by Rye Hart
“God, you drive me fucking crazy,” he said.
A warmth filled me from the inside out. I so badly wanted to smile, to revel in the sensation of being wanted. But, I knew that there was no way we could end up together. I knew this little fairy tale couldn't be.
I moved beside him and felt his cock slip out of me, and with it, even more of his seed. It trickled down my leg, even as I clenched my thighs and tried to keep it inside of me. Not that losing a little would do much harm, I supposed, but I wanted to do my best to increase our chances for success.
Though, in reality, part of me hoped we'd have to try at least a few more times.
Malcolm held me close, my tiny body enveloped by his, and before too long, he'd fallen asleep with his big, strong arms holding me pressed close to him.
At first, I fought sleep, afraid that Malcolm might be gone when I woke up. But eventually, exhaustion took hold and darkness crept in at the edges of my vision as I felt myself drifting off.
~ooo000ooo~
I opened my eyes, and at first, I feared I'd been right about Malcolm leaving. I was alone in the hotel room, a strained silence all around me. I'd been covered up at some point while I slept, the blanket tucked in around me. Malcolm though, was nowhere to be found.
I sighed, reminding myself that what we had wasn't anything special. It was a business arrangement. Just because the sex had been romantic and amazing didn't make it anything more than a working deal between us. A deal we were both getting something out of.
I sighed and sat up in bed, and that's when I saw a note on the nightstand next to me.
Casey, went to grab us a bite to eat. Be back soon. Malcolm.
He was coming back, with food. For both of us. A smile spread so wide across my face, it almost hurt. I dropped the note and reprimanded myself – don't get attached, Casey. He's being nice because you're doing him a favor, not because he cares for you. Don't forget that.
His words from earlier, when we were in the midst of making love, echoed through my ears though, and seemed to counter that argument.
So what if I drove him crazy? It didn't mean he could – or would – ever love me or want to be with me. I had a chance to change my life and the lives of my family. I couldn’t screw it up by being overly emotional.
I was in the middle of an internal argument when the door opened, and Malcolm stepped inside with In-n-Out bags in his hands.
“Figured you're a California girl,” he said, his hair wet as if he’d showered. “And what true Californian doesn't love In-n-Out, am I right?”
“Malcolm, you really didn't have to go to all the trouble,” I said.
“I know I didn't have to,” he said, plopping down on the bed beside me. “I wanted to. Figured you'd be hungry when you woke up. I know I was.”
He pulled out a cheeseburger and handed it over to me, an adorable smile on his face. “I hope you like Animal Style fries.”
“Duh, who doesn't?” I said.
“Good girl, that's what I wanted to hear,” he said. “Think we should eat at the table?”
“Probably be less messy,” I said.
I was naked underneath the blanket still, and even though Malcolm had seen me in all my glory already, the idea of standing up now and exposing myself stressed me out a bit. Being naked in the middle of sex was one thing, but afterward, when the passions had cooled, would he still find me as attractive?
Not that it matters, I reminded myself.
“Yeah, you're probably right,” he said. “But, there's something incredibly indulgent about eating in bed. Probably because we were never allowed to do it as kids.”
“My parents couldn't have cared less if I ate in bed or not,” I told him.
He cocked his head to the side like a puppy. “Really? There were no rules against it?”
“Nope. None,” I replied. “Truthfully, my mom was always at work and couldn't micromanage us like that. And Dad – Dad didn't really care what we did.”
“You have siblings?” he asked.
“I do,” I said.
He opened the wrapper on his burger and started eating, right there in bed. There was a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth and he almost looked like a kid who thought they were getting away with something. It was actually kind of adorable.
“Tell me about them,” he said. “I was an only child. Always wanted a sister or brother, though.”
“Well, Sierra is sixteen going on twenty-five,” I said as I unwrapped my burger. “Smart girl but thinks she's smarter than she is. Still, I think she'll get into a good college one day and make us all proud.”
“You didn't go to college?” he asked.
I took a bite from my burger, and stared down at it as I chewed, taking my time.
“I went, but I didn't finish,” I said. “My dad got injured at his construction job, and someone had to take care of things. I'd always planned to go back, but it never worked out.”
“I'm sorry to hear that,” he said.
His voice was soft and sounded sincere, the look on his face one of genuine compassion. I shrugged and changed the subject as fast as I could.
“I also have a younger brother, Nick,” I said. “He's fourteen, going to be fifteen in two months. He's into sports, big time.”
I piled some fries in my mouth, making sure I got one smothered in Thousand Island. Malcolm reached over and wiped some dressing from my mouth with a napkin, and it somehow felt completely natural. He didn't even seem to realize he'd done it, but my lip tingled from where he'd touched me.
“I always wanted to play football,” Malcolm said.
“Why didn't you?”
“Didn't have time. I started working for my dad when I was fifteen, and I was expected to work every day, after school,” he said. “No exceptions.”
“That sounds awful.”
He shrugged, chewing on a French fry. “I always knew it would be my company one day, and I took every opportunity to learn from him,” I said. “But yeah, at times I felt like I'd missed out. Greg got to go on dates, played sports, went to parties – and I worked. A lot. And that was it.”
