Making His Baby: A Billionaire Romance

by Lulu Pratt

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” I say breathlessly. “Don’t stop, please.”

  He slowly pushes into me, stretching me around him until he is fully inside me. He stops and kisses me passionately. He slowly pulls himself out and enters me again. The feeling increases my arousal, my desire, my need for him and I feel my muscles begin to tense. He pulls himself out and pushes back into me and repeats the motion over and over. He moves a little faster as he buries his head into the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply and growling as he pushes in. I feel the tension in his body. I feel the waves intensify in mine. My breathing is labored and my fingers are intertwined with his. I never want it to end, until it does.

  I slam my eyes closed and waves of electric pleasure slam into me, drowning me. He pulls out one last time and lets forth this guttural groan from deep in his throat as he pushes into me and stiffens his body around me, exploding inside me. His body jerks and presses deeper inside me before he rolls over, breathing hard.

  He rolls to his side and props his head up with his hand, his other hand caressing my stomach.

  “Are you okay? I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

  I merely smile at him and bite my lip. “I want to do it again.”

  I roll over to him, giggling and rolling my body onto his.

  “I knew I loved you for a reason,” he says teasing me. He covers my mouth with his and I can feel the arousal begin all over again.

  Epilogue

  MADDIE

  ONE YEAR LATER

  “Breakfast!”

  I cover my head with my pillow and grumble at the thought of getting up. Then I remember where I am. I throw the covers back and jump out of bed. The curtains on the large bay window overlooking the ocean are already pulled back and the smell of coffee and bacon fills the room. I stretch and grab his button-up shirt, throwing it on before walking out of the small bedroom.

  Rocco is setting a large platter of fruit on the table on the balcony as I enter and immediately smiles when he sees me.

  “Good morning, sleepy head. You’re going to kill me if you keep wearing my clothes better than I do.” He reaches over and pulls me close to him, his hands squeezing my ass and his mouth consuming mine.

  “Hm, good morning.”

  He leans over and kisses me again, lingering on my lips before he pulls away.

  “Keep that up and we won’t get to the restaurant in time.”

  “That’s okay. Joanne will cover for us.”

  I sit down and grab a grapefruit, peeling it and allowing the smell to waft over my hands.

  “What is the smile for?” he asks, sitting across from me.

  “I’m just so happy. My life couldn’t be better.”

  “That’s good to hear,” he says, popping a piece of bacon into his mouth.

  “We have the new restaurant up and running beautifully. We live on one of the most beautiful beaches in Boca Raton. And my investment in the restaurant has already begun to make a profit.”

  “I know. It’s very fortunate that it all worked out. Who knew owning Tiki On The Water could be that profitable.”

  “I still can’t believe they were able to find the dirt bag who stole my father’s money.”

  “And retrieve every penny. Thanks to the bartender at that bar, they were able to identify him and Nancy. And now he and Nancy are where they both belong, behind bars.”

  “Everything is perfect.”

  “I think I might be able to make it a little more perfect,” he says, disappearing into the house.

  I furrow my eyebrows and wonder what little surprise he has in store. When he returns, his hands are behind his back. He stands in front of me, looking at me with a smile.

  “What did you do?”

  He pulls me out from the table and kneels in front of me.

  “Maddie, ever since I laid eyes on you, I knew you were someone special. I knew I wanted you in my life that very moment. And now, I want to know if you will be in my life forever.”

  He pulls a small box from behind his back and offers it to me. My mouth drops open and all I can do is stare at the little black velvet box. He opens it and a blue gem sparkles at me. “Marry me, Maddie. Make me the happiest man in paradise.”

  I lose my breath and look at him through tears in my eyes. I nod, my mouth still open.

  He grabs my hands and yanks me up out of my chair, tears escaping my eyes and running down my cheeks. He picks me up and twirls me around. “You are the most amazing woman I have ever met.”

  He sets me down and takes the ring from the box, sliding it on my finger, it fits perfectly, and kisses me again.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you,” I say. I feel like I’m floating in a dream. If so, I never want to wake up.

  Inked Temptation

  The newest model at our ad agency is more than six feet of pure muscle and coated in tattoos.

  When my boss introduces my latest work project, my panties dissolve on the spot.

  Not that I can touch him.

  No matter how much I want him to fuck me, this is strictly professional.

  I worked far too hard to get where I am to ruin it now.

  I’ll just have to settle for looking at him.

  From every angle I can.

  *** A steamy STANDALONE contemporary romance with a smoking hot hero. No cliffhanger, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.***

  CHAPTER 1

  PENELOPE

  I am in my office and looking over the massive city of Chicago when my phone rings at my desk. I groan, knowing that it is more than likely my boss with some new campaign idea for me to toss around my head despite the fact that I’m already working on three at this moment. I suppose that is the blessing and the curse of being the best at Vincent and Price Advertising, a company that has been the best in the city for forty years. I’m lucky that I got the job right after graduation from the University of Chicago.

  I turn to grab my phone as I sit down.

  “Penelope James,” I say.

