Bought by a Millionaire (3 page)

She swallowed, another small wave of nausea washing over her at the thought of reaching that point on her own one day. Possibly one day very, very soon.

Shannon considered leaving. Going home and letting the doctor call to let her know the test results. But he'd said it would only be a few minutes, so she might as well stick around to see whether her life was about to change irrevocably.

Digging into her bag, she removed one of her textbooks and a writing tablet, and began making notes for the next day's class. She'd been reading for several minutes when she no
ticed a strange hush fall over the room. Except for the mumbled voices of the television mounted to the wall, all chitchat had come to a stop. Not even the flutter of magazine pages marred the near perfect silence.

She raised her head and glanced around, wondering what had caused such an odd reaction from the other women.

And then she saw him.

Standing at the check-in window, Burke was leaning forward, speaking to the receptionist in a low voice. She would recognize him anywhere, even in the long, black overcoat, with only his polished shoes and ebony hair visible from the back.

A second later, he turned and his gaze zeroed in on her like a heat-seeking missile. And suddenly, she understood why everyone had grown stone quiet. She found herself falling speechless around him, too.

Even if his picture hadn't been on the covers of countless papers and magazines over the past few years, he still would have stopped traffic. He was just so…imposing.

As he crossed the room in her direction, she swallowed hard and the book on her lap slid from her limp fingers to the floor. She started to bend forward to retrieve it, but Burke reached down first, the muscles in his arms and thighs rippling with the movement.

“I think you dropped this.”

“Thank you,” she said, licking her lips and forcing herself to meet his eyes.

He pointed to the space beside her on the narrow, padded bench, ignoring the curious stares he was getting from the other women. Obviously, he was used to being watched.

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all.” She couldn't possibly refuse him, so she shifted more to the side and moved her oversize purse to the floor.

“How are you feeling?”

His question caught her off guard, and as she raised her head to look at him, she wondered if Dr. Cox had told him about her little dizzy spell earlier.

“Fine,” she answered, even as she felt a warm flush creep over her cheekbones.

“No broken bones, I hear.”

Shannon frowned in confusion. And then her slight blush turned into a full-blown bush fire. Apparently, the doctor had filled him in on more than just her recent health concerns. He'd also told Burke about her run-in—literally—with the inline skater.

“No. No broken bones,” she admitted, suppressing her self-consciousness. “Just a bruised ego. Besides, it never would have happened if I'd moved all the way off the sidewalk to be sick.”

In a blink, he had turned to face her. His big hands, with their tanned fingers and neatly trimmed nails, gripped her shoulders. Not tightly, but securely. And his dark brows were drawn together in concern. “You were sick?”

Oops. Maybe Dr. Cox hadn't told him everything about her day.

“Only for a few minutes. It passed, I'm fine now.”

“Did you tell the doctor? What did he say?”

If possible, she was becoming even more nervous than usual in his presence. It wasn't only the serious, almost worried, expression on his face. Or the fact that he had every right to know the details of how she was feeling and what the cause might be.

No, the quiver in her stomach and clamminess of her skin were caused entirely by the heat of his hands still cupping her shoulders, seeping through the light knit of her butternut-yellow sweater to her skin.

How was it possible to be sexually attracted to the man who had hired her to be a surrogate mother for his child? And why
in heaven's name couldn't she have met Chicago's most eligible bachelor at a different time, under different circumstances? At least then, she might be able to follow through on these feelings and fireworks coursing through her system without guilt or the risk of violating a legal and binding contract.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to pull away, to break his almost mesmerizing hold on her.

“I told Dr. Cox. He didn't seem to think it was a big deal.”

“It's a very big deal.” His tone was sharp, his lips thinned in annoyance. “Especially under the current circumstances.”

With a sigh, he straightened and then relaxed against the spindled back of the bench. “Maybe you should tell me everything that happened. From the beginning.”

“It's not the most flattering moment of my life,” she began, resigned to sharing the details of her day before he would let the subject drop. “On the way here after classes, I started feeling a little light-headed and nauseous. The only thing I could think of was to put my head between my knees until it passed.” Her mouth twisted in a self-deprecating grin. “Next time, I'll remember to sit down first.”

One of Burke's slate-gray eyes narrowed while the other widened, the brow quirking amusingly. “You mean to say you pretty much doubled over in the middle of the sidewalk.”

That darn heat and color sensation began to fill her cheeks again. “Pretty much.”

He lifted his hand to cover a cough, and she got the distinct impression he was trying not to laugh.

It
was
funny, when she thought about it. Especially the part where the young man on Rollerblades—wearing black spandex shorts, a white helmet, and a bulky jacket made up of neon yellow, pink, green, purple and blue—ran into her. He'd gone flying, she'd gone sprawling, and half a dozen other students
had burst into laughter at what must have looked like part of a circus act.

