by BWWM Club
“Come in,” A groggy voice answered.
“Hey Beck. Can I borrow a dress?” Lateisha asked, hoping she wouldn’t ask what for.
“Why? Do you have a date?” Becky asked excitedly, sitting straight up in bed.
Lateisha shook her head slowly, “No, nothing like that. I’m meeting Bryce for dinner downtown to sign the contract.”
Becky’s face turned cold. “Oh. Well in that case, no,” she snapped.
Lateisha frowned. It was no secret how Becky felt about Lateisha signing a contract to ‘sell’ her body and baby, as Becky put it. But Becky had a great job and was making a decent amount of money. Lateisha wasn’t in such a great place financially and just wanted something to help her along so she could quit her job at McDonald’s and search for the perfect job. If there was such a thing.
“Beck…” Lateisha started.
“Don’t ‘ Beck’ me. I told you how I felt about this and I am not going to help you along with it,” Becky said with anger, climbing out of bed and pulling on a large hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants.
“Please, Becky. This is the last favor I will ask you about this whole situation. I promise,” Lateisha begged, “I really need to do this.”
Becky sighed, “Fine. Let’s look in the closet. You are a good deal shorter than I am so we will have to find my shortest dress.”
For the next forty-five minutes Lateisha tried on dresses from Becky’s closet and despite their size and height differences managed to find one that fit. It was a short, black wrap dress that dipped at the neckline to show off Lateisha’s ample cleavage. She turned to look at the back of the dress in the full length mirror and liked what she saw.
“I may give you that dress. It never looked that good on me. And you fill out the top so much better.”
Lateisha chuckled, “If you’re sure, I’ll accept the hardship and take it off your hands.” Both women erupted into a fit of laughter, for Lateisha it was mostly nervous energy and for Becky it was likely from lack of sleep.
Checking her appearance once more in the mirror, Lateisha nodded. This was the perfect dress. Now if she could just calm the butterflies that rioted in her stomach. Didn’t they know this wasn’t a real date?
*****
Promptly at five, Lateisha exited the cab, because she was too dressed up for the bus, in front of a fancy Italian restaurant. She took a deep breath, the damn butterflies not getting the memo and dissipating like she had ordered them to do. Lateisha entered the restaurant feeling a bit out of place. This restaurant was somewhere she would never have set foot in before she met Bryce. Bryce told her he would meet her in the front by the hostess desk but when she looked around she didn’t see him. Maybe he changed his mind?
Not allowing herself to digest the meaning of her disappointment, Lateisha took a seat at the bar with a class of wine; a very expensive glass of wine. Shrugging off her discomfort at spending that amount of money on wine, Lateisha sipped and watched the door. Five minutes later Bryce walked in and all of the air left Lateisha’s lungs. He looked gorgeous. In a navy suit with a crisp white shirt and deep red tie he could have easily stepped out of the pages of GQ. The suit fit him like it was made for him specifically, which it very well could have been. The jacket hugged his biceps in a way that Lateisha could tell he worked out. It was buttoned at the waist and she could tell he was lean underneath all of that fabric. Before her thoughts could travel any further south, Lateisha stood and walked toward him, her wine glass grasped between her fingers.
“Hey,” she breathed, unable to catch her breath.
“Hi,” Bryce said, his voice sounding just as breathless as hers.
What was happening? Before she could think, Bryce took her hand and led her to a table. The butterflies returned at the touch of his hand on her elbow. It felt electric; his touch and the air around them. It didn’t help matters that their table was secluded from most of the other patrons. Bryce helped her into her chair, pulling it out and pushing it in once she sat. Her heart pounded against her rib cage. This wasn’t right, the way she felt. It was too much. Maybe this whole thing was a bad idea. Lateisha opened her mouth to tell Bryce just that when he leaned down, his lips crushing into hers. Then all thoughts were obliterated from her mind.
Chapter 3
For a moment, or maybe a few, Lateisha was lost in the kiss. She didn’t want to let go, she didn’t want to pull back. It felt good, it felt right. Then she remembered who he was, where they were and why.
“Wait,” she gasped, pulling back from Bryce.
“Oh,” he said, almost as if he was surprised at his own action, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright,” Lateisha said sitting back and straightening her dress.
“No, I crossed a line. I’m sorry. There’s no excuse for me,” Bryce said, sitting up straighter and adjusting his suit jacket even though he was perfectly arranged.
Lateisha shook her head. “Please don’t worry about it. The whole dinner atmosphere, it blurred the lines a bit,” she said waving his apology off.
Bryce nodded and picked up the menu. “Everything here is excellent. Have you ever been?” Then his eyes widened as he remembered Lateisha’s current money situation.
Lateisha sighed, they were five minutes into their dinner and already it was fucked up. How was she going to make it nine months this way?
Determined to redeem the ‘date’ she smiled, “Can’t say that I have. I’m more of a ‘you want fries with that’ kind of girl.”
Bryce’s face turned beet red but he laughed in spite of it. “Right. Well I’m afraid they don’t have fries here so you’ll have to order something a bit different for a side.”
Lateisha laughed a little too loud. Finally the ice was broken. Bryce told her which dishes were the best and when the waiter came he ordered them a bottle of wine and their meals. Lateisha could get used to being wined and dined. Of course, this was all business, as she liked to remind herself every chance she could get. They wouldn’t live ‘happily ever after’ in his Upper East Side penthouse. This wasn’t a fucking romantic comedy. Lateisha almost gave one of her unladylike snorts at the irony of her situation, but making the best of things was what Lateisha did best. After several minutes of silence, Bryce reached into his briefcase he had placed under the table when he sat down. He pulled a stack of papers out and set it on the table.
“Well, let’s get started,” he said, gesturing towards the papers.
“Right, the contract,” Lateisha replied. For some reason the talk of the contract brought her mood down.
Bryce seemed to have sensed it and his demeanor changed. Sitting up even straighter, if that was at all possible considering his posture was better than the Queens Guards, he began to shuffle his papers.
“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?