Baby Daddy (Bad Boy Billionaires Book 4) Read online

  “Jeff told me what he said, and Jeff’s an idiot. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about and I’m here to clear the air. Can we talk inside, Tori?” I hesitated as he puts his foot on the second step but then he added, softly, “Please?”

  I went a little soft at the request and stood back to gesture at the door. After you, I thought and Wyatt moved past me to hold open the door. Like the gentleman he was. Once we were seated inside, him on my grandmother’s hand-me-down love seat and me on the larger, comfier gray sofa, we simply stared at each other. He looked downright delicious, his slightly gray button shirt doing wonders for the broad angles of his chest and arms. I looked like shit, wrapped in an old tribal-designed poncho and my favorite pair of stretch leggings. I wasn’t planning on having company, I defended against myself.

  “Well… the floor is yours, Wyatt. What did you come here to say to me?” I sat back, trying to look detached and uncaring. He seemed perturbed by my nonchalance, but cleared his throat.

  “I know Jeff told you that I wanted a family more than I wanted a woman. I know he told you a bit about my past and that he said all I’ve ever wanted was to be a father. But Jeff was wrong.” Wyatt stole a glance up at me, hoping to see change in my expression but I gave him nothing to work with.

  He continued, “Of course, I do want kids. Very much so. But I’ve never just wanted to be alone when I raise a family. I want everything that family is - waking up next to the person I love every day. Watching the woman I love grow bigger with our child. Being there when she’s in labor. Being there for the first steps. Being there as we grow old together and our child grows up. That’s what I meant when I told Jeff I wanted a family. I just never articulated that because there was no need.”

  I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, a small spark of hope renewing in my chest. If he wants a family, does that mean he wants… me?

  “Tori, I… I’ve wanted a family - the real thing - since I laid eyes on you. The whole shebang. I want to fight with you, I want to order takeout and snuggle on the couch with you. I want to rub your feet when you get pregnant. I want to be the one to hold you tight if you don’t get pregnant. I want to support you in your career. I want to watch you get undressed every night. I want to fall asleep between your thighs. I want to be yours. And I want you to be mine.”

  He was staring at me, his eyes shifting from the floor to meet my gaze. I couldn’t even say anything; I didn’t know which words would mean anything in that moment. So we just stared at each other over my ancient coffee table, our eyes caressing each other softly.

  After a few beats, Wyatt leaned forward more in his seat and strengthened his gaze on my eyes. “Tori, I need you to know that I made the move on you on your birthday not because you said you wanted a baby, but because it was the only way I saw myself having a chance with you. I’ve wanted to be with you from Day 1, you know that. The baby would be a bonus, an amazing cherry on top. But you’re the one that I want. You’re who I want to be with.”

  He took a cleansing breath, shaking as he brushed his hair back from his face. He roughly scrubbed his cheeks and eyes, clearly agitated by my lack of response. He waited a few more beats and then stood, looking even more panicked and unclear than when he leapt out of his car.

  “Sh-should I go?” he asked, looking like his heart was going to shatter right in front of me if I said yes. I took a deep breath myself and stood up, shaking my long, tangled hair out of my face.

  “No, Wyatt. I want you to stay. And…,” I cut myself off, not sure if I wanted to make myself more vulnerable. But I committed and continued, “And I want you, too, Wyatt. Very much so,” I breathed and found myself moving towards him without thought. He saw my motion and met me halfway, dragging me into his arms roughly. My poncho met his button-up and I felt our two personalities, our two worlds, colliding a bit as we held each other. This feels like home, I thought as we embraced for a handful of cherished moments.

  Wyatt pulled back from me to look me in the eyes, the prior tension and anxiety in his face gone - erased by the pure joy I saw there now. His sparkling blue eyes put the clearest ocean water to shame and I couldn’t help but think I hope the baby has his eyes. I considered telling him about the news but, before I could speak, Wyatt grasped my face in his rough hands and his mouth was on mine before I could even take a breath. Screw breathing, this is better than air.