“But you weren't hurt?” Burke wanted to know. “No scrapes or scratches or broken bones?”

“No. Surprisingly enough, I escaped completely unscathed. I'm not sure about the skater, though. He may be scarred for life.”

He chuckled. Actually chuckled. The sound startled her so much, she jumped.

She'd never heard him laugh before. Had barely seen him crack a smile. He was always so serious and businesslike. But she liked it when his lips curved upwards, when something struck him as funny and amusement rumbled out deep and masculine.

She might even like it, she mused,
too much.

When the nurse came out and called her name, Shannon breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness for an interruption to her wayward thoughts.

Grabbing her purse from the floor, she started across the room. Burke rose with her, following with a hand at the small of her back.

Little shock waves of awareness rippled out from where his fingers rested. Her heart sped up, her breathing slowed and she was mortified to realize that her nipples were beginning to bead.

Oh, Lord.

Dr. Cox ushered them into his office, waved them toward two chairs in front of his desk and then took a seat himself.

The sexual attraction of a moment ago slipped away as she watched the doctor's face. Suspense built, winding around every bone and muscle until her entire body was as taut as a piano wire.

“Are you ready to hear the test results?” Cox asked.

Burke's grip tightened on the arms of his chair, the skin around his nails turning white. She almost expected to hear a growl work its way up from his throat. Her own hands were clammy where they clutched the thick black wool of her skirt.

When Burke spoke, it was in a low, menacing voice that proved to Shannon exactly why he was so successful in the boardroom. “Tell me. Now.”

But Dr. Cox didn't seem the least bit intimidated. He only grinned, making a great show of opening her file and shuffling the pages. To draw out the moment and put her even more on edge, she was sure.

“John…” Burke growled.

“All right, all right,” Cox acquiesced.

Her entire body was so tense, her breathing so shallow, that she nearly yelped when she felt Burke's long fingers reach out and wrap around her own. As it was, she jerked like a snake-bite victim and had to consciously return her pulse rate to normal. Staring straight ahead at Dr. Cox, he either ignored or didn't notice her reaction, keeping her hand wrapped securely within his own.

“Shannon. Burke,” the doctor said slowly. “Congratulations, you're pregnant.”

I
f Shannon hadn't been sitting, she would have fallen to the floor. This was the news they'd been waiting for, the news they'd expected, and yet she found it hard to believe it was true. That there was actually a child now growing inside of her.

Burke Bishop's child.

She tilted her head and saw that he was positively glowing—if a man could be described in such a way. His straight white teeth flashed an ear-to-ear smile, his eyes gleamed with undiluted pleasure.

“That explains the dizziness and nausea,” she commented softly.

“Yes,” Dr. Cox said. “The levels of morning sickness vary. Some women begin feeling sick almost from the day of conception right up through delivery. Others barely suffer at all. When you described your symptoms, I suspected the tests would come back positive, but I wanted to run them anyway
to be sure.” One side of his mouth lifted in a wry grin. “I also knew Burke would want absolute proof and not just a hunch based on my twenty-five years of experience. There's no doubt about it, you're definitely pregnant.

“You're also very lucky,” he continued. “Insemination doesn't always take on the first try. But you're young, in perfect health and probably very fertile.”

“I knew I picked the right woman.” Burke pulled her arm toward him and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. “Now what?” he asked.

“Now,” the doctor said, “you go home. Shannon, you should take it easy until your next appointment in three weeks. You can still participate in all your regular activities, but if you start to feel faint or nauseous, lie down. Those sorts of symptoms are typical in the first trimester. Try some crackers and hot tea—decaffeinated, of course—if you experience morning sickness. And you'll likely be more tired than usual, so don't press yourself. Go to bed early and take naps whenever the mood strikes. Understand?”

She nodded, still reeling. And the worst part was that she couldn't decide which shocked her more—Dr. Cox's news or the fact that Burke's warm, soft lips had just brushed against her skin.

“I'm going to prescribe prenatal vitamins, but that's no excuse not to eat well. Lots of fruits, vegetables and dairy products, especially milk.” He smiled. “And I realize you do plenty of walking to classes and such, but I'm still going to have the nurse give you a list of exercises you can do at home. Any questions?”

Shannon thought, but her brain didn't seem to function. Her mind was still spinning, and her stomach felt queasy—more from nerves, this time, than her newfound pregnancy.

“I can't think of anything,” she replied with a shake of her
head. She'd checked out several books about pregnancy from the library, which would help, and she could always call Dr. Cox's office if she needed to know anything before her next visit.

