Without Limits: A BWWM Collection of Passion and Desire, page 22
“What’s this?” she asked.
“Proof that you heard me correctly,” he replied.
She placed both hands on the folder and took a deep breath before exhaling. “Mr. Waterhouse—”
“Orrick.”
She paused after his interruption. “Mr. Waterhouse, I don’t know if this is a joke, but I can assure you this isn’t funny.”
“Open the folder.”
“Mr. Waterhouse—”
“Ms. Miller, open the folder.”
She frowned. He could see she wanted to protest, she grabbed the folder and opened it. He studied her as she read the information. Finally, she put the paperwork down and closed her eyes.
“Mr. Waterhouse—”
“Orrick.”
Slowly, she opened her eyes. “I don’t know what this is about, but I don’t appreciate you wasting my time.”
“I assure you I’m not playing a game. I’m serious. Feel free to have your attorney to look the contract over. You will find that it is real.”
“You don’t even know me?” she protested.
He chuckled at the irony of her statement. “I know you better than I know the surrogates that I’ve been given to choose from.”
“How? This is the first conversation you and I’ve had,” she countered.
“True, but I’ve had the chance to observe you will you weren’t paying attention. The way you work with your co-workers, console couples that have received disappointing news, provide a sense of calm when things seem chaotic. Those are admirable traits. You’re the perfect surrogate.”
Sage placed the contract back into the folder. “I’m not sure what I did to give you the impression that I’d be interested in being the woman to carry your child, but you’re mistaken. It takes a strong woman to be able to carry a child to full-term and then relinquish all rights.”
“I thought you might say that. If you look at the next to last page of the contract, you will see that I’m not asking you to. You will also find that I’m going to compensate you very well.”
Sage shook her head. “This is insane. You can’t be serious.”
Seeing her off balance reassured him. He hadn’t ever seen off-kilter. “I’m very serious. You will find out the contract is legally binding for both of us. However, there is some room for negotiation before we both sign it.”
“What would I get out of this?”
“Take a look at the last page of the contract,” he suggested.
She didn’t immediately do it, but once she did, her eyes widened. Closing the folder, she looked up at him. Then she pushed back from the desk and walked over to the window. He allowed his gaze to travel over her curvaceous body as she stared out of the window.
“This is completely insane,” she mumbled.
“In what way?” he asked.
She spun around. “Everyone any rational person can think of. You haven’t bothered to ask if I’m seeing anyone or if I even want kids.”
He rose to his feet and walked over to her. She inhaled sharply and took a step back before freezing. He didn’t stop until there was hardly any space between them. Her pupils were dilated and the pulse at base of her throat thumped wildly.
“You’re single. You give too much of yourself to this job to be in a relationship. As far as you wanting to have kids, I took a calculated risk and said yes. It might be stereotypical to say, but I don’t think you could work in this field if you didn’t care for or want kids.”
Sage frowned. “I’m not even going to point out the flaws in your rationale because I do want kids. I’m also technically single, but I’m dating. Being pregnant with another man’s child would throw a serious wrench in those plans.” She finally took a step back and moved around him. “Besides, I want to get married at some point. I can’t even imagine trying to explain this setup.”
“Is it really any different from any other person that has a child from a prior relationship?”
“How are you so cavalier about this? Having a baby is a major decision. You don’t just go out and do that with a perfect stranger.”
He grinned as he looked around her office. “You don’t?”
She exhaled heavily. “You know what I mean.”
Orrick placed his hand on her upper arm. He didn’t miss the way she quivered beneath his touch. “You’re entitled to say no. My feelings won’t be hurt. When I started this process, my goal was to find the right woman to enter into this arrangement with. In my humble opinion it’s you. If you disagree, I’ll accept that and start over.”
Sage shook her head. “I’m sorry but I can’t. This is a life changing decision. I can’t say yes on a whim.”
“I don’t expect you to,” he said. “Take the weekend. Look over the contract. Talk with an attorney about. If there’s something you don’t agree with or want to change, make note of it and we can discuss it.”
He squeezed her shoulder gently before stepping back. “How about we set up a meeting sometime next week after you’ve had a moment to think it over?”
“But—”
“Just think about it,” he said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. After he located a business card, he handed it to her. “Call me when you’ve made your decision.”
Thankfully, she took it. Not wanting to push his luck any more than he had, he gathered his briefcase. As many gambles that he’d taken in life. This was probably one of the biggest. But he hadn’t gotten as far as he had in life without take a few calculated risks.
Sage appeared to snap out of her daze. “Let me walk you out.”
“Thank you,” he said.
He stepped to the side and allowed her to lead the way. They reached the entrance to the clinic faster than he wanted to. But if his intuition was right, he’d pushed her far enough today. He’d have to rely on the contract to do the rest.
Turning, he extended his hand to her. “Thank you for meeting with me today. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.”
“Thank you,” she murmured. “You too.”
