Kitabı oxu: «Scandalous»

Praise for New York Times bestselling author
LORI FOSTER

“Lori Foster delivers the goods.”

—Publishers Weekly

“This fantasy plays out with sexy innuendos and steamy love scenes throughout the book.”

—Romantic Times BOOKreviews on Jude’s Law

“Filled with Foster’s trademark wit, humor, and sensuality.”

—Booklist on Jamie

“Foster supplies good sex and great humor along the way in a thoroughly enjoyable romance reminiscent of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ novels.”

—Booklist on Causing Havoc

“Foster executes with skill…convincing, heartfelt family drama.”

—Publishers Weekly on Causing Havoc

“Suspenseful, sexy, and humorous.”

—Booklist on Just a Hint—Clint

“Fans of Foster’s sexy romantic comedies…will find much to like here.”

—Booklist on The Secret Life of Bryan

Lori Foster
Scandalous

MILLS & BOON

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CONTENTS

SCANDALIZED!

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

SEX APPEAL

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

SCANDALIZED!

CHAPTER ONE

SHE WAS THE PERFECT WOMAN to have his baby.

Tony Austin continued to stare, analyzing her features, considering the construction of her body. He’d already done so, of course, but now he was more thorough. She wasn’t beautiful, but that was okay, because beauty wasn’t essential to his plan. And she was striking, even arresting in her presence, her confidence and poise.

Though he tried to stop himself, his gaze was repeatedly drawn to her, and finally Olivia Anderson caught him looking. The small, curious smile she sent him took his breath away, but he shook his head, deciding his reaction was excitement for his plan and nothing else.

That was all it could be.

As always, she looked elegant. She wore a simple black dress and black heels, but that had little to do with his heightened interest. He had made a decision, and she was deeply involved in that decision whether she knew it yet or not. He rubbed his hands together, feeling his anticipation build.

He’d been acquainted with her for three years now as a business associate, and he knew she’d only attended his party as a means of furthering that association. Nothing in their relationship was of a personal nature—and he intended to keep it that way.

Just two days ago, she’d presented him with a proposal to expand her business that would add one more of her novelty lingerie shops to another Austin Crown hotel. He hadn’t given her an answer yet, but he would. Tonight. And then he’d have a question of his own to present.

For the first time in a very long time, he felt nervous on the verge of making a business proposition. Then Olivia started toward him with her determined, long-legged, graceful stride and all he could think of was what a beautiful baby they could create together.

He welcomed her with a smile.

HE’S GOING TO GIVE IT TO ME.

Olivia tingled with anticipation. Tony had been watching her, almost studying her, all evening. And there could only be one possible reason for that. The sense of impending victory thrilled her.

His gaze held hers as she neared. There was that slight tilting of his mouth—an unaffected sensual look that she knew got all the single women and even the not-so-single women excited. But Olivia would only get excited if he gave her the news she wanted.

Her business was her life, and she didn’t allow herself the time or the desire for anything else. She was certain he didn’t, either. At least, not with her.

She was well aware of Tony’s reputation with other women, and it was the women building that reputation. They claimed he was a spectacular lover, though how many had firsthand knowledge she couldn’t guess. He appeared very circumspect to her. He never spoke of his relationships. In fact, he seemed oblivious to the talk.

She tried to be oblivious as well; her only interest in him was business related. But she had to admit there were occasions when she couldn’t quite stop her mind from wandering…

She stood mere inches from him and at five-eleven or so with her heels on she nearly looked him in the eye. They stood by the balcony doors, no one else within hearing distance, the ambience soft and intimate. Olivia dismissed her wayward thoughts and lifted her glass of soda to him in a mock salute. “Tony.”

“Hello, Olivia.” His voice was deeper than usual, his gaze more intent. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

He seemed almost watchful, and anticipatory, not wearing the cool persona he usually assumed in her company. She looked around at the newly decorated offices, pretending an interest she didn’t feel. This party was to launch the renovation of his massive downtown hotel, which had been standing for decades. With its new upscale furnishings and classy decor, it was positioned to compete with other hotels where price was no obstacle. “Everything is lovely, Tony. Why wouldn’t I enjoy myself?”

His lazy smile deepened, his gaze became probing. “I don’t think you’re much for parties. You seem preoccupied.” He tilted his head slightly. “Anxious to get back to business matters?”

Olivia swallowed her immediate response and the last sip in her glass. She allowed her gaze to follow a passing couple, then said, “I was wondering if you’d come to a decision, yet. Of course, a party isn’t exactly the place to discuss such things, but…” She looked back at him and caught him watching her closely. Again. “If you’d care to enlighten me?”

Tony chuckled and ignored her question. He excelled at business games, but then, so did she. “Would you like something else to drink?”

“No, thank you,” she replied.

“Had too much already?”

“Of soda? I think I can handle it. You however…” She circled his thick wrist with her fingers to bring his glass toward her and then she sniffed. But she didn’t detect the fumes of alcohol. She frowned.

“I don’t drink, either. Too many of my associates do, and I think someone has to stay sober to oversee things.”

Olivia didn’t want to show him her surprise, but she found herself doing just that. “So you never indulge?”

“An occasional glass of wine with dinner. Very occasional.”

“I’m a teetotaler.”

“Personal reasons?”

Olivia hesitated. It was funny how you could know a person for years and never say or do anything outside the realm of related business, then suddenly be discussing very intimate, personal topics. She didn’t really mind, though. She’d always believed the better you knew your business associates the easier it would be to deal with them. It was her fondest wish to do a great many deals with Tony Austin. She finally nodded and answered, “Very personal. I detest alcohol.”

“Maybe someday you’ll tell me why.”

“Maybe.”

Tony was silent a moment. He appeared to be studying her drop-pearl earrings until suddenly he asked, “Do you have a five-year goal for yourself, Olivia? Or some long-term destination that you’re working toward?”

Again, Olivia felt that touch of excitement and tried to quell it. He was showing an interest he’d never shown before, and that could only mean he approved her business management. Tony Austin was the epitome of business excellence. A person could learn everything she needed to know from him.

