Chapter 7 (Tanya)      

We looked at each other for a long time – so long that it felt like the entire world had come to a screeching halt. My heart had even stopped, my lungs burning for air as I held my breath.

I was so sure that he was going to kiss me, but all too soon he pulled away.

“Everett, be honest with me,” I spoke with a level voice, trying to appear confident despite the confusing swirl of emotions inside of my head.

“Hmm?”

“Is it just me or is there something going on here?”

He smirked, his devilish blue eyes sparkling like a pair of diamonds I’d never be able to afford. “I was wondering when you’d say something.” He leaned forward, lips pursed for a kiss, but at the very last moment, he turned his head, pressing his lips against my neck instead.

I gasped, a surge of electricity firing through my spine, settling right between my thighs.

His lips lingered there for a moment before moving to my ear, nibbling on the lobe.

I shivered, feeling his hands settle on the small of my back.

Was this really happening or was I just inside a dream?

“I need something from you.” He whispered, voice silken and seductive.

I nearly fell for it, but I managed to keep a grasp on reality. He needed something. Of course. I should have seen this coming. All this teasing and flirting was just a leeway into a favor. Everett didn’t want a girl like me.

“What is it?” I asked, almost afraid of the answer.

“I need you to have my baby.”

What?

I blinked, waiting to wake up in my bed but I never did.

Somehow, this was real.

But, it couldn’t be.

“Um… What did you say?” My lips felt incredibly dry as I asked him to repeat himself. Certainly, I had just misheard him.

“I need you to have my baby.” He said once more as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

“You’re kidding, right?” Quickly, I pulled away from his hold, fleeing to the opposite side of the porch.

“No.”

I shook my head. “That’s crazy. You have to be joking.”

“I'm serious.” He stood up straight, adjusting his cufflinks.

“What the heck. Where did this come from?”

“Look. I’m not getting any younger, and I want to continue my legacy. I’m not going to wait any longer for the right girl to walk into my life. At this point, I don’t even know if that’s possible.” He sat down, a dark shadow passing over his features, lips pressed into a hard line. “So, I need a donor.”

My head spun. Surely, this could not be happening. Was he downright insane?

“So, what do you say?”

I ran my fingers through my hair, taking a deep breath to try and steady myself. “I just don’t understand…”

“What is there to understand? You’re capable. Attractive. From the looks of it, you have childbearing hips.”

“Childbearing hips?” I repeated. I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation.

“Yes.”

I stared at him. “How long have you been planning to ask me this?”

“For a while now.”

Slowly, I lowered myself onto a nearby chair, legs turning to jelly.

“Does it bother you?”

That was the problem. The idea was crazy and yet, a part of me felt pure joy at the thought of carrying this man’s baby. What the hell was wrong with me?

“No…” I admitted, blushing deeply. “I just don’t understand why you’d pick me. I mean, you’re a billionaire. You could pay anyone to have your baby. You could find someone better…” Before I could continue, he cut me off with a kiss.

It came so suddenly that it took me by surprise. One second, we were sitting on two different chairs and the next, he pulled me onto my feet, his lips dancing against mine. His grip was tight on my arms, holding me close as passion radiated between us, getting hotter and hotter with each passing second.

My head turned to mush as I melted against him.

Damn. I never thought anything could feel this good. My heart was beating so hard that it threatened to burst from my chest at any moment.

Just when it felt as though my lungs were going to give out, he pulled away, looking deep into my eyes. At first, he didn’t say anything. He just continued to look at me as if I were the only girl in the world. For a second, I thought that maybe, just maybe, there could be something real between us.

“I want you and no one else.” He said, voice firm.

My heart skipped a beat.

This was more than just a favor. I was sure of it.

“I’d pay you handsomely.”

And then, my daydream shattered.

What was I thinking? Everett was just making an efficient business choice. As his assistant, I was a perfect choice. He could check on me and make sure everything went as planned. That’s all it was: convenience. Emotions had nothing to do with it.

I shook my head. “I don’t know…”

“Would a million be enough?”

I nearly choked on my tongue. What? Did he just say a million?

“Of course, I’ll pay for any medical expenses.”

I just stared at him. What the hell was I supposed to do? It felt wrong of me to accept such a lump sum for having someone’s baby – let alone my boss’ baby – but, at the same time, that kind of money would be more than enough to pay off my student debt. I’d even be able to quit my job as an assistant and pursue my passion for the arts. I thought of my mother. She had always told me to follow my dreams, to never put my paintbrush aside for work I didn’t love. But, what would she say in this situation?

“I…” My tongue swelled in my mouth, making it impossible to speak.

“Do you need some time to think it over?”

I found myself nodded. That’s exactly what I needed. Right now, my head felt like it was spinning a thousand miles an hour. Soon, it would pop right off my head.

“Alright. Why don’t you give me an answer at the Christmas Ball?”

“So, in two days?”

“Exactly.” He smiled, his hand resting on my hip. Suddenly, I felt a bit self-conscious about them. Were they so wide that he would consider them ‘childbearing?’ “I hope you give it some serious consideration.”

“I will,” I assured him with another nod.

“Good.” His smile deepened. “In the meantime, let’s just enjoy the night, shall we?” Without another word, he took my hand, pulling me back through the house. Soon, we were standing on the sandy shore, water lapping at the ground only a few feet away.

For a moment, I forgot about the crazy offer and just enjoyed the breathtaking scenery that laid before me. “It’s beautiful.”

Everett squeezed my hand.

I looked up at him.

“It is.” He whispered, our eyes locked. My heart thumped in response.

He wasn’t talking about the ocean.