by Leah Holt
Does that really matter?
It was starting to bother me that he wasn't asking me about my experience with kids, or if I had ever been a nanny or caregiver before. I mean, those are the questions that mattered, not my personal opinion on having my own, not my eyes or my looks.
The waiter came back, interupting the conversation, and placing our drinks down. "Are we ready to order?"
Holding up his hand, August sent him away. "Give us a few more minutes, Sergio."
"Of course." Bowing lightly, Sergio walked away.
August slid a menu across the table, his eyes never leaving mine. "Here, you can order anything you want. The salmon is amazing, the chef uses orange and rosemary, it's delicous."
Alright, this is getting way too close to an actual date.
It was hard to look past the sexy beast across from me, knowing that if we had met at a bar I wouldn't have thought twice about making a night with him, but that wasn't what this was. This dinner had a purpose, and it didn't revolve around the possibility of seeing his bed.
Forcing an uncomfortable smile, I said, "Honestly, I'd really like to know something first." Thinning his lips, August nodded in approval. "What are we doing here? I mean, what exactly am I interviewing for?"
"You're not hungry?"
"No, it's not that, it's just this is starting feel a lot like a date and not about a job. I think it would be nice if I knew what the job was for."
"We'll get to that, first I'd really like to find out more about you. There's no point in me getting into any details if I don't think you'll be a good fit."
"But you're not asking me anything that has to do with my schooling or past jobs, the experience I have or how I'd interact with your kids."
"None of that really matters to me."
What the hell is he talking about? Of course it matters, why wouldn't it?
"But shouldn't it?" Not giving him time to answer, I said, "Your ad said this was to secure a future for your child, I'm assuming it's a nanny job or some sort of caregiver position."
"It's something like that."
"That's not an answer."
"Ella," he said, closing his eyes as he took in a deep breath. "I'll explain everything, I will. But it's important for me to get to know you first, that's why I wanted to do it this way. This is how I'll know."
"This is how you'll know what?"
"If you're the one I want."
"I'm sorry, I'm confused." Holding up my hand, I stared at him. "You need to tell me right now what this is exactly." I was getting frustrated and uncomfortable with the thought that he was just looking for sex.
I didn't like how he was bouncing around my questions, and not openly telling me the job he was offering.
There was a long silence, and I refused to break it until he told me the truth. Either there was a job for me at the end of this or there wasn't. But if he thought at any point in time I would just become his for the night, he was sadly mistaken.
"Alright," he finally said, letting his hand fall flat on the table.
"Alright what?"
"Alright, I'll tell you." Scooting his chest closer to the table, he leaned in and spoke with a whisper. "But, I need you to promise me you won't make a scene when I tell you."
Alright, I'm done. Kay was right, I shouldn't have come here.
"Okay, you know what, forget it." Standing up, I grabbed my clutch off the table. "I don't want to know anymore. I can already tell there's something weird about this whole thing. I told you before I wasn't a hooker, and I meant it. But if you—"
"That's not it, that's not it at all," he said, cutting me off. "Just sit for a minute and let me explain." August stood up, reaching out to touch my arm. "Look, I really like you, I do. And that's what I've been waiting for, someone I felt a connection with, someone who had a good head on their shoulders. I'm only asking these questions because who you are is important, all the little things that make you you matter to me."
His fingers brushed the bare skin on my arm, sending a surge of tingles over my body. I could feel them on my skin, passing through the surface and spreading up into my chest and down into my belly.
The way he looked at me, the gentle touch of his fingers, it was this new magic I hadn't ever felt before. My body became warm, I could feel my cheeks flush and my skin start to sweat.
"Please, just hear me out."
There was something in his voice that seemed innocent and sincere, as if he really wanted to soothe me and set my mind at ease.
"Okay," I said, taking my seat. "But no bullshit, tell me exactly what I'm here for. And if you say it has anything to do with sex for money, I'm gone." I was done with whatever game he was trying to play.
He might have had the power to make my body come alive, but that didn't mean I was a gullible little minx that would only see his mouth move and not hear his voice. Maybe he had the ability to work the women from his past, but not me, I wasn't naive.
No more questions. No more insignificant details about my life. I needed an answer.
August sat back down and ran an open hand across the top of his head, his face falling flat. "I've been trying to perfect this part of the conversation. It hasn't really been easy, and honestly, it had been a waste of time up until now. No one has really struck me the way you do. You're real, a real woman that knows what she wants in life. You want to be a teacher, you have a goal and you're the first woman I've met with whose life wasn't based on just money." Stroking his jaw, he scratched through his beard. "But what I want you to know first is I'm willing to pay you good money, all the expenses, all the medical care, everything and anything you would ever need." His eyes fluttered up to mine, mouth turning down into a thick frown.
What the hell is he getting at here?
"For what? What are you asking me to do? Because I'm sorry, but this sounds like you're asking me to be your personal whore or something."
His eyes searched my face as he took in a big breath. Letting it out slowly, he rested his hands on the table and braided his fingers together.
"There's no easy way to sugar coat this, so I'm just going to say it. Ella, I want you to have my baby."