It was said Tony had doubled the Austin Crown hotel chain within three years of his father’s death. Under Tony’s guidance the hotels had grown from mediocre to posh and exclusive. Every upscale business convention around wanted to be on the receiving end of Crown’s special treatment.

Tony Austin’s employees loved him and praised his leadership. As a pioneer in the business world with one of the fastest growing hotel chains around, he was regularly featured in business magazines. Austin Crown hotels were located throughout the country and probably would soon be around the world.

Olivia watched now as he propped himself up against the wall, the breadth of his shoulders visible even beneath the elegant cut of his dark suit. He was a well-built man, she admitted to herself, in his early thirties, with more energy and determination than anyone she knew. Right now his brown hair, darker and richer than her own and with a spot more curl, had fallen forward over his brow, and his green eyes were intense on her features.

Olivia smiled. “Of course I have a plan. A very substantial plan. If you’d like, I could outline it for you.”

To her surprise, Tony caught one of the servers milling through the crowd. “Miss Anderson and I will be in the inner office. Please bring us refreshments, nonalcoholic only, and see that we’re not bothered unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

The server nodded, took their empty glasses and walked away. Olivia felt her nerves tingle. He’s going to give it to me. She hadn’t expected this, hadn’t expected Tony to want to discuss business tonight, but still…

Tony took her arm and began weaving through the crowd. Several people noticed, but she ignored them. Tony merely nodded to anyone who stared too long, but he was used to this. It was a fact he drew regular gossip from outsiders. After all, he was the local boy made good and there were always busybodies hoping to pick up a scrap of dirt. But they were in Willowbrook, Indiana, on Tony’s home ground, and anyone who really knew him paid little heed to the rumors.

Olivia rehearsed her speech in her mind, preparing what she would say, how she would convince him to her way of thinking. She was busy wondering if she’d be able to shorten her five-year goal with his cooperation, when he tugged her into a dimly lit room that smelled of rich leather and Tony. Which, to her at least, was the scent of raw excitement. In this room she might get the break she’d been waiting for. All she had, all she would ever have, was her business. She’d given it everything she could, and it had given back all she had hoped for. Watching the business expand and grow was almost the same as having the life she really wanted. Almost.

TONY CLOSED THE DOOR and leaned against it. It was funny, but before tonight he had never really noticed how lovely Olivia Anderson could be when she was excited, when she smiled…. Of course, he’d made note of and approved each one of her individual features. But he’d never before put them all together, taken them as the whole, and understood just how tempting an appearance she made.

Tonight she had her soft dark brown hair pinned back in an elegant twist, though he knew it was nearly straight and fell to the tops of her shoulders. Olivia always looked elegant. She had more style and class than any woman he’d ever known. And it didn’t matter that her eyes were dark brown, not green like his own. He liked her eyes. They showed her emotions clearly, showed the depth of her character and her passion. Passion for her work, that is.

He stepped away from the door and flipped on a single lamp that added a vague glow to the expansive room. It was cowardly of him, but he preferred to keep the lighting dim, to allow himself the cover of shadows while he presented her with his proposal. He said abruptly, “Have you ever been married, Olivia?”

She looked stunned by the question, but thankfully, not insulted. She shook her head. “No. Nor do I plan any such alliance in the near future.”

“Alliance?” He found himself smiling again. She had the strangest way of looking at things, as if everything was a business venture.

Shrugging her shoulders, Olivia turned to find a chair, and sat down in one of a matching pair of chairs that sat adjacent to his massive desk. “My work is my life. I’m content that it stays that way.”

Tony eased himself into the chair across from her, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. Though that was the answer he’d expected—anticipated—from her he was still a little disturbed. It wasn’t right that a woman with her attributes, with her intelligence and personality, should spend her life alone.

“How old are you?”

She blinked, but she answered readily enough. “Twenty-six. Actually my five-year plan was only formulated last year. By the time I’m thirty, I hope to have created a very substantial business with at least three more shops.”

He waved that away. “You don’t leave yourself much room for a husband or children or any other personal pursuits.”

Frowning now, she surveyed him with a wary eye. Tony knew he needed to retrench, to give her a bit more room. The thing was, he’d never been a patient man. When he wanted something, he wanted it now.

And he wanted a baby.

He reached out to take Olivia’s hand, but she snatched it back, then looked embarrassed that she’d done so.

“I don’t understand the need for such personal questions. I assumed you were satisfied with our business dealings…”

“More than satisfied. You run a very profitable business and your two existing shops have already benefited my hotels. I don’t see any problem in expanding them.”

Olivia let out a breath and gifted him with a beautiful smile. “Thank you. Obviously that’s what I was hoping to hear. I’ll admit, though, you threw me with all that personal stuff. I know it’s important to understand your associates, to make certain they won’t suddenly change their priorities and let their businesses flounder. If that was your worry, let me assure you—”

“I’d like to have a baby.”

His timely, or not so timely, interruption, left Olivia with her mouth hanging open and her brows lifted high. It was a nice mouth, full and soft. He could see her tongue, pink and moist and…She also had beautiful skin, which of course would be a plus, along with her excellent health and unbelievable ingenuity.

She cleared her throat, and with a small, nervous laugh, said, “I believe that might be an anatomical impossibility.”

“Not if I can find the right woman to carry the babe.”

She fell back in her seat, her hands braced on the arms of the chair, her mouth once again open. Right then, Tony decided to stop noticing her enticing mouth.

He was saved from having to say anything by the knock on the door. Tony waited until the server left the room and softly closed the door behind him before meeting Olivia’s eyes again. She still looked stunned.

“I can practically hear your brain working, Olivia, and I want to assure you, before anything else, that this has nothing to do with your business. The third shop is yours, regardless. I’ll sign the papers Monday morning and have a courier deliver them to you.”

Olivia’s mouth opened twice before she managed to say, “Thank you.”

He poured her a glass of soda and handed it to her. “However, I would like to discuss something else with you.”

“I gathered as much.”

