He was big, broad, with thick brown hair and emerald eyes that sparkled. He was watching the door and grinned the second he saw me. That was a good sign. He stood from his chair, towering over everyone else in the shop. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His chiseled arms poked out from underneath a rolled-up button-down shirt, and his legs flexed in jeans that looked almost painted on him. His chin, his jawline, all of it seemed sculpted from granite.
Strong and seductive.
“You must be Heather,” he said in a deep rolling voice as he pulled out my chair. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Do you want anything?” he asked.
“I should probably stay away from caffeine, given what this meeting’s about.”
“I like that. What does your typical diet consist of?”
My eyebrows twitched as I drew in a deep breath. “Shouldn’t I know your name first?” I asked.
“Andrew,” he said. “Vegan, vegetarian, neither?”
Well, he was going to waste no time.
“Um, I am a meat eater if that’s what you’re asking. I also have a weakness for sweets.”
“Doesn’t surprise me, with you owning your own bakery.”
So far the conversation was bizarre. But he didn’t seem threatening, only curious and very pointed.
“Do you drink alcohol?” he asked.
“Not really, though I indulge in a glass sometimes.”
He nodded. “What about processed foods?”
“What?”
“Fast food? Pizza?”
“Wow. Um.”
I looked into his eyes and lost myself there for a second. His blue stare was piercing. His massive hands dwarfed the large coffee sitting in front of him, but I shook my thoughts away. This was a professional meeting between two people who wanted what the other could provide. I needed his money, and he wanted a child.
Suddenly a thought struck me? Was this any different than what I would’ve asked from Charlie?
Yes. Yes, it was different. Because neither of us was leading the other on. It was no secret I was doing this for the money, and he wasn’t holding back any secret as to a desire for a child. No manipulation. No tactics. Just a mutual, professional arrangement.
“Heather?” His gravelly voice stunned me back to reality.
“Sorry. I don’t eat too much fast food. I prefer to cook in because it’s cheaper that way.” I cringed at the way that sounded. My financial back might have been against a wall, but he didn’t need to know that. I didn’t want to come off desperate.
“That’s good. I keep myself healthy, and I’d like the woman I choose to do the same.”
“I don’t go to the gym or anything, but I do walk everywhere.”
“Did you walk here?”
“No, I took a taxi.”
“Do you not drive?”