Chapter 10
(Everett)
Tanya had surpassed my expectations. She looked like a goddess. The dress fell perfectly on every curve of her body making it hard for me to resist the animalistic hormones that raged inside of me at the sheer sight of her.
It didn’t help that her lack of makeup, paired with bouncy curls, made her look absolutely adorable. All I wanted to do was pull her close and hold her all night long. Maybe, if I were lucky, I’d take a little bite – a harmless nibble that would venture to her neck, leaving a mark and enticing a scream.
I smiled. Just the thought of her moaning my name was enough to send me into a frenzy.
But I pushed away from the feeling as I guided her to my car, opening the door, and ushered her inside.
As she looked up at me, her cheeks were painted in a rosy hue adding to her innocent look.
“I’m glad you skipped the makeup. You’re naturally beautiful, Tanya.” As I spoke, our faces gravitated together. Her lips were pursed ever so slightly like she anticipated a kiss.
Not yet.
I ran my fingers through her hair, pulling it away from her face. I was about to pull away when I kissed the top of her head gently.
Her cheeks burned with crimson, lips pressed together like she was holding back a slew of words. To be honest, I was just as surprised as she was.
Why had I done that?
The gesture was one of a lover – something couples did when they were trying to be romantic. But that’s not what I was trying to achieve, was it? I just needed a surrogate for my child. Tanya was my best option. That’s all.
Right?
The tugging in my chest tried to tell me differently, but I ignored it. Emotions only made things messy. I needed to keep things professional.
Still, there was a part of me that wanted much, much more than that. I didn’t just want a mother to my child – I wanted a companion – someone who would ward off the loneliness I felt when I spent my nights gazing out the windows of my penthouse suite. Sure, I could have a plethora of women at a moment’s notice, but their company wasn’t worth two cents. Tanya, on the other hand, was different. I needed her, even if I didn’t want to admit it.
In the end, however, pragmatism won out as I pulled away from her, closed the door, and settled myself behind the wheel.
I drove to the Christmas Ball in silence trying to parse through all these feelings. When I had first concocted my plan to make Tanya the surrogate mother to my child, I thought it was foolproof. Tanya was hardworking and logical. She’d be the perfect woman. I never expected to fall for her.
But that was exactly what was happening.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched her, fingers twisting together on her lap. Teeth nibbling on her bottom lip. Eyes darting this way and that, unable to focus. She was nervous. I would have given anything to be able to know her thoughts at that moment.
Would she accept my offer? Or would she reject, thinking I only wanted her for her body?
There was so much I wanted to say and yet, I couldn’t bring myself to utter a word. For once in my life, I was rendered speechless.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, we arrived at the banquet hall I had rented for the ball. It was a colonial mansion that belonged to the family. Already, VIP guests waltzed up to the main entrance, looking like they owned the world.
“Um… are you sure I should be here?” Tanya asked with a gulp.
“Of course,” I answered just before getting out of my seat.
By the time I rounded the car, Tanya was already stepping onto the sidewalk. As she did so, her heel snagged on the hem of her dress causing her to lose her balance.
Instinctually, I reached forward and caught her, arms tight around her body. “Careful,” I growled, holding her a little tighter. “I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”
“I…”
“No matter how badly you’ve fallen for me.” I winked, a smirk painted on my face. “Now, come on, we have an entrance to make.” As I took her hand, our fingers locked together. The feeling of her silky skin against mine filled me with confidence like I’d never felt before. I straightened my posture, chest jutting out ever so slightly. Then, with a newfound pep in my step, I towed her toward the mansion.
“Wow…” She whispered in awe.
“You haven’t seen anything yet. Just wait until we get inside.” Even though Tanya had been my assistant for a couple of years, she had never actually attended the Ball. I had always found a high-class date to tag along. Back then, I was more concerned with making appearances. Now, with my corporate empire to support me, there wasn’t much that threatened my position. So, no matter what anyone thought, I was going to bring whoever I damn well choose as my date.
By the doors, one of the ushers nodded in my direction. “Mr. Walton.”
I nodded back.
Inside, a crowd had already formed, gathering in clusters. Well-dressed waiters walked around the room, serving drinks and appetizers. “Can I get you anything?”
She shook her head.
“You know, there’s no reason for you to be bashful. I want you to enjoy yourself tonight, all right?”
Tanya looked hesitant, searching my eyes. “I…” She wet her lips. “Okay.”
“Now, what can I get you?”
“Um… a glass of wine should be fine.”
“Coming right up.” With a snap of my fingers, I beckoned over a waiter, snatching up two cups of a deep, red wine. Each bottle would cost me $500.
Timidly, she took a sip, hands shaking.
Unable to see her acting this way, I took the alcohol away from her, placing my hands on hers. “There’s no need to be so nervous. Just trust me and have a good time.” Before she could say something, I pressed my hand to the small of her back, hips pressed together.
