Page 37 of Mister Daddy
“I would not!” I gasp. But internally, the thought of twins with this man turns me on. Oh my god, could I do it? Could I have not one, but two babies with this incredible billionaire? Something inside me goes hot and wild, and I kind of want it, to be honest.
Carter grins again.
“Besides, no child of mine will have to worry. I’d pay all of his or her expenses, and baby girl, you wouldn’t have to quit your job. We’d find childcare of some sort, whether a nanny, a live-in nurse, an au pair, or whatever you like. If you want me to move your parents next door so that they can see their grandchild and help with babysitting, I’d be more than happy to. I made all this money, and what use is it if I don’t spend it on my family?” he asks rhetorically. “I don’t want to die the richest man in the cemetery.”
I nod, but I’m not ready to give up yet.
“Carter, we just met,” I say firmly. “You can’t say all this without really knowing me.”
He merely drops another reassuring kiss on my nose.
“Again, sweetheart, it’s my job to know people and I can read personalities quite well. You’re responsible, loving, and so sweet. You’d be a perfect mommy, Abby.”
I stare even as my breath goes fast. Oh my god, it sounds like he wants me to get pregnant. Am I imagining things? I have to ask.
“Do youwantme to get pregnant?” I venture slowly. “Are you looking to become a daddy?”
“No,” he says, to my combined relief and disappointment. “I’m just saying that it’s not the end of the world, and there’s no need to panic. We have plenty of resources at our disposal, and I’d consider it a good use of my money to raise a child.”
I nod. Carter’s got a point, but this conversation is also being simplified, and I need to hash out some of the nitty gritty.
“But what about your time?” I ask slowly. “How would that work? You travel the world non-stop on cruise ships, and dock in exotic locales, but a baby can’t really do that. A baby needs stability and both of his parents, so I’m not sure how that would work out.”
He nods, looking serious.
“You’re right, sweetheart, and I haven’t thought about this in detail yet. But maybe for the beginning, you and the baby could travel with me? I don’t know. I’m just throwing things out there for us to consider because really, anything is possible. Money is no object.”
My heart thrills because it sounds like he wants a future with me. Could that be possible? It seems crazy, seeing that we just met, but suddenly the idea of cruising the world with Carter by my side, and his baby in my arms appeals to me. It’s the ultimate luxury, not to mention having this gorgeous man every night and a child suckling at my breast.
“Okay,” I say, taking a deep breath. “There would be a lot of details to work out, but let’s not worry about that now. I think we both agree that it’s just way too early to even think about getting pregnant. I mean, Carter, wejustmet. Like a few days ago, so I don’t think either of us is prepared to join ourselves together for life by sharing a child. And thatisa permanent attachment, no matter what.”
He looks very serious.
“Of course it is, sweetheart, and I would never deny a child of mine.”
My eyes go wide. Wow, there is something so sexy about a man who takes control and who acknowledges his responsibilities. Compared to the boys I used to date, this man is a true alpha male who provides for his family, instead of the irresponsible teenage boys who touched me with clammy hands. Eew. How could I ever have been attracted to them where there are men like this in the world?
“Okay, so we’re agreed. Well, sort of. I’m not sure,” I finish with confusion. “But let’s just say we’re going to use birth control. What type do you want to try? I’m okay with anything as long as it doesn’t hurt.”
Here, the billionaire grows serious.
“Are you open to taking the pill?” he asks in a low growl. “There’s a doctor on board, and I can get him to prescribe a pack immediately if you want.”
I shake my head.
“First of all, it’s not that easy. If I start the pill, I have to start it at the beginning of my next cycle, which isn’t for two weeks or so. This cruise will be over before then, so I don’t think that’s going to work.”
“How about Plan B?” he asks thoughtfully. “That’s over the counter, isn’t it? So you won’t even need a prescription. If we don’t have it on-board, I can always have a helicopter fly it to us.”
I stare.
“Um, no need for a helicopter,” I manage in a choked voice. “That’s okay, because my second point was that I don’t really want to take chemical birth control. The truth is that my body functions just fine without any sort of interference, so I don’t really want to pollute it by pouring on the hormones.”
Carter frowns.
“Sweetheart, birth control doesn’t mean that you’re pouring on the hormones.”
I shake my head.