His gaze returned to my face. “Is there anything you need?”
I shook my head. “No, thank you.”
“If there are other bath items you’d like, I can arrange them. Soaps, lotions, spa things.”
I laughed. “I wouldn’t know what I’d like. What you have is lovely.”
“Do you feel as out of place as you look?”
“Is it that obvious?”
His smile was sympathetic. “I know this is awkward, but one thing you can count on is that you’ll be provided for now. Before long you’ll be used to all this.”
I wasn’t so sure, but I nodded. “It definitely beats my closet-sized studio.”
He cocked his head as if he was trying to figure something out about me. “What was your dream, Sara? Why did you come to the city?”
“I hoped to finish school and make my own way.” I left out the part about seeking a place to belong.
“You can still finish school if you like. I’ll pay for that.”
I laughed. “Can’t have a Raven child with a mother who only has a high school diploma.”
His eyes narrowed. “I didn’t say that.” He stood, and I hated that I’d offended him. “I’m trying to make this situation more palatable to you.”
“Yes, of course, I’m sorry.” I felt like a spoiled child.
“Of course, it was your plan to stick around, so I assume you won’t get involved in activities that take you away from raising the child.”
He spoke as if the baby was a done deal. I supposed eventually it would be. That was the plan. I wondered if he’d stop having sex with me all together once we had a baby. Would he want more babies? I knew he’d had an orgasm, but perhaps I wasn’t his preferred sexual partner. After all, I didn’t know what I was doing. Still, he said he’d teach me.
“I’ll want to be a full-time mom,” I confirmed. I couldn’t imagine a more important or fulfilling job.
“What if I gave you the ten million, plus another two million a year for ten years?”
My heart stalled in my chest, and tears sprang to my eyes. “I won’t sell my baby for any amount of money.”
I guess I wasn’t the only one feeling awkward about this situation. And clearly, he didn’t want me sticking around once I had a baby. I supposed I couldn’t blame him. I didn’t fit in his world.
“I’ll stay out of your way and will try not to embarrass you, but if you want to continue this deal, raising my child is the term of this deal.”
He nodded. “Alright. Just so you understand that this arrangement is just that. We’re business partners. I’ll expect you to play the part of my wife on occasion, although I’ll try to minimize that.”
God, could he be any crueller? Why did he make this deal with me if I’d be too much of an embarrassment to him?
“I’ll get a book on Audrey Hepburn and learn to be more posh.” I wasn’t normally one to be snarky, but I wasn’t going to let him insult me.
“Sara.”
“No, Chase. I know I’m young and poor, but I’m not trash—”
“I didn’t mean to imply—”
“You think I’m ignorant and beneath you.”
“I think you’re innocent and naïve about my world. People like me can destroy people like you with a single move.”
“I know.” I looked into his eyes, hoping he’d understand that his words were destroying me now. “But people like you often underestimate the personal power of people like me. You’ve been propped up by your money and family. But I wonder how you’d do if you lost it all?”
The tension in his jaw suggested he didn’t like that idea.
“In a world without money and power, I’d fair much better than you. So, don’t underestimate my will or determination, Chase.”
He nodded. “Fair enough.” He took a deep breath. “Well, enjoy your bath. I’m heading to bed.”
“Goodnight.”
When he left, I sank down into the tub. “Good lord, Sara. What have you gotten yourself into?”
13
Chase
I woke early as usual and headed to my gym. I didn’t sleep well the night before. I clearly lost my mind when I entered into this deal with Sara. But it was too late to go back now. I’d fucked her without a condom and it was possible she’d get pregnant. The idea scared the shit out of me and at the same time, I’m not sure I’d ever come so hard as I did, thinking about impregnating her. The feel of her pussy around my bare cock was fucking amazing. Even so, this arrangement was causing me all sorts of discomfort, one of the biggest being the duration. It was one thing to have a short-term marriage to produce an heir, but Sara was clear, she wasn’t going to leave her child, which meant she and I would be connected long-term. Even if we divorced, she was going to stay involved in the child’s life, which meant that she’d be in mine.