Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: Her Billionaire's Bargain (Kindle Worlds Novella) (8 page)

“Oh, no. Not expect. We will.” He folded his arms over his chest. “I believe in the report on your shop, it read you were closed on Sundays.”

She took a step back from him then another. “What are you doing, Zachary? You need to be rational about this.”

“Trust me, babe, my mind is clear as a bell.” He walked toward her. “The day after tomorrow we will fly by private jet to Vegas.”

Kourtney took another step back and shook her head. “You’re insane. Does this gene run in your family like the birthmark? Should I have my daughter tested?”

“
Our
daughter.” He enjoyed the sound of that. He continued advancing on her. Soon she would have nowhere to go in the small townhouse, a wall was a couple more steps behind her.

“I’m not going to Vegas with you. Or marrying you.”

He stopped. “You will or you’ll lose Zendaya.”

She bumped into the wall. “You wouldn’t dare.” Fire streaked through her eyes. “She’s my life. I’ll fight you. I’ll never allow you or anyone to take custody of
my
child from me.”

“You can try. We both know I have the capital to win, regardless.” He exhaled. “Look, Kourtney, this doesn’t have to be a battle. I just want to raise my daughter.”

“We can co-parent. Alternate weekends.” She leaned against the wall looking wilted and tired. The stress of her secret seemed to finally be taking its toll on her.

His protective feelings towards her kicked in. Seeing how worn emotionally she appeared, it just made him want to take care of her too. “No. I want her in a real family. It was how I was raised. The way I’ve always envisioned I would raise my children. With a wife and their mother alongside me.”

“This can’t work,” she sighed.

He closed the gap between them then placed his hands on the wall beside her shoulders. The heat of her body met his. “We’ll make it work.”

“Are you doing this to gain control over my business?”

Her words sliced him deep.

“No. That we will work out somehow.” He gazed into her eyes. “I’m doing this because besides the fact I have a right to be father to Zendaya, there’s something magnetic between you and me. We knew it seven years ago and we know it now.” He lowered his lips to hers and felt the shudders move through her body.

“Zac—” The trembling was increasing in her even as she tried to fight her response. She inhaled deep, her breasts brushed his chest and she shivered.

“Baby, we can do this. Trust me.” He captured her mouth in a passionate kiss.

She returned it in earnest, her tongue swirling around his.

He made sure to keep his hands pressed firmly to the wall. As much as every ounce of him wanted to take hold of her curves and hold her against his body until they were both writhing in pleasure, a part of his brain cognizant that their child was in the townhouse.

“Mommy!” On cue, a little voice called out from down the hall. Fast feet accompanied it.

They parted just in time.

“Are we going to play games?” His daughter burst into the room full of exuberance and impatience.

“Yes.” He lowered himself to her level. “I really like games, do you mind if I stay and play.”

Zendaya glanced from him to her mother. He looked back over his shoulder at Kourtney, still against the wall as if she needed the support.

She nodded approval at their daughter.

Exhaling a low breath, he knew it was hard for her to give in and he appreciated her support.

His little girl smiled. “Yup, you can play.” She held her hand out to him. “Come on, you need to pick your pieces.”

Slipping his hand into her, soft, tiny one, he felt the swell of emotion again. They strolled hand in hand toward the kitchen. “What do you think about wearing a pretty dress and being a flower girl?”

“Can the dress be purple? I like purple. Flowers are pretty.” She paused swinging his hand between them she frowned up at him. “What’s a flower girl?”

~YH~

“Mom, Dad, I’d like you all to meet my wife, Kourtney.”

She entered the Powers’ family home in Durham beside Zac with her daughter’s hand snug in her own. Kourtney’s heart was racing, her mouth felt dry and she was so petrified at the moment she thought she’d burst out crying. The last thing she wanted to do was face Zac’s family. Even though when she voiced her fears to her new husband, he’d told her not to be concerned about it. He’d let her know that he had spoken to his parent’s and explained the situation. However, she repeated the same question to herself that she’d asked mentally a million times, ‘How did someone explain a situation where a woman kept a child away from their father for almost seven years?’ She’d given herself no answer then or now.

She felt like she was before a firing squad with his parents, Hannah, Rand, and his brother’s wife Monica.

“Well, she is absolutely beautiful, Zachary, I can see how you found yourself smitten with her a first glance.” Katherine, her new mother in-law, spoke first as she broke from the pack and crossed the high gloss would flooring of the living room to her with hands stretched forward.

Smitten
? That would not have been how she described her initial interaction with Zac. But, he’d probably given his parents the respectful version.

“Hi, Mrs. Powers, it’s nice to meet you.” Kourtney allowed the older woman to take her hands.

Katherine quickly pulled her into a hug. “Oh, please, call me mom or mama Katherine, which ever makes you comfortable.”

The older woman’s embrace was firm, and wonderful. It had been so long since anyone in a motherly figure had hugged Kourtney, it made the impulse to cry even greater. No one since her Aunt Joy who she missed a lot. Zac’s mom smelled like peaches, brown sugar and other spices. A clue to Kourtney that this woman had cooked the meal that night.