Chapter Six
August
I watched her, wondering if she actually heard what I said. Her mouth was hanging open, brows scrunched tight, body completely still, a blank look in her eyes.
Oh shit, this could go either way.
"You still with me?" I asked, waving a hand in front of her face.
Taking in a deep breath, Ella quietly stood up from her seat. Her hands gripped the edge of the table, knuckles turning white. "You—" she started to say, but stopped herself. Shaking her head, her eyes shut briefly as she picked up her purse. "Mm, mm, nope."
Flicking her eyes to mine, her stare was piercing, lips pressing down tight as if she was willing razors to fly out of her eyes and slice me where I sat. I waited, anticipating an onslaught of curse words, maybe even a good old fashioned slap to the face. And I was willing to sit back and let her if it meant she'd open up her mind and let me tell her everything I had to offer.
Because I needed a baby, plain and simple.
I was willing to make this as easy as possible for her. All she had to do was agree.
Holding up her hand, she grunted softly, staring at me like I had lost my fucking mind—and maybe I had, maybe I was standing on the edge of a cliff without a fucking chute. But she didn't know me, she didn't have a clue what I was up against.
Veering her stare, her lips parted to speak, but she stopped herself, holding onto her thoughts.
The way she looked at me, the caustic mix of disgust and disbelief, it really stung, because I wasn't a bad guy. My heart twisted into a painful ball, making my chest hurt.
I wanted to soothe her anger, help her to understand my reasoning behind this unconventional request. "Ella, if you'd just give me a second to explain—"
Twisting around sharply, she stormed off, not giving me a chance to finish.
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And for the first time ever, I followed.
Time and legal strong holds were currently in charge of my life. Every month that passed was one closer to losing it all. There was no more room for testing the waters, I needed her.
Everyone was watching us as a silence fell over the room. I could feel the confusion and shock from the other diners, all of them wondering what the hell was going on.
A bright flash ignited from the corner, and I knew instantly that some asshole pappaazzi had snapped a picture of me chasing her out of the place.
That'll be everywhere tomorrow.
But I didn't care. This wasn't about them or what they would paint the paper and tabloids with, this was about my lively hood, about keeping what was mine.
Her feet moved quickly as she tore through the restaurant, hip bumping against tables, causing her to sway on her heels, but she kept going strong, recovering easily as her ankles bent unnaturally.
She didn't look back over her shoulder, but I could tell she felt my presence behind her. She was taking longer, more determined steps, her arms out in front of her as she aimed for the door.
Slamming her hands into the glass, her shoulder followed, throwing the door wide open. Stumbling onto the sidewalk, Ella paused for a second, glancing left and right.
"Mr. Burke, is everything alright?" Gina asked, taking a step out from behind the podium as I passed by.
"Yes, we're fine," I said nonchalantly, not stopping to explain. Keeping Ella in my line of sight, I followed her outside. "Ella, wait!" I called out to her as she jerked her body indecisively, looking in both directions.
Whipping around, she snapped. "No! Forget it! This was a mistake, I shouldn't have come." She started to run, but her heels made it difficult for her to move too fast.
Jogging to her side, I grabbed her wrist, holding her in place. "Look, I know what I'm asking sounds crazy, but I'm willing to pay you anything you want, just name the price."
Jerking her arm free, she scowled. "You think you can just buy my body? Do I look like a fucking storage unit you can rent?" Crooking her jaw, her eyes shot up to mine. "How dare you!? You don't just put an ad in the paper for something like that!" Throwing out her arm, her teeth ground down. "Are you fucking insane?"
"I know how it looks and sounds, but I want you to know this was my only option. I'll take care of everything, money isn't an issue—"
"This is ridiculous." Dropping her hand to her hip, she cocked her head. "You think because you have money, you can just get whatever the hell you want? It doesn't work that way in the real world. I don't know what you thought I'd say to this, but my body isn't for sale."
Puffing up her chest, my eyes were drawn to her hard nipples poking through the fabric. A cool breeze blew between us, causing goosebumps to jump off her skin. My cock thickened at the sight of her stiff peaks, my mouth watering as the idea of nibbling her nipples and rolling them between my teeth ran through my head.
Wrapping her arms around her ribs, Ella's expression hardened. "Hey, Asshole, my eyes are up here."
Giving her a smile, I ran my tongue across the sharp edges of my teeth. "It's chilly, here, take this." Pulling the coat off my shoulders, I held it out to her.
"I don't want it, I don't want a damn thing from you."
"Just take it," I said, my eyes softening.
Pursing her lips, she snatched it from my fingers, and pulled it on. "This doesn't mean anything, I'm not agreeing to a damn thing."
Chuckling, I stepped off the sidewalk and waved down a cab. She had obviously had enough of me for the night, I wasn't going to keep trying to force her to listen. It wouldn't do any good if her walls were up, she wasn't going to hear another word I said.
I knew from the very beginning that this idea would be risky, but I was hoping it would bring me someone who didn't know who I was, a woman who was down to earth and normal, unlike all the other women I've ever been around or dated.