  We fell into each other with the practiced rhythm of a couple with much more history than we had and I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe we’re meant for this. Wyatt’s tongue was hot in my mouth and he was massaging my neck and scalp with his hands, tangling them in my hair as he went. My hands moved from his ears to his jaw to his neck, trailing over his biceps and forearms before moving to his chest. The heat of his mouth had become scorching and I could only think about making contact with his skin to cool myself off.

  As I started to unbutton his shirt, he stopped kissing me to look down at me through his thick, golden lashes. “Are you sure? We don’t have to. I… I want to show you that it’s not just about this. It’s about you,” he finished, stroking his hands lovingly up my back and over my arms. I smiled seductively, feeling the self-esteem I left behind at Jeff’s admissions come back to me.

  “Well, there is more than one way to show me that it’s about me,” I giggled as I pulled him by the arms through my kitchen. I walked backwards and moved my hands back to his buttons, his old swagger returning for a second - that same swagger that landed us in the country club bathroom just a few weeks ago. God, so much has changed! I briefly wondered what else would change in the coming months but returned to the present as I got my first glimpse of the wonder that was Wyatt’s body.

  Sculpted, tanned skin peeked out from under his buttons and I got impatient. I yanked the two sides of his shirt apart and was rewarded with a shower of pearly buttons scattering along my kitchen floor. Wyatt laughed a short, shocked bark and looked at me in awe.

  “You just ruined my favorite shirt, Ms. Elliott,” he drawled out as he pulls me closer to him. He returned the favor by pulling my poncho over my head and rested his gaze on the lacy little bralette I wore underneath. I swore I could feel the heat from his gaze light up my torso, my breasts, my nipples… all the way down to my belly button and the area just above my pants. His smoldering eyes were something to behold - blue fire dancing.

  “Oh, Ms. Elliott. So formal,” I teased, and suddenly I felt a chill as his eyes hardened and his face became serious. Shit, way to ruin the moment, Tori! Wyatt seemed to think quickly for a few seconds, eyes passing back and forth through his thoughts. He nodded to himself and pushed back from me. No, no, no, don’t stop!

  I stared up at him, perplexed, and was rewarded with only more confusion as Wyatt dropped to his knees in front of me. He brought his head to my stomach and he took a deep breath before looking back up at me through his long, blonde lashes.

  “Tori, I have something to ask you,” Wyatt whispered, looking terrified. A vague sense of understanding rippled through me and I moved my hands to each side of his face. What are you saying, Wyatt? He moved to kiss both my palms and shifted to reach into his pocket, pulling out a small little gray box. Holy shit.

  “Wyatt, wha--” I tried to interrupt, but he cut me off.

  “Tori, this is the only thing that I have from my past, and it’s nothing fancy. I swear I’ll get you a different ring when I have more time. But this ring was my mom’s and I want it to be a symbol of my life with you. I want you to wear it, knowing that I want nothing more than you. That you’re what holds me up and what makes me want to be a good man.” His eyes were glistening and entirely heart wrenching as he pulled the ring from the box.

  His hands shook as he moved the simple gold band to my left ring finger and I was dumbstruck, surprised into stillness. “Tori, would you consider being my wife? Would you make me the happiest man in the world? Would you do me the honor of letting me call you Mrs. Preston?”

  A sob broke out of my ches
t as I dropped to my knees in front of Wyatt. All that time, I thought he just wanted an easy lay; I thought I didn’t mean anything to him. I never knew he felt this way, or that he wanted this from his first day on the job. All the things I never knew settled on my shoulders and I was moved to tears. I grabbed Wyatt into a hug and nodded fiercely into his shoulder, unable to speak.

  “Y-y-yes,” I recovered, mumbling into his neck, sniffling the tears as I moved to meet his eyes. Wyatt’s face lit up in a way that I wished I could see on repeat, over and over again. Pure joy exuded from him and wrapped us in this little bubble, our bubble. I would do anything to see this man that happy every day for the rest of my life. Our chests were resting together and, as we returned to ourselves, I realized we’re both half naked in the hallway.