  “Hey, Pen. Are you free? I have a new exciting campaign that I want to run by you before the clients arrive,” Marshall’s voice is as positive as always and I grin.

  “I’ll be right there.”

  I grab the coffee that I bought on the way in, much needed after spending most of the night on another campaign, and head across the seventh floor to Marshall’s office.

  I can do this. I’m looking to rise quickly to the top here and hard work is a definite part of that plan. My heels click on the marble floor, black and high to match the gray-and-black wrap dress that I’m wearing today with my newly bobbed blonde hair in a sharp angle. I feel good dressed in my best and the new haircut is a boost to my otherwise low self-esteem after a nasty breakup last month.

  I call hello to the people I know and tap on Marshall’s door, pushing the ajar door open after only a second.

  “Marshall, what’s up?”

  “Penelope, my advertising goddess. Sit down.” I know my face is pink from the praise as I shake my head and do just that, setting my coffee down on his desk.

  “I don’t know about all that,” I murmur, looking across the desk. Marshall is only about forty-five-years old. He is the head of Vincent and Price, and my mentor. That is what I want for my future and I’m taking advantage of being just twenty-four with my high energy and little need for sleep while I can.

  “I do. So, Lincoln Tires. You know them?” Marshall asks me.

  I think for a moment. Big store on the corner that runs a lot of commercial ads both on television and radio though nothing ever stands out about them. I don’t know a lot about the company but guess that they’re successful enough. I nod.

  “They want to up their ads.” Marshall continues. “Draw in more than just the man looking for a new set of tires. The owner, Norm Lincoln, has a son who he wants to use for an ad campaign. He thinks that it will call to moms and daughters, boosting sales.”

  “Why will
that make women come into the store?” I ask as I frown at him a bit, generally curious.

  “That’s why you’re here. They’re coming in soon and I wanted to meet with you before they arrive. Actually, if you’re not busy, you could help with the brainstorming” Marshall looks at his clock and straightens his tie. “It should be anytime.”

  As if on cue, there is a knock at the door and Marshall asks the person to come in. I give a smile to the man who walks inside. Marshall shakes his hand and introduces me to Norm Lincoln, the owner of the tire shop. Norm shakes my hand and apologizes for his son being late due to an issue at his own business in town. Norm tells us that while he does very well with his business, he wants to add something to the ads to make them stand out. He says he wants it to be more family friendly and open to women who might otherwise be disinterested in going inside a tire store.

  “This is a big city, Marshall. I want to stand out and I’m going to offer more sales and competitive pricing to everyone, but I need more customers for that. My son Tanner has a look that the girls have always loved and I got the idea that an ad with him as the image for the company might help that along.”

  I nod and glance at Marshall. Norm is right that sex sells.

  I look back at the open door while I sip my coffee as the sound of a giggle filters through. Clara doesn’t normally sound like that at the office and I frown as I start to swallow the large sip before a man steps into the doorway.

  Marshall stands up and says, “You must be Tanner. Please have a seat.”

  The hot liquid freezes in my mouth as I take in him. Tanner’s hair is that perfect tousled mess that will never go out of style and hangs down to his shoulders in careless waves that scream for my hands to be in it. He has several inches on his dad, at well over six feet tall. Big smoldering blue eyes that lock with my wide ones, further weakening my knees. His muscles are obvious in the tight-fitting T-shirt, but aren’t obscene. They just show he is a man who takes care of himself.

  I choke down the liquid, unnerved by my reaction. He half smiles, half smirks at me and my panties start to melt. Perhaps it is due to the breakup and lack of sex in my life, but I never react this way about anyone.

  Tanner oozes sensuality just in his pose, and the tanned skin that displays his inked arms only adds to his appeal. I press my legs together and will all the lust and need inside of me to calm down.

  Marshall and Tanner shake hands, and he nods and smiles at his dad, and then it is my turn.

  “This is Penelope James who will be working on the campaign.”

  I reach out with my business smile gracing my full pink lips. Tanner clasps my hand tightly and heat flows easily between us. Every nerve ending in my body is on edge as he gives me another knowing smile and lets his eyes run down my body. His look burns my skin and I fight the shiver that threatens to take me over as I pull away and take my seat.

  Tanner takes the one beside me and Clara comes in to offer us drinks with a sensual smile on her face. I hold my cup up but the others tell her that coffee sounds great, and she turns to get a tray with an embellished sway of her hips. I never hated her before today. I’ve never felt jealousy like this in my life.

  “I can see why you think this campaign might work, Mr. Lincoln. Don’t you agree, Penelope?” Marshall asks me as I look at Tanner and his stunning face.

  “He has the look that everyone is using right now. Absolutely.” I agree as I look at Norm to try to avoid the blush that I feel coming on. I can’t let this happen to me. I am a professional who can handle an attractive man, aren’t I? Marshall is going to fire me if I keep this up.

