much about how your business might suffer during the construction. From what I understand, you already have quite a few regulars, but your profit margins are still expectedly low.” My fingers curled into fists at that, and Sasha pulled out a flimsy piece of paper with a flourish. “This is a compensation form. We’ve already averaged out your expected growth based on the past 7 months you’ve been with us. We’re prepared to cover the loss of business you’ll experience regardless of whether or not you actually do lose any profit.”