Malcolm sighed, then looked down at the rest of his burger.
“What's wrong?”
“It's just – well, when I was younger, I feel like I gave up everything to work for my dad. I gave up my childhood for him. And then, he throws this curveball at me? Give him a grandchild or else the company goes to his other son – my half-brother, Adam – who only popped up in our lives a couple years ago.”
I reached out and squeezed his hand. “We're going to give you a baby, Malcolm.”
He turned toward me, and there was that warm, sweet smile again. He put his food down and wiped his fingers off on a napkin before cupping my face in his hands. He stared at me, long and hard, and at first, I thought he was going to kiss me – some small part of me hoped he would.
Instead, he said, “Thank you, Casey,” he said, his voice soft and gentle. “You're utterly amazing, and I'm so glad I met you.”
“Yeah, me too,” I said.
Those weren't exactly the words I wanted to hear from him, but it was the best I was going to get. Malcolm kissed my forehead before returning to his food.
Malcolm added, “You know, I'm so glad we've had this opportunity to talk,” he said. “I'd like to get to know you better.”
“Do you think that's a good idea?”
“Why not?”
“I mean, Terrance said – ”
I couldn't really tell him what Terrance said. I wasn't sure why I was protecting him, but I couldn't bring myself to say the words he'd spoken to me. Words that had hurt me.
“Just that, we need to keep things professional,” I finished. “For your sake.”
“Terrance needs to learn his place,” Malcolm said. “He's worked with my family for so long that sometimes, he thinks he's part of it. He thinks he knows what's best for everyone. I should have hired another lawyer, but he's on retainer and it was
easy. I'm sorry he talked to you the way he did. It was wrong.”
“You know, if you keep talking like that and buying me food, I might actually start liking you,” I said, grinning from ear-to-ear.
“Oh, would that be so bad now?” He winked at me
Yeah, it would be very bad. Very, very bad, I thought to myself. No use bringing it up, though. Like I'd told the lawyer, I knew my place. I knew what I was to Malcolm.
His surrogate. Nothing more.
Why did knowing that leave such an empty feeling inside of me?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MALCOLM
My mother had called a family meeting. Said it was vital that I showed up. A few days had gone by since Casey and I had slept together, and while I knew it was too early for pregnancy tests to come back positive, I was constantly checking my messages, hoping to hear something from her. I wasn't sure if I'd tell my parents right away or not, just in case something went wrong. But, having something to report would be better than nothing, right?
Instead, I was going to show up to the meeting with no actual news to share.
Thankfully, this meeting didn't include Adam. My mom had made sure to tell me that ahead of time. I guess she wanted to make sure I wouldn't be too stressed out about it. The competitive nature of this whole business was starting to get to me. It was especially starting to get to me down at the office where Adam was learning everything there was about the company – including my specific job duties. Having a shadow at work was never fun, especially when that shadow was undermining you every step of the way.
So, when I stepped into the parlor to meet with my mom that day, I felt at ease. No Adam, just my parents and me. Should be easy enough, right?
Wrong.
As soon as I'd stepped into the parlor room, I almost turned right back around and left. Seated across from my mother, facing the doorway, and looking straight at me, was Danielle.
I stopped, hesitating just long enough that my mother turned and saw me.
“Malcolm, please,” she said. “Have a seat.”
Dad sat next to Mom, and I had the option of joining Danielle on the loveseat or sitting in one of the chairs off to the side.
“You didn't tell me we'd be having company,” I said.
I didn't even bother to look at my ex. I stayed in the doorway, preferring to stand rather than sit anywhere near her. I was also still considering leaving. It wasn't until my father stood and walked over to me that I knew I would have to stay put. His face was serious. Dead serious.
“Malcolm, you heard your mother.”
Danielle still hadn't said a word. She sat on the loveseat, wearing a Tiffany blue dress with a white ribbon at the waist. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a twist, neat and formal. Her hands were resting in her lap, looking every bit the proper lady I knew she wasn't. Her blue eyes stared back at me, and I felt absolutely nothing when I looked at her. No love, no rush of emotion, nothing.
She was just there.
My mom stepped to my side and whispered into my ear, “Malcolm, it's important. Please, have a seat.”
With the sigh of a suffering man, I took one of the chairs off to the side, sitting as far away from Danielle as I could. She had to turn herself almost completely around to even see me. Dad and Mom sat back down as well, and it was my mother who started the conversation.
“Danielle has some news for you, Malcolm,” she said. “She's been trying to meet with you for some time but says you haven't been responding to her messages.”
I glared at Danielle. “Did you really have to get my parents involved?”
She turned to look at me. “Malcolm, there was no other choice,” she said. “You need to hear this.”
“What do I need to hear? About how sorry you are, how it was all a mistake?” I spat. “Because I've heard it already, Danielle. I've heard it and it's not going to change anything. We're through, and there's nothing you can say that will change that.”
“I'm pregnant, Malcolm.”