“What about you, Burke? Any questions?”

His brain was obviously functioning much better than hers. He responded so quickly he'd obviously been waiting his turn. “When is the baby due?”

Dr. Cox smiled. “June fifteenth. There's always a chance the child could come a little early or a little late, but since we know the exact date of conception, the timing should be fairly accurate.”

“June fifteenth,” Burke repeated in a hushed voice. “Father's Day.”

 

Burke strode into his apartment, grinning like an idiot. He shrugged out of his overcoat and suit jacket, tossing them over the back of the sofa as he stepped into the sunken living room.

She was pregnant. Shannon was carrying his child, and he hadn't stopped smiling since the doctor told them. Not even when Shannon had refused to let him see her home, opting to take the El instead. Not even when he'd leaned over and pressed a big, wet kiss on the doorman's cheek, only to have the fellow stare at him as though he'd just been released from a mental institution.

Nothing could dampen his spirits tonight. Nothing.

He was going to be a daddy—on Father's Day, no less. He couldn't wait.

Eight more months seemed like an eternity, but he was looking forward to each and every one of them. Spent in Shannon's company, of course, knowing they'd made a baby together.

With the help of medical science, maybe, but they'd still created a life.

Whistling the tune of the only lullaby he knew, he made his way into the kitchen and opened the fridge, looking for something quick and easy to fix for dinner. Normally, he would have dined out or had his secretary arrange for something to be brought in.

But Margaret had long since gone home, and he didn't much feel like making pleasantries with the colleagues he was bound to bump into at one of his favorite clubs.

The only person he really wanted to see was Shannon.

Unfortunately, she'd made it more than clear that she wasn't interested in spending time with him outside of her contractual obligation.

He offered to drive her home or anywhere else she needed to go, but she refused. He invited her to dinner, but she turned him down in favor of studying or waiting tables at The Tavern. It didn't take Burke long to realize she was trying to avoid him anywhere but at Dr. Cox's office.

Which was no more than he should expect. Their relationship was based on a business deal, nothing more. She'd agreed to carry his child; she didn't need to be his dinner companion as well.

But darned if he didn't wish she would accept even one of his invitations. Give him an excuse to spend just a little more time with her.

And, frankly, there was no one else he could share his news with. No one other than Shannon, Dr. Cox and perhaps Margaret.

His smile slipped a fraction as he threw a pack of low-fat luncheon meat on the counter, along with a loaf of bread, a head of lettuce and mayonnaise. Thank God for Margaret. She not only kept his office running smoothly, but stopped by his apartment once a week, too, to restock his refrigerator. Otherwise, this lettuce wouldn't look nearly as fresh and crisp—if he owned lettuce at all.

This wasn't the first time he'd been struck by the knowledge that he had no family left, and no true friends. Not that his family had been so great to begin with. His parents had spent years in a loveless, contentious marriage. Burke had been a lonely, often ignored only child, many times suspecting he'd been an unplanned and unwelcome addition to that hostile relationship.

But both of his parents were now gone. His father had been killed in a car accident some fifteen years earlier, and his mother had mourned the loss for all of six weeks before finding herself another husband to harangue, eventually succumbing to cirrhosis of the liver from too many bottles of cheap wine.

Except for a college buddy or two whom he kept in touch with, he didn't really have any friends, either. Acquaintances stopped by the office or called every couple of weeks to ask him for money, but he wouldn't consider any of them actual friends.

Everyone wanted something from Burke Ellison Bishop, he thought as he took a giant bite of his ham sandwich.

Even Shannon was using him for her own benefit. But at least with her, he would be getting something in return. And that something was the one thing he'd always wanted—a child of his own.

And that little boy or girl would be his chance to show that he could be a better parent than his had been to him. A chance to love and be loved. To reclaim a small part of his childhood and leave something of himself behind in the world when he was dead and gone.

 

The last week of October, Shannon sat in the exact same office, in the exact same chair as on that first, monumental appointment with Dr. Cox.

Also as before, Burke sat next to her, waiting to hear what the doctor had to say about her latest exam. She knew he hadn't been happy about it, but she'd refused to let Burke in the room with her this time while she was all but naked.

A part of her felt guilty about that. This was his child, after all, and she was only the surrogate mother. But she'd grown increasingly uncomfortable around him ever since she'd learned of her pregnancy.

No, that wasn't entirely true. Her desire to avoid him hadn't started when she'd found out about the baby, but when she'd realized she was becoming sexually attracted to the baby's father.

It was a difficult situation to be in, and the thought of having to be in such close contact with him off and on over the next several months already set her nerves on edge.