He grinned at her dry tone. “As I said, I want a baby. I have excellent people who can see to the daily running of my business now, so I no longer need to put in such long hours. I can more than afford to raise a child with every privilege, but not so many that the child is spoiled or doesn’t understand the value of work. I’ll be very careful to make sure the babe is raised with good morals and strong convictions, and—”

Olivia leaned forward in her seat and touched his arm. Tony liked her touch, felt it all the way to his stomach, and immediately cursed himself for reacting in a way he’d forbidden. Olivia, thankfully, seemed unaware of his plight.

“I have no doubt you’d be an excellent father, Tony.”

He felt warmed to his soul by her praise. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. But what does all this have to do with me?”

His gaze flickered from her hand on his arm, to her face. “Why…I want you to be the mother.”

He didn’t get quite the reaction he’d expected. She covered her mouth with one graceful hand, and after a long, stunned pause, a nearly hysterical laugh emerged. Tony stood, caught her forearms and lifted her from her chair. “Olivia! Are you all right?”

She shook her head, and another giggle escaped. “Didn’t I just make myself clear? Didn’t I just say that my business was my life? I can’t get married, certainly not to—”

“Married? Good God, I don’t want to marry you!” He immediately realized how horrid that sounded, and quickly explained, “I just need you to carry my baby. After you’ve delivered it, you’re free to do as you please. I’ll make certain you can relocate any place you choose, but of course, you would have to relocate. I don’t want any interference with raising my child, and neither of us would want a scandal. I thought the northwest would serve your purposes.”

“You just want me to…”

“Carry the baby.” He was still holding her arms and felt the way she tensed, the way her body trembled. He forced himself to release her. “As you said, it’s anatomically impossible for me to do so, not that I have any desire to suffer through such a thing. God in all his wisdom knew men weren’t cut out for such a trial. And I don’t want you to think I’m being…well, untoward. There are medical procedures that would guarantee the planting of my sperm. Everything would be…”

She staggered back as if he’d struck her.

“I’m really messing this up, aren’t I?” He ran his hand through his hair, then shrugged. “Believe it or not, this is the first time I’ve been uncertain of myself while presenting a business proposition. And that’s exactly what this is, Olivia. A business deal.” He waited, but when she remained silent, her eyes huge, he added, “Well? You could make this a little easier by saying…something.”

“I would. If I had any idea what to say.”

He nodded, then slowly drew a deep breath. “You need time to think it over. Why don’t we sit back down and I’ll go over all my reasons for choosing you, all the benefits that will be yours if you agree, how I intend to handle the legalities involved, and—”

“That’s an awful lot of ground to cover, especially considering it’s near midnight. I put in a full day already, and plan to visit the office tomorrow morning.” Her voice still sounded shaky, but she did resume her seat. Tony let out a short sigh of relief. She wasn’t crying sexual harassment, she wasn’t storming out. No, Olivia, bless her, was a reasonable woman. It was one of the qualities that had drawn him to her.

“First of all, you please me very much, Olivia. Not as a wife or for any other personal relationship, but as a gene donor. Your intelligence sometimes staggers me, especially given what few advantages you had in the world. The way you’ve excelled—”

“Excuse me?”

Tony lifted his brows, silently asking for clarification to her interruption.

“How, exactly, would you know anything about my advantages or disadvantages?”

Uh-oh. He could tell by the mulish set to her chin that he’d pricked her temper. He quickly thought about lying, then just as quickly discarded the idea. As he’d said, she was very intelligent. “I had you investigated. Now, just hear me out, then you’ll understand how necessary it was for me to do so.” He waited, and when she simply watched him, he began reciting his findings. “I know your parents, of moderate, low middle-class income, died in a river accident during a flood when you were only sixteen. I know you carried a full course load in college and kept a job at the same time, that you gained everything you now own by your own wits, without a single smidgen of aid from family or friends. In fact, there was no real family, and as far as I could discern, no close friends.”

He continued, seeing her hold herself silent and still. She managed to look both proud and violated, and he lowered his tone even more, feeling his heart kick against his ribs. “You’ve never been involved with a man for any length of time other than during business to further your goals, you live a modest, understated lifestyle, apparently with quite a substantial savings account, and you keep to yourself. The only social gatherings you attend are business related.”

She was quiet a long moment, and he felt regret, then determination.

“You’ve been very thorough.”

“I had to make certain you would suit, Olivia. Please, try to understand. I don’t want a woman who, after conceiving, will decide she wants to keep the baby, me, or both. Everything I learned about you proves you have absolutely no interest in tying yourself down right now or anytime in the near future. It was completely necessary that I find evidence to prove you wouldn’t want a baby or a husband. And you don’t, do you?”

She turned her head away to stare at the far wall. “That’s right.” After a shuddering breath, she glared at him again. “But I also have no interest in putting myself nine months behind. Carrying a child right now would sorely interrupt my schedule, not to mention what it would do to my reputation. I’d be gossiped about endlessly.”

“Not so. Not if I promised to advance your five-year goal in one year. Not if I promised my backing to make certain you got a better start than you could ever have hoped to achieve, even in five years. Not if I have you relocated immediately, or provide for you to take an extended leave of absence.”

“And you’d do all that?”

She was incredulous, but he didn’t hesitate. “Of course. I’m very serious about this. I can afford to be generous, and I want the baby. Now. My birthday is November 14. Little more than a week away. By my following birthday, I want to be holding my own child. I’ll be thirty-five then.” He hesitated, a bit vulnerable in his feelings, but also knowing he needed to explain his desire fully to her.

“Thirty-five is getting up there. If I’m going to have a baby, it needs to be now. I’m still young enough to keep up with a toddler, but old enough to make wise decisions about the child’s future. If I wait, even another year or two, I’ll be close to forty before the child is born. I have to think long-term, of how my age will affect the child during his or her teenage years, when I’ll be needed most.”

She looked incredulous again, and her voice was strained when she asked, “You’re worried about your…your biological clock?”

He felt disgruntled with the way she’d put it, but he nodded. “I suppose that’s one way of looking at it.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you want a child so badly? Why not just get a wife and do things the conventional way? And most of all, why me?”

Since she was still discussing it with him, Tony decided that was a good sign and took heart. He would win her over. After all, he had the advantage, being a man, and a more accomplished business dealer. He’d wrangled tougher deals than this when he’d first taken over the business.

