The Billionaire Bargain (Millionaire's Club)

by Barb Han

  Daegen wasn’t playing fair. Her fingers released their grip on his strong male chest and pushed him back enough for her to catch her breath. Incredulity cleared up the rest of the fog in the space of a heartbeat.

  Hard to believe only moments ago she’d been heady with desire looking into those same dark eyes. Right now she mostly wanted to poke them. She’d have blasted out the door if she could have.

  Cursing the physical effect he had on her body, she said, “I can appreciate your circumstance, but I’m afraid you’ve miscalculated.”

  “Are you saying you don’t need financial help? This agreement would benefit us both.”

  Money? There it was again. She was becoming so sick of that word she wanted to vomit. What was it going to take to make him see her heart wasn’t on the negotiating table?

  And his eyes, the way they swept over her, sending chills up and down her spine, had her momentarily disengaged with logic. Because when his bedroom gaze was fixed on her, intent, she believed herself to be seeing something very meaningful in it. Impossible as it was, she actually thought there could be more to their relationship than just a fake marriage.

  But there that word crept into conversation again. Money. Rae needed that jolt of reality to keep herself focused. She felt vulnerable. Being anywhere near the tower of strength that was Daegen made her lose touch with reality.

  She didn’t want to read anymore into their relationship than was already there because she already knew she loved Daegen. In all the right and proper ways a woman could love a man. And if only he could say the words to her, the words she felt, then she might be able to consider his proposal. But he’d been clear. And Daegen Tan wasn’t a man to mince words. Love wasn’t in the bargain. He was to get a mother for Daniel. She was to be financially secure.

  That was the offer.

  His gaze softened. “I’ve seen you with Daniel. You’ll be an incredible mother to our children.”

  Rae froze. “Our children?” came out fractured. She hadn’t even considered the possibility.

  “Surely you realize we could have children. We haven’t exactly been careful.”

  Her gaze dropped to her midsection. Motherhood? Before she could assess how she felt about it, she’d have to calm her shaky nerves.

  “You must’ve thought about the possibility.”

  She shook her head. With her gaze still trained on her stomach, she sank deeper into the seat. The idea of motherhood sat on her chest heavy for a moment.

  Rae held up a hand, needing a moment to digest the thought.

  It didn’t take long for a rash to begin at the base of her neck and crawl upward. Before long splotchy circles dotted her neck and face.

  Motherhood?

  Rae blinked.

  As appealing as the thought of having Daegen’s baby growing inside her might be, the whole idea of motherhood reeled inside her head.

  Her gaze rose to meet Daegen’s, his hooded lashes revealing nothing of what was behind his gaze.

  “You will be an amazing mother some day,” he said.

  “How do you know?” It wasn’t like she’d had any role models in that job. And she’d never been the type to lie in her bed dreaming of wearing a puffy white dress or cradling children to her chest. Motherhood was the cruelest thing women did to children. Fairytales and happy endings were for people who didn’t leave themselves broke and vulnerable. Rae was both at present. Not exactly parent material.

  “I’ve seen you with Daniel. He adores you.”

  “That doesn’t mean I’m motherhood material,” came out on a fractured sigh.

  “What’s the one thing a child really needs?”

  The answer came to Rae immediately, but she held onto it for a long moment before answering.

  “Love.”

  It had been one of the great many denials in her life.

  Which was precisely why it was so important to her that if she should marry, it would be for nothing less.

  Chapter Twelve

  Rae silently prayed she wasn’t pregnant because that would change everything. A baby wouldn’t make Daegen love her but it would make her want to stay in a relationship with him. She would never allow her own child to grow up without both its parents.

  And yet, she warmed at the thought of having his baby.

  It was hard to imagine providing a better father to a child than Daegen Tan. She pushed loose tendrils of hair off her face with a shaky hand.

  His fingers trailed along her midsection and there was something she didn’t immediately recognize in the back of his eyes. Pride?

  “Would it be so unthinkable to have my baby?”

  “I just never dreamed,” she said honestly.

  “Not ever?”

  “Not like this.”

  “You mean not with me?”

  As if it would even be possible to think about running into another man’s arms after being in his.

  “Let me get this straight, you want us to have a baby?” she asked, and then stared at him blankly.

  “The thought did occur to me. Yes. What would be so wrong in that? I’d expected to wait until after we got married but you had to realize we didn’t do anything to prevent pregnancy. You already know I’m careful.”

  Emphasis had been placed on his last word.

  Something didn’t add up. Another reason she couldn’t afford to fall down a slippery slope with Daegen. Yes, he’d opened up and shared more of himself this trip than ever. But she wanted to know everything. He was holding back.

  And, no, she hadn’t thought of him not insisting they use protection. She’d been too caught up in him to think straight. Besides, didn’t he assume she was on the pill? She’d stopped taking them since she hadn’t had a boyfriend in forever, and her whole life for the past six months had been wrapped up in helping her father. Even so, Daegen’s words were a shock. “And you’d be fine with that?”

  “Would that be so horrible?”

  She sighed. “A baby?”

  “To start.”

  Her eyes widened as largely as they could without her eyeballs falling out. What was he saying? “You want more than one?”

