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

impressive standings in society. In his circle, people considered their reputations more valuable than gold. Not that he’d ever gone out of his way to impress anyone, but he couldn’t expect others to share his views.
    He hated the deceitful world that surrounded him. Men and women with gleaming careers, and tarnished skeletons stuffed into the backs of their closets. Skeletons made up of lies and tricks, always easily accessible to those who wanted to take them out, brush them off, and dirty them up some more.
    His father hadn’t played at being a righteous public figure. He’d never tried to hide who he was, displaying his calloused personality and less than commendable lifestyle without shame. Even the tabloids couldn’t make a game of digging out his dirt when it was in full view to anyone who wanted to see it. One of the few things Liam could respect him for, he’d never believed in sporting a false front to garner even falser respect.
    Never had Liam felt so alone, and he wished he could share his worries with his mother. With her ill health, he wouldn’t risk upsetting her. Not that she’d be surprised by anything his father would do. They had long ago separated, she living her life, and his father his, shortly after Liam had left for college. Though they hadn’t gone through with an actual divorce, they, nonetheless, had little to do with one another.
    His parents had always been such opposites. His mother kind, soft spoken, and forgiving. His father, a hard and driven man who accepted no weakness. Liam often wondered what had brought them together in the first place.
    Without Miss Haden he’d have to face the inevitable—lose his company or his independence. He’d have to contact a former flame, explain his situation, then a quick marriage, and a quicker conception. He rubbed his hand over his face. Even if it were all possible, he’d spend the rest of his life with a woman who didn’t challenge or excite him. None of his past relationships had, and one of the reasons he’d decided against marrying before the age of fifty. His old man had had extramarital affairs long before his parents separated, but he couldn’t do the same. Maybe he wouldn’t love the woman, but he wouldn’t break his vows, regardless of what they were based on.
    His company or his independence. Both bitter defeats, nearly level to one another when viewed through his eyes.
    Liam shoved his hands inside his pockets and turned his face toward the sky. His skin heated until sweat trickled down his brow, the blazing sun making him squint despite his closed eyelids. He thought of Miss Haden, with her wholesome looks untouched by makeup, and long blonde hair pulled back in a practical ponytail. When she walked she had a bounce to her step that brought out his smile, and a refreshing lightness of character which sparkled in her eyes.
    A child would be happy with her; it wouldn’t be shuttled off to nannies and boarding schools. His own mother had resisted those things, and while under her wing in his earliest youth, he’d been happy. Though he didn’t want to be involved with the messy and tedious business of raising a kid, he didn’t want the child miserable either.
    The oppressive sunshine won out. He turned on his heel and marched back inside his mother’s home.
    Later in the day, and back in his office, Liam found it hard to concentrate. Charity sat across from him, long legs crossed, a curious look on her face. She tapped an ink pen to the pad of paper in her lap.
    “You’re not going to tell me what’s wrong?” she broached. “If you tell me what it is, I might be able to help.”
    They’d known one another since college. While she could’ve gone further with her business degree and intellect, she’d chosen the hefty paycheck he’d offered her to be his personal assistant. Charity was one of the few people he could trust, and he’d wanted to keep her close.
    He frowned and leaned back in his office chair, turning