  “Wyatt, take me upstairs,” I breathed. He smiled obligingly, kissing the new gold ring that rested loosely on my finger. He helped me come to my feet, placed his hands on the curve of my ass, and lifted me effortlessly. Once again, I wrapped my legs around his tapered waist and brought the flesh of my nearly-bare breasts to rest against his chest. Our mouths returned to their stations, kissing each other passionately without much concern for breath. As our bodies began to move together in a sensual, intimate rhythm, Wyatt took the steps one at a time, never breaking contact with my lips or my skin.

  At the top of the staircase, Wyatt managed to open my bedroom door one-handed and threw me down onto my beige chenille comforter with an ease that was entirely manly and, admittedly, incredibly hot. He stood over me, the bulge in his tapered slacks evident, and said oh-so-quietly, “Take off your pants, Tori.”

  And I did.

  Chapter 8

  Wyatt

  As soon as we entered her room, I felt the caveman totally taking over. This woman, this intellectual, eloquent, radiant woman just said “Yes.” Yes to being my wife, yes to taking my last name. Yes to being mine. I was going to burst at the seams, she had made me so happy. And afterwards, as we laid there, spent from our lovemaking, I realized this was the beginning of forever.

  I couldn’t hide my smile as I rolled over Tori, her brown hair tangled in my hands. I brushed her hair away to expose those mahogany eyes that seemed to just exude energy - her energy - and I leaned down to kiss her nose, her cheeks, her chin.

  “You’ve made me so happy, Tori,” I said into her lips as I parted them with mine. Our kiss was gentle, sated after our lovemaking. We just hold each other. She stroked my arms gently, closing her eyes at the sensation of our skin caressing. I looked down to her breasts, both warm against my upper torso and admired the way they curved. The angle of her left hip was exposed under me and I moved my hand to trace it. She’s just so perfect.

  As I returned my hands to her hair, her brown eyes opened to gaze into mine and I couldn’t help but wonder, If we did have a baby, would its eyes be brown or blue? The thought brought a smile to my face and I leaned back, ready to rehydrate and get food in me.

  “Are you hungry? I sure am. We can go to that little BBQ place down the street…” I trailed off as I entered her small master bathroom to relieve myself. I stood over the toilet and mentally catalogued all the places we could go for dinner as I finished my business and moved to wash my hands.

  “We could try that new Thai pla--” I attempted but stopped short when my eyes hit the sink. What the fuck? Right next to the bronze faucet were pregnancy tests; four little blue plus signs all in a row. Plus signs meant…. I whirled around to storm back into the bedroom but Tori was standing just outside the bathroom door looking equal parts mortified and hopeful.

  “What the fuck, Tori? Are these…?” I couldn’t finish my sentence. I knew they were pregnancy tests and I knew they’re positive. I stared from the tests back to Tori, trying to let my brain catch up to the news. Within seconds, it hit me. This is why she ran. This is why she was so upset when Jeff said I just wanted kids.

  “You knew? That’s why you ran? You thought I’d only want the baby and… And not you?” I managed to get out, inching closer to her. Tears filled her beautiful eyes and I hated to see the pain in them. “Tori, why didn’t you tell me? How long have you known?”

  Her lower lip trembled as tears fell drop by drop from her chocolate eyes and I moved to wipe them away. I stepped forward to embrace her face in my hands, rubbing her cheeks in comfort with the pads of my thumb.

  “Baby, tell me what you’re thinking,” I pleaded, hoping this didn’t undo the beautiful moments we just shared.

  “I took three of the tests yesterday. I’m about 6 days late and that’s unusual, so I… I just took the tests. And then I called the sperm clinic this morning to c-cancel my appointment. No point now,” she tried to giggle but couldn’t quite manage. “Then I had my chat with Jeff. And, well, you know the rest,” she blurted out, putting her head on my chest in defeat.

  “What about the fourth test?” I asked, unable to help myself. Four positives. Damn straight, said the caveman.

  “Oh, I just took that when I got home to make sure nothing had changed,” she chuckled softly, looking up at me through her wet lashes. “Nothing has changed. I’m… I’m still pregnant. I’m going to have a baby. Your baby, Wyatt.”