  “One at a time would be nice.”

  His confidence in the matter stunned her silent. How long had he been planning this?

  “What if I don’t?”

  “You don’t want any children? Or you don’t want children with me?” Daegen asked.

  “You already have a child. I’ve never even considered the possibility.”

  Something flashed in the backs of his eyes Rae couldn’t quite put a finger on.

  Then again, he only just found out he was a father and she was immediately sorry she’d thrown that out there.

  “Look, I didn’t mean—”

  “Before two days ago I hadn’t considered being a father either. Not that I would change the fact now.”

  “If you can’t have the woman you want, do you take the first one you see?” It was a biting remark. One she wished she’d swallowed rather than released.

  His expression was tense and revolted. His chiseled features stamped with contempt. Damn, why couldn’t she hold her tongue? That was a cruel thing to say, Rae.

  “I’m not in the habit of recklessly having sex with every woman I see,” came out despite his clenched jaw. His compressed lips released a frustrated hiss.

  “I’m sorry.” Rae curled up on her side facing the opposite window. She spent the rest of the drive wishing she could fall asleep.

  ****

  Rae sat upright as the car pulled in front of a modern-looking facility. The door opened. Daniel exited and stood outside waiting, a look of concern creased his features.

  She smiled warmly, trying to forget the conversation in the limo. Like that could happen.

  He seemed appeased.

  Good. It wasn’t his fault she was a wreck. He wasn’t the one talking babies and long term before she’d had a chance to sink in the fact that she might actually want Daegen’s baby som
e day. Just not before she was ready. And certainly not before she knew without question he loved her.

  Daegen lifted her fingers to his lips and brushed a kiss there before placing her hand in his where he held onto her. He didn’t need to utter the words for Rae to recognize an apology.

  She took in a fortifying breath before stalking into the private facility ready for battle with the doctors, the nurses, or anyone else who planned to stop her at the door.

  She’d already decided she wouldn’t leave without saying her piece to her father because for all she knew this would be the last time she saw him alive. And with Daegen by her side, she figured not many would try and stop her.

  A haunting thought sank in the back of her mind—was her father still alive?

  Her stomach retched. She felt light headed. No. Daegen would have told her. His people would have called.

  A man wearing scrubs was seated behind a counter. He glanced up and nearly fell off his chair. “Mr. Tan, we weren’t expecting you today.”

  The orderly scrambled to his feet.

  Rae folded her arms and watched as Daegen took a step forward and put out his hand to shake. “Mr. Stevens is expecting his daughter. I trust she’ll be permitted to see him.”

  “Oh. Well, no one filled me in, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve heard so much about you. Your work is brilliant. And we’re thrilled that you’ve chosen this as the site for your new study.”

  Daegen stepped aside. He lowered his lips to Rae’s ear and said, “This is for you.”

  What had he done? Had she heard correctly? His study? Here? She reminded herself to ask him more about that later. For now, she would enjoy the perks of being with Daegen Tan.

  Rae took a few steps toward the opened door. She stopped at the threshold.

  She would see her father again in a few short moments...and probably tell him goodbye forever. Was she ready?

  “We’ll be right here. If you need us,” Daniel squeaked from behind his father’s broad shoulder.

  Rae turned. “Daegen...”

  Even before a question could reach him, he closed the distance between them in one stride. He cupped her face in his hands and oh-so-gently placed a kiss on her forehead. His lips lowered to hers, and her world tilted on its axis.

  “Come with me? I don’t want to go in by myself.”

  Daegen’s gaze touched hers and held on.

  “I will never leave you alone.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Daegen’s hand closed on Rae’s and squeezed. His lightest touch brought waves of warmth rippling over her skin, and her racing heart tapered down to a steady beat.

  “Daniel...” she said, her voice quivered through her overwrought emotions. But he already stood at her other side. Her eyes, warm and watery, blinked back grateful tears. “I’m not sure how I’d get through this without both of you here.”

  “You never have to worry about that again,” Daegen said.

  Room twelve might only be a few steps from the lobby but to Rae it felt a world away. Her chest should be pounding from raw anxiety like it did during every phone call she’d ever had with her father, and yet an overwhelming sense of calm came over her instead. She reminded herself she might be walking into the worst-case scenario. She took a steely breath to power her forward steps.

  Much to her surprise, her father sat upright watching TV as though he didn’t have a care in the world. His glance slammed into her when it reached her brood.

  “Mr. Tan. It’s good to see you again.”

  “Again? Oh, wait. Hell no. Mr. Tan? The first thing you can say is Mr. Tan? How about addressing your daughter who happens to be standing right here in front of you?” A shot of cold blood chilled her rigid spine. “Hold on. You two know each other?”

  “Come sit, dear child, this must have you hoodwinked,” he said. His face bore fewer wrinkles than she remembered from a few days ago. At least he was smiling. And he had color too. Peach. And his once dull eyes sparkled with life. If she didn’t know any better she’d say he looked to be rested and recovering.

  But how?

  The new medicine?

  Rae moved toward the bed at Daegen’s gentle urging. He and Daniel stepped back flanking the doorway. She looked to Daegen first and then to Daniel and a sense of relief washed through her calming her prickly nerves. Those two were the best friends she had in the world. And they were beside her. She was going to be fine.

