Womb For Rent Part 5

"Here is a copy for each of you." Separating the papers, Anthony handed Derek and Talli each a copy and made to stand.

Derek leapt to his feet, his face beaming. "Thank you, Anthony. I appreciate the promptness you've given this matter. Now Miss Paxton, I know this is short notice, and I apologize for that fact, but I was wondering if you would accompany me to the Detroit Zoological Society Auction this evening. I meant to ask you sooner, but with the melee this position has caused, I regrettably forgot."

Talli looked at Derek, then at Anthony, who dropped a curt nod in her direction. A tentative flicker crossed her lips as Talli turned back to Derek.

"Mr. Cameron, I would love to accompany you to the auction."

Derek clapped his hands together. "Wonderful. How about I pick you up at, say seven then?"

"That would be fine."

"Until we have you settled in at Cameron Manor, where shall I pick you up this evening?"

Talli reached for the yellow legal pad in front of Derek and pulled it to her side of the table. She scribbled down an address and pushed it back to him.

Derek glanced down at the paper, then back up again. "I don't understand. This is my address."

Talli took a deep calming breath and slowly removed the gla.s.ses from her face. She reached up to pull the large hat off her head and set it carefully on the conference table. Her fingers plucked the pins from her hair to allow the long auburn curls to flow freely across her shoulders.

"It is my address as well, Mr. Cameron." Talli remarked softly, hearing her voice crack with a sudden nervousness.

Derek's voice was deadly calm, his gaze steady as he leveled his eyes on Anthony. "What exactly is the meaning of this? Would one of you care to explain this to me? Now, preferably," he demanded.

"Derek, please relax." Talli watched Anthony tug at the collar of his s.h.i.+rt.

"I am relaxed! I want some answers. p.r.o.nto!"

Talli looked at Anthony's face across the table, his features ashen in the afternoon light. Steeling herself for the inevitable battle she was about to encounter, she rose from her chair. "Don't blame Anthony for this. I am as much at fault, if not more than he is. I wanted this position and you refused to allow me to interview for it, so I worked out a way to do it without your approval. Since when did you put stipulations in the offer? Besides, it's not my fault you didn't recognize me."

Derek jumped to his feet and bellowed, "Now it's my fault that I didn't recognize you? I'm supposed to a.s.sume every applicant is someone they aren't? Forget it, the deal is off. The meetings were set up under fraudulent terms and you are not who you're pretending to be, so this voids everything."

"Oh yes, I am. My full name is Tallulah Jayne Paxton, Talli for short. Just as my application states, I do plan to open my own business in the future, so that is accurate as well." Talli stood facing Derek, arms folded defensively across her chest.

Derek kept quiet, not trusting himself to speak. In his head, he reeled off a dozen reasons why he should tear up the contract and throw her out of his office and house. She knew how he felt about her applying for the position. He had made that abundantly clear. Pivoting on his heel, Derek turned to face Anthony, his words cool and clear as ice water. "I hold you partially responsible for this mess. I will honor the agreement, only because I can't and won't allow a mockery to be made of this situation! It is too important to me. But let me tell you two something right here and now! If I so much as hear a peep out of either one of you about this ever again, I will personally see to it that you rue the day you met me," he aimed at Talli, then turned to Anthony, "and as for you and I, I will find myself another more professional legal firm to represent my needs. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"

Anthony dropped a silent nod, his head lowered.

Talli raised her chin with a cool stare in Derek's direction. Leaning over to pick up her gla.s.ses and hat, she strode from the room, never once looking back.

Derek collapsed into his chair and cradled his head in his hands. "Good Lord, what have I gotten myself into?" A broad smile crossed Anthony's face as he watched Derek's reaction. Talli stood toe to toe against Derek Cameron and came out on top. Things were going a lot better than Anthony had hoped for!

Two hours and a thousand expletives later, Derek stormed through the front door of Cameron Manor, allowing the heavy mahogany doors to slam loudly in his wake.

Maimie wiped her hands on her stark white ap.r.o.n and ambled out of the kitchen. "What's got your shorts in an uproar, boy? Bad day at the office?"

Derek leveled a look in her direction that would quell a charging lion, as he ground out his next words. "You know perfectly well what the matter is. And I have every reason in the world to believe you had something to do with it." He pivoted on his heel, strode into his office and slammed that door equally if not more deafening.