“W-What are you doing?” She whispered, eyes widening as she looked all around. “People are watching.”
“So? Let them stare as I enjoy a dance with the most beautiful woman here.” Almost on cue, the orchestra started to play.
Jingle Bells.
Not my usual choice when trying to impress a woman but it would have to do – this was a Christmas Ball after all.
“I—I can’t dance.” Tanya protested.
“Just follow my lead,” I whispered, locking our bodies together as I started to move across the dancefloor. Despite her claim, we glided together in perfect sync, like partners who had been practicing for years.
I laughed, my heart swelling with joy as the cheerful music took over, guiding my movements. “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time,” I admitted without thinking.
“Oh?” Tanya had finally relaxed to the point where her hands were on my shoulder.
Chestnuts roasting…
With the slower tempo of the newest song, we swayed together, looking into each other’s eyes. At that moment, I couldn’t deny how this woman had managed to capture my heart, making it beat harder than ever before. She was making me feel alive in a way that no one else had.
The feeling was addictive. I wanted more of it. Much more.
But, the only way to get what I wanted was to keep Tanya and I had no idea what she would decide to do. “Tanya…” I started, hands on her hips, afraid to let go. Never before had I felt so attached to someone like I needed her to breathe. She was the reason everything looked so bright. The Christmas tree sparkled with a new light. The jolly smiles seemed happier. With Tanya, everything was better.
Yet, doubt trickled into the back of my mind.
What if she said no?
What then?
How would I find someone to replace her?
The answer was, I wouldn’t. I couldn’t.
“Y-Yes?” She asked, fingers tightening around my suit jacket, voice quivering.
“Have you thought about what I said down by the beach house?”
Her lips pressed together into a thin line.
We stopped dancing.
Fuck.
This wasn’t going to end well…
“Tanya… just tell me. I won’t get mad, no matter how you choose.” Gently, I lifted her chin so I could look at her, gauging her expression.
She looked around the banquet hall. “Can we… go somewhere… a little more… private?” she asked, stepping back.
I desperately wanted to reel her back into my arms, but instead, I just nodded my head. I had promised myself that no matter what happened, I would accept her decision.
Together, we weaved through the crowd of people. As we did so, I could hear a few muted whispers commenting on my choice of an escort. Most of these whispers came from women with upturned noses and too-thin bodies. I had fucked most of them, leaving them wanting more. They were just jealous because they knew they didn’t have what Tanya had.
Beauty. Intelligence. But, most of all… she had my heart.
I had fallen for her; there was no point denying it.
But, I was starting to think I was the only one.
The journey to the outside balcony felt like it would never end. My head kept spinning, anticipating what she would say. Finally, I pushed open a set of glass doors. The wind was harsh, whipping around us as if to indicate that we did not belong – that we needed to go back inside.
There, Tanya walked up to the railing, leaning forward, looking out at the manor’s wide expanse of land. The moonlight highlighted her features, making her look brilliant.
My heart quickened at the sight of her, seeing her with fresh eyes. For so long, she had been nothing more than my assistant, but I wanted to change that. I wanted this woman by my side – where she rightfully belonged.
I waited for her to speak but the minutes rolled into one another, her face frozen in thought.
Slowly, I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her torso, my head on her shoulder, lips tempted by the skin of her neck but I managed to hold myself back, anticipation bubbling inside of my chest. What would she say?
“Everett…” She began, voice soft and shaking. Her fingers tightened on the railing, knuckles turning white.
“Shh, take your time,” I said, placing my hands on hers, giving them a little squeeze, trying to comfort her. It was strange being in this position of vulnerability. I was a man who always got what he wanted – who took what he wanted, but this time, I was placing myself in her hands. She was the deciding factor in this equation. “I just want you to be honest with me. That’s all I’m asking for.”
At that moment, she looked into my eyes, our gazes locking in a silent moment of understanding. I started to smile, heart swelling but before I could utter a word, she pushed herself onto her tippy toes until our lips collided together.
The kiss started off at a gentle pace, lips dancing at a slow, tender tempo. But soon enough, the passion we both held in our chests came pouring out, adding fuel to the fire. It grew hotter and hotter as our hands started to roam. My hands ventured from her hips to her breasts to her ass, tracing out her every inch, her every wondrous curve.
Our bodies pressed together as I held her even closer, feeling like I never wanted to let her go. My lungs burned for air, but I ignored their plea, kissing her even harder, our tongues tangling together, fighting each other for dominance. Before either one of us could win, she pulled away, panting, a wild grin on her luscious lips. “Yes,” she breathed the word out.
I stared at her, blinking a moment, almost forgetting what we had come out here to discuss.
“Yes, I’ll have your child.”