“Mama Katherine, thank you for inviting us to your home.” Kourtney expressed her gratitude as they parted. She had to blink more than a few times to get the water to clear from her eyes.

Jake Powers came next, hugging her and welcoming her. “This home is your home, Kourtney.”

She sniffed more than once trying not to embarrass herself. It had been so long since she felt a sense of family. In the last few years it was just her and Zendaya.

“Mommy, are you crying?” Her daughter tugged on her sleeve.

After a deep breath, she gazed down. She smiled at her daughter to ease Zendaya’s mind. “A little, button, but they are happy tears.”

“Who is this little bundle of goodness?” Jake crouched down before Zendaya.

“Dad, this is my daughter Zendaya Marley, soon we’ll officially add Powers.” Zac came around and squatted beside their daughter.

Kourtney knew he referred to the fact that Zac had given his lawyer orders to have Zendaya’s birth certificate amended and have Zac added to it legally as the father. She glanced from her little one, to Zac who stared at Zendaya with matching gray eyes. His eyes were filled with multiple emotions; joy, pride and love.

“Well, Zendaya, you are as pretty as a tulip. Do you know you have a heart stuck on the side of your face?” Zac’s father reached out and brushed a fingertip gently over the mark, tracing the pattern.

Zendaya giggled. “Yes. Mommy doesn’t
half
one, but Daddy said my grandma, has one.”

“Yes, I do.” Katherine lowered herself to kneel before Zendaya and turned her face to show her.

Reaching out her small hand, Zendaya touched the marking on her grandmother and followed the shape just as her grandfather had done to her.

That small action pushed the tears Kourtney was holding at bay, right over her lower lids. She had denied her daughter so much.

“Hey, don’t forget mine.” Hannah, Zac’s sister, and vice president of Powers and Powers Corporation, dropped to the floor in her business skirt and impressive, five-inch heels right beside her mother to reveal her birthmark to her new niece.

Rand and his wife came to Kourtney and introduced themselves then offered hugs and to take her and Zendaya on a tour of their gallery the next day. Kourtney accepted.

“Zac said you two would be going on a delayed honeymoon in a couple months, once you have a business matter settled. Rand and I are volunteering now to babysit.” Kindness filled Monica’s gaze.

“We may have to take you up on that.” Zac spoke first before Kourtney had a chance to agree.

When everyone rose, grandpa holding Zendaya in his arms, Kourtney faced Zac’s family. “I want to apologize for the time you missed with Zendaya…getting to know her. It was never my intention to hurt any of you by not sharing her with you.”

“In my old age, I have come to realize that things in life happen not always as we plan, but definitely how they are supposed to eventually.” Jake placed a comforting hand on her arm.

“We can waste our time dissecting the past, or we can enjoy getting to know you both and living a fuller life in the future.” Hannah added in her no-nonsense tone.

“We’d never judge a mother who was doing the best for her little one.” Katherine cupped Zendaya’s tiny hand in her own. “You both are with us now and that’s the most important.”

Too full of emotions, Kourtney nodded and mouthed a thank you.

Zac who had remained silent for the most part, slipped his arm around her waist and drew her to him. She leaned her head on his shoulder and accepted his care and support. They’d only been married a week, but in that time, he never let her doubt that he’d always be by her side.

“Well, I don’t know about everyone else, but mom has cooked a feast and I’m more than ready to dig in.” Rand rubbed his stomach.

Monica elbowed her husband lightly in the side. “I tell you, this man only thinks about food and painting.”

“And you.” Ran winked at his wife.

“Well, let me get to feeding y’all before my baby boy starts gnawing on the furniture.” Katherine led the way toward the dining room.

Zac slipped his strong hand into hers and followed behind his family. “I told you that they would love you.” He leaned down and kissed her briefly on the lips. “You’ve done a wonderful job raising Zendaya. Thank you for all the care you’ve given our daughter.”

It was too soon for her to hope that her new husband would also love her, but she was more than happy at the moment to have his admiration and support.

“Everyone, I think we have a solid plan here. I think this should conclude our meeting.” Zachary commanded the room from the head of the long conference table at Zac Acquisition & Development. “The ground breaking ceremony will be set up in the next few weeks so be on the lookout for the invitations.”

“I’ll get with publicity and have the request sent to the printer Thursday. They’ll be special delivered next Tuesday, Mr. Powers.” Dillion informed Zachary, as he broadcast the information on to the twenty-three men and women getting to their feet.

“Efficient as always, Dillion.” Zachary praised his assistant.

Kourtney rose from the seat beside Zac. It was a first, and rare treat that she was able to sit in on his business affairs and watch him put plans in motion. Powers was the right name for him, because he exuded it like pheromones from his person. He was smart and a master negotiator. He’d presented his idea for the new idea and design for the Overlin Project and had everyone convinced it was the best and right thing to do.