Maimie chuckled as she headed back toward the kitchen. Joseph sat quietly at the counter, helping himself to a piece of her mouth-watering chocolate cake. He looked at his wife and shook his head. "Mr. Cameron is a bit testy about this whole affair, I'm afraid."

"What's to be upset about? He got himself a sweet girl and soon there will be a precious little baby on the way. Isn't that the whole idea of this surrogacy thing?

"Well, yes," Joseph agreed, "but he isn't too happy about the way Miss Talli and Mr. Baretti went about it."

Maimie shrugged her shoulders, her eyes looking at the ceiling as she stood deep in thought. "Well then, he just don't know what's good for him."

Joseph dropped his fork with a loud clang. "Oh, no you don't. No more of your hare-brained ideas. Every time you get that look on your face, one of us ends up in the doghouse with Mr. Cameron."

Maimie lowered her eyes to meet his. "Now now, honeybun. Just you wait and see. Leave it all up to me."

Joseph slumped back down into his chair and picked up his fork. "I might as well stay out of this. It's going to get ugly."

Derek leaned his head back in the folds of the soft gray leather wing chair and stared out the window, oblivious to the sun streaming through the trees, turning the snow into a sheet of crystal. How had this become so complicated? All he wanted was a surrogate mother to carry his child for nine months. He had strictly forbade Talli to go against his wishes and apply for the position. But had she listened? No, she went ahead and did it anyway. Under a guise of secrecy no less. Was he such an ogre that she couldn't have come right out and told him she planned on defying him and applying? Apparently, he was. At least then he would have had the luxury of rejecting her application on the spot.

When she had first pulled off the hat and gla.s.ses in his office, he was astounded. He wanted to wring her neck--better yet snap it between his hands for defying his wishes. Derek imagined himself holding her lily white throat loosely in his grasp, feeling her pulse dance wildly beneath his thumbs. His fingers lingering at her chin, then slowly moving downward as he trailed hot wet kisses across her skin. G.o.d, where had that thought come from, he wondered? His mind was definitely on a depraved downward spiral. The front legs of the chair thumped down loudly as he mentally shook his head and tried to collect his thoughts.

His brain filtered in the sounds of a persistent knocking on the study door, but instead chose to ignore it, hoping whoever would go away, and let him suffer in silence.

He watched Maimie as she marched through the doorway.

Approaching his desk, she flipped the switch for the lamp, bathing the darkened room in a soft glow. "There you are. What are you doing sitting here in the dark? You got yourself a party to attend. Come on, up with you."

"I'm not going," Derek mumbled, more to himself than her, content to sit and stew.

"Of course you are. You can't let the zoo down. They're counting on your support tonight. Besides, how would it look if word got out that Derek Cameron, big bad business tyc.o.o.n, let himself be bested by his pet sitter. What would the society sn.o.bs think of you then?"

"I don't care what they'd think."

"Of course you do. Now, the Derek Cameron I know wouldn't let the world see him fall flat on his face. No, siree, he would dust himself off, get himself dressed and show the world what he's made of. But if you're afraid, then..." Maimie let her voice trail off.

Derek turned, listening to the catch in her voice. "Afraid of what?"

"Oh, nothing, never mind me." Maimie tried to wave him off with a flick of her hand.

"No, tell me. I'd like to know."

"Well, I really don't know what's so terrible about the situation anyway. Miss Talli is a fine, upstanding young woman. She's never caused you an ounce of trouble and she's taken wonderful care of those beasts you call pets. You already share a house with her, what would be wrong with sharing her bed for one night?"

Derek thought for a moment on Maimie's words. He couldn't deny he felt a definite physical attraction toTalli. "Maimie, not that this is any of your business, but she did apply under false pretenses for one, and second, she is ten years younger than I am."

"So? Are you saying my Joseph is any less of a man because I'm two years younger than he is? Does that make a person wrong in everything they do because they're younger? Just because there's a little snow on the mountain don't mean the heart of a volcano isn't heating up inside of the hill. You may be older than she is, but it sure don't look like you is any wiser. Uh huh." Maimie pointed a finger at his graying temples, then down to his chest.