  CHAPTER 2

  TANNER

  I’m mesmerized by Penelope as she speaks. Her voice and body language tell me that she is affected by me and that dress makes it hard not to take in her curvy body while trying to focus on business. I initially told Dad that he was insane with his marketing scheme but then had to admit that it works for my tattoo shop. I am the face of that and well over half of my clientele is female. Flirtatious females. Why not give Dad a shot at being the best in the city?

  “Tanner?” I blink and look at Marshall as I hear my name, not wanting to tear my eyes away from Penelope. “What do you think of doing some photos in front of some tires, pulling in every woman with that bedroom stare that sells so much?”

  “I think it’s worth a try. Dad wants to be at the top so let’s do what we need to get him there,” I wonder if it would make Penelope want me.

  She’s nowhere near my type of woman. Her clothes and occupation are everything I’m not. I run a tattoo shop that I started with an inheritance from my grandfather five years ago. The shop flourished and now I’m the most successful shop in all of Chicago, but I know that my business is nothing like what happens here in this building. I get to know customers up close and personal by seeing their skin while Penelope dissects their business from afar.

  Judging from the way she was introduced by her boss and the slight circles under her eyes, Penelope puts a lot of time into her work and is probably the top worker around here. I see that she is rigid in life by her posture and doesn’t seem to be able to relax easily while I enjoy every moment of my days.

  I work hard and love what I do, but I also play hard. I’m the bad boy who every woman wants until they get me, and then they realize that I am far too much for them. Hell, I enjoy the ride. That’s all I want anyway.

  “What’s your budget look like, Norm? We have top-of-the-line photographers, studios, everything that you could need.” Marshall smiles as the pretty brunette brings in a tray with three cups, a large coffeepot and even some pastries. She’s looking at me, but all that’s a waste of her time because my sights are firmly set on Penelope. The brunette hands Marshall a cup already made for him and asks my father and me what we like before she fixes them.

  “I am willing to spend. That new chain just opened in the city and I want to stay ahead of the game. I want the best pictures and TV ads that money can buy. Thank you,” Dad tells the brunette as he accepts the cup of coffee from her.

  “Here you go,” she tells me softly as she hands me a cup, her big brown eyes locking on mine. She wants me and isn’t hiding it at all. I glance at Penelope to see her face twist in irritation.

  “Thank you,” I tell her with a wide smile, seeing Penelope frown. She is jealous. I toss that idea around for a moment. I’d never touch the brunette if I have a chance with Penelope and it is clear that I do. I add a wink to the smile to up my game, just to see the frustration pass across Penelope’s beautiful face.

  The brunette blushes as she sends a glance around the room before leaving. Penelope sees the last longing look from the woman as much as I do and I lean back in my chair and look at Marshall as he drops ideas. I know that I shouldn’t act like this at a business meeting but the challenge is too much fun. Penelope drinks most of her coffee before leaning forward and taking a muffin from the tray. She doesn’t eat it as she starts to speak.

  “I think that a picture of Tanner in front of a beefy truck would work as well. The truck will have big tires and he could lean against it in some overtly masculine pose. He could drive it for a commercial as well.” I glance at her, seeing the way that she tucks her hair behind her ear before looking at me. “I think that we’ve all seen your typical commercials for tire companies. I want to go above that so people talk about these ads. It will get your name in their heads and their business in your door, particularly if you back them up with great service and prices.”

  She smiles for a moment. “In the small town where I am from, there was a car service place that did tires and a few fixes. There was nothing great about them but everyone knew that they served fresh popcorn in the waiting area. I think that got at least half of their customers through the door. Nothing else stood out.”

  Dad lets out a laugh as Marshall gives Penelope an approving look. She is the star student here and I wonder how much I could make her forget all about the rules for just a little
while. The look that she gives me makes me realize that Penelope is on to my way of thinking. Dad and Marshall nail down a business plan and Penelope agrees to make some calls as the meeting wraps up.

  I am only aware of some of it and stand along with her, taking a glance at the clock on the wall. It’s mid-morning now and she might be up for a quick break. “Thanks for everything.” I tell Marshall, shaking his hand, and taking the chance to follow Penelope out of the office.

  Her dress hugs her curves and I drool silently at that ass for a moment, rushing past the brunette without as much as a glance.

  “Miss James?” I watch as her legs pause, calves tight from some regular workout, and she turns back.

  “Would you like to get some coffee with me? That meeting took a while and some fresh air might be good.” I stare at her as I ask, knowing that there is a coffee place on the corner and that she probably drinks a lot of it with her work hours. If running a tattoo shop has taught me anything, it’s how to read people.

  “Thanks, but I just finished my coffee,” she points out as she starts to walk away slowly.

  “You look like a woman who works hard. I’ll bet you live on coffee,” she stops walking away and turns back to me with a shy smile. I want her to break loose for a moment and come outside with me. I want some more time with her, alone this time.

  “Instead, we could go to lunch in a bit if that works better for you, Miss James. There’s a deli up the street that is great.”

  CHAPTER 3

  PENELOPE

  “Please, call me Penelope. Tell me, how do you know this part of town so well?” I ask him as I see the hungry look in his eyes.