The Playboy's Baby: A BWWM Pregnancy Romance (3 page)

“Margarita?” Janie called over her shoulder. “Can you…?” she pointed to the bubbling pot on the stove. Margarita dropped her knife and rushed to the stove, her eyes wide as she took in Raymond’s suit and power tie. She nodded in consent, and Raymond was happy to see that at least someone approved of his presence.

“It’s so good to see you,” Raymond said, leaning forward to kiss each of Janie’s cheeks. Janie lifted her hand and pressed it to her skin to cover the splotchy rash of heat that spread across her face where Raymond’s lips touched her.

“C’mon,” she said, pushing open the kitchen door. “It’s hot in here and I could use some air. Margarita!” she shouted over her shoulder as she pushed Raymond through the door. Margarita waved from her spot at the stove, her beaming smile the only feature Raymond could see on her face.

“She seems really nice,” Raymond started conversationally, but Janie did not want to waste time on small talk.

“I read about you in the paper today,” Janie said straight to the point once they were in the hall away from the kitchen doors. Raymond hoped she would take him further away from the heat and busyness of the kitchen. He wondered if it would be too forward to ask if Janie would go to the roof with him.

“It's not what it looks like,” Raymond tried to explain.

“Really? Because it looks kind of convenient that you show up here asking for me the same night your fiancée dumped you. Do you think I’m still interested? That I’d be waiting for you? That I haven’t had anything better to do for the last seven weeks than think about you and our night on the roof—” Janie’s voice cracked. She closed her eyes and pressed a palm to her forehead. Shaking her head, she bit her bottom lip to stop the flood of tears welling behind her eyes.

A lump formed in Raymond’s throat. He moved toward Janie, cautiously at first, but she was too busy hunting in her pockets for a tissue to fight him off. He slid his body closer to hers until they stood nose to nose. Mascara ran down her tear-stained cheeks. Raymond placed his hands on her shoulders and lightly traced his fingertips up and down her arms. He closed his eyes and inhaled the sweet scent of her perfume; lilacs and cherry blossoms.

“Janie,” Raymond cooed into the flesh of her shoulder. “I swear it isn’t like that.”

“I want to believe you,” she whispered. She dug her hands into the small of his back and forced her body closer. Her sheer blouse rustled against his chest like the world's finest silk. Two pert nipples strained against the translucent fabric. The response in Raymond’s trousers was immediate as he imagined whether or not she was wearing a bra.

“Why did you come here?” she asked. Her voice was a soft moan of pleasure as Raymond’s hand slid up her chest to investigate. He cupped her chin and tilted her mouth up to greet his hungry lips. An uncontrollable wave of longing washed over him as her tongue darted between her plump lips.

“I wanted to finish what I started,” he managed to say between staggering breaths. He leaned in to taste the lips he’d dreamt about since the first night on the roof, but at the last second Janie tilted away. Raymond’s lips lightly brushed against the outer edge of her cheek.

“Finish what you started?” she repeated, her head shaking as much as her voice. Her bangs whipped angrily against her forehead as she put a hand to Raymond’s chest and pushed. Her chest rose with each huff of breath. Her shirt stretched at the neck and Raymond spied the strap of a dainty nude colored bra.

“I know this is bad timing, but I was here and I wanted to see you—” Raymond said, brushing his finger against the bra’s delicate lace.

“You have no idea how bad your timing is,” Janie scoffed. Her voice held none of her earlier warmth and Raymond realized she was not as pleased to see him as he had expected. “Does this have anything to do with the news in today’s papers? Because I’m not just some piece of ass you can call up every time you find yourself alone. I have more respect for myself than that.”

“It isn’t like that,” Raymond repeated.

“What is it like, then?” Janie asked. She hit Raymond with a sad smile. She forced his fingers aside. Raymond was silent while she straightened her shirt, her hands shaking against the delicate fabric. “There’s no need to pretend that you care about me or my business. You have a fiancée. I get it. You cheated on her with me. End of story.”

“End of story, my ass,” Raymond growled.