But also true, he’d met few associates as tough as Olivia. It was one of the reasons he’d chosen her, one of the many things he admired about her.

He propped his elbows on his knees, leaned forward and forged on. “I want a child now because both my younger brother and sister have children. In fact, my brother only recently got his third child, a little boy, and it made me realize how much I was missing out on, how much I’ll miss forever if I don’t act soon. Don’t get me wrong. I love being the doting uncle, getting to spoil the children and having them shout and jump around whenever I show up. It’s good for the soul to be loved by a child, probably the biggest compliment a person can ever receive.

“But I have no real influence on the kids. And that’s as it should be. I’m not their father, I’m only an uncle, good for bringing gifts and giving occasional unimportant advice. I want to be the one doing the raising, leaving a part of myself behind.”

Olivia smiled. “You’re feeling your mortality?”

“I suppose. But that’s not all of it. Being business minded, forming a successful company and being respected by your colleagues, that’s nothing compared to raising a child. My brother and sister chose not to get too involved in the business, but they’re raising wonderful, loving, beautiful children. And that’s a much greater accomplishment than mine. I want to do something that matters that much.” He faced her, holding her gaze, then added, “And I want to be loved the way they are. Unconditionally, completely.”

“But no wife?”

“The kind of relationship my brother and sister have with their spouses doesn’t come easy, I’m finding.” He was so relieved she hadn’t mocked him that he smiled. It was proving much easier to talk to Olivia than he had thought. Without thinking about it, he’d bared his heart as he had never done with any other person. “It’s almost like they’re one with the other. They share everything, support each other, and they have fun together. Honest, guilt-free fun. They seem to know each other’s thoughts sometimes, they’re so in tune.

“It amazes me. At times, I’m even jealous. I think it would be unbelievable to have that kind of relationship, and after seeing it, I don’t think I could settle for anything less. But I haven’t found a woman who would suit, and to tell you the truth, I’m sick of looking. Most women can’t tolerate the amount of time I dedicate to the business, unless they’re businesswomen also. But then, most of them are so wrapped up in company policies, in proving themselves in the male-dominant corporate world, they don’t have time for me, much less a child.”

He saw her flinch, and realized she’d taken the criticism personally. “Olivia. I don’t mean to condemn. I realize it’s more difficult for women than men, that the same rules seldom apply. And I understand the need to get ahead. I was the same way until recently.”

“Until your business no longer required quite so much attention.”

“That’s right.” He wouldn’t apologize for accomplishing his goals. He’d earned his time off. “You know, there’s a downside to being successful. I always get the feeling women are sizing up my bank account instead of me.”

Olivia gawked. “Don’t you have any idea how attractive you are? How personable you are?” She waved a hand in the air. “How…sensual you are? Believe me, with or without your hotel chain, you’d have women chasing after you.”

Settling back in his chair, he whispered, “Not you.”

Olivia looked as if she wanted to bite off her tongue, but no way would Tony let her take the words back, nor would he fill the silence for her. He suddenly felt predatory, and she was his prey. He could feel the surge of energy her words had given him, supplying an interest he hadn’t felt in too long. It was invigorating, though he did his best to ignore the feelings and concentrate on his goals. Her compliments weren’t necessary to his plan—but they did fill him with male satisfaction.

He waited, his expectation extreme, to see what she would say next.

Her gaze never wavered. “Well, no. As I said, I have other goals in mind besides chasing down a man, regardless of his appeal.”

Tony narrowed his eyes, watching her squirm as he pondered her words, then he smiled. “That’s one of the reasons I chose you. Not once have you ever looked at me in a sexual way.”

Olivia blinked again. “I don’t think…”

“You know what I mean. I don’t have to worry about you accepting my proposition with ulterior motives of trapping me, because you don’t particularly want me.” He waited, then asked, “Right?”

“Ah…right.”

“But you are perfect to suit me. As I said, I admire your intelligence. With the two of us as parents, I know my son or daughter won’t be lacking in that regard. You’re also possessed of a great deal of savvy, something else to admire. You’re healthy as a horse. I checked back as far as the last two years, and you haven’t missed a single day of work. You have a kind and generous nature—everyone who knows you said so. And you’re suitably built.”

“Suitably built?”

She sounded as though she were strangling, and his gaze dropped to her legs. “Attractively built,” he explained, allowing his gaze to linger for a moment. “Your legs are shapely, your shoulders squared, your back straight. You’re large boned, not overly frail, but still very feminine. You’re not prone to excess weight, but you are…sturdy. If I had a daughter, I wouldn’t have to worry about her being too tiny, something I abhor in women. But she would make a very nice appearance. You always do.”

Without his mind’s permission, his gaze moved to her breasts, outlined so nicely by the black knit dress she wore. Tony heard her say, “I’m small busted.”

He managed a shrug when at the moment he felt far from indifferent, then had to force himself to look up at her face. Her look was challenging, and he grinned at her small show of vanity. “Not at all. You’re…fine. Besides, if I have a son, it certainly won’t matter, and if I have a daughter, I won’t have to worry about all the young men chasing after her before I’m prepared to deal with it.”

She gave an uncertain smile at his wit, then looked away, as if considering all he’d said. He felt his stomach cramping in anxiety. And something more. It was so damn ridiculous, but the more he talked with her, the more he liked her. She hadn’t reacted as most women would have, she hadn’t reeled in shock or shouted in dismay. She hadn’t looked particularly insulted, either. She did look a bit disoriented, though. And somewhat contemplative.

He didn’t want to, but he said, “Why don’t you think about it? Take the weekend, and get back to me on Monday. If you agree, we can contact the doctor I’ve spoken with and have everything taken care of well before my birthday.”

She winced. “A clinical procedure, you said?”

“Yes.” He hastened to reassure her. “But from what I understand, it’s not bad. I deliver my sperm—”

One slim eyebrow quirked. “Deliver your sperm?”

“Yes.” He knew his face was heating and felt like a fool.

“How exactly is that accomplished?”

