Chapter 7
“You look stunning,” he said later as she opened the door.
It was promptly seven o’clock. She liked that he was respectful enough to be on time. Some people, even staying in the same hotel, would still be late, and she detested that. They walked back to the elevators and made their way down to the lobby and out the front doors, where a valet brought them a bright red convertible Mercedes.
“Where did this come from?” she asked.
“It’s a rental. It’s so nice outside, I thought it would be a good night to drive with the top down,” he said.
Ashley smiled and climbed into the passenger’s seat as he opened the door. The valet ran around the front and handed him the keys before returning to a group of other red vested young men waiting around out front. Colin climbed behind the wheel and put the car in gear, easing out into the crowded New York streets. Traffic was heavy, but he seemed non-plussed by it, slipping in and out of cars like a native.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“You’ll see,” he replied with a slow smile.
A short time later, they were pulling into The Palm Restaurant, turning the car over to yet another valet. Colin opened her door and held a hand out to her, helping her up and out of the low car. Her ankle turned a bit, causing her to fall into him and forcing him to catch her. She felt blood run up her cheeks.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes. Sorry. I just stepped out of the car a bit funny,” she said.
“Happens to the best of us,” he replied, still holding her.
“You can let go of me now,” she replied, feeling very awkward.
“Oh. Sorry. Of course. Let’s go inside. They have great food here. I hope you’re hungry.”
“A bit,” she told him.
In all honesty, she was starving. She had been so lost in her own thoughts all afternoon that she had not had any appetite, but now, it was back with a vengeance.
“Let’s get you fed then,” he told her, handing his keys to the valet, and accepting the small ticket he received in return. At the hostess stand, they were greeted by a young woman asking if they had a reservation. When Colin told her he did not, she apologized, telling him they were full, but he pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to her.
“Oh, yes. Of course. Let me find something for you,” she replied, seeming flustered.
A few moments later, they were being led to a room that appeared to be set up for larger parties, but they were there alone. Colin thanked the young woman and slipped something into her hand as she left. Ashley assumed it was a tip, so she wondered what it had been he had given her originally that had garnered such special treatment. No reservation and given a full event room to themselves? It must be nice to be that wealthy or connected, whichever the case might be.
He had been right about the food, it was amazing. They both ordered steaks with seasonal vegetables and shared a nice bottle of merlot as they talked further about things. Ashley found that she was truly fascinated by him the more he spoke and she wasn’t sure if that was good or bad. It was good in the sense that, if she decided to do this, she would feel comfortable staying with him, but bad that she might want to do so much more with him than that.
“Have you thought much about whether you’d like to become my surrogate?” he asked after a great deal of discussion about everything from her childhood to his appreciation for a nice plate of macaroni and cheese, something he had learned to love while visiting friends in the deep south.
“Yes. I think it could work,” she replied.
“You don’t sound convinced, though,” he replied.
“I guess it’s just sort of an odd thing to do. I’m not sure it’s one of those things you can ever be completely sure about. You do it or you don’t.”
“Perhaps, but you need to at least be sure enough that you don’t consider backing out halfway through. That could be a disaster for everyone involved.”
“No. I wouldn’t do that. If I tell you I will do it, then I will see it through.”
“Then you should tell me you are willing to do it.”
“You said we have to lie to your parents. I’m not a very good liar.”
“I’m not a very good liar either, but we will only have to meet with them briefly. They will be mostly in Italy this time of year. By the time they return, we should be on the verge of having a baby and parting ways. It won’t involve constant deception and I will make sure I do my best to steer them clear of asking you too many questions.”
“It just seems so dishonest.”
“It is dishonest, but they are being unreasonable by requiring that I do this to gain my rightful inheritance.”
“Why does it really matter? You seem to have plenty of money. What difference does it matter if you acquire more from them at some point?”
“I have my reasons. It’s important to me, but it’s just a private thing.”
“I see. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be too inquisitive.”
“Nah. It’s okay. I’m just hoping we can do this. I’ve been looking for a while now and, not to put you on the spot, you might be my only hope. I carry a recessive gene that makes my bloodline even rarer than most shifters. It is very difficult to find a match. That is why I offered such a high price for anyone willing to do this with me.”
Ashley studied his face. There was a sadness behind his eyes in that moment. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it was clear that there was more to all of this than he was willing to say. There was something that only he could possibly understand and something he didn’t seem inclined to reveal. She wouldn’t pry further. She would let him have that.
“You know what, Colin. I think this might be a good deal for both of us. We both get what we want in the end, right? You get a child and your parents’ approval. I get money that I need to get my life out of the toilet. I’ll sign the contract in the morning and we can make arrangements for the insemination.”
“Really?” he replied.
“Really.”
“Fan-fucking-tastic! Let’s get out of here and celebrate!” he told her, pulling out his wallet and dropping some cash on the table.
“Do you need your check?” a waiter said, appearing from nowhere.
“No, mate. We’re good,” Colin replied, leading the way out the restaurant and down the sidewalk toward the nearby clubs.
“What about the car?” Ashley asked.
“It’ll still be there when we get back,” he replied.
The music was too loud to talk. They spent the next couple of hours dancing and drinking some sort of white wine she had never had before. She could only assume it was extremely expensive, as it was like nectar from the gods of grapes. By the time they finally called it a night, she was exhausted, sweaty, and more than a little tipsy. Colin, on the other hand, didn’t seem the least bit buzzed, despite having matched her drink for drink.
She found that she felt disappointed when they arrived back at the hotel. It had been a great night, better than any actual date she had ever been on. Perhaps it was because there wasn’t the pressure of trying to make an impression or wondering how the night would end. Colin walked her up to her room and waited while she opened the door.
“Thank you for coming out with me tonight and thank you for agreeing to help me,” he told her.
“It’s going to be great,” she said, now standing inside the door, and looking at him.
“It’s going to be a beautiful, wonderful child. I couldn’t have hoped to find a more beautiful, intelligent mother to bring him or her into the world.”
“Thank you for that,” she replied.
“You know. I know this might be a little odd, but I don’t really want to go back to my room yet. You want to talk some more?”
Ashley thought about this. He didn’t seem to mean anything untoward by it. He came across as a player, a party boy, based on some of the antics he had related at dinner, but below that, he seemed like he might be somewhat lonely. She had to admit, she was lonely too and even though it might not be the best idea, she found herself inviting him in.