The Baby Contract (The Billionaire Bachelor Series) Read Online Free

around the cozy kitchen like an agitated bird, unable to settle on the man before her. “Why not ask the women in your social circle?”
    “The women I date aren’t an option. As I said, I want my freedom, and the women I associate with wouldn’t be happy with just a small cash payoff.”
    Small? Of course for Liam the billionaire, half a million dollars was indeed small. This can’t be happening. “I must be dreaming.”
    “Unfortunately not, Miss Haden,” Liam replied. The deep rumble of his voice rasped over her nerve endings, a thrilling sensation only adding to her whirligig thoughts.
    “I’m sorry, but I have to think this over.” She fixed her gaze on Liam’s forest-green silk tie with a golden tiepin monogramed with LW, imagining it’d cost several weeks wages for her. “It’s really sudden and…” crazy.
    His thick black brows knit together, and he scowled briefly. He recovered and pulled a business card from his pocket. “Call me within the next couple of days with an answer, Miss Haden. I don’t have much time.”
    Abby took the card, frowning at her trembling hand. Liam left her alone while she recollected and reassembled herself into a presentable person. She left the kitchen and headed for the door, waving goodbye to Caroline on the way out. Liam’s gaze pierced through her retreating back as she fled, leaving her insides a quivering mass.
    She had her car door open, ready to make her escape, when Liam caught up to her. He grasp the door, invading her personal space.
    “One more thing, Miss Haden.” His presence enveloped her, his body heat adding to the scorching sunlight. Her spine stiffened in reflex. “I trust you will keep our conversation in confidence. Otherwise, there may be consequences.” His eyes glittered with the unconcealed threat.
    Anger fired and she faced him, meeting him squarely in the eyes. “Don’t worry, Mr. Whitmore. I have no desire to make an appearance in the gossip rags with you. I’d never lower myself to such means to get attention.”
    She turned to her car, but he placed a hand on her shoulder before she could climb inside. She spun around, ready to give the overbearing jackass a piece of her mind. Her gold necklace with its small heart-shaped charm dangled from his fingertips. Her eyes widened and she snatched it away. Her most precious belonging...it’d been her mother’s.
    “I found it lying on the floor by the front door,” he said. “The clasp looks like it needs to be repaired.”
    She mumbled a quick ‘thank you’ and retreated inside her car.
     

Chapter 3
     
    Liam watched her drive off, annoyed with his haphazard approach to the offer. Miss Haden seemed offended. He’d assumed the direct approach would be best, but obviously she’d been blindsided. Not that he could blame her. It wasn’t every day someone was offered cash to have a kid. If he’d been in her place, he wasn’t sure how he would’ve reacted.
    She didn’t say no. Liam hung on to that, a thread of hope he desperately needed at the moment.
    He rubbed his jaw and blew out air. He’d lost touch with how to deal with people outside of a boardroom. Honestly, he had very little contact with people beyond the dealings of business. Marty’s and charity functions were the extent of his life beyond Whitmore Tower. Not that he regretted his reclusive life; he’d never been much of a socializer, even as a kid.
    Without the nurse’s cooperation there were no other options. He’d racked his mind for any other woman who would take the situation lightly—not strap him into marriage and the endless functions of parenthood. He’d spent a long, sleepless night running into dead ends and a wall of frustration, until he’d given up and headed to work at four AM.
    Having his child outside of a relationship would mar reputations, making a woman the butt of embarrassing gossip. Not an acceptable thing when you rubbed shoulders with influential political figures and others with