Baby Wanted

By Rye Hart

Casey is everything I want in a woman, and she'll make the perfect surrogate.

Malcolm:

It isn't fair. It's bullshit. But, if I want the throne of Crane Enterprises, I'll need to get a woman knocked-up.

I have less than a year to have a child, a legacy to give my dying father, or else I'll lose everything I've worked my entire life for.

Casey Melville.

Hot as hell. Check.

Smart. Check.

An offer too good to be true. Check.

Casey:

Getting pregnant isn't the problem.

It's protecting my heart from Malcolm which scares me.

Hard not to get attached when the man of your dreams has a heart of gold and he's a stallion in the bedroom.

I've been through much worse. I'll do what I need to do to give my mother and sister a better life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rye Hart
• Release date: May 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201833664

Book preview

Baby Wanted

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BURLY MOUNTAIN MEN

Damaged Goods | Stone Heart | Cabin Fever | Rugged Daddy|

Mountain Man’s Second Chance | Saving Mel | Teach Me Daddy

ROCK HARD HOTTIES

Rock Hard Daddy | Rock Hard SEAL | Rock Hard Neighbor | Rock Hard Baby Daddy |

Rock Hard Boss | Rock Hard Fake Groom | Rock Hard Prince Charming

STEAMY REVERSE HAREMS

Sin City Baby | 5 Bikers for Valentines | 6 Mountain Brothers for Christmas |

Her Best Men | Christmas With the McCormick Brothers

BILLIONAIRE BAD BOYS

Single Dad’s Spring Break | Hustler | 69th Street Bad Boys | Filthy Daddy

HOT SINGLE DADDIES

Cuff Me Daddy | Accidental Daddy | Naughty but Nice | Going Deep

SEXY SECOND CHANCES

One More Time | Bad Seed | Family Night | Forbidden Touch |

Hot Bastard Next Door | Heart on Fire | Luca’s Return |

Top Dog | The Longest Rodeo

ALL ABOUT THE BABIES

Baby Contract | Baby Wanted | Dom’s Secret Baby

STRICTLY TABOO

Two Weeks of Sin | Taboo Lovers | Step Daddy Desires |

The Better Brother | My Hot Stepbrother

Casey is everything I want in a woman, and she’ll make the perfect surrogate.

Malcolm:

It isn’t fair. It’s bullshit. But, if I want the throne of Crane Enterprises, I’ll need to get a woman knocked-up.

I have less than a year to have a child, a legacy to give my dying father, or else I’ll lose everything I’ve worked my entire life for.

Casey Melville.

Hot as hell. Check.

Smart. Check.

An offer too good to be true. Check.

Casey:

Getting pregnant isn't the problem.

It's protecting my heart from Malcolm which scares me.

Hard not to get attached when the man of your dreams has a heart of gold and he’s a stallion in the bedroom.

I’ve been through much worse. I’ll do what I need to do to give my mother and sister a better life.

Infused with humor, family drama and steamy sex, Malcolm and Casey's story will leave you breathless until the very end.

CHAPTER ONE

Malcolm

The early morning sunlight streamed in through the stained-glass window and into the parlor, casting colorful shadows across the dark hardwood floor. I groaned. My father always had a flair for the dramatic. I'd say that calling an early Saturday morning meeting qualified as dramatic. It was also exactly like him.

My head hurt from drinking a wee bit too much the night before. Okay, a lot too much, but I hid it well. The bags under my eyes seemed to stand out more than normal. Those, I couldn't do much about, so I just had to roll with it. Mr. Crane, you look rather sleepy this morning, Alba, our faithful housekeeper, said with a knowing smile.

She handed me a cup of coffee without me even asking. She knew me too well.

Thanks, Alba, but I've told you. Don't call me Mr. Crane, I said with a smile. That's my father's name.

Alba had been with my family for at least as long as I've been alive. Probably longer than that. Her dark hair was more gray than brown these days, her smooth face showing subtle signs of age. She was at least the same age as my dad, if not a little older. Health-wise though, she seemed to be faring much better than the old man.

You're going to be the head of the family before long, she winked. Better get used to being called Mr. Crane, CEO of Crane Enterprises.

Yeah, not exactly looking forward to that, I said.

