Secret Millionaire for the Surrogate

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, and then she licked her lips to catch any remaining moisture and he clenched his jaw. Tuesday night had whetted his appetite for her and now he couldn’t stop thinking about holding her in his arms and kissing her. He didn’t remember the last time a woman had held his thoughts captive quite so readily.

She handed the bottle back and then dug into the insulated pack. “What’s in here?” she asked, digging around. She pulled out a package and peered at the label. “Hmm. Smoked turkey and gouda on light rye. Yours?”

He reached for it. “I’m guessing. I have no idea what’s in there, so keep digging.”

She took out a dish of crudités, and then another with a quinoa and chickpea salad—the vegetarian option—and finally strawberries, raspberries and plump blackberries with crème fraiche.

“Wow,” she said, looking at the selections spread out over the rock. “This is amazing.”

“I asked for a picnic and we got a feast.” He had unwrapped his sandwich, but held it in his hand, forgotten, as he watched her take out a fork for her salad. She fluffed the grains a little bit, tasted and closed her eyes. “Oh, that’s lovely.”

She was lovely. And she appreciated everything. He loved that about her.

They ate for a while in silence, enjoying the view and the fine weather, a little cooler at the higher altitude but still perfectly comfortable. “It feels like we’re picnicking on top of the world,” he said, brushing off his hands and reaching for a baby carrot.

“Not quite. But close.” She sighed, a happy, complete sound. “We are going to be able to hike a bit, yeah? Before they come back? There’s a view from that ridge that I think is going to be spectacular.”

“Do you feel up to that?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, particularly since I was saved the climb. Actually, the last few days I’ve felt great. Adele worries. She’d probably have a bird if she knew I was up here right now.”

“She knows.” He put down the crust of his bread and looked into her eyes. “I got a call from Dan last night.”

“About this?” Her brows puckered above her nose.

“No, something else. But I mentioned today and he asked if I thought this was a good idea.”

She hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“I wasn’t sure if I should. I don’t want to make things more tense between you guys, you know?”

She nodded, looking down. “It’s not even that it’s particularly tense. I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”

He laughed a little. “You certainly aren’t.” Then his smile slipped. “Dan accused me of trying to impress you.”

She met his gaze. “Money doesn’t impress me, Drew.”

“Thank God. And I already knew that. Truly, I did this because I wanted to do something special and fun for you. Not to show off.”

When she didn’t answer, he reached out and touched her chin with his index finger, nudging a little so she’d look at him.

“What? Don’t you think you’re worth a little spoiling?”

She moved her head away from his finger and he knew he’d touched a nerve. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s not that. It’s more...oh, it’s complicated.”

“Then we don’t have to talk about it now if you don’t want.” He let the matter go and reached for the dish of berries and the other of cream. He plucked out a raspberry, smeared it with some cream and offered it to her. “Peace offering?”

A smile flirted with her lips. “I can’t resist berries.”

“Or me?”

“Or you. And I’m scared for you to know it.”

He popped the berry in her mouth. “I won’t hurt you, Harper. And I’ll be honest with you. Eyes wide open.”

She chewed the berry and swallowed. “Like you were about being stinkin’ rich?”