“You told him this?”
“Yes, of course.”
“What did he say?”
“That it was his problem and I should let him worry about it.”
“He has a point.”
“So you think I should go for it?”
Her lips curve up. “Let’s go over it again. He’s agreed to help you get pregnant. You won’t have to go to a hospital, you won’t have to see a doctor, you can maximize the chance of the sperm meeting the egg by having sex multiple times, and on top of it he’s offered you boundless wonderful orgasms.”
“Well if you put it like that…”
We both dissolve into laughter, and we’re both still giggling when Noah appears at the door.
“Something funny?” he says, amused.
“No,” I say immediately, giving Abby a warning glance. She mimes zipping her mouth closed, and I laugh. “We’re just comparing notes.”
“And it made you laugh? That doesn’t sound promising.”
“Aw.” I stand and kiss his cheek. “Let’s just say you came out of it very positively, Noah King.”
I say goodbye to Abby and thank her for her help. Ethan has fallen asleep, and I bend and kiss his forehead before going with Noah to the front door.
“Everything all right?” he asks as he opens it.
I study his face. He was nearly fourteen when I was born, and he’d already met and married Lisa by the time I was in my teens. I can still remember the day Lisa died, and how I’d gone with Mom and Dad to his house in Auckland and watched Dad hug him, my heart breaking as he’d cried into Dad’s shoulder. He’d loved Lisa so much, and yet here he was, loving again. The heart has an amazing capacity to heal and regenerate.
Is it possible it’s in the stars for me to love again?
I push the notion away. I’m not even going there. Opening oneself up to the possibility of love means accepting there’s a chance of being hurt, and I’m not ready for that. I don’t know if I ever will be.
“I’m fine,” I tell Noah. “Your lady is a lovely woman.”
He chuckles. “Yes, she is.”
“And your baby is gorgeous.”
“He is. You need to get yourself one of those, Poppy. You’d make a lovely mom.”
I blink with some surprise, touched by his words. Nobody’s ever said that to me before.
He smiles. “Have a great day.”
“Yes, see you.” I walk out into the sunshine, my hair lifting in the breeze. His words stay with me as I walk back along the path to the Ark. What a lovely thing to say.
I worry a lot about my ability to connect with people, especially after the things Daniel said. I know others see me as odd. When I’ve been with my mother and Summer in waiting rooms and in bus queues, people just start talking to them—they always seem to find something to talk about. But there’s something about me that makes others hold back. If I’m in a waiting room, people will fill all the other seats before they take the one next to me. I guess I must give out signals, although I’m not aware of them. Or maybe I am. I hope someone doesn’t sit next to me because then I would have to make up something to talk about. I prefer being on my own. And then I feel lonely.
I stop and lean on the fence, overlooking the field where a couple of horses graze contentedly. I’m hoping having a child will fill that hole inside me. I don’t want the complications of a relationship, of worrying about pleasing someone else and fearing I’ve said the wrong thing, but I do need love and fulfilment, and I hope a child will provide that.
Is it selfish to want a baby and deny it the presence of a father? Fifty years ago, a huge stigma was attached to single parents, and I’d have been the talk of the town, but it’s no longer like that. There are so many single moms and dads, and lots of people going to sperm banks because they want the same as I do—a child without the complication of a partner. I don’t think I’m unusual. And anyway, what does it matter? I’ve been thinking about it for a long, long time, and the decision feels right.
And now I have this chance. And it involves no doctor’s appointments, no hormonal drugs or injections or syringes. And it wouldn’t be cold and clinical. Is Marc right? Does it make a difference whether a baby is conceived with affection? Hmm, obviously it’s not correct or else every baby born through IVF and especially any adopted child would have a bad relationship with their parents, and that’s certainly not the case in my family.
And yet something deep inside me wants to believe it.
Or is it just that I’m enticed by the multitude of orgasms he’s promising me? I purse my lips.