“Never mind.” The order was ground out from between his teeth, and she chuckled. He’d never before seen her sense of humor; usually it was her determination to get ahead that she presented at a business meeting. He felt a touch of warmth at the sound of her laughter, then gave her an exasperated look and continued. “I deliver my sperm and they…well, I suppose it’s much like visiting your gynecologist. Only instead of doing whatever it is they usually do, my sperm will be artificially planted—inseminated, it’s called—and then we’ll wait to see if it takes.”

Olivia chewed her lips, then said slowly, “It sounds rather distasteful.”

“I’ll admit it isn’t quite the way nature intended a woman to be impregnated, but it is certainly less personal, which is the main objective.”

“Why?”

Her pointed look and bald question confused him. “Why what?”

“Why does it have to be so impersonal? Why can’t you just…do it?”

“Do it?”

She made a sound of disgust. “Just impregnate the woman of your choice by nature’s design.”

He knew what she was asking, and felt an instant, unwanted tightening in his loins. Lust, damnable lust. He swallowed. “I want this to be as much of a business dealing as possible. Getting naked…” He felt himself harden and had to clear his throat. “Making love to a woman isn’t at all a business proposition. It’s very personal.”

Olivia seemed relaxed now, arrogantly so, and somehow determined. Tony knew she was aware of his unease, and planned to take advantage of it—as any good businesswoman would do. She nodded, a pseudo show of understanding. Then she smiled. “I see.”

He felt a twinge of anger at her for prodding him. “I should hope so.”

“I believe I’ll take your advice and think all this over. You said you don’t want to hear from me until Monday?”

“I…” He had no idea what had come over her. She wasn’t acting the way he’d expected, she wasn’t even acting in a way he could have guessed or anticipated. He felt stymied. “You don’t have to wait if you come to a decision before then.”

“I think I probably will make up my mind before then. How about if I give you my decision tomorrow evening?”

He nodded, stiff-backed now, and forced a smile. He knew by her amused expression that she wasn’t fooled, and that she was thoroughly enjoying his discomfort. “I’ll give you my home number.”

“No. I got the feeling you didn’t want the fertile woman who would serve your needs to intrude on your life.” He started to speak, but she forestalled him, her tone not nearly so sarcastic now. “Why don’t I just give you my number instead—my privacy isn’t nearly as threatened as your own. You can call me. Say, seven o’clock tomorrow?”

With her small chin raised, her straight nose in the air, she looked as proud and gutsy and almost as arrogant as he. She looked magnificent to him, and he merely nodded, distracted by thoughts of her feminine body rounded by his babe. They would make a beautiful, healthy child together. He reached out and touched her chin. “I wouldn’t mind if the baby was a boy or a girl. I don’t remember if I told you that.”

She smiled, and seemed to relax again despite herself. “You didn’t. But I had the impression it wouldn’t matter.” Then she went to his desk and picked up the gold pen from the marble holder and scrawled her home number across the desk pad.

“I had your number in my files.”

“This way, you won’t have to look it up.”

He felt awkward now, but Olivia didn’t seem to be suffering any such problems. She gave him a small salute.

“I’ll be going home now. It’s getting late, and I do have quite a bit to think over.”

“I’ll be a good father, Olivia.” He hadn’t meant to say that. He hadn’t planned on trying to convince her what a good person he was. But he wanted the baby so badly, now, before he got any older, before he was left all alone in the world.

Again, she didn’t mock him.

“I never doubted it.” She looked almost sad, which didn’t make any sense. “Tomorrow at seven, Tony.” And then she was gone.

CHAPTER TWO

OLIVIA LAY IN BED that night, despising herself. She was a fraud and a manipulator and the worst kind of person for taking advantage of another. Tony had no idea the type of woman he was dealing with.

She’d known since she was sixteen that she would never have children. For her, it was physically impossible.

In the hospital, only hours before Olivia’s mother had slipped away, she had explained about the condition that robbed her daughter of that particular function. Olivia wasn’t a whole woman, could never lead a whole life. Having children was as beyond her as it was for Tony. And so she’d made her business her life. It was the only life she’d ever have.

Swallowing hard, Olivia felt the sting of tears as she recalled going to the hospital as a very young girl, her belly cramping painfully, the bleeding. It had been horrible, being examined by a male doctor. Beyond the pain, she’d felt violated and mortified. And then there were the days after when her mother and father had been so quiet, so withdrawn. She hated hospitals now, and she wouldn’t go to the doctor unless it was absolutely necessary.

She thought she’d successfully put the past behind her, that she’d buried the wishes that couldn’t come true. But now, with Tony’s proposition, they all came flooding back. She wanted to be loved, to have children, to be desired by a special man who would accept her as a sensual woman.

She couldn’t do anything about the first two wishes, but the third was a possibility.

It was rumored that Tony was an exceptional lover. She couldn’t deny that the information had given her a few private fantasies of her own. After all, despite everything, she was still a woman, and on occasion, she’d seen him strictly as a man. But intimacy was something she’d neither expected nor wanted from Tony.

Until she’d heard his plan.

And now it was all she could think about. Tony obviously admired her, and that was something. It wasn’t love, but it was a far cry from a totally detached sexual experience. She cared about Tony, thought he was a beautiful person and a very sexy man. And he wanted her as the mother of his child.

That was a precious gift all on its own, the highest of compliments.

Tony didn’t have to know that she’d never be able to conceive a child, that she was infertile. She could insist on doing things the “natural” way, allow him to try his manly best for a couple of weeks, then confess it wasn’t happening. He’d go on his way, none the wiser, find another woman, and have his baby by his designated time. She had not a single doubt of his eventual success. There were numerous women out there who would be more than willing to oblige him.

But he’d approached her, and she couldn’t quite send him on his way. Not yet. Hearing him discuss his sperm in such a casual way, and talk of impregnating her as if he was referring to buying her coffee, had been somehow very arousing. Long dormant feelings had seemed to swell without her consent, and when she’d pictured him “supplying” his sperm, pictured the process necessary to such a deed, she’d felt a sexual heat at the image, along with an emotional tenderness that he wanted a child so badly. Together, the two feelings had conspired against her better sense.

