I'd put the final touches on the studio myself. I stepped back, pleased with the results. I'd had the guest house gutted and remodeled into an artist's studio, with enormous windows to capture the light, work tables and shelving for supplies. But I'd done the stocking myself. It had taken some work to be sure I'd bought everything Libby could need. And to be sure all the products were safe and non-toxic. I took one last look around and carefully locked the door behind me. I pocketed the key, anticipating the look on her lovely face when I surprised her.

We'd both signed the contract a week after our first meeting here at the lake. Since then, life had been a hectic schedule of business meetings and doctor appointments. Being constantly busy with all the practical details of our arrangement had thankfully gone a long way toward clearing my head about Libby.

She was just the right woman for the job, and that was all. The physical reaction I'd had to her when we'd first met had just been the result of the long stretch of celibacy I'd endured over the last year. That, and general excitement that I was finally on my way to becoming a dad. I was back in control, back in business, so to speak. And thank god for my brothers stepping up. Even Mom and Dad had worked overtime at Mason to keep the company on track. And India, as always, had been amazing.

The Mason family has been an institution in this part of the South for generations. We're known for being traditional, conservative. Old fashioned. Our people do things the way they've always been done, without question, for the last two hundred years. We're close knit, loving supportive and loyal. And no Mason, aside from my sister, would ever accept that I'd hired a woman to bear the next generation.

So India had created the cover story we would tell my family tomorrow night at dinner. That she'd introduced us at a party and we'd instantly hit it off. Introductions would be made all around and my parents and brothers would meet my new girlfriend for the first time. That I'd moved her in with me so quickly would come as a hell of a shock to everyone, but India assured me she'd smooth the ruffled feathers. For now, that would just have to be enough. Libby would be living here where I could watch over her, before the insemination appointment on Friday. And once we knew for sure that she was pregnant… well… I was pretty sure how I'd tell my family about that. I just hadn't run the plan by Libby yet…

I headed back toward the cabin just in time to hear India's tires crunching gravel. I'd been excited, living on adrenaline for days anticipating this. The last few weeks of spending every spare minute getting to know Libby better had solidified the feeling I'd had from the first moment I'd laid eyes on her. That she was the one. The future mother of my baby.

"Libby, I can't tell you how happy I am you're here." I took her hands and kissed her cheek. As always, my cock leapt with enthusiasm I had to work hard to quell. It hadn't quite gotten the message yet, that the only thing it was going to be filling to the brim was a paper cup in the doctor's office…

"I can't believe it's all really happening," Libby said, putting her hands on her hips and stretching her spine. The result pushed her generous breasts up and apart, the swell of her round little ass creating a curve in her back that made my cock painful in the confinement of my jeans. It's okay to be attracted to the mother of your baby, right? Hadn't I read somewhere that it increased the odds of conception?

Only if you're doing it the old-fashioned way, I corrected myself grimly, lifting Libby's suitcase out of the trunk.

"I'm heading straight back into the city, Jack," India said over the noise of the engine. She'd brought Libby out to the house because the beetle had finally given out, but she had a dinner meeting with Spencer. He's my right hand at the corporation, ingenious and invaluable regarding the takeover of an aluminum company that Mason Steel had been working on. He was a good man to have on your side. I sure as hell wouldn't want him on the other.

With a smile and a wave, India was gone and Libby and I were alone. In all these weeks, I always had the same sense when we were alone together. It was something halfway between total comfort and complete awkwardness. Ever since meeting her, it was something I couldn't seem to shake. There was certainly no question, this situation was utterly unique for both of us.

"Sooo… here we are…" She twisted her hands together.

"Yes… here we are." I smiled down at her, a riot of emotions going off inside me despite our calm exteriors. "Should we get you settled in your room before dinner?"

I led her up the stairs and into the room next to mine. It was the brightest room in the cabin, with one long wall of windows and a huge sugar maple leaning close. The leaves were just starting to turn their brilliant colors.

I put her case on the huge bed and watched her react to the view of the lake. "I've never seen such beauty," she breathed. "Thank you, for this. All of this, Jack. The second chance you're giving me with this job… and letting me stay here…"

"Little enough, compared to what you've agreed to do for me," I answered. The fact was, I'd asked her to move in for my sake, as much as for hers. I wanted her close, where I could be sure she was safe and healthy. Close, so that I wouldn't miss a single day of my child's life… from the very minute of conception.

"You're giving me the future I've always wanted," I added honestly. "I'm going to make sure you and the baby have everything you need."

She turned from the window to face me. "I can't believe Friday's nearly here," she said softly. "All these weeks of blood tests and vitamins, poking and prodding. And now it's actually going to happen…"

I took her hands in mine, ignoring how the feeling of her skin affected me. "No doubts, Libby? You're sure this is what you want?" The next words came out painfully. "If you're not fully committed, this is the time to tell me. You can still back out, even with the contract in place." I took a steadying breath. "But once we're pregnant, there's no changing your mind. You will give birth… and the child will be mine."

"We're on the same page, Jack." she answered after a thoughtful pause. Her brilliant eyes were clear and sincere. "I don't have any doubts about the kind of father you'll be, and I'm completely sure that what we're doing is the right thing for both of us." She smiled and I felt a lump form in my throat. "I want to experience pregnancy and birth. It's a huge and important part of life." She shrugged. "I'm just not the mothering type." She smiled wider.

"You, on the other hand, are more than equipped to be both mom and dad." She looked around the beautiful room. "This baby will be so lucky to have you as her father."

"Not even pregnant yet, and you're already sure it's going to be a girl?"

Libby smiled inscrutably and headed for hallway. "Were you just teasing me, or did you mean it?"

"I'm sorry…?"

She'd already disappeared around the corner.

"Dinner, Jack," she tossed back carelessly. "Momma's hungry."