Page 36 of The Baby Bargain
Only that she needs my help.
Which means I need my head in gear. "You think I'm a coward?"
"I was going to say cautious."
"You never saw me as cautious?"
"Never."
"Really?"
Her dark eyes meet mine. They light up with something. Joy or humor or curiosity. I'm not sure.
But I like it.
I really fucking like it.
"Really." Ariel's gaze shifts to the palm trees lining the sidewalk. The quiet street. The row of shops ahead. "You go for what you want."
"I do."
She laughs. "Where's the disagreement?"
"I value my life."
"Forest wouldn't—"
"Wouldn't he?"
"Well… I… I value your life too." She motions to the coffee shop across the street.That work?
I nodsure. "Sweet of you."
"That's why I didn't ask you."
"Why you—"
"To be my, ahem, donor." Her cheeks flush. "You… uh… It would be more convenient than finding someone else. But I figured. God." Her blush deepens.
My balls stir. She thought about asking me. She wants to ask me. She wants to fuck me.
It shouldn't be surprising—a lot of women want to fuck me—but it is.
Ariel Ballard wants me.
God dammit, it's too hot today. I'm not sure why I'm surprised. We're not far enough into fall for the weather to cool.
The afternoons here never cool.
Even in the dead of winter, it hits seventy and sunny.
"I shouldn't have said that." She stops at the crosswalk. Presses the button.
"Is it true?"
"I'm not sure I've ever lied."
"Never?"