  That last statement took my breath away and I staggered back against the shower stall. For a moment, Tori looked terrified, but then I let my smile loose. Her demeanor instantly changed and she grinned from ear to ear. I almost tackled her in my attempt to hug her close, so close. I lifted her into my arms and kissed her temple, hair, ears, neck. I felt tears fall from my eyes and into her tangle of auburn hair, releasing the last of my insecurities and trauma from my past.

  I moved my head to Tori’s ear and gently, ever so gently, whispered, “You’re my family, Tori. You’re my everything. And now you’ve made me a dad. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you’ve made me.”

  She turned swiftly to face me, shock and awe in her eyes. Her next words undid me:

  “Wyatt, baby, you already have.” I couldn’t stop myself or my inner caveman from screaming Mine, mine, mine! when she pulled my large hands over her still-flat, perfect stomach. There was a life growing in there, one that would change ours forever. And I was so, so overcome with joy. I took my wife-to-be in my arms, kissing her as passionately as I could, and moved her backwards towards the bed.

  “Well, just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean we have to stop practicing. There will be more babies after this one, after all,” I told her as I laid her gently on the bed. I spread her legs wide beneath me and stroked the skin of her thighs, belly, chest. Just as I was about to enter her again, I leaned down and asked, “Care to practice with me?”

  Tori giggled a hearty, no-holds-barred sound and looked at me with joy in her eyes.

  “Sure,” she said, grinning even wider. “Why not?”

  Epilogue

  Wyatt - 8 Months Later

  As I walked back into the sterile white hospital room holding another cup of ice for my wife, I was struck by how much had shifted in just the past few hours. We came into the hospital as husband and wife and we would be leaving the hospital as a family. The idea smacked me straight in the heart and I felt something that I never thought I’d feel when I was a child - whole.

  I crept through the door, hoping to not wake Tori or the baby... my little girl. With eyes just like her mama. Tori was holding Annabelle, looking at her like she’d never seen anything more beautiful. I knew the feeling; that was exactly how I felt the first time I laid eyes on my wife. The ring on Tori’s finger sparkled in the light as she fingered gently through the baby’s hair.

  She looked up at me as I approached and one thing became crystal clear: no matter how hard I tried, I would never going to be able to give her as much as she’d given me. But as long as she was OK with me trying, I’d keep doing so every day for the rest of my life.

  I settled into the uncomfortable fake green leather recliner by the bed and knew
that I’d still be just as happy sitting on a pile of sticks. Tori shifted to let me take the baby and I leapt up so she didn’t have to move much. The birth wasn’t easy, but my God did my wife handle it like a champ. As Annabelle was situated in my arms, I leaned back into the recliner, looking down at my baby girl. I lifted my gaze for a second to see Tori looking at us with softness and love in her eyes.

  I blinked away the tears that came unbidden and mouthed, “Thank you.” She nodded to me, reached to grip my hands, and we sat as a family in this hospital room, silently basking in the love we had made and shared.

  Epilogue

  Tori – 5 Years Later

  You’d think that, after the fourth pregnancy, walking with a bowling ball under your clothes would get easier. I can’t see my feet, but I know they’re swollen and it feels like someone is trying to convince my spine to adopt a permanent curve.

  Annabelle is playing in the living room, a skinny 5-year-old girl with hair just like her father - golden, thin, and just so adorable. Wyatt is playing on the floor with Jack, our 3-year-old boy whose hair is darker than mine, and Natalie, our 18 month old girl who has her daddy’s eyes and my complexion.

  The chaos of breakfast has subsided, the screaming mostly quieted, and I get a cherished moment of relative calm as I fold the eighth load of laundry today. Wyatt pretends to roll over Jack, who giggles furiously and climbs his dad like a horse. Natalie watches on, toddling towards her pile of stuffed animals to grab her favorite.

  Wyatt, even as he pretends to play Horse with Jack, is just so gentle. He’s also so patient and so thankful for every moment he gets with his children. Marriage is hard, and marriage with three (almost four) children is not any easier. But with Wyatt, it just feels right. As if he can sense my thoughts, Wyatt’s ocean blue eyes peek up at me, the sunlight from the windows hitting them in a way I can never resist.