That, along with the myriad symptoms of her pregnancy, had her body in an uproar. She'd devoured an entire bag of corn chips on the way to the clinic and was still starving. Oh, she suffered morning sickness on a daily basis, but once those bouts of nausea wore off, she turned ravenous.

Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and even the tenderness in her breasts, she'd expected. But these uncontrollable cravings were driving her crazy.

Right now, a large, deep-dish pizza with all the fixings sounded like heaven. Pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, black olives, onions, anchovies, green peppers, extra cheese… She sighed inwardly, knowing she wouldn't get a lick of studying done tonight until at least half a Chicago-style pie filled her stomach.

To her right, the office door opened and Dr. Cox entered, scribbling on her chart. “Everything looks good,” he told them, taking a seat behind his desk. “As long as you're feeling well enough, I'm going to suggest you keep doing what you're doing.”

She nodded, visions of pizza toppings dancing in her head.

“Are you still getting headaches and feeling tired?”

From the corner of her eye, she saw Burke's brows knit. “Yes, but I've been taking naps, and the headaches aren't that bad.”

“An ibuprofen or two wouldn't hurt, if you needed them.”

Shannon shook her head. “I'd rather not. I don't like the idea of taking anything I don't have to. Not if I can avoid it.”

The doctor nodded, apparently agreeing. He recommended a cool cloth or face mask for the time being and said he'd see them again in a month.

Just like the last time, Burke walked her out of the doctor's office, toward his car. He looked amazing in a dark suit and long, tan camel-hair coat. No wonder he'd been on the cover of
GQ
twice already.

They'd hardly spoken since meeting in the waiting room an hour ago, which only added to her current discomfort. He was so sophisticated and worldly, while she struggled to hold down a job and keep up with her college course load. And she was beginning to feel like a frump in her long, earth-colored skirts and oversize sweaters when Burke always looked as though he'd stepped off the cover of…well,
GQ.

“I'll see you home,” he said finally, interrupting her thoughts.

“That's all right. I came in on the El, I'll be fine going back.”

She'd used the same excuse before and he'd accepted it, but now his lips thinned into a determined line as he wrapped a hand around her elbow.

“I insist.”

Before she could balk, he'd led her to the open door of the limo and guided her inside. She sat on the softly upholstered seat, feeling stunned, while he settled himself beside her.

“This really isn't necessary,” she continued to argue. “I don't mind walking. I was going to stop for pizza on the way home, anyway.”

“I mind,” he said, ignoring her subtle hint about how hungry she was. “This is downtown Chicago, and although you may be safe enough during the day, it's not a good idea to wander around the city at night.”

“It's not even five o'clock,” she pointed out. “And I hadn't planned to ‘wander,' just make my way home.”

His gaze narrowed, making it obvious her arguments were falling on deaf ears. “I don't like thinking about you walking everywhere alone. From now on, you'll have a vehicle at your disposal.”

“You're buying me a car?” she asked, her jaw dropping.

“Of course not. I'll assign you a driver.”

She almost laughed at her wildly incorrect assumption. “You don't have to do that,” she insisted.

“I know I don't
have
to,” he told her, “I want to. He'll be outside your apartment building every morning, at whatever time you like.”

She could just imagine being the only chauffeured student on campus. “I'd rather walk.”

Burke's eyes drifted closed and she heard him sigh. “The car will be there by eight o'clock each and every day. If you choose to walk, the driver will be instructed to follow, so you might as well make use of my generosity.”

She studied him for a moment, noting the strong line of his jaw and the determined glint in his storm-gray eyes.

“You're used to getting your own way, aren't you?”

She hadn't expected an answer, but she got one anyway—in the form of a tight, confident grin.

“You heard the doctor say walking is good for me,” she tried one last, futile time.

“I'll buy you a treadmill.”

Yep, futile. Arguing with him was like trying to scale Mount Everest on a tricycle.

“Fine. A car and driver would be lovely, thank you.”

His deep, rumbling chuckle caused a clutch in her belly.

“You're welcome.”

Stifling a yawn, Shannon leaned her head back against the soft leather seat. “Does your driver know where he's going?” she asked.

“Of course.”

She was still hungry, but suddenly exhaustion washed over her, competing with her growling stomach.

“I'm just going to rest my eyes for a minute,” she murmured drowsily. “I was up late last night, studying.”

“Go ahead,” he whispered, putting an arm around her shoulders and urging her close to his broad, warm body.

In the back of her mind, a voice warned her that Burke was touching her, that her cheek rested against the softness of his coat and his hand was rubbing comforting circles on her upper arm. That same voice suggested she be alarmed and pull away, but she couldn't seem to wake up enough to do either. Instead, she inhaled the woodsy, masculine scent of his cologne and fell into the deepest, most comfortable sleep she'd experienced in weeks.