He stacked his arms across his chest in his favorite intimidation move, but Janie seemed less impressed than the spineless bureaucrats Raymond dealt with during a typical day. His return to Janie has nothing to do with Katherine. This is about the way his heart beat whenever he stepped within range of Janie’s fragrant perfume. About how he felt weak in the knees when she flashed a true smile. He wanted to run his thumb over her delicate lips and the bright apples of her cheeks. He had a simultaneous desire to protect her from ruthless paparazzi and mark her naked flesh with his teeth. Unfortunately, his appetite for Janie was far from being satisfied. One way or another, Raymond wanted another chance to have his way with her.

“I thought tonight would be a nice chance for us to reconnect—”

“Reconnect?” Janie shouted so loud a server stuck his antlered head out the door. Raymond grabbed Janie by the wrist and pulled her further down the hall away from the prying ears. Janie waved the server away.

“I haven’t heard from you in seven weeks. Not one single word. Not, ‘thanks Janie, it was a great time.’ Or ‘sorry I didn’t mention I had a fiancée before we had sex.’ Imagine my surprise when I heard your father announce your engagement to the crowd.” Janie’s bottom lip trembled in anger as she tapped an impatient heel on the linoleum floor.

“Janie, I’m sorry,” Raymond sputtered before he realized how inadequate his words were.

He decided to remain silent and let Janie say whatever she needed to get off her chest. After a short stare down where neither person moved, Janie tucked her arms across her chest defiantly. Raymond tried to keep his eyes focused on her face, but he couldn’t stop them from wandering down her beautiful body. He stared at her pushed up breasts, unable to concentrate on anything except the delectable figure in front of him. Despite her anger, Raymond reached out his fingers and touched her trembling mouth. Her satiny lips were shiny with pale pink gloss.

“Do you ever think about repeating that night?”

An angry tick jumped across her narrowed brows as she slapped away Raymond’s hand. “I’m sorry, but I have more important things on my mind than a pointless orgasm.”

“That’s not what you thought that night,” Raymond reminded her. He moved a step closer, wanting to feel her lithe body pressed against his once more. “When was the last time you had an orgasm?”

Janie’s face blanched in anger. Raymond realized his teasing wasn’t so far off. He couldn’t believe it was possible that no one had pleasured this gorgeous woman. If it were up to him, he wouldn’t wait another second. He’d take her in her restaurant and bend her body over the first table he saw. He’d rip off her clothes and run his fingers over every inch of her smooth chocolate skin. Snapping off her bra, he would release her caged breasts and rub them raw with pleasurable flicks of his tongue. He’d slide his fingers into her wetness and make her cry out his name before lowering his erection into her and satisfying her in a way that she had never experienced.

Unfortunately, it isn’t up to Raymond. And right then, Janie was not cooperating. Her anger surprised Raymond. He never thought he could see so much hate in those brilliant green eyes, but the fire she spewed toward him was fierce.

“If you’ll excuse me,” she said between clenched teeth. “I have to get back to work. The mayor’s here tonight, along with his self-righteous, asshole of a son, and no doubt they will want extra champagne for this evening’s announcement. I can see the headline now: mayor’s son giving away the keys to his Lamborghini to hookers and slutty 18-year-olds in exchange for the promise of a vote…”

“Funny,” Raymond yelled over the slap of her heels as she marched down the hall. “I don’t even drive a Lamborghini!”

Her green eyes were no longer misty as she walked away from Raymond, her middle finger waving goodbye as she disappeared into the kitchen and slammed the door.

Chapter Three

Just before midnight, when the ballroom’s inhabitants were making holiday toasts and sneaking kisses under the mistletoe, Janie snuck up on the roof for some much needed air. Her back hurt, her pointy shoes pinched her toes, and she still had at least an hour before the Christmas party ended and her crew could start cleaning up. Kicking off her heels, Janie stepped to the middle of the roof and stared at the night sky. She rubbed the small of her back and tried to think about anything except Raymond, his fiancée, and his baby growing in her womb.

