Unexpected Read online

  Chapter 4

  Renee

  A ton of baby things arrive at the condo that I didn’t have for the baby around seven at night. One of the guys said that they came from my apartment. I gave them a cross eye because I don’t know where any of this came from. As soon as they leave, I grab my cell and call my roommates. “Hey, did a bunch of guys come in here and take shit?”

  “Yeah, what the fuck is wrong with people. First, they drop shit off, killing my chill. Then someone comes twenty minutes later to take all the shit away,” Jared gripes. He’s a stoner, and I wish that I knew that before I signed the lease. I got another version of my parents.

  “What?” I’m confused as hell.

  “Dude, you need to tell them big dudes that they owe me twenty bucks because my high was wasted.”

  “Well, you owe me the freaking rent.” I hang up furiously. Now I get the reference to slamming down the phone when mad. Pressing down on the screen does jack shit to ease my mood. I know immediately that I’ve been set up. I was a desperate teenager looking for some extra cash fast. I have a feeling she did this because if he doesn’t claim the baby, I’ll be too kindhearted to give the little guy up. Damn it, I’ve been played big time. I need to speak to Liam and get him to take the baby. It’s getting late, and Liam never came back to talk to me, so I set Max down in his play yard after changing and feeding him, then hit the hay.

  The next morning, Liam is gone which I expect since he’s a busy man, but I hate it at the same time. The house is immaculate. Every single thing is organized and clean. I’m sure he’s not going to like having a baby around destroying his things. I bet that’s why he’s in denial about the baby.

  I circle his living room, looking at the bookshelves he has lined up on both sides of the walls. There have to be over a hundred books per bookshelf. Most of the reads are classic literature followed by shelves of crime novels. I move across the room and check out those books. They’re a lot of historical non-fiction reads. I wonder if this is for show or if Liam reads often. A large television sits on the wall with a PlayStation 4 resting on a fancy TV stand. The room has a massive and deep microfiber sofa. It looks so comfortable that I can’t stop from laying on it.

  A sigh of comfort escapes me. He has excellent tastes at least in furniture. Everything in this condo is cozy and relaxing.

  The door opens, and I pop up from the sofa. Shit, I struggle to get up, but it’s cool because it’s not Liam. It’s another guy carrying several grocery bags. I walk up to him and try to help. “Whoa. Who are you?” he asks, smirking and checking me out, pulling the bags out of my reach.

  “I’m a guest here. You are?” I ask.

  “I pick up Mr. Hart’s groceries.”

  “Oh, I can help put everything away.” I already feel way out of place in here. It’s not like I belong here.

  “No, I got it angel face. I can’t believe he has someone here. Hmm. You must be something special.” He doesn’t know the truth, so I leave the comment alone.

  “The name is Renee,” I inform him.

  “I’m Sam.” We shake hands, and I help put things away despite his refusal. I can’t stand around and do nothing.

  As soon as he grabs the last empty bag and slipping it into a larger canvas bag, he says, “I’ll send the boss man a message and be out of your hair.”

  Seconds later the head of security comes up to escort the guy out. “Well, it was nice to meet you.” He wags his brows at me with a smirk.

  “Same here, lovely Renee.” The guard violent whispers something to Sam that he made sure I couldn’t hear before leaving the condo.

  The baby starts to cry loudly, taking my attention away from the little byplay I witnessed. I’m guessing that the guy wasn’t supposed to see or speak to me. I try to ignore that I’m here as a dirty little secret. Well, at least I have something to make for dinner.

  Chapter 5

  Liam

  “The kid is not mine,” I say to my investors in an emergency meeting. They called it overnight when they saw the lovely media reports and asked for it to be scheduled first thing in the morning. Danielle thankfully made it happen by nine so I could get this over with. I tried not to check out the stories because either way it came out it was all a lie.

  “How can you be sure?” Leman asks arrogantly.

  I huff because my private life is only for me. “All I’m going to say is I don’t even know the woman.”