Alba might have been right though. Given my father's health, it might be the reason we were all gathered for a family meeting. Officially, it was my mom who called the meeting – though I knew she was acting on my father's instructions. She sat across from me, holding her head high and looked as dignified as ever as she sipped her tea. She'd never been one for coffee, never needed it. She'd always been full of life and zest; something that hadn't change all that much despite the fact that she was getting older herself.

Her hair was freshly colored and neatly piled on top of her head in a light blonde bun. Her mouth suddenly twisted into a frown and she stared past me. I didn't have to turn around to see the reason for her disdain – his voice could be heard all the way down the hallway.

Good morning, Cranes, Adam said as he sauntered into the parlor room.

He smirked at me as he passed me by. The woman on his arm didn't dare look at me, but her appearance hit me like a sledgehammer to the gut.

Danielle? I asked.

I stood, surprised and appalled to see my ex-girlfriend on Adam's arm. We'd split up not even twenty-four hours before and yet, there she was, slinking along with my brother like nothing happened.

She didn't make eye contact with me, her blue eyes wide as if she didn't understand how she got there. Adam leaned close and kissed her to taunt me. Danielle kissed him back – looking very enthusiastic. My blood boiled inside of me, but I knew I had to keep myself in check. This wasn't the time or place for it.

Brother – or shall I say – half-brother, since that's clearly what I am to you, he greeted me, stepping forward and letting go of Danielle's hand. Surprised to see me?

Not at all, I said.

I wasn't surprised to see him turn up. I was surprised to see her, though. Even more surprised to see her with him. Danielle finally met my gaze and I felt that familiar shudder roll through me. She’d always had a profound effect on me.

She looked beautiful, as she always did. Her white-blonde hair sleek and straight, fell down and kissed just the tops of her shoulders. She was nearly six feet tall in her heels, and completely lean. Almost too thin, thanks to her blossoming career as a model. Personally, I liked her better when she had a few curves.

No? Then why do you look so shell-shocked? Adam teased, patting me on the back.

His eyes move toward where I was staring – at Danielle. The smile on his face was predatory and malicious. He looked back at me and I could see the cold gleam in his eyes.

Ah yeah, I guess I understand now, he said. But she said you two were over, so I assumed it was fine?

We are over, I said, standing tall as I looked over at my ex. She's all yours Adam. Enjoy yourself.

He patted me on the back again, leaning into me. Don't worry. You can have her back when I'm done with her. It's not love or anything like that. We're both just looking for a good time, nothing more.

Adam was an asshole. He's been an asshole since the day he first came into this household. I understood why he was the way he was. I'd imagine being the family bastard would make anyone a little bitter and resentful. Never being considered pure or real in regard to the family would be enough to piss most people off. I got that. But he seemed to take it to an extreme. Seemed to revel in it, in fact.

His mother wasn't my mother, even though we were only a year apart. He was a year younger than me. My father sent money to his mother for years, unbeknownst to us, which was why my mom still refused to accept him into the family. He was my father's dirty little secret, and she continued to think of him as such.

It was not Adam's fault. He didn't ask to be born into such a screwed-up situation, so I'd always tried to be decent to him. But damn, he made it hard sometimes. He liked to poke me every chance he got. It was as if he was goading me, trying to make me go off on him. We've had our fights growing up, don't get me wrong. We weren't close by any means, and likely never would be. But I’d always tried to remain civil toward him.

Alba happened to answer the door the day Adam had shown up on our porch, and I'll never forget when she stepped into the dining room, during dinner, and whispered something to my father. She looked distinctly uncomfortable, and we all knew something was up. Little did we know his bastard child was standing in our foyer, ready to disrupt our lives forever.

She's all yours, Adam, I said. I don't want her back. Ever.

I wanted to say something more biting, something that would cut her to the core. But I didn't. I remained civil even though it was killing me to do so. My gaze never left Danielle though, who held her head high. She heard me, I made sure of it, but my words didn't seem to have any effect on her. Or, if they did, she was doing a masterful job of hiding it. 

I left Adam alone with Danielle and joined my mother on the sofa. She was staring into the fire, sipping her tea, trying her best to pretend that Adam wasn't there. I understood her pain and disdain for my half-brother. I didn't necessarily agree with it, but I understood it. Adam was a constant reminder that her husband hadn't always been faithful to her. My mom's discomfort was completely justified when that reminder stood within ten feet of her.

It seemed like I'd been making excuses for him and clinging to that mantra most of my life.