  “I d-didn’t kn-ow.” Her throat clamped shut from overwrought emotion. Her legs, feeling disconnected with her brain, moved toward the bed of their own volition.

  “You must’ve thought...well...no wonder you look pale, girl. I’m real sorry about that but I didn’t know you’d been trying to phone until an hour ago.”

  Did she look pale? Pale wasn’t the word for how she felt. Dizzy. She felt dizzy. Dizzy and a little nauseous.

  “I just...” His voice softened, and his gaze lowered. “I’m not the emotional kind...” He swiped away a tear that got loose from his eye. “You spent all that money, and who knew if it would work. Every time you came, you looked worse. I was afraid I’d make you sick.”

  “Dad—”

  “No, wait, child.”

  Rae leaned toward the bed for support. Was it seeing her dad again that had her legs feeling rubbery? Or all the emotion she felt at watching him sit upright and look halfway alive? And was that hope in his eyes?

  “I couldn’t stand the thought of disappointing you. Not again. What if the treatment didn’t work? You can’t know what it meant to me when Mr. Tan visited last night and assured me he’d be taking good care of you for the rest of your life.” He practically beamed.

  He’d been avoiding her in order to protect her?

  Rae’s vision blurred from tears trembling in her eyes. Reaching a hand out to steady herself against another wave of dizziness, she couldn’t grab hold of the side table fast enough to stop herself from falling.

  When she opened her eyes, it was Daegen’s face she saw first. Etched with worry lines, but perfect, beautiful Daegen’s face. “Is that where you disappeared to last night?”

  “I came to ask your father for his permission to marry you,” he said.

  The smile she gave him was his alone.

  Until a thought smacked her square in the forehead and Daegen’s words back in the car rippled through her mind. Was she dizzy because she was pregnant?

  Oh, God.

  “My beautiful Rae,” Daegen said, a catch in his voice said he must’ve wondered the same.

  She leaned toward Daegen as she gripped her stomach. “About what you said in the car.”

  The light in his eyes could’ve powered the island. “Do you think it’s possible?”

  “I’m not sure. It’s too early to tell.” Her stomach flipped at his reaction. What, if not love, would stir such intense emotion? Love for a baby? She’d seen the way he looked at his son. Daegen would love his child no matter whom the mother was.

  And it could be anyone.

  She admonished herself for reading too much into it. Wanting him to love her wasn’t the same as him actually doing it.

  “Daniel, will you ask the nurse for a glass of water?” Daegen asked, holding onto Rae’s gaze.

  The boy gave a quick nod and disappeared.

  Frustration reduced her to tears.

  “What is it?” he said cupping her face in his hands. His gaze pulled hers up from the floor until she looked straight into his coppery eyes.

  She wiped a stray tear. “Nothing. Tired.”

  “I will not have my future bride sprawled out on the floor.” He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the nearby sofa where he gently placed her.

  Softly, lovingly, he tilted her head enough to position a pillow below it.

  “I’m fine. There’s no reason to get crazy here,” she said, embarrassment flushing her cheeks. Oh, but she was making a spectacle of herself. And right in front of her father. Then in a whisper she added, “I have
n’t agreed to be your wife.”

  “Not yet,” Daegen agreed, “but you will.”

  “Dear girl, you’re giving me a heart attack from worry. Take my Jell-O,” her father said holding out a small plastic cup.

  Right. Food. Rae realized she hadn’t eaten breakfast. And that was likely the reason for fainting. A heady combination of lack of sleep, no breakfast, and actually seeing her father sitting upright again combined to make her lightheaded. It was all too much to process. Remembering her father’s fondness for Jell-O warmed her as she took the offering.

  “I should’ve had breakfast,” she confessed. That was most likely the culprit. Not pregnancy. But what would be so bad about a baby? Especially with the man she loved? The air momentarily drained from her lungs. Shock of all shocks occurred when Rae realized she actually wanted to be pregnant with his child.

  But it was probably better that she wasn’t. Right? Because he would love a child, might even love her for giving him one, but that wouldn’t be the same as loving her.

  His eyes gazed deeply into hers. “Either way, I can’t have you knocking yourself unconscious before our wedding day.”

  Her protest was met with his finger pressed against her lips.

  The whitewashed expression on Daniel’s face when he returned gripping a glass of water had Rae feeling guilty for creating such drama.

  She eased herself up as much as she could on weak arms.

  “Thanks,” she said taking the glass. “I’m feeling much better already.”

  Daegen brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. “You’ve seen your father is improving. My next concern is you. Let’s go home.”

  The set look in his eyes, the steel determination, had Rae clued in to the fact arguing would be wasted energy. “I’ll go. But only if you promise we can come back later.”

  “Dear girl, get something in that stomach of yours. I’ll be fine,” her dad chimed in from across the room.

  Daegen’s gaze slid from Rae to her father and then back to her face. “He’s doing better. Now it’s your turn.”

  Rae reminded herself to ask him why her father was doing so well so fast later. As for now, three very determined men seemed set on getting her to rest.