  “Maybe it’s your brother’s baby,” Erickson suggested. He’s a little more levelheaded and a bit younger than the other investors. He came up from a family fortune, but also a wealth of family scandals as well. He more than any of them would know what I’m going through.

  I’ve been thinking the same thing. He’s off killing people in secret missions as a mercenary. Ironically, he’s got his own mercenary beating down my door in his stead. We’re not close because we’re both busy, but I can’t call him yet to tell him about his offspring. And his woman is at risk of being mine. I swear I want her so bad that I can almost forget that she’s fucked my brother and had my nephew. God, I need to stay away from her.

  “It’s very possible. I can’t talk to him, yet, but the woman hasn’t mentioned him.” It’s because I refuse to even let her say more than a handful of things. The more she talks, the more I want to pin her to the wall and fuck her. I grumble, thinking about her with my brother. Fuck, it takes all I can to push that vision out of my head.

  “Enough. I’ll be dealing with all of it in a matter of time. You don’t have to worry about it. It’s not like the company is going to fail because rumors are flying around that I have a son,” I remind them. If anything, I can buy them out and wing it on my own.

  “I suppose that’s true, but the sooner you get to the bottom of it the better.” I’m thoroughly warned. “Bastard children make you look bad. Marry the gold digger after a prenup.”

  “I will deal with this matter on my own, Johnson.” My temper only gets worse by the second.

  “Keep us informed, please,” Erickson adds with a hint of sympathy in his voice.

  “Will do.” I hang up the phone, then sit back in my chair and rub my hands over my face. I look through my emails, magically hoping the answers will be there.

  Hours pass, and I finally get myself together. Since I’ve been out of the office or filled with thoughts of Renee, I’m going to have to work late. After drafting several proposals on new properties, I decided to call it quits. I glimpse at the clock, and it’s already past eight at night. I spent the entire day away from her. It’s the first thought in my head when I see the time. How is that possible? I thought I washed her away from my thoughts by lunchtime.

  When I get to the condo, no one seems to be around. Maybe Renee’s already sleeping with the little man. I pull a note off the fridge. Dinner is in the refrigerator. I don’t know how to feel about the fact that she made me dinner, too. This situation is getting too cozy for comfort. I take out the plate covered with plastic wrap. Lifting the wrap off the plate, the delicious aroma of roast hits me. Damn, she can cook, too. What was my brother thinking?

  I warm up the food, pull out a stool, and eat at the breakfast nook. By the time I take the last bite, I’m ready to punch my brother in the face. He has this catch, and he leaves her to run around the world. Maybe he doesn’t know what he’s lost.

  I wash my dishes; then I head into the bedroom to check on her. She couldn’t leave because my men have the condo locked down. I quietly as possible open the bedroom door. She’s sleeping sweetly on the bed with one hand tucked under the pillow, and one hand stretched out on the bed. She’s perfect. I move in closer and lean in to take a better look at her. She sighs slightly, rolling over in her sleep. The blanket shifts with her movements, revealing her ass covered in a pair of panties.

  I hear the crib mattress make noise and lift my head to see the little one in there staring at me with a smile. “Mama,” he coos. It hits me in the gut. I creep out of the room as fast as
I can. No more close calls.

  Chapter 6

  Renee

  I'm stuck in his large condo, forced into the hiding because someone let it slip that he has a love child. My face is plastered all over the paper like a tart, claiming I'm after his money.

  I can't believe how quickly things got out of hand. The press were on us as we pulled out of the parking garage. He was able to keep them out of the building, but the damage had been done. It’s been three whole days since I’ve seen him. The only reason I know he’s been at the condo is the dinner is gone when I wake up. Every morning I check the trash to see if he angrily tossed it, but he didn’t. I smile to myself knowing that he ate all my cooking. It’s one of the few things I can say I’m good at.

  Even with that little victory, something has to give. We need to talk because I can’t do this. I feel like I’m in limbo and for what? I got a message from my boss at the hair salon that I’m fired which really sucks. As soon as I tell him the truth he’s going to toss me on my ass. While I’m out trying to find another job and going through the cash she gave me, he’ll probably hunt down his baby mama.