She’d read every article she could ever find on him, and they were numerous. She’d tried to follow in his footsteps, as impossible as that seemed, because he was too dynamic, too overwhelming. And also, he loved his family, when she didn’t even have a family to claim.

He was a good man, in every sense of the word. And she planned to corrupt him for her own purposes.

She was a fraud, but she wouldn’t actually be hurting anyone. Other than herself.

IT HAD PROVED to be a long night and an even longer day. By seven o’clock, Olivia was so nervous her heart threatened to beat right out of her chest. When her phone rang, a good three minutes after seven, she jumped a foot. She forced herself to wait through four rings, feeling juvenile but determined not to look overanxious, and then she answered. “Hello?”

“Olivia? It’s Tony.”

Just that, nothing more. She cleared her throat. “Hello.” Her voice squeaked, but she didn’t hang up. She could do this; she would grab the opportunity. But of course, she wouldn’t accept anything from him, other than the additional shop he’d already agreed to. She would suffer no guilt for taking monetary advantage of him. She would only use his body, and only for a brief time.

“Hi.” There was a long pause. “Have you made up your mind?”

She bit her lip, then took a deep breath. “I have. But I…I have a few stipulations I’d like to discuss.”

She heard his indrawn breath. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”

“Yes. But with a few—”

“I heard you. A few stipulations. Whatever it is, it’s yours!”

His joy was impossible to ignore. The man was thrilled to be getting what he believed would eventually be his baby. Olivia swallowed her guilt and girded herself. “You probably ought to know what I want before you agree to it.”

“I can afford whatever it is. I know you’re not a greedy woman. You won’t leave me bankrupt.”

“I want to forget the doctor.”

Deathly quiet. “Excuse me?”

Olivia knew she had thrown that out there awfully quick, but if she hadn’t, she might never have said it at all. “I don’t want to go through a doctor. I want…I want to do things naturally.”

“Naturally?”

He sounded completely stupefied, and she nearly growled in frustration. “Yes, dammit! As in you and me, together, the way nature intended.”

Not a single sound now. “Tony?”

“I’m here.”

Olivia waited. Strangely enough, she could hear Tony trying to sort his thoughts as clearly as she could hear her own heart pounding.

Finally he said, “Would you mind telling me why?”

Olivia shook her head, realized how stupid that was and closed her eyes. “Of course not. I just…”

“No, wait. This isn’t a conversation for the phone. Are you busy?”

“Now?”

“Yes, now. Believe me, I don’t want to have to sleep on this without understanding.”

“Of course not.” Olivia looked around her apartment, hoping for inspiration, but found only the same quiet environment that always surrounded her. “I could meet you somewhere.”

“No, I’ll pick you up. I know where you live. It’s—”

“It’s in your records.”

“Yes. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

The phone clicked in her ear, and to Olivia it sounded like the beginning of a drumroll. Oh boy, too late to change her mind now. Then, because she had no idea how far away Tony was or how soon he would arrive, she rushed from the room to find something appropriate to wear.

When she reached her closet, she stopped, feeling ridiculous. What in the world would be considered proper dress for telling a man you’d agree to have his baby, but only if he’d pleasure you in the bargain?

Especially when you knew you were cheating him, and he wouldn’t get a damn thing out of the deal, least of all, what he really wanted. A baby.

TONY STARED AT HER apartment door, started to knock, then lowered his hand. Dammit all, why couldn’t women ever do anything the simple way? He’d offered Olivia a straightforward, up-front deal, and she’d had to go and muddy the waters by asking that he actually attend her. Not that it would be a hardship, but he didn’t want to get involved. He’d made his plans and he didn’t want to deviate from them.

Still, Olivia Anderson—business barracuda and proprietor of two sensual, sexy lingerie shops—wanted to make love with him.

Who would have ever thought she’d ask for such a thing? She was always an enigma, a mix of styles and personalities, but even so, this development had thrown him for a loop. He’d sometimes wondered, when he’d been in her shop and seen the very stimulating garments she carried, if she ever wore any of those little bits of nothing, if she spoiled her body with silks and lace. It hadn’t seemed likely. But now…

She had him totally confused, and he didn’t like it one bit. He also didn’t want to have to start looking for a new mother. Time was running out. He wasn’t getting any younger, and if he didn’t act soon, he’d be past the age of thirty-five when he brought his baby home.

No. He’d chosen her, dammit, and he wouldn’t give up without at least trying to reason with her.

He ran a hand through his hair, then knocked sharply on the door. Immediately three doors opened. Olivia and two neighbors stared at him, the latter with narrowed eyes and curious expressions. Just what he needed, an engrossed audience.

Olivia tried for a smile, but it wasn’t her best effort. “Come on inside.”

“No.” He shook his head, glaring at the neighbors. An elderly couple now stood at one door, and a younger woman with curlers in her hair at the other; they glared right back at him. Tony turned his gaze back to Olivia. “Let’s go for a drive instead.”

Olivia hesitated, seemingly oblivious to the onlookers, then finally said, “All right. Just let me grab my jacket.”

Tony cursed under his breath. This was exactly what he’d wanted to avoid. He didn’t need anyone speculating on his relationship with Olivia, because he’d never intended to have a relationship with her. In his simple, uncomplicated, male-inspired plan, he would have given her the address of the doctor and then heard from her later to learn if she’d conceived. He certainly hadn’t intended to stand in her doorway providing entertainment to the masses. Not that three people could be considered a mass, but with their eyes glued to him, he felt very uncomfortable.

Olivia finally produced herself. She stepped outside the door, turned to make certain it was locked, then dropped her keys into her pocket. “I’m ready.”

Then, as if on cue, she turned to the neighbors and nodded to each one in turn. “Hello, Hilda, Leroy, Emma. This is Tony Austin. Hopefully I’ll be opening another of my shops in his hotel chain. Isn’t that marvelous?”

Everyone nodded, their suspicions visibly dissipating and en masse they began to sing Olivia’s praises. Tony did his best to make an exit, but he had to spend several minutes nodding in agreement before he could leave.

As they walked out of the building onto the street, he said, “That’s the last time for that.”

“What?”

“Meeting at your apartment. It gives rise to too much speculation. If we’re not careful, we’ll have that scandal yet.”