Chapter Three
“Where’s the fire?” Jessica asked as she the door.
Sage squinted as she looked at her sister. “There’s a fire?”
“I assumed there was one judging by your panicked tone on the phone,” Jessica stopped, her mouth falling open. “Are you drunk?”
Sage shook her head and immediately regretted it as the room started to tilt. “No. I’ve just had a few glasses of wine.”
Jessica sat down her purse and walked over to couch. “Define a few?”
“Three. Maybe four.”
Her sister reached for the bottle on the coffee table. “Sage, you’re definitely smashed. The bottle is empty.”
“It is? Damn. I should have purchased two.”
Jessica chuckled. “I think one is enough. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you sloshed. Now, care to tell me what has sent you into a drinking frenzy?”
“Orrick Waterhouse,” she grumbled.
“Ouch. That bad, huh?”
“I don’t even know how to describe what happened,” Sage mumbled. “Just look at the folder.”
Her sister reached for it. Sage leaned back against the couch as Jessica started reading. It didn’t take long to elicit a response.
“What the hell is this?”
“Exactly what it looks like,” Sage retorted.
“A surrogacy contract that has both of your names on it?” Jessica exclaimed. “Is this for real?”
“As real as it gets.”
Jessica shook his head. “He wants you to have his baby?”
“Why do you sound so shocked? I’m likeable.”
Jessica laughed. “This goes beyond ‘likeable’. The man wants you to have his child. That’s pretty damn serious.”
“Tell me about,” Sage grumbled, then reached for the wineglass on the table.
Her sister moved it out of her reach. “You’ve had enough. Plus, I need you clear-headed when we talk about this.”
“I don’t want to sober up.”
“Don’t be such a baby,” Jessica teased.
“Wait. You don’t think I’m going to do this, do you? Because I’m not.”
“I didn’t say you were going to. However, I’m going to continue reading this to see how serious Mr. Orrick is about this.”
Sage sat there in silence as Jessica continue to flip through the pages. It was difficult not to laugh at her sisters’ verbal reactions as she continued to read.
“What in the hell?” Jessica nearly shouted.
Sage glanced over and realized her sister had read the last page. She’d had the same reaction.
“Surely, there are a few too many zeroes here,” Jessica said.
“Nope. Orrick assured me that it isn’t a typo. As did Linda when I had her look over the contract to verify the validity of it.”
Jessica’s eyes widened as if the magnitude of what she held in her hands hit her. “Oh my God, Sage.”
“I know.”
Sage couldn’t believe the way her day had turned out. If someone had told her that she’d be propositioned by one of the wealthiest men in the state of Florida, she would have laughed. But here she was, on the couch, intoxicated and contemplating a decision that would change her life.
“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours?” Jessica said.
“Honestly, I’m so overwhelmed, I can’t think. That’s why I called you over. I need to you help me process this.”
Jessica put the folder down, then tucked her knees up under her. “I think you should do it.”
Sage gasped. “What? You can’t be serious.”
“I am,” Jessica replied.
“The man wants me to be his surrogate. I can’t do that,” Sage protested.
“Nope. According to what I read, he wants you to be more than a surrogate. The contract doesn’t say anything about you having to give up the baby with no rights afterward. He’s giving you the ability to co-parent. This is everything you want.”
Sage looked at her sister, concerned about her rationalization skills. Perhaps she should have called Fisher instead.
Okay, she had to be three sheets to the wind to even thing that. Fisher wouldn’t react well to hearing any of this information. Jessica was her best option right now.
“I’m sorry, but can you tell me when I’ve ever said that I wanted to have a baby with a random man off the street?”
“Always so literal,” Jessica said with a chuckle. “Look, you want to get married and have kids, but you say you suck at relationships, right? Well, here’s the chance to have a baby without the headache of a relationship. Plus, you’ll also get the great sex you’ve been craving.”
Sage blinked slowly as her Jessica’s words bounced around in her brain. Somehow her sister had managed to make this harebrained idea sound logical.
“Wait. Sex may not be a part of the deal. There’s no mention of it in the contract. He may choose the in-vitro route.”
“Is there any room for negotiation?” Jessica asked. “You can make that a stipulation.”
“What if he’s bad in bed?”
Jessica laughed. “I don’t know Orrick very well, but from the photos I’ve seen of him, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that’s not the case. The few women I’ve seen him with always look satisfied when they are out and about with him.”
“Maybe it’s his money making them happy?”
“Nah, those smiles are genuine and they can barely keep their hands off him. I have a feeling that Mr. Orrick will have you singing in an octave you never thought you could reach.”
Sage tried not to smile at the imagery but failed. “Can we go back to the fact that a man like Orrick would want to enter into an arrangement with someone like me?”
“I’m not sure I understand what you mean,” Jessica replied. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”
“You’re my sister. You’re supposed to say that.”