  She’s so pretty. It’s no wonder he slipped and knocked her up. They might get back together for the baby’s sake. It burns in my gut knowing that little fact. She came into the salon all the time even when she was pregnant which is not considered safe. Everything on her was fake, but I tried not to judge. Now, I’m way past judging. That chick dumped her adorable baby in my lap.

  The baby is asleep, so I grab my Kindle and start a new read. I’m halfway through the sexy scene when the front door opens. Shit. I tuck my kindle under the cushion and stand up. He’s early today. I’m freaking out. I brush down my jeans and push my hair back. He steps into view, then stops dead in his tracks. His light blue-grey eyes penetrate my soul.

  “You’re home,” I coo. I can’t believe I just made a bigger ass of myself. Can I come off anymore pathetic? His eyes run laps over my body. I look down and realize that I’m hardly even dressed. They picked up some of my clothes while they were at my place, but it wasn’t everything. I only had on a loose tee shirt and a pair of boy shorts. Yes, I can be more pathetic. I look as if I’m trying to tempt him.

  “Yes. It looks to be that way. Did you miss me?” he asks, dropping down his briefcase. “Because…I’ve missed you.”

  “What?” I stammer. Liam swiftly moves to close the distance between us.

  “Did I stutter? I missed you. Fuck, I can’t think straight. A part of me wishes I never came out of my office.” He reaches his hand up, brushing his fingers down my cheek. “You gave him what belongs to me.”

  “What are you talking about?” I’m lost. I close my eyes when his hand cups my face and his thumb rubs my cheek. I press my face into his hand, absorbing his touch.

  “The baby. You should have had my baby,” he professes, staring intensely into my eyes. I hear the agony in his words. Could he? Could he really be saying what I think he is?

  “I...” I need to tell him the truth. I take my gaze away from him to build up the nerve, to be honest.

  He slides his arm around my waist, tips my chin to look into his eyes, and says, “It’s okay. We can make another one.” His mouth comes down on mine. Our lips connect fiercely. The kiss isn’t sweet; it’s hard and possessive. It’s shocking, but I want more.

  My body reacts, and I try to climb on him. My hands thrust in his hair, tugging on his perfect mane. I know I shouldn’t let this happen because he’s already a father and denying it. His hands go to my ass, grasping my meaty cheeks, and lifting me into his arms. I wrap my legs around him and let him carry me to bed.

  He lays me in the center of the bed, kicking off his shoes before leaning over me, supporting his weigh with his palms on the mattress. His legs are between mine, and his cock is grinding against my heat. I shiver and arch my hips up, rubbing my pussy on his bulge.

  “Keep that up, and it’s going to be over before we get started. And I’ve been a good boy. I’ve done my best to stay away from you because I don’t want to poach, but he’s lost out. You’re mine.” I pull at his tie, but he sits on his heels and does it for me. It’s good because I was bound to choke him. God, I need to tell him that this isn’t what he thinks it is, but I don’t know if I can. He comes down for another kiss before getting off the bed and stripping himself down. I steal sly peeks at his perfect body. Fuck me, he’s enormous.

  Liam climbs back onto the bed and wraps his strong hands around my waistband, yanking down my shorts. I’m not wearing any undies because that was one of the things they didn’t pack. His eyes go directly to my pussy, and I’m so nervous. He smiles up at me then kisses me.

  “Take off your top.” I do as he says, lifting it over my head. It gives me the little reprieve from his wandering eyes. A growl comes from him the second I drop the shirt onto the side of the bed. “Fucking sexy as hell.” He rests himself above me, nudging my knees further apart. I feel his thick head at my soaking wet entrance. This is my last chance, but like all other times, I can’t speak…I just want. I moan as the tip rubs against my engorged clit. I’ve never had an orgasm before, and I’m glad I waited for this man. I gasp when his head drops down to my breasts. His tongue does circles around my hard nipples before his lips wrap around it, sucking out a moan from me. I arch my back, pressing my breasts in his face. My hands clench the sheets, and my toes curl. Slowly, I feel myself being stretched, centimeter by centimeter. Our eyes meet, and he grunts out, “Mine.” Then his cock tears through my secret. The world freezes around us.