He opened the door to his car for Olivia, but she didn’t get in. “Does that mean you intend to meet with me again? You will agree with my terms?”

Pushy woman. Why had he never realized before just how pushy she could be? Savvy was one thing, pushy was another. He summoned his most noncommittal tone. “We’ll see.” He practically tossed her into the passenger seat, before going around to his own side.

“There’s really not a whole lot to see, Tony. I don’t like the idea of the clinical approach, that’s all. If you can’t see your way clear to actually touch me, then there’s nothing to talk about.”

He clenched his hands on the steering wheel. He clenched his teeth. He even clenched his thighs, but still, her words affected him. Touch her? He’d like to touch her all right—now, this very minute, with his hands, his mouth, his entire body. But he wouldn’t. Oh, no. Touching was bad. Touching would only lead to more touching, and then he’d be in over his head and…

“Tony?”

“How about doing me a favor, Olivia? How about keeping your thoughts to yourself for a few minutes until we get off the road and then we’ll discuss your…terms.”

“All right.”

She sounded too damn agreeable and that rankled, but at least she kept her words behind her teeth for all of five minutes, giving him a blessed chance to gain control of his libido. Then she asked in a very tentative voice, “Have you considered the possibility that I won’t conceive? After all, there’s no guarantee that I’ll prove to be…fertile ground for you to…plant your seed. How much time are you willing to devote to trying to get me pregnant?”

Fertile ground? Plant his seed? Tony’s five minutes of calm were suddenly shot to hell. How was it such bland, ridiculous terms sounded sexier than the most erotic whispered words he’d ever heard? Perhaps it was because of the envisioned result. He’d never before considered a woman carrying his child, and that must be the reason every word out of her mouth aroused him to the point of pain.

He cleared his throat and kept his gaze steady on the darkened road. “The doctor mentioned that several attempts may be necessary before the insemination takes.”

“But doing it naturally? Is there a projected time span on that?”

He felt strangled. “I never actually asked him that.”

“Perhaps you should.”

Out of sheer necessity, he pulled the car off the main street and onto a small dirt road that led to a dead end. When Tony was younger, he and his brother had come here to make out with girls. In those days there was a wide cornfield, but it had been replaced by a small park with a street lamp. Obviously things had changed, but the premise was the same. Isolation.

Despite the fact that he was sweating, he left the car running, for it was a cold night in early November. He killed the lights, though, giving himself some illusionary concealment. When he turned to face her, he already had his mouth open to start his argument, but he was brought up short by the picture she presented.

Moonlight poured over her, revealing the sheen of dark hair, the shape of her ears, her high arched brows. Her eyelashes left long feathery shadows on her cheeks and shielded her eyes from his gaze. Her hands were folded in her lap. She appeared somehow very unsure of herself…vulnerable. It wasn’t a look he was used to, not from her. She lifted her gaze to his face, and once again he felt that deep frustration.

It wasn’t that Olivia was beautiful. She was by far the most elegant woman he’d ever known, but she wasn’t classically beautiful. He had dated more attractive women, made love to them, had long-standing affairs with them that had left him numb. But Olivia was the only woman whose personality, intelligence and disposition were attractive enough to entice him into asking her to carry his child. That was something. More than something, actually, when you figured it was usually looks that drew a man first, and the other, more important features of a woman that kept him drawn.

When he remained quiet, she said, “I know what I’m asking seems absurd. After all, you could have any woman you want, and after knowing you for so long, it’s obvious you don’t particularly want me. That’s okay, because up until you mentioned your plan, I hadn’t really thought about wanting you, either.

“But you see, I’ve made my career everything.” Her hands twisted in her lap and her voice shook. “Just as you don’t want any involvements now, neither do I. That’s why the idea seems so perfect. I haven’t taken the time or the effort to get to know very many men, and almost never on an intimate level. These days, only an idiot would indulge in casual sex. But starting a relationship isn’t something I want, either. So I thought, maybe we could both get what we wanted.”

Tony searched her face, feeling dumbfounded. Surely she wasn’t suggesting what he thought she was. “I want a baby. What is it you want, Olivia?”

She turned her head away from him and looked out the window. Sounding so unlike herself, she whispered in a small voice, “I want a wild, hot, never-to-be-forgotten affair. For two weeks. If during that time I conceive, the baby will become yours, and we’ll go on with the rest of your plans. If I don’t conceive, I’ll be on my way and you can find another woman who, hopefully, will prove more fertile. You won’t owe me a thing. In fact, I’ll consider myself well paid.”

“Well paid? As in sex? You make yourself sound like a…”

“Like a woman who’s desperate? I suppose I am.” She finally met his gaze, her eyes huge and so very dark in the dim light. “I want to know what it’s like to be with a man. But it has to be a man I trust, both with my safety and my health. I’m afraid you fit that bill.”

The way she’d worded that had him frowning. “Olivia, you’re not a virgin, are you?”

“No, but close.” She held up two slim fingers.

“You’ve had sex with two different men?”

“No, I’ve had sex twice. With the same man, or boy rather. Neither time necessarily inspired an encore, but the second time I allowed myself to be convinced. I suppose I was hoping he’d improved from the week before, but he hadn’t.”

Tony found himself smiling. Olivia wanted to have sex with him, but she planned to keep a score card? “What did he do that was so wrong?”

“I’m not certain I know what was wrong, since I haven’t yet experienced it right, but we were both practically fully clothed, cramped into the backseat of his car, and he grunted a lot. And by a lot, I mean for all of about three minutes. Continuously.”

“Well…” Tony suppressed a laugh and tried to look serious. “I suppose I can improve on that, anyway.”

“I should certainly hope so.”

Tony couldn’t help but chuckle at her serious tone. “I can’t recall ever having a woman come right out and ask me to perform to her satisfaction. You’re downright scary, do you know that?”

“I don’t mean to be. And I don’t mean to belittle that guy. We were in college, and he was majoring in football. It was probably my fault for not being more discriminating my first and second time, but even then I was very involved in getting ahead. Choosing an ideal mate simply took more energy than I wanted to give. At the time, it hadn’t occurred to me to tell him specifically what I did and didn’t like, which probably would have made things better. But now, since you’ve presented yourself on the proverbial silver platter, I can hope the results will be much more to my liking. After all, you have a reputation for fulfilling such expectations.”