But no, it’s more than that. After thinking that other people see me as odd, I’m touched that he’s attracted to me. That he’s bothered to spend time talking to me this year. And that he doesn’t seem put off by my weirdness. I’m going to have to make sure I take steps to ensure it’s a temporary thing, that’s all, and I think I know the best way to do that.
So am I going to go for it? I suck my bottom lip, feeling a swell of excitement, and place my hand on my belly. This time next month, I could be pregnant.
The draw of multiple orgasms is just an added bonus…
Chapter Six
Fitz
“I think you should take the plans for the new building,” Leon says. “I know Noah emailed them, but you know those big paper ones we wrote all over—there are some really useful notes on there.”
I nod and make a mental note to get them off Noah. On Sunday, I’m flying down to Hawke’s Bay to spend a few days with the estate manager of the new Ark, to talk about what’s worked and hasn’t worked over here in the bay and check things out first-hand for Noah. He’s talked about going down there himself, but even though he’s improving every day, I don’t think he’s quite up to flying yet.
We’re standing in the square, out the front of the Ark. Jack’s playing with Ziggy, one of Leon’s Dalmatians. Even though we’ve got a meeting later on in the day to discuss finances, we often end up talking out here when we bump into each other on the way to or from the break room.
“I thought about calling in at that garden center not far from the new Ark,” I tell Leon, “so I can show Ashton what kind of trees we’ve got surrounding the…” My voice trails off as I see Poppy come around the veterinary center and enter the square. She’s obviously coming back from Noah’s house. I know she goes up there quite often to see Abby and Ethan.
Leon studies me, then follows my gaze. “Hey,” he says to Poppy, who falters as she sees us, then crosses the square at Leon’s welcome.
“Morning.” She stops before us, glances at me, then smiles at Leon before bending to fuss the dogs.
Man, she looks amazing today. Her curly hair, which she often wears tied back, is loose this morning, and it’s wild in the breeze and glowing in the sunlight. She’s wearing tight jeans and a bright blue sweater that makes her look like a spring flower. She’s gorgeous.
“Been up to see Noah?” Leon asks.
She nods and smiles. “And cuddle Ethan, of course.”
Leon looks at me, then back at her and clears his throat. “Well, I’d better go. Have a good morning.” He catches my eye and winks. I scowl at him, and he gives a short laugh and goes into the office building, Ziggy at his heels.
I turn my attention to Poppy, who’s looking up at me with her huge green eyes. Considering she’s a King, she’s not particularly tall, maybe five-six or seven. She’s slender and small-boned. I think she’d feel tiny in my arms.
“Morning,” I say to her.
“Good morning.”
“Did you have a nice time with Abby and Ethan?”
“I did.” She lowers her gaze to her feet and studies them. “I had a chat to her. I hope that was okay.”
My eyebrows rise. “What about?”
“About our… possible arrangement.”
“Oh?” It interests me that she’s vocalized it to a friend. “You told her you wanted a baby?”
“Yes… although we
talked more about… you know…” She blushes.
My lips curve up. “And? What did she say?”
“She confirmed that my experience isn’t unusual.” She lifts her gaze to me.
I frown. “Really?”
“Mm. But she also suggested there are men out there who are more considerate than those I’ve had the misfortune to pair up with.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” I thank Abby in my head. And Noah, bless him.
Poppy clears her throat. “So… I’ve been giving it some thought, and I think I’ve decided to take you up on your offer.”
Our gazes lock, and a tingle runs through me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
“Wow,” I say softly. “You’ve made my day.”
She smiles. “That’s a nice thing to say.”
I slide my gaze to her lips. “I wish I could kiss you.”
Now her look turns wry. “In the middle of the square? I don’t think so. And I feel it makes sense at this moment to point out again that this is a temporary arrangement with one main purpose—to get me pregnant.”
“Understood.”
“Marc…”
“I get it,” I protest. “And I’m happy to comply.”