My heart very nearly stopped dead in my chest. Literally. With knots tightening in my belly and groin, I gripped the arms of the chair, digging my nails into the fabric.
“What did you say?” I asked.
Danielle stood up, straightening her skirt before she walked toward me. Then she knelt down beside the chair, her hands-on mine.
“I said, I'm pregnant,” she looked at me earnestly. “And it's yours.”
I looked her in the eye, my mind spinning with thought and feeling. “H - how can you be sure it's mine? I mean, I obviously wasn't –”
I bit back my words and looked over at my parents, to see if this came as a surprise to either of them. It hadn't. They watched, carefully, but neither one looked shocked to hear the news. Danielle had already told them, but did she mention the fact cheated on me? Or her night with Adam?
Knowing she'd gotten around a little bit cast doubt, at least in my mind, that the child she was carrying was actually mind.
“Because you're the only man I've been with,” she said finally.
“Do you really expect me to believe that?” I asked, gaping at her. “You spent the night with my half-brother and came over here the next day to rub it in my face.”
“I didn't spend the night with him. Ask him yourself,” she said. “We met up that morning. I texted him and asked him if I could come along with him because I'd wanted to see you.”
“Which perfectly explains why you were kissing him.” My entire body tensed up. “Because nothing says I'm sorry like sticking your tongue into my brother's mouth with me watching.
She was pregnant. The words hit me hard. Sure, it might not be my child, but it might be. It could be.
“I only did that to make you jealous,” she said as tears welled in her eyes. “It was stupid of me, and I acted like a child – but it was the pregnancy hormones are making me act crazy. I realize that now.”
“How far along are you?”
“Three, almost four months now,” she said. “Which would put the time of conception right around your birthday. Do you remember that night, Malcolm?”
I did. How could I forget? We'd spent the night on the yacht, making love out on the Pacific Ocean with the moon shining down on us. Back when we were happy, back when I loved her. It had felt like an eternity ago though, and so much had changed.
“And what about Tyler?” I asked. “The mystery man you've been texting for months now.”
“We've never met, Malcolm. I swear to you, it was all online and through text. He's in New York City,” she said. “And that was stupid. I have no defense for it. You were just working so much, and I felt neglected. It was selfish of me, but I've never slept with anyone besides you. I swear it.”
She sobbed, resting her head in my lap. I stared over at my parents, not sure if this was something we should discuss in front of them or not. I had no words to say, and I still wasn't sure I trusted her.
Danielle continued, “I love you, Malcolm,” she said. “I want us to be a family. Like we were always meant to be.”
Problem was, I didn't love her. Not anymore. Even if what she'd said was true, she'd had an emotional affair. She fell for another man. She'd talked about their futures together, about her leaving me – with some of my money – and setting up a life together with him.
Whether she actually fucked him or not was immaterial at that point – she'd formed an emotional connection with him. A strong one too, judging by her text messages.
I wanted to stand up, to leave the room and be alone for a while. I needed time to think and process it all. But, her head weighed heavy on my lap and my parents were watching me closely. They were waiting for me to respond. “I just don't know if I can believe you, Danielle,” I said at last.
“When the baby is born, if you have any doubt, you can get a paternity test,” she said, wiping her eyes and looking up at me. “And I know it'll be yours, Malcolm. Because I know I haven't been with anyone else but you.”
If sh
e was lying, it would be one hell of a performance. I was numb, completely numb. My stomach was in knots. This should have been a happy time, a moment of celebration. Instead of popping the champagne though, I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.
I looked over at my mother helplessly, but it was my dad who spoke up first.
“Malcolm, I think you need to listen to her,” he said. “If she's willing to prove paternity, why would she lie? It's a lie that would be easily disproved.”
I didn't have an answer to that. Not unless she figured I wouldn't actually go through with a paternity test.
Dad continued. “And, since this is your child, you'd automatically qualify for your inheritance,” he said. “And you could get started on raising your family.”
Danielle looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. “We could be a family, Malcolm,” she said brightly. “You, me, and our baby. Just like we always talked about. Dreamed about.”
I looked down and saw the hope in her eyes. She thought she was going to get what she wanted – me. Or rather, my money. Deep down, I knew that was what this was all about. Danielle's way of slithering in and claiming a slice of the pie for herself. I couldn't prove it yet, but I knew it down to my very bones.
“No,” I said.
“No, what, son?” Dad asked.
“No, we can't be a family,” I said. “If this is my baby – and that's a big if – I will step up and be a father, but that does not mean you and I will be together, Danielle. Our relationship is over, and I can never trust you again. Not after what you did.”
Dad spoke up. “Son, don't you think you're being a bit harsh?” he said. “People make mistakes.”
“Sure, of course you'd say that. You're the king of mistakes when it comes to relationships, aren't you, Dad?” I growled.
It was cruel, and a cheap, petty shot – especially with my mother right beside him. But, of all the people to be giving me advice on the situation, or how I should be feeling about and treating somebody who'd broken my trust by cheating on me – even if it was only an emotional affair – he was the last person I wanted to hear from.