She knew she needed to tell him that she was pregnant, but she hadn’t expected to see him so soon. Raymond showing up at the party had been an unexpected surprise that, Janie admitted, she hadn’t handled so well. She was anxious about the way her hair looked and that she’d puked three times that morning. And she was angry that he’d seduced her the night he announced his engagement and then never bothered to call and explain himself. What she needed to do was forget all about Raymond, but forgetting Raymond wasn’t going to be easy. Every star in the sky reminded Janie of their magnificent night together and the byproduct of that night that was now a part of Janie.

She heard the roof’s door squeak open and wondered which member of her kitchen couldn’t give her five minutes without screwing something up. However, when she turned toward the door she was surprised to find Raymond standing there, as if magically summoned by her thoughts.

“Hello,” Raymond said. He’d removed his suit jacket and his crisp dress shirt was tucked into pants that showcased his flat stomach and narrow hips. Janie fought the urge to lick her lips as her eyes scanned every sculpted muscle on his body.

“Imagine finding you here,” Raymond said as he stepped toward Janie.

He placed his fingers on Janie’s arm, just above her elbow. The electric current running through his hand shocked Janie’s system and fried the impulses shooting to her brain. Suddenly, the roof seemed narrow and claustrophobic. Sweat beaded beneath Janie’s wobbly knees. She couldn’t think straight. Her eyes locked on Raymond’s million dollar smile, those damned laugh lines, the cleft in his chin. She wanted to muss her fingers through his perfectly sculpted hair and stick her face in the crook of his neck. She wondered if he smelt like money or sex.

“I was just thinking about that night,” Janie confessed.

Raymond cocked an eyebrow as he pulled Janie toward him until their faces were inches apart. His strong hands laced around the small of her back. Janie arched her back ay his delicate touch, wishing the fabric of her shirt wasn’t a barrier between his fingers and her skin. Sensing her frustration, Raymond’s fingertips trailed below the hem of her shirt until they touched exposed flesh. Janie shivered with delight as his fingers slid up her back. Pausing at her bra strap, Raymond leaned in and nipped the nape of her neck. Janie leaned backward, exposing more flesh for Raymond’s probing mouth. Raymond brought his hands to the front of her shirt and popped open a few more buttons. He traced a finger across the lacy edges of her exposed bra before sliding his other hand up her shirt. As Janie arched her neck for another sensual nip, Raymond’s fingers tugged at the bra’s complicated hooks and closures.

“Whoa,” Janie said, putting a hand on Raymond’s chest as she forced their bodies apart.

“What?” Raymond asked with a sly smile.

“There’s something I need to tell you before we continue. It might make you change your mind about this.” Janie tried to extract herself from Raymond’s grasp but ended up straddling his leg, which only widened his gorgeous smile.

“You weren’t complaining a minute ago,” Raymond pointed out as Janie pulled down the bottom of her shirt. She stepped backward, away from his legs, and re-buttoned her shirt for emphasis.

“I wasn’t thinking clearly. You distracted me with—”

“My good looks and charm?” Raymond teased.

Janie swiveled toward the door, all thoughts of confiding in Raymond gone from her mind. “You could at least kiss a girl before you undress her. Make her feel like she is the tiniest bit special.”

The words were barely out of her mouth when Raymond turned and backed Janie into the wall. He placed his hands on both sides of Janie’s head as he inched his way closer to her. Raymond lowered his face to hers. Janie closed her eyes and felt his breath as he inspected every inch of her body. She wanted to feel his face buried in her neck. She wanted to dig her fingers into his muscular shoulders or deep into a fistful of his hair. She could feel the warmth in her cheeks spreading further south in her body as his chest pressed firmly against hers. The laziness with which he circled his face around her body infuriated her. Janie’s eyes fluttered open as she swallowed the desire gurgling in her throat. Her lips parted involuntarily. Raymond’s smile lit up his face as he leaned in to finally touch his lips to hers.

