Bought For Marriage

“I have a degree in early childhood education from Hudson University.”

“What made you choose that field of study?” I asked warily. I had a feeling this was headed nowhere good fast.

“Well, it was the most logical choice, since my end goal is to be a stay-at-home mom.”

And there it was… I had been emphatic with Julia that I didn’t want kids and anyone she matched me with needed to be okay with it. It wasn’t that I didn’t like them. My niece and nephew were two of my favorite people. I’d grown up with busy but attentive parents, and I refused to give a child of mine any less than I’d been given. I barely had time for a wife, much less to be a parent, and I wouldn’t raise a neglected child. And it wasn’t as though I was my parents’ only hope of grandchildren—thank you, Franny.

“I thought Julia made it clear to you that children were not an option.”

Brittany blushed and looked down demurely, but it was clearly a contrived reaction that I easily saw through. How would she ever fool my parents with her terrible acting?

“She did, but I thought maybe once you met me, you’d change your mind. We would make such beautiful babies.”

I frowned and stood, ready to move on. “Clearly, we aren’t a good match. Thank you for your time,” I dismissed her. She sputtered a little, but I’d already sat back down and was going through the next file.

The door opened, and I heard her heels click on the hardwood floor as she left. When the door quietly swished shut, I knew the next candidate had arrived. Standing once again, I turned to greet her.

“Sullivan Bradford,” I introduced myself and waved a hand toward the empty chair at the conference table I’d set up at.

She was on the shorter side, with dark, almost-black hair cut short, ending just below her ears. Her face was round with large, expressive brown eyes and an attractive smile. Hmmm…I’d hoped for someone taller. I wasn’t a fan of having to bend over to talk to or kiss a woman. However, she had definite potential as someone I could be attracted to.

Then she opened her mouth. “Candice,” she replied in a high, squeaky voice that grated on my nerves like nails down a chalkboard. This was going to be a tedious interview.

The next woman asked me about my net worth before even telling me her name. I gave her a conservative number, and then she stood and walked out without another word.

After that, there was a string of unacceptable applicants. They were all intelligent, well-educated women, but that was where their list of met criteria ended. I became incredibly frustrated. If this was Julia’s idea of my perfect match, I had no idea how she’d built such a successful business. She popped her head in to check on me, and I glared at her.

“I’ll give you one more interview, but if this one isn’t suitable, then I’m terminating our contract.”

She simply smiled and winked at me. “I wanted you to experience some variety and have choices, but I think you’ll be happy with this last candidate.”

I stifled the urge to roll my eyes, having lost my confidence in her abilities. “Let’s get this over with.”

A few minutes later, in walked a tall, willowy brunette with crystal-clear blue eyes. Her hair was long and wavy, framing a heart-shaped face with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and full lips. She had curves in all the right places, highlighted by the tasteful, cream sheath dress she was wearing.

Before I could stand and greet her, my cock was at full attention. I adjusted myself as discreetly as possible and then got to my feet.

“Mr. Bradford?” she asked in a melodious voice. She smiled sweetly, but her eyes were wary and clouded with sadness. To my ever-loving shock, I suddenly wanted to take her in my arms and comfort her. I shook my head to dispel the unnatural inclination.

“Sullivan,” I corrected her.

“Okay, Sullivan,” she agreed, and she glided across the carpet to the empty chair. “I’m Kinsley Taylor.”

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me,” I stated. I hadn’t meant for my tone to come off sounding so terse, but my hard-on was becoming increasingly uncomfortable, and I was already at the end of my patience after the day I’d had. “What is your educational background?”

“I was in my third year at Columbia University, studying business management and financial economics, but—circumstances have forced me to take a hiatus from school. Right now, I’m working full time.”

I perked up at her response. Business management. Excellent. This was starting off on a better note than all the rest.

“Where are you working?” A job would keep her occupied, but I was concerned about her being available to me whenever I needed her.