“No. It’s true. Orrick is a smart man. Trust me, if he’s come to you with this, he’s had you checked out. He’s not walking into this blind. You should go for it.” Jessica shifted on the couch. “But I know you’re a list person. Now, give me your top three reasons that you don’t want to do this.”
Sage rolled her eyes. “I’m not that predictable.”
“Yes, you are,” Jessica countered. “Now, tell me your list.”
“I would have a child with a man I don’t really know and I’m not married to him.”
Jessica’s eyes widened. “What? You couldn’t come up with three? I’m shocked.”
“Whatever.”
Jessica laughed. “What are the three reasons you want to do this?
“I’d get the chance to be a mom. I wouldn’t have to worry about a romantic relationship. I could pay off mom and dad’s bills. I can send them on a nice vacation that they couldn’t afford for their fortieth anniversary.”
Several moments of silence ticked between them before Jessica reached out and grabbed her hand. “I think you have your answer.”
Chapter Four
Orrick stood at the window, deep in thought, not really seeing the scenery before him. The building he’d based his headquarters out of was prime real estate. It allowed him an unobstructed view of the city’s skyline. Yes, he traveled all over United States for business, but his home would always be Jacksonville.
When he’d first gotten involved in real estate development and investments, he’d had no idea it would lead to this. But at the age of forty-two, he was a billionaire with commercial and residential buildings all over the country. Yet, with all the wealth he had something was missing. At first, he’d thought it was companionship. But truth be told, he’d never lacked it. He’d dated several women. Some for the right reason and lot more for the wrong ones.
It wasn’t until recent that he started thinking about his future on a personal level. To be honest, he wasn’t sure if he was cut out for marriage. He’d yet to meet a woman that he didn’t eventually grow tired of being with. But the bottom line was that he needed an heir. Perhaps two.
He needed someone to pass the empire he’d built from the ground up on to. While his two younger brothers helped him keep things within the company afloat, it wasn’t the same. They’d also thought he was insane when he brought up the surrogacy idea to them. Well, at least Luke had. At the age of thirty-five, he wasn’t ready to settle down. Not that he could blame his youngest brother. He’d been there and done that.
On the other hand, his brother Geoff had just finalized his third divorce. Orrick hoped it would be the last, but he was sure it wouldn’t be. Those factors were the reason he’d come to this point.
He just hadn’t expected to meet Sage. Something about her drew him in. He’d meant every single word he’d said to her when he’d propositioned her about carrying his child. The digging he’d done into her background reassured him that she would be a good choice. Yet, a small part of him wondered if there could be more.
However, he couldn’t allow himself to be distracted. He had a goal to achieve and that would come first. Still, he couldn’t completely hide the anticipation he felt while waiting for Sage to arrive. He’d hoped to have things finalized between them by now, but work had gotten into the way.
It’d been a long two long weeks, but finally he would have the answer he sought. He was ready to use every negotiation tactic he knew to make sure it was the one he wanted.
The phone on his desk beeped. He walked over to it and pressed the intercom button.
“Yes, Kellie?”
“Ms. Miller is here,” she said.
“Thank you. I’ll be right out.”
Not wanting to waste time, he walked over to the coat rack and slipped his jacket on. He opened the door and stepped out into the spacious lobby. Sage stood the instant she saw him. As he walked over to her, he took in the outfit she wore today. A navy-blue skirt, cream colored jacket and an orange blouse.
He liked her style. It was something else that had drawn him to her. He extended his hand to her.
“Ms. Miller, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Are we using last names today?” she asked, one of her eyebrows arching in a quirky expression.
He chuckled. “You like to keep things formal so I thought I’d stay within your comfort zone to put you at ease.”
“There’s nothing relaxing about this,” she murmured.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he retorted. “Perhaps we can change that before our meeting is over. Right this way.”
He didn’t miss the exasperated look she gave him as he led the way to his office. Stepping aside he allowed her to enter first before following. He motioned for her to have a seat while he closed the door.
Taking his jacket off, he hung it back up on the rack before walking over to his desk. “How’s your day been?”
“Pretty good. It was nice to take off a little early. I realized I don’t do it as often as I should.”
“When was the last time you took a vacation?” he asked.
She paused for several seconds. “Too long. I can’t remember when I last took a real one.”
“Can’t get away from work?”
“No. I just can’t recall the last time I’ve taken the time to plan a good one,” she said.
“You should. Getting away can do you some good.”
“Considering what I’m here to discuss, I might need to hold on to as much time as I can.” Sage clasped her hands together in her lap as she stared at him. “Tell me how this is supposed to work if I agree to be your surrogate?”
“I assume you’re referring to something outside of what the contract covers?”
“Yes. Am I allowed to date other men? Will you be involved with other women? Are you wanting to do this via in-vitro fertilization or the natural way?”
A jolt of shock went through him. Those weren’t the concerns he’d expected her to address right off the bat, even though they had crossed his mind.