  With his eyes on me, he flexes his cock inside of me, and I clench around him. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.”

  “I thought you’d want to stop.”

  “No, never.” He lowers his head and kisses me, softer, gently until we both start rocking our hips. I know he has questions, but they can wait. I need him, I need this.

  Chapter 7

  Liam

  I have a million questions, but none of them matter now because I’m balls deep inside her virgin pussy about to breed. Fuck, I should be pissed, but I’m the farthest thing from mad. A sense of pride, pumped-up ego, and relief that I’m not alone in this hit me all at once. I’m doing my best not to nut, but fuck, her warm womb is constricting around me. My rhythm picks up double-time, pumping long hard strokes into her tight little heat. Her walls clench around my cock, and my balls rise up.

  Looking into her eyes, I see her desire, and it’s fucking me all up. I’m going to marry her, and that makes the urge to come all the greater. Taking my eyes away, I stare down between us where we’re connected. I see my dick covered in her virgin blood, and I do my best to hang on. I’m about to come, but I need my future wife coming with me. Taking her taut nipple into my mouth, I scrape my teeth along the stiffened peak. Her tits are so perfect and heavy. I could suck on them all day long. She arches and then I feel her core contract, pulling my cum from my balls.

  “You’re mine,” I roar. “Say it.”

  “I’m yours,” she moans with her eyes closed and her head tossed back. That doesn’t work for me. I want to see her eyes as I fill her with my seed.

  “Open your eyes, baby.” She does as I request. "Good, now say it.”

  “I’m yours, Liam.” I kiss her hard.

  “Good girl.” I swat her ass, then pull out of her tight fucking pussy. I want to stay in her, but I need answers, and those can’t wait. I sit next to her on the bed, then lift her up to straddle me. I can feel the stickiness between us, and it’s fucking perfect.

  “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do.”

  She bites her bottom lip which I find too damn sexy. “Um…I normally work at a salon as a receptionist on the northside. A woman, who’s a regular, came in and started talking to me. She said her ex-lover avoided talking to her so she couldn’t give him her son. She paid me three thousand dollars to bring him to you. She handed me a paternity paper that has your name on it and all. I was supposed to call
her if you didn’t take him, but she didn’t answer the phone.” I sit up straighter. This is more fucked up than I thought. Someone is trying to frame me. It wasn’t a mistaken identity thing.

  “She lied to you. That boy looks a lot like me, but I know he’s not my son. That I’m positive about.”

  “What? I mean. Oh shit, this is worse than I expected. That’s what I get for thinking the money was a blessing. What am I supposed to do? I don’t have the finances to care for him. I’m going to have to hunt her down.”

  “I’m sorry, but I have to say it is. Did the mother give you all that baby stuff?”

  “I’m guessing so because I only had the baby for twenty minutes when I showed up at your office.”

  “Well I have to say selfishly, I’m glad he’s not yours either. The thought of my brother knocking you up pissed me off every time I looked at you.”

  “Do you think he’s your brother’s son?” she asks, at least hopeful that the boy is related. I investigated her background. She has a fucked up family but has never been known to do anything wrong. I couldn’t find anything on the baby, which now makes a ton of sense.

  “It’s possible. What information do you have on the woman?” Maybe I can narrow down the possibilities. I don’t know how many women there are in his past, but he had some female friends.

  “She’s gorgeous and blonde. I’d say she’s about thirty. I suppose I can get more information from the salon, but her first name is Cherry.”

  A roar of anger escapes my throat. “Oh hell no.” I scoot her off me and slip on my boxers. I need my phone right away.

  “Baby, did she have big boobs and a fake sounding southern accent?”

  “Yes.”

  “Damn it.” I thrust my hands through my hair like I always do. This isn’t good at all. The ramifications could be painful.