Reputation? He didn’t even want to get into that with her. If she’d been listening to gossip…Well, at least the gossip appeared to have been flattering. He gave a groan that was loud and rife with confusion. “I just don’t know, Olivia. I mean, this could all backfire.”

She was all business, not moved in the least by his dramatic display of frustration. “You’re afraid I’ll be privy to your awesome technique, decide I can’t possibly live without it or you and want to stake a marital claim?”

Actually she was pretty close to the mark. Not that he believed his technique was really all that awesome. But he knew women too often associated sex with love. He’d have to make it clear to her…

“I understand how you feel, Tony. I was concerned also, only for opposite reasons. Right now, you only want a baby, but as you see the woman who will give you your child grow, as you see the changes in her body—from you and your baby—are you certain you won’t transfer your affection for the child to the mother?”

He stared stupidly. “I hadn’t planned to watch any changes.”

“No? But I understood, from books I read long ago, that the changes were the most fascinating part. You won’t want to feel your baby kick? You won’t want to be in on any prenatal pictures taken? I saw a documentary on TV once that was incredible. The ultrasound showed every small movement the baby made. You could even count toes and fingers.”

His head began to pound with the growing complications. “I think…I think I may have more to think about.”

“I’m sorry. Now I’ve confused you.”

“You haven’t confused me. It’s just that I hadn’t even considered prenatal observation. All my thoughts had been directed solely on the baby after its birth. But of course I’d want to see and feel the changes.” He studied her closely. “You wouldn’t mind?”

“Mind what?”

“If I watched you closely? If I observed all the changes in your body while my baby grew and if I examined those changes, took part in them?”

She was silent again, her fingers worrying the edge of her coat. Then she shook her head and in a hushed tone, she replied, “No. I wouldn’t mind. If that was what you wanted—and if I got pregnant.”

“Olivia, there’s no reason to doubt you will. You’re a healthy young woman, in the prime of your childbearing years. I’ve already been checked, and the doctor assures me I should possess sufficient potency to see the job done.”

Olivia drew a deep breath and then held out her hand. “So. Do we have a deal?”

He was so aroused, he knew his hand would shake like the skinny branches on the naked tree shadowing the park, but he took her small palm in his anyway. His voice was little more than a croak when he said, “A deal.”

“When do we start?”

She may as well have said, when do you want to see me naked and touch me and come inside me, because the effect was the same. He had trouble drawing a breath as images too erotic to bear shot through his already muddled brain. It took all his masculine power to bring himself back in order. “I suppose you should find out when you’re…” He gulped, then forged manfully onward. “When you’re most fertile. Do you, ah, keep track of such things?”

“Of course. All women do, if they don’t want to be taken by surprise. How about if I let you know, then we’ll see what works for both of us?”

It irritated him no end that she could speak so calmly after practically ordering him to pleasure her, to make certain he loved her in a way she would never forget. His brain was busy concentrating on the myriad ways he’d see the job done; he could barely form coherent words, damn her. “That’s fine.”

“I’ll look at my calendar, find out exactly when I’m most likely to conceive, and then I’ll call you.”

“And you will take my home number now, Olivia. I don’t want to miss your call if I’m not in the office when…when you’re ready.”

Her smile now was confident and made his insides twist. “Whatever you say, Tony.”

Tony merely gulped, wondering if she would say that when she was naked beneath him, her thighs open, her womb ready to receive him and his sperm, her body his. He kept silent, words well beyond him, and determined to see the job done as quickly as possible. It was the only way to save his sanity.

OLIVIA SPENT THE REST of the weekend boning up on fertility procedures. Though she didn’t really have a regular cycle that could be timed and knew there was no chance she’d get pregnant, she thought it would still be easier to do things in the proper course, just so Tony wouldn’t get suspicious. She had to be able to claim a day her period would be due, so Tony wouldn’t think they’d been precipitous in their efforts.

When she decided to claim her best time would be that weekend, she suffered through a mixture of anticipation, guilt and plain old self-doubt. But she shook off her insecurities. Monday, after the new contract arrived, just as Tony had said it would, she used it as an excuse to get in touch with him.

She rushed the contract past her lawyer, insisting he give it top priority. If he thought her request unusual, he didn’t say so. He returned it, with a few minor changes, the next day. Olivia forced herself to take another day to look it over, but she okay’d it without her usual relentless perusal, then picked up the phone to set up a business luncheon through Tony’s secretary. It was only Wednesday morning, four days after she’d gotten Tony’s agreement, and already it felt like forever since the deal had been made.

Just as she hoped, his secretary came back with the news that Tony could make time to see her at their usual restaurant. They’d met there before to discuss business, but today was different. Olivia left her office with the contract in her briefcase, along with a book on fertility and an anticipatory smile on her face.

TONY WAS ALREADY SEATED when she arrived. He’d chosen an isolated table at the back of the restaurant, away from prying eyes and ears. Olivia silently approved his choice, and forced herself to greet him in a normal, businesslike manner. Tony stood until she was seated, his eyes never leaving her, then waited while the waitress handed them menus. Very few things, including excitement, ever dampened her appetite so she ordered a lunch of rich soup and a salad.

Tony surveyed her a moment longer, then asked, “You have a problem with the agreement I sent you?”

Olivia waved away his concern. “We only made a few minor alterations.”

“You always have alterations, Olivia, but I’d rarely call them minor.”

She grinned. He was right, after all. She was a shark, but proud of it. “You can’t expect me to blindly accept rules of your making, now can you, Tony? The revised contract will suit my purpose much better, as you’ll see.”

He gave her a small smile. “I don’t doubt I’ll approve it. I seldom win with you.”

The way he said that, with a touch of pride, confused her. Could he have been telling the complete truth, not just trying to gain her acceptance of his plan? Did he truly admire her business skills? She felt warmed by the very idea, especially since most of her other male associates either seemed intimidated by her or resentful of her confidence.