And it worked, it brought me Ella. It also meant I might have to work really hard to get what I wanted. There was no doubt in my mind that with a little convincing, she would see this as her golden opportunity. But I had to be the nice guy, she had to see the real me, not the desperate man about to lose it all.
Opening the door, I smiled and gestured for her to get in. Ella eyed me, reluctantly taking a small step forward. "Come on," I said, nodding towards the cab. "He'll take you home."
"I'm getting in this cab alone, you know that right?"
"Of course." Stepping past me, she slipped inside, and started to remove the coat. "Don't worry about the jacket, I have plenty." Shutting the door, I went to the passenger window and told the driver to take her where ever she wanted to go, handing him some money with a hefty tip.
Taking one last look at her, Ella whipped her head over her shoulder to look out the other window beside her. I wasn't sure why, but a small piece of me was hoping she'd look at me one last time.
She had the prettiest eyes I had ever seen. They were the color of the ocean, even glittering like the water when the sun was coming up over the horizon. That was the first thing I noticed about her when she came to the table.
But it was obvious she wanted no part of me, and I couldn't blame her. I had just told her the job was having my baby.
She despises you. She thinks you're fucking crazy.
I am crazy for doing this.
Slapping the top of the cab, it pulled back into the road, merging with all the vehicles. I watched the taillights until the taxi took a right and they were out of view.
There was something about her that I really liked, something that was pulling on me. Ella was beautiful, with her long blond hair and cute button nose. Her skin looked like velvet, so soft and supple.
And fuck, that body; curvy perfection, with long legs and tone arms. But it wasn't just that. Ella had a spark to her, a fire that burned inside her, making me want to feel the heat.
Even when she was yelling at me, all I could picture were her lucious lips wrapping my cock, her tongue sliding down my shaft and tasting my length.
I hadn't felt any real attraction to anyone in years. Yes, I had girlfriends and the occasional one night stand, but none of those woman made me truly want them. They were all relationships of convenience.
A woman on my arm so my mother wouldn't look like a failure at one of her charity dinners. A girl at my side so I had someone to take pictures with at an event or local restaurant grand opening. And most of the time I never saw the woman again. Not because I'm a dick, but because we had absolutely nothing in common. Nothing.
Ella hit me differently, she made my cock twitch and my muscles clench. That was what I needed to do this. Someone who could make my blood surge and my cock hard.
It wasn't like I was doing this for no reason, I didn't have a choice, my options were limited and I couldn't trust a fucking person around me. Putting that ad in the paper was the only control I had over my future.
And as I stood there, wondering how the hell I was going to make this work, all I could think about was taking her, making her scream my name and beg me for more.
There was no doubt in my mind, Ella was the one who was going to have my baby.
Now, I just had to convince her of that.
Chapter Seven
Ella
What a fucking jerk.
I shouldn't have even bothered with that ad. I sould have listened to Kayla and to my gut when something felt off to begin with. My curiosity had gotten the best of me, and sadly, it wasn't the opportunity I expected.
There was no position to care for children or clean a home. It was all a fucking joke, a proposition. And I'm not a damn hooker.
I can't believe this. I can't believe I was so naive to think there was more to that damn ad.
Sitting in the back of the cab, the scent of his cologne spread up around my face, seeping into my senses as I breathed. His scent was thick, but inviting, a mix of copra, white bergamot and orange. Taking in a deep brea
th, I snuggled deeper into his coat without thinking about it. I was warm, almost hugged by the man who had just given me the shock of my life.
He's crazy, no one is just going to agree to have a child with someone they don't know.
I knew couples used surrogates to create a family, or people would use other methods to attaine the family of their dreams. But an ad in the fucking paper was the ballsiest move I had ever heard of.
The taxi slowed to a stop outside my building. Getting out, I thanked the driver and headed inside. Stepping into my apartment, I walked straight to my room and let my body fall onto the bed.
This sucks. . .
Rolling onto my side, I let the jacket fall loosely around my body. The thought of taking it off wasn't on my mind, I actually liked the way it smelled and how it felt as it covered me.
August's face popped into my head, and even though I was angry that he would even entertain the idea that I'd have his baby for money, I couldn't understand how someone so handsome would need to do it that way.
Why doesn't he have a girlfriend? Why did he have to offer money to a stranger in exchange for a baby?
My mind couldn't process the thoughts. He had everything; looks, wealth, a sexy ass body. He should be dripping in women, swatting them away like flies.
It was dissapointing that the night ended the way it had. If I had met him at a club, I knew I wouldn't have thought twice about going home with him. You don't pass on a man like August Burke under normal circumstances.
His hands were bear sized with thick fingers, fingers that would fill me up if he slipped them inside. The more I thought about him, the more that smirk of his and that dimple would make my heart flutter and my pussy pulse. Pulling the coat up around my neck, I inhaled a deep breath of his cologne.
A tingle worked its way down my belly, making me wonder if his beard would tickle my pussy if he buried his face between my legs.
He really is so fucking hot.
My mind began to run wild with dirty images of him touching me all over, manipulating me with those strong hands and firm arms.
I felt the warmth as it spread down my legs, and found myself rubbing my thighs together. Just the idea of him touching me was turning me on.