Who he was wasn't his fault. What was his fault, however, was how he continued to behave around my mother. Knowing she hated him, he continued to throw my dad's affair in her face, every chance he got. He was petty, childish, and vindictive. That was his way. I wanted to believe that if he'd ever showed her a modicum of respect, she might have eventually come around where he was concerned.

But he didn't, and neither did she, which made gatherings of our little family incredibly uncomfortable.

I leaned over and wrapped my arm around her shoulders, hugging her tightly. She leaned into me, seemingly grateful for the contact, and I took the opportunity to whisper into her ear.

Did you know he was coming? I asked.

She shook her head. I didn't invite him, she said in a hushed tone. Your father must have.

Her hands trembled, so I put her tea and my coffee on the table in front of us and took her hands in mine.

What's this all about, mom? I asked. Did he give you any clues?

She'd kept her mouth shut about this meeting ever since she called me to tell me to be there. Her eyes met mine and I could see she knew exactly why we were there. She just wasn't telling me. Probably because my father told her to keep her lips zipped about it.

Your father will explain everything once he's done meeting with his lawyer, she said. 

My father's lawyer, Terrance Houston, had been in dad's office for at least an hour. Mom was hush-hush about that as well. Given the secrecy and all, I assumed this meeting had to do with his will. Although, as far as I knew, my dad wasn't dying yet. Yeah, his health had been going downhill the last few months or so, but there was nothing that would signal that he was on his death bed. Certainly nothing that would seem to warrant a meeting like this being called.

As my mind swirled with thoughts and emotions, an icy finger of dread trailed its way up my spine. Was there something wrong with my dad that he hadn't told us about yet? Was he actually dying? The more I thought about it and played out the worst-case scenarios, the more my anxiety about it all ramped up.

My mother put her hand on mine and squeezed. She sensed my anxiety and sought to help me keep it in check. I gave her a grateful smile and a nod, grateful for her comfort.

We heard the door to his office creak open down the hall, and not a moment too soon – I was on the verge of losing my marbles from the anticipation. Footsteps sounded on the hardwood floor and then Terrance stepped out – alone – and didn't say a word to any of us as he walked through the parlor, toward my mother. Stopping before he, he took her hand and gave her a gentle, compassionate smile before speaking in a hushed tone.

He's ready to see you now, he said.

Terrance's turned his gaze to me, and he nodded in recognition.

Malcolm, good to see you.

Good to see you, Terrance.

I met his gray eyes, but he looked away from me, and back to my mother.

Everything is ready, he said gently.

Ready for what? I asked.

My mother glanced at me, her eyes sad. That one glance, that one expression, made that finger of ice on my spine turn into a frigidly cold fist that grabbed and squeezed my heart. My breath caught in my throat and the feeling of dread that settled over me was oppressive.

Your father will explain everything, dear, she said.

Without a word, Terrance turned and led the way down the hall to dad's office, simply expecting us to follow in his wake. Adam was the first one through the door, sauntering into the office, Danielle at his side.

Wait here, peach, he said, kissing her and motioning for her to sit outside. Family business.

Danielle didn't argue, but she looked over at me, an inscrutable look in her eyes. When we were together, she'd been considered family, and was allowed to sit in on all family meetings and functions. We hadn't been engaged, but most people considered it to pretty much be an inevitability, and my family had simply accepted her as my wife-to-be.

Now that we were done, and she was with Adam, she'd been downgraded to just a girlfriend. A hanger-on. An outsider who didn't warrant a seat at the family table. It was petty, but it gave me a small sense of satisfaction. I headed into the office without sparing her another look, but she grabbed my arm as I was passing her by.

Malcolm, can we talk afterward? she asked.

I pulled my arm away and didn't bother to answer her. I had nothing to say and there was no reason for me to have a conversation with her. I held the door open for my mom, who gave me a curious look.

She mouthed, What happened?

Later, I told her.

I knew I'd have to explain everything to my family sooner or later. I'd figured I'd have more time to broach the subject. My family had come to like Danielle a lot and I knew our split was going to hit them a little bit hard. Then she showed up hanging all over Adam though, and the cat was out of the bag about our breakup. There was no gentle way to break it to them after that. Oh well – not much I could do.

I stepped into my dad's office and closed the door behind us, shutting Danielle out. If she'd wanted to be part of this family, perhaps she should have acted like it. Betraying my trust was not the way to go about it. I would have done almost anything for that woman, and she’d taken it for granted. And now? Hooking up with my half-brother not even twenty-four hours after we'd broken up? That was low, even for her. Though, I guess I should have expected her willingness to stoop to that level after what she'd done to me. I probably shouldn't have been all that surprised.