“I think this is a solid plan. I can’t wait for this long awaited project to be complete. Charlotte needs something like this now.” Jason Hagstaff the head of Charlotte’s development committee shook Zac’s hand.

“I’m with you on that, Jason.”

She stared down at the new design of Overlin as the men chatted for a few more moments before Jason left with everyone else.

“So, what Mrs. Powers.”

She smiled and faced him. Taking in all his sexiness as he sat, perfectly at ease in his CEO spot. “I think you did well, sir. Everyone seemed excited and on board with the changes.”

“Are you?” He beckoned her with a finger. “No one else’s opinion matters more than yours wife.”

Thrilled to hear him call her wife, as much as it excited her to know her thoughts mattered to him. She took the steps needed to place herself before him. “Yes. I’m happy with how you joined Cupcakes of Joy with Grand Overlin.” He patted his lap and she sat down. “My bakery gets to stay there, but now will be a part of something bigger, grander.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and settled her higher atop his firm thighs. “I think it is a win-win situation. We will build up to your shop and extend the club house and restaurant from it.” His free hand made idle circles on her thigh just below the hem of her skirt.

“I will get more customers, my deserts added to the menu and be able be a partner with the catering side of the house as well. I love it.”

“But do you love me?” His fingers flirted under her skirt now, but his eyes were serious.

In the month they had been married, they had praised and complimented each other. Grown closer as they shared his large house and spent time with their daughter, who besides Ms. Margo was the only person at their rushed Las Vegas chapel wedding. Their daughter gave her love very easily to both her mother and her father, because she was a sweet child with a big, all-inclusive heart. She’d accepted her new life in the big house and having a dad to show off to her friends. Zendaya loved having another grandmother and a grandfather as well. Ones she was closer with.

For Kourtney, she was a lot more cautious in revealing her heart. She could willingly and with an abundant amount of pleasure share her body with Zac, but hesitated in speaking three special words. But she’d witnessed him moving Heaven, Earth and all of Charlotte for her cupcake shop, he didn’t deserve not to know her sentiment toward him.

Lifting a hand she stroked the side of his face and looked into intense crystalline gray eyes. “I love you, Zachary Powers. Without analyzing the speed in which it happened or how it happened, I do love you.” She brushed his lips with her thumb. “For the rest of our lives I will be sorry for keeping our precious daughter from you.”

“I forgive you for that, Kourtney.” He squeezed her thigh then slid it down to her knee and back. “I’ve gotten to know you and I realize you did what you thought was best for all. You weren’t out to hurt me and you definitely weren’t trying to hurt our button.”

She smiled, loving hearing how he’d adopted the nickname she used for Zendaya.

“Never.” Leaning in she kissed him lightly on the lips.

His hand at her hip moved up and cupped the back of her head and deepened the kiss. She didn’t miss his other hand journeying further up her skirt and palming her throbbing sex.

Her breath came out in hard pants as she pulled away. “What are you doing husband? We have to meet Ms. Margo and your parents at Zendaya’s school in an hour for the school track and field fundraiser.”

He kissed and nipped the side of her neck. “We have plenty of time. Not to mention Steve drives efficiently but fast when it counts.” His hand was inside her panties now, circling her clit.

Shocks of pleasure shot from the seat of her desire to her nipples making them tighten and ache. She found it impossible to think with his salacious touch. “Someone could come in here.”

“Let them.” With a strong arm around her waist he shifted her position so she was straddling him. “What are they going to do report me to the CEO?”

She laughed at his cocky retort. Fully involved in the seduction now, she lowered her hands and worked at his belt and pants. “Maybe they’ll record us on a phone and upload it to some social media site.”

“Not if they value their job and lif—” He groaned as she wrapped her fingers around his length and stroked him.

“Such aggression.” She pumped him then guided her thumb around his crown.

“I’ll show you aggression.” He yanked her skirt up to her waist then gripped her hip and helped her rise above him as his other hand shoved her lacy undies to the side to make room for himself. “Put me inside you, honey.”

“Wait, don’t you want to get a condom?” She rotated her hips and played with herself using the tip of his shaft along her slit, gliding up and down.

“No.” His gaze held hers. “I love you.”

Her heart fluttered in her chest at his words. She pressed her forehead to his feeling overwhelmed by emotions.

“I want us to work on expanding our family. I need to watch my son, or another beautiful daughter grow inside of you.”

Her hand on his shoulder flexed, clutching his muscle tight. “Zachary…are you sure you want to do this so soon?”

“As I see it, we’re five years later than most. So, we might have to move faster for number three.”

Gazing at him, she offered him a sultry smile as she lowered herself and began pressing him inside of her. “Let’s get the second one done and we’ll negotiate on the third.”

“How about we just promise to love each other and let everything else take care of itself.”

“You’ve got a deal, Mr. Powers.” She couldn’t utter any more words as Zac thrust hard and buried himself deep along her slick walls. Pure joy raced through her veins as her billionaire made her a bargain she could take delight in for the rest of her life.