The door banged open and a redheaded assistant popped onto the rooftop. He tapped on his iPhone as he walked. “Raymond, there you are. I’ve been looking all over for you—” His voice faltered when he spied Janie pressed against the wall, her body practically humming as she waited for her interrupted kiss. Raymond squeezed his eyes closed and took a deep breath. His arms tense as he pressed harder into the wall.

“Not now, Gary,” Raymond growled over his shoulder.

“I’m sorry sir, but I was sent to collect you. Your father’s looking for Ms. Jefferies, too. Apparently the ice sculpture is melting and your father is worried about a lawsuit should one of his highly intoxicated guests slip and fall.”

Raymond swung his head back and swept hungry eyes up and down Janie’s face. Their eyes locked but Janie was no longer interested in a thirty second gratification. She placed her hands on Raymond’s chest, knowing she had a business to attend to. Trying hard not to swoon at the solid muscle mass beneath her trembling fingers, Janie pushed him away.

Raymond sighed and lowered his arms to his side. Janie slid out away from the wall and scuttled over to the assistant.

“Raymond?”

“Give me a minute to…compose myself.” Raymond jammed his hands in his pocket and swiveled his back to them, hiding the bulging erection pressing against his wool pants. Janie tried not to think about his arousal, but she couldn’t help but stare at the way his slacks molded to the taut muscles in his legs and ass as he stomped toward the rooftop’s edge.

The assistant rolled his eyes as he checked his watch. “The mayor expected us five minutes ago—”

“I’ll be right there, dammit.” The rooftop door slammed shut.

Janie stood dumbfounded on the stairs, Raymond’s physical reaction to their almost-kiss was intriguing and puzzling. As a millionaire playboy, Raymond had so many women within reach that a simple restaurant chef like Janie shouldn’t even be a blip on his radar. Twiggy model ex-girlfriends and foreign heiresses swore Raymond Whitehorn was the best they’d ever experienced. Ruined them, if you believed the tabloids. Thinking about his body pressed up against hers, Janie remembered how memorable spending a night with Raymond was. Monumental. Life-changing. As much as she hated to admit it, right now she wanted to be ruined by Raymond Whitehorn.

“Don’t worry, this happens all the time,” Gary said, bursting Janie’s bubble as he prodded her down the stairs and back toward reality.

***

The next morning, Janie’s phone rang as she and Margarita frosted gingerbread houses.

“Don’t hang up,” Raymond blurted as his greeting.

“What do you want?” Janie asked.

Margarita lifted the pastry bag and cocked her head at Danielle. White frosting dripped from the tip as both employees set down their frosting knives to listen. Janie snapped off her gloves and stepped away from the eavesdroppers.

"I want to see you again,” Raymond said without preamble. “Come to my Christmas party. There’ll be six or seven other couples there and we’ll eat and dance and talk about things.”

“I’m listening,” Janie said. She and Raymond had a lot to talk about, including the baby growing in her womb.

“Great. I’ll send a car to pick you up Friday night at seven-thirty.”

Janie glanced at the calendar on her wall. Completely blank. “Friday is short notice, but I think I can juggle my schedule,” she said evasively. “But I can drive myself. Just text me the address.”

“Are you sure? I have a car service and they don’t mind—”

“Why are you being nice to me now?” Janie wanted to know.

Raymond sighed into the phone. “Didn’t anyone tell you not to look a gift horse in the mouth? Just show up, okay? I’ll look forward to seeing you on my yacht Friday evening for dinner and dancing. Don’t worry, I’ll send you a dress.”

“A dress? What? Wait, Raymond…your yacht?” Margarita and Danielle glanced up at their boss as the words tumbled from Janie’s mouth, but the only answer was the dial tone as Raymond disconnected.

***

The dress arrived Friday morning. It was the most gorgeous dress Janie had ever seen. An original by the famous designer India Montenegro, it probably cost more than the payout on her life insurance policy. Covered in deep red sequins, the bodice was tight and molded to Janie’s chest like a second skin. The stomach and sleeves of the dress were sheer, with red sequined flowers tastefully covering the fair amount of exposed skin. The back was cut out in a deep triangle that started at the shoulder blades and skimmed just above the buttocks. The form-fitting skirt draped to the floor, but a huge slit covered the entire right side, showing a healthy amount of leg and thigh. There was no room for a bra, and barely room for any undies. Under the dress, Raymond tucked in a heart-patterned thong with the note, Thinking of You. Janie shoved the underwear back into the box. In his dreams, she thought.

