And now I have this chance. And it involves no doctor’s appointments, no hormonal drugs or injections or syringes. And it wouldn’t be cold and clinical. Is Marc right? Does it make a difference whether a baby is conceived with affection? Hmm, obviously it’s not correct or else every baby born through IVF and especially any adopted child would have a bad relationship with their parents, and that’s certainly not the case in my family.
And yet something deep inside me wants to believe it.
Or is it just that I’m enticed by the multitude of orgasms he’s promising me? I purse my lips.
But no, it’s more than that. After thinking that other people see me as odd, I’m touched that he’s attracted to me. That he’s bothered to spend time talking to me this year. And that he doesn’t seem put off by my weirdness. I’m going to have to make sure I take steps to ensure it’s a temporary thing, that’s all, and I think I know the best way to do that.
So am I going to go for it? I suck my bottom lip, feeling a swell of excitement, and place my hand on my belly. This time next month, I could be pregnant.
The draw of multiple orgasms is just an added bonus…
Chapter Six
Fitz
“I think you should take the plans for the new building,” Leon says. “I know Noah emailed them, but you know those big paper ones we wrote all over—there are some really useful notes on there.”
I nod and make a mental note to get them off Noah. On Sunday, I’m flying down to Hawke’s Bay to spend a few days with the estate manager of the new Ark, to talk about what’s worked and hasn’t worked over here in the bay and check things out first-hand for Noah. He’s talked about going down there himself, but even though he’s improving every day, I don’t think he’s quite up to flying yet.
We’re standing in the square, out the front of the Ark. Jack’s playing with Ziggy, one of Leon’s Dalmatians. Even though we’ve got a meeting later on in the day to discuss finances, we often end up talking out here when we bump into each other on the way to or from the break room.
“I thought about calling in at that garden center not far from the new Ark,” I tell Leon, “so I can show Ashton what kind of trees we’ve got surrounding the…” My voice trails off as I see Poppy come around the veterinary center and enter the square. She’s obviously coming back from Noah’s house. I know she goes up there quite often to see Abby and Ethan.
Leon studies me, then follows my gaze. “Hey,” he says to Poppy, who falters as she sees us, then crosses the square at Leon’s welcome.
“Morning.” She stops before us, glances at me, then smiles at Leon before bending to fuss the dogs.
Man, she looks amazing today. Her curly hair, which she often wears tied back, is loose this morning, and it’s wild in the breeze and glowing in the sunlight. She’s wearing tight jeans and a bright blue sweater that makes her look like a spring flower. She’s gorgeous.
“Been up to see Noah?” Leon asks.
She nods and smiles. “And cuddle Ethan, of course.”
Leon looks at me, then back at her and clears his throat. “Well, I’d better go. Have a good morning.” He catches my eye and winks. I scowl at him, and he gives a short laugh and goes into the office building, Ziggy at his heels.
I turn my attention to Poppy, who’s looking up at me with her huge green eyes. Considering she’s a King, she’s not particularly tall, maybe five-six or seven. She’s slender and small-boned. I think she’d feel tiny in my arms.
“Morning,” I say to her.
“Good morning.”
“Did you have a nice time with Abby and Ethan?”
“I did.” She lowers her gaze to her feet and studies them. “I had a chat to her. I hope that was okay.”
My eyebrows rise. “What about?”
“About our… possible arrangement.”
“Oh?” It interests me that she’s vocalized it to a friend. “You told her you wanted a baby?”
“Yes… although we talked more about… you know…” She blushes.
My lips curve up. “And? What did she say?”