Page 57 of The Baby Bargain
"Of course." I go through the profiles again. These guys are passionate, as a group. But some more so than others.
I knock out the bottom five. Turn the screen to her. One guy in each tab. "Let's pick three. Set up meetings."
She nodsokay. Studies the screen. Knocks out two guys. The baseball player. And the doctor. "Now what?"
"We write back."
"And say, what, 'please impregnate me'?"
"I was thinking you'd start with coffee," I say. "But if you'd rather jump to that—"
"No." She shakes her head. "Coffee is good." She sinks her teeth into the fruit.
Juice spills over her lips. Dribbles off her chin.
She laughs as she wipes her face.
Fuck, this is not where my head should be going. Not at all. "You want me to reply?"
"Uh, sure. Do you need help or could I—" She motions to the TV.
"Go for it."
"Thanks, Chase. Really." She takes her bowl. Moves to the TV.
I put the music on pause. Try to channel a guy who desperately wants to knock up a stranger, no strings attached. What does that guy want to hear? Besides "Baby, I can't wait to take your cock?"
Not that I'm imagining those words falling off Ariel's lips.
I'm not ruled by my dick.
She settles into the couch as I figure out replies. It takes me a while, but I manage to strike the right tone. Sixty percentbaby, I can't wait to take your cockand forty percentI have strict rules about this and you're gonna have to meet all of them, on my timeline.
When I finish, she's glued to the TV, watchingJurassic Parkon some streaming service.
Her cheeks flush. "I can finish at home." She looks to the clock. "It's getting late."
"No, stay."
Her teeth sink into her lip. "I can't take your couch."
"Who said you are?" I take a seat next to her.
Her knee brushes mine. Our jeans are in the way, but I can still feel the heat of her skin.
Her eyes meet mine then they go back to the screen.
"Okay, but then I have to restart. You need to see the whole thing," she says.
"I've seen it before."
"Not with me." She taps the remote.
"Let me guess: take it or leave it?"
Her lips curl into a smile. "Exactly."
"I'll take it."