She hung onto the dress though. A girl could get used to wearing clothes like that.

Shortly after eight, Janie pulled into the marina and security escorted her to Raymond’s yacht. The night was clear and mild, an unseasonable but welcome warm front blowing up the coast. As the yacht cruised the New York Harbor, Janie mingled with the city’s brightest minds, ate rich and delicate entrees created onsite by a personal chef, and guzzled champagne that cost $500 dollars a bottle. The bubbles tickled her nose as the sweet liquid caressed her throat, like a gentle kiss from the most exquisite lover.

Across the room, Raymond caught Janie’s eye and waved her toward him. When she arrived, Raymond placed a hand possessively on her back as he introduced her to restaurant owners, private chefs, culinary instructors, and celebrity television chefs. Janie tried to concentrate on the names and faces as Raymond rattled off titles and job descriptions, but all she could think about were his delicate fingers trembling against her exposed skin. When Raymond introduced Janie to the head of Food Network, his fingers dipped down the back of her dress and slipped beneath the fabric. Janie wondered if he had the dress designed with this cutout back on purpose. As his fingers gently grazed the top of her butt cheek, she was absolutely sure of it.

For dessert, the crew members served miniature éclairs, Crème Brule, and imported coffees. The women sat around the gas fireplace and drank wine older than Janie while the men moved up to the top deck to smoke cigars and swirl heavy decanters of brandy. After catching up on who’s in rehab, who’s getting divorced, and who had plastic surgery, the women joined their spouses on deck and danced under the stars. When the boat docked back in the marina, it was well after midnight. One by one the couples said their goodbyes, waving diamond clad fingers as they waltzed away into their waiting limos and Rolls Royces. Janie sighed as she leaned against the rail and stared at the moonlight shining off the inky black water.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Raymond asked as he approached.

“It was a lovely evening,” Janie agreed. “Thank you so much for inviting me.”

“It was my pleasure.” His voice was deep and sensual; his smile playfully wicked.

He shed his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing taut and toned arms. Janie didn’t jerk away when he slipped one arm around her. In fact, she actually leaned into him. His body was solid and warm and felt good pressed against her. Tucking her head onto his chest, she closed her eyes and sighed contently.

The next thing she knew, Raymond’s mouth was on her exposed neck, fluttering his lips against her skin. He covered her neck in soft, delicate kisses and she didn’t try to stop him. It felt too damn good.

Raymond shifted his back onto the rail and pulled Janie tight into his chest. His hands rubbed up and down her exposed back. Janie knew she should make him stop before they came to the invisible line she wasn’t sure she was ready to cross. She needed to tell him about the pregnancy, but Raymond’s fingers felt magical against her skin. Instead, she lifted her head and brought her lips to his.

Their kiss was intense. Raymond crushed Janie’s lips with an insatiable hunger. She opened her mouth further and his tongue delved inside. She craved his touch, wiggling closer as his hands moved against her body in rhythm to the tango of their tongues. Raymond moved his knee between Janie’s spread legs. His right hands slid along the front of her dress as she shifted her hips against his upper thigh. Raymond moaned as Janie rubbed against his body, his fingers frantically digging into her back as his right hand groped upward toward her chest. Janie opened her mouth in a sharp inhale as Raymond kneaded her breast, rolling her pert nipple between the dress’ lacy fabric and his fingers. Raymond pulled away from their kiss and lowered his mouth to Janie’s breast, biting through the fabric as his hand brought her breast fully into his hungry mouth. The pressure sent shivers of pleasure coursing through Janie’s body. Raymond released her breast from his mouth, pinching her nipples with his fingers before slipping his hand down to the giant slit in her dress.