“With this in mind, I want to reiterate that I would pay you for your services.”
I stare at my shoes for a moment.
“I’d be saving money because I wouldn’t be having IVF,” she explains. “It’s only fair that you get something out of it. And I also think it would be a good idea to keep it in our minds that it’s a business transaction, and nothing more.”
I need the money. I want to have sex with her. I want to help her. So there’s no reason I should say no.
The acceptance sticks to my lips, though. Am I really reduced to earning money by being paid to have sex? There’s a word for that, Fitz… But I remind myself she doesn’t mean it like that. Albie would say she’s trying to protect herself. She certainly doesn’t mean to insult me, I know that.
“All right,” I say, although I feel a twinge of regret. I push it away. It’ll be worth it.
Poppy glances around, presumably making sure nobody’s watching us. “I think it’s best if we keep our relationship to ourselves.”
“Fair enough. So… I’m excited to get started,” I tell her. I look at my watch. “What are you up to now?”
She gives a short laugh and nudges me. “Is this what I can expect over the next few weeks?”
“It’s exactly what you can expect. We want to optimize your chances, don’t we?”
She brushes her hair back from her face. “Sex two days before ovulation, and on the day of ovulation, increases the chance of getting pregnant to around thirty percent.”
“Do you know when you’re ovulating?”
She nods. “It’s around day fourteen of my cycle. That’s around next Tuesday.”
I open my mouth to say that it makes sense to get going immediately, then realize what’s happening next week. “Shit.”
“What?”
“I’m away from Sunday for the week. I’m going to Hawke’s Bay for Noah to check out the new Ark.”
“Oh. Well. Never mind. There’s always next month.”
I study her face, hating the fact that her smile has slipped. She’s agreed to try to get pregnant by sleeping together. She’s agreed to sleep with me. No way am I going to let this opportunity pass.
“I have an idea,” I tell her.
“Oh?”
“Come to Hawke’s Bay with me.”
She stares at me. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. You can come and look around the new Ark, maybe chat to the manager about the petting farm. And we can spend some time alone, too. It means we wouldn’t have to creep around like we’d have to up here.” The more I talk about it, the more I think it’s a brilliant idea.
“But… I’m working…”
“Have you had a vacation at all this year?” Her expression tells me she hasn’t. “Sandra will be happy to cover for you, I’m sure. And all that rest and relaxation… and sex… would be conducive for getting pregnant…” I smile.
She chews her bottom lip. “Where would we stay?”
“Why don’t you leave that to me? I’ll find us somewhere nice. Just the two of us. For a week.” I get all hot and bothered at the thought. “So, thirty percent eh?”
“Mm. Thirty percent.”
“There’s a good chance you could have a small bump by Christmas.”
Her eyes widen, and then she gives me the most beautiful smile. “I suppose.”
“I’ll do my best,” I tell her.
“I’m sure you will.”
Our gazes lock again, and heat rushes through me at the thought that it’s only going to be a couple of days until I have her in my bed. Until I can do all the things I’ve been dreaming of doing to her and with her since we met.
I gloss over the fact that it’s supposed to be temporary. One step at a time. It might take her longer than a few months to get pregnant. We’d just have to keep on trying, wouldn’t we?
“Leave it all with me,” I tell her. “I’ll talk to Noah and make sure he’s okay with you taking time off, and then I’ll get everything booked.”
“Okay,” she says softly, “I’d better get back to work.”
“Have a great day.”
“You too.” She drops her gaze and walks away, twisting her hair into a spiral over her shoulder as the wind tries to fly it like a kite.
I watch her for a minute or two, then turn and go into my office. I sit in my chair for a long while, looking out of the window. Then I decide it’s pointless to mull over it, and it makes more sense to get everything done.
First things first. I pick up the phone and dial Noah’s mobile.
He answers within a couple of rings. “Noah King.”
“Noah, it’s Fitz.”