Derek smiled for the first time in many hours. "You always know the right thing to say to me, don't you?"

"That's why the good Lord is keeping me around so long, so I can care for my favorite peoples on this Earth." She seized his arm and dragged him from the chair. "Now, you hurry on up those stairs and get yourself changed. The party starts in little over an hour. I'll tell Joseph to have the car ready."

Derek reached the bottom of the staircase and paused. "This isn't over yet," he admonished, wagging his finger at her. "But for the sake of the zoo, I'll go."

(BM) CHAPTER 5.

Talli let out a deep sigh and twirled slowly in front of the mirror. As she reached up to position the hairpins more securely, she fussed with a few of the curls. What had ever possessed her to think she could hob-n.o.b with society and come out on top of the heap?

The reflection that stared back at her from the mirror showed a scared young woman, in a very low-cut halter strap black velvet gown. The skirt stopped just inches above her ankles. The dress fit her like a glove, every inch of the black velvet molded to her slender curves and contours. She bent down to slide the matching black pumps on her feet and gasped at the view the gown front afforded from this angle. She wasn't about to lean over that far tonight and cause a spectacle of herself. If she were to sneeze, she might just end up popping herself right out of the gown! As it was, the slit running down the side showed off more of her legs than she would have liked. Too late now, she thought. No time to back out. Reaching for the lacy black shawl draped over her chair, she gave herself one last appraising look in the dresser mirror. The dark velvet heightened the paleness of her face. Nervously, she chewed her lower lip. "Well, this is for all the marbles. Here goes nothing."

Derek stood at the bottom of the staircase, pacing back and forth, resplendent in a black tuxedo and tails. Every few minutes his movements stopped , his eyes searching the staircase for signs of life. Maimie fussed over him like a mother hen.

"Stand still, boy. Stop fidgeting; now you got your tie all crooked. Goodness gracious, you look like you're about to face a firing squad. Stop that. My, my, but don't you look spiffy tonight."

"I am about to face a firing squad. One consisting of pet sitters and nosy housekeepers. But, thank you anyway," Derek conceded.

There was no way he was going to forget what had occurred earlier that afternoon. This evening would be strictly business. He wasn't about to let Talli or anyone else undermine his quest to have a child. Even if they thought they were doing it for his own good.

"I am not nosy," Maimie declared with a huff. "I am merely concerned with your welfare."

"Mine and everyone else's welfa..." Derek's words trailed off as a sound from above caused him to turn. He gazed at the vision coming down the staircase toward him. His eyes took in Talli's descent as she slowly walked down the curving staircase.

From his vantage point, he could see legs. Long, lithe, luscious legs starting at her ankles and moving upward to disappear under the slit of her gown. Derek drew in a deep breath as she reached the last step. His mouth felt dry. Words struggled to come out, yet no sound issued forth. He was speechless.

"Lordy, lordy, look at my girl, will you? She's all gussied up and beautiful. Sweetiepie, you look lovely. Doesn't she, Mr. Cameron? Just as lovely as any of those high faluting society ladies you know." Maimie prodded, nudging Derek with a finger pressed into his back.

A look of genuine surprise crossed Derek's face as he nodded in agreement. "Yes, she does. I mean, you do. You look lovely tonight, Talli."

He felt so stupid, he sounded like a pimply-faced kid out on his first date. Derek couldn't believe his own response at the feelings she was invoking in him. How come he hadn't noticed her in the past six months she'd been here? Their paths rarely crossed, unless it was in the yard or the kitchen. Thank G.o.d she didn't wear outfits like this when she was exercising the dogs!

"I hope I haven't made you late."

Derek smiled, a real dazzler that reached all the way up to the corners of his eyes. "Talli, it's an unspoken rule to be fas.h.i.+onably late to these functions. If you arrive early, everyone will think you have nothing better to do with your life."

"Oh," Talli replied, confused why anyone would want to arrive somewhere purposely late.

Maimie silently appeared at her side and draped the lacy black shawl across her shoulders, to ward off the chill of the night air. "Your wrap, Talli."

"Thank you, Maimie."

"Now, you two run along and have a good time. Joseph is waiting out front for you with the car. Mr. Cameron, you be sure and tell the Mayor I said h.e.l.lo, and his missus too. Such a nice couple they are." Maimie rambled on, as she pushed the pair toward the front door.