My dad's office had always been a sacred space. His sacred space, to be more precise. It was a sanctuary I hadn't been allowed to set foot in until I was old enough to work for him. Which in his eyes, was when I was fifteen. I worked for him after school while others played football or went on dates or did whatever it was kids my age typically did.

My dad though, had insisted that I forgo the usual teenage activities and demanded that I devote myself to learning the business. There were times I resented it, sure. But I bit the bullet and I was there. Every single day until I went off to Stanford for college, I was there. I did everything he wanted to and more, getting to know the business inside and out. Every single facet of it. 

Still, even though I was older now, I still stepped inside the hallowed walls of his private sanctuary, and held my breath as I took it all in. As crazy as it sounded, there was a reverent and almost spiritual air about the place – probably because it was such a forbidden room to me when I was young. It still held some sense of mystery and awe to me. The room was dark, with rich wooden walls and floors, and a massive Cherrywood desk in the center of the room. A wine-colored rug took up most of the floor, and at the helm of it all, his presence as dignified and commanding as ever, was my dad. In his usual spot in the chair behind the desk, surrounded by bookshelves taller than any of us, he gazed at us as we situated ourselves.

There were no photos or any personal items in my dad's office. Something I always thought a little strange. I'd want to be surrounded by my personal effects in my sanctuary. He always said though, his office was a place for work. My dad had never been a very sentimental man and didn't have time to deal with overwrought, emotional drama. He was a no-nonsense, business first, kind of man. 

Adam dropped down onto the black leather sofa that sat along the wall, facing Dad. My mom joined Dad behind his desk, her posture perfect, her hand on his shoulder, standing tall. It was like they were posing for a photograph or something. Terrance stood on the other side of my dad, his hands at his side.

They all stared at me as I quickly considered my options. I looked over at the sofa but had no desire to sit next to Adam; not with the way he was sitting there smirking at me. Instead, I chose to remain standing near the front of his desk. Terrance offered me a seat – there were two leather chairs flanking the sides of the desk—but I shook my head. No, as much as I disliked Adam in that moment, I was determined to avoid making a spectacle of myself.

I prefer to stand, I said.

Very well, he said.

He nodded gracefully and stepped back to his position beside my father. The circles under my dad's eyes were darker than mine – and I know for certain he hadn't been out drinking the night before.

My dad was a man that never needed more than four hours sleep a night, but it was exceedingly rare to see him looking so tired. His white hair was thinning even more than I'd remembered, and his skin was sallow and thin, as if you could see through it. His eyes were the same blue color as mine, – people often said I looked like a younger version of him. I had the same blue eyes and sandy blonde hair that he'd had in his youth. Given that my dad had been a good looking, strapping young man, I'd always taken it as a compliment.

Dad cleared his throat, and we all stood at attention. Even Adam stood, joining me at the front of the desk as if to hear things clearer, a smug little smile on his face. I really wanted to smack it right off of him. Adam probably thought this had to do with Dad's will, and he, of course, wanted a piece of that. I could practically see the dollar signs in his eyes and see him coming up with the list of shit he was going to spend it all on.

As you're all aware, I saw my doctor last week for some test results, he said, his voice still strong and commanding. It echoed throughout the room like rolling thunder. And the results were not good, as we feared.

Mom's eyes filled with tears and she squeezed his shoulder, wiping away the tears with her other hand. I inched toward her, but she held out a hand, telling me to stop.

As with all things, I obeyed my mother.

The doctors have found a mass in my brain, he said. They believe that it's benign, but because of where it's located, it's impossible to remove.

I grabbed the corner of my dad's desk, not trusting my legs to keep me from falling over. I felt a churning in my gut and a fluttering in my chest. I'd expected the news to not be good, but actually hearing it coming out of his mouth, confirming my fears still hit me like a runaway train.

Benign? That means it's not cancerous, I said. That's a good thing, right?

My dad's eyes looked over at me, taking me in carefully before he answered. He took my mother's hand and squeezed it gently before speaking again.

It's not cancerous, no, he said. But, because of where it's located, it will likely cause other issues.

Other issues?

My dad's voice cracked, which rattled me to the core. My father was not an emotional man. I didn't think I'd ever seen him