“She confirmed that my experience isn’t unusual.” She lifts her gaze to me.
I frown. “Really?”
“Mm. But she also suggested there are men out there who are more considerate than those I’ve had the misfortune to pair up with.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” I thank Abby in my head. And Noah, bless him.
Poppy clears her throat. “So… I’ve been giving it some thought, and I think I’ve decided to take you up on your offer.”
Our gazes lock, and a tingle runs through me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
“Wow,” I say softly. “You’ve made my day.”
She smiles. “That’s a nice thing to say.”
I slide my gaze to her lips. “I wish I could kiss you.”
Now her look turns wry. “In the middle of the square? I don’t think so. And I feel it makes sense at this moment to point out again that this is a temporary arrangement with one main purpose—to get me pregnant.”
“Understood.”
“Marc…”
“I get it,” I protest. “And I’m happy to comply.”
“With this in mind, I want to reiterate that I would pay you for your services.”
I stare at my shoes for a moment.
“I’d be saving money because I wouldn’t be having IVF,” she explains. “It’s only fair that you get something out of it. And I also think it would be a good idea to keep it in our minds that it’s a business transaction, and nothing more.”
I need the money. I want to have sex with her. I want to help her. So there’s no reason I should say no.
The acceptance sticks to my lips, though. Am I really reduced to earning money by being paid to have sex? There’s a word for that, Fitz… But I remind myself she doesn’t mean it like that. Albie would say she’s trying to protect herself. She certainly doesn’t mean to insult me, I know that.
“All right,” I say, although I feel a twinge of regret. I push it away. It’ll be worth it.
Poppy glances around, presumably making sure nobody’s watching us. “I think it’s best if we keep our relationship to ourselves.”
“Fair enough. So… I’m excited to get started,” I tell her. I look at my watch. “What are you up to now?”
She gives a short laugh and nudges me. “Is this what I can expect over the next few weeks?”
“It’s exactly what you can expect. We want to optimize your chances, don’t we?”
She brushes her hair back from her face. “Sex two days before ovulation, and on the day of ovulation, increases the chance of getting pregnant to around thirty percent.”
“Do you know when you’re ovulating?”
She nods. “It’s around day fourteen of my cycle. That’s around next Tuesday.”
I open my mouth to say that it makes sense to get going immediately, then realize what’s happening next week. “Shit.”
“What?”
“I’m away from Sunday for the week. I’m going to Hawke’s Bay for Noah to check out the new Ark.”
“Oh. Well. Never mind. There’s always next month.”
I study her face, hating the fact that her smile has slipped. She’s agreed to try to get pregnant by sleeping together. She’s agreed to sleep with me. No way am I going to let this opportunity pass.
“I have an idea,” I tell her.
“Oh?”
“Come to Hawke’s Bay with me.”
She stares at me. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. You can come and look around the new Ark, maybe chat to the manager about the petting farm. And we can spend some time alone, too. It means we wouldn’t have to creep around like we’d have to up here.” The more I talk about it, the more I think it’s a brilliant idea.
“But… I’m working…”
“Have you had a vacation at all this year?” Her expression tells me she hasn’t. “Sandra will be happy to cover for you, I’m sure. And all that rest and relaxation… and sex… would be conducive for getting pregnant…” I smile.
She chews her bottom lip. “Where would we stay?”