Outside, Joseph stood in readiness, the rear door of the limousine open. "Evening, Miss Talli. My, don't you look pretty tonight? Mr. Cameron, sir." Joseph dropped a small nod in his employer's direction as he reached out a hand to escort Talli into the s.p.a.cious car.

Talli slid across the seat, feeling the soft, leather upholstery caress her skin. Moving further, she made room for Derek to join her.

Derek stood outside the car, watching her skirt ride up to expose her legs even further. His imagination immediately conjured up an image of lacy red underwear hidden away beneath her black dress. Mentally cursing himself for such a momentary lapse, Derek moved forward to join Talli in the back of the limousine. He wouldn't let his hormones override his decision.

Talli looked covertly at her employer, noticing the tense set of his jaw. She had hoped that the evening would proceed smoothly, but it didn't look that way. Settling herself back against the soft leather, she sighed. "This is so fancy. I never thought I'd see myself in anything like this."

"Glad you like it." Derek commented, as his eyes roamed over her form. He admired the view from her trim ankle up to her shapely thigh. Try as he might, he couldn't remain impartial to her beauty.

Talli caught his gaze and looked down. Even in the shadows of the car, she could feel herself blus.h.i.+ng as she reached to move the shawl across her hip to cover the view.

Derek looked up, unaware he had been caught gawking. He flashed her an apologetic look. "Sorry."

"No, you're not," she retorted.

"You're right, I'm not," he grinned. "I'm not sorry in the least."

Talli laughed, a rich melodious sound that filled the interior of the limousine.

Derek watched the merriment in her face and found himself staring at her again.

Talli forced herself to speak. Her thoughts were running away with her, being alone in the limousine with Derek. His very presence commanded ultimate attention. "Mr. Cameron, would you tell me more about this evening? I know it's a benefit for the Zoo, but that's about all I know for sure."

Derek's eyes met hers. Even in the darkness, she looked beautiful. Definitely an equal for any of the society patrons that would be in attendance tonight. He cleared his throat and tried to concentrate on her question. "The Zoological Society has an annual benefit to raise money to care for the animals currently in residence at the zoo. All of society's movers and shakers will be in attendance this evening. Their goal is to raise enough funds to care for the animals without having to rely on raised admission prices or outside monies."

Talli nodded. "So, you feel this is a worthy cause to support?"

Derek looked at her in surprise. "As a matter of fact, I do. The zoo is a very important part of the future of our children today. It gives them the opportunity to see animals they might never come in contact with on a normal day to day basis."

"Hmm. Do the animals benefit directly from the monies raised?" Talli waited quietly for his answer.

Derek was amazed at the intensity of her questions. "They benefit one hundred percent. In fact, some of the animals will be brought in for the guests to see up close and personal this evening."

"Really?" Talli found herself getting excited at the prospect of touching the animals up close. Another perk of the business, she thought to herself.

Derek sighed softly. "Talli, do you think it might be possible for you to call me Derek, instead of Mr. Cameron?"

Talli felt herself blus.h.i.+ng again. "I'll try."

"Thank you."

Talli was astonished at the animals on display in the ballroom. The survival of the species was imperative. Without the proper funds, their rate of survival would plummet. Talli watched enthralled as an attendant with an enormous anaconda approached their group. The other ladies shrank back and shook their heads at the offer to touch the snake. Talli moved forward, reaching out a hand. The skin felt smooth and warm beneath her fingertips, pulsating with life. She stroked the snake's length, caressing its scales.

Derek watched in amazement as Talli reached out, totally unafraid. The other women in the group had s.h.i.+ed away at the first sign of the reptile. But not Talli. Derek saw her fingers move languorously over the snake. He swallowed hard at the thought of those hands wrapping themselves around him.

Minutes later, Talli found her attention garnered by a cuddly koala bear cradled in its keeper's arms. Tentatively, Talli looked at the attendant, who nodded her consent. Talli reached out her arms and the koala studied her with serious eyes, before climbing out of his safe haven and into Talli's embrace.

Nestled against Talli's shoulder, the small creature watched the room through sleepy, jet black eyes. Talli talked softly to him, snug and secure in her arms. The koala laid its furry head on her shoulder and was soon asleep.