“Hey, Fitz. How’re you doing?”
“Yeah, good thanks. I have something to run by you. Would you mind if Poppy took next week off?”
“Poppy?”
“She’s not had a vacation all year, and I thought she could do with a break.”
“She doesn’t have to ask me, Fitz. She’s her own boss.”
“Yeah, but we like to run things past you, make sure you don’t have any brilliant schemes planned or anything.”
He laughs. “No, I don’t.”
“In that case… I was thinking of taking her with me to Hawke’s Bay.”
“Oh…” He chuckles. “I see.”
“Don’t start.”
“I have to admit, Abby told me a little about what she and Poppy were discussing.”
“Jesus.” I roll my eyes. “Nothing’s private in this place.”
“Damn straight. Can’t help if I don’t know about it.”
“I don’t need any help, thanks.”
“Yeah, that’s what I said, and look what happened to me.”
That makes me laugh. Last month, his friends and family engineered a night together for him and Abby. He complained, but it was clear to all of us they both needed a gentle push.
“So… she wants a baby, hmm?” Noah says.
“Uh, yeah. I’m flattered she asked me. She won’t go out with me, so I told her I’d help her out if we got to… you know, spend some time together.”
“Very astute.” I can tell he’s smiling. “I hope it works out for you.”
“Anyway… just wanted to check it was okay for Poppy to take time off and go with me. I’ll pay for her flight, obviously.” Shit—I’d forgotten about that, but I can’t ask the Ark to fund our fling.
“Pay? Aren’t you taking the Yonder Star?” He’s referring to the plane that belongs to the King family, a reference to Brock, Charlie, and Matt King’s business, the Three Wise Men.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not a King, Noah. The rest of us minions fly economy class.”
“Jesus,” he says, “I’m not a
real King, if you’re going to be pedantic about it. I’m not blood-related to Matt, remember?”
“I had forgotten, but that’s hardly the point.”
“It’s completely the point. You’re as much a part of the family as I am. Take the plane—let the girl travel in style.”
I smile. “All right.”
“She’ll enjoy seeing the new Ark,” Noah says. “And there are a couple of petting farms down there—she might like to get some ideas. You know, in between all the baby-making.”
“I’m going now.”
He laughs. “And I’m also transferring some money across as expenses for a hotel.”
“You don’t need to do that—”
“It’s done.” I hear him clicking his mouse. “Can’t have our employees roughing it. Choose somewhere nice.”
I sigh. “All right. Thank you.”
“No worries. Have a great day.” He hangs up.
I blow out a breath. So now Albie, Noah, and Abby know what’s going on. Poppy’s plan to keep it a secret isn’t going to last long at this rate.
I think about Noah’s words, You’re as much a part of the family as I am. It’s not true, of course; I haven’t inherited the vast sums of money the others have. In fact, I’m probably the poorest one at the Ark now that Izzy’s married Hal. Stefan’s mom is a world-class computer engineer so he’s loaded, and everyone else has inherited the family fortune.
But it was a nice thing for Noah to say. The guy really does want to save the world with his Ark, and he’s done a pretty good job so far, with Hal, Leon, and Albie finding their perfect partner here, as well as himself.
My thoughts linger on Poppy, and my lips curve up. For the first time, I have a chance to win her. No wonder Noah wants to help.
I turn to my computer and start searching for places to stay. I want to find somewhere magical and romantic, somewhere special…
My gaze falls on a small cottage next to a windmill. That would be cool. It’s incredibly short notice, though, and when I click on the calendar, it’s grayed out.
I pick up my phone, ring the owner, and double check it’s definitely booked. “Unfortunately, yes,” she says, to my disappointment. “But we have just had a cancellation on one of our other properties. It’s a beauty, too, very quiet and special.” She gives me the website address and I click on it. My jaw drops.
My Wounded Billionaire (The Billionaire Kings Book 5) Page 5