5 Bikers for Valentines
“Please sit down, Casey,” Malcolm said, pulling out the chair next to me.
His blue eyes locked on mine, and for the first time since I'd walked into the building, I knew it was going to be okay. Malcolm smiled at me, sending a warmth throughout my entire body. A warmth that melted into reassurance and even a bit of confidence. I somehow just knew that Malcolm was going to do everything in his power to take care of me.
I took a seat, and Malcolm sat across from me – seemingly miles away because the dark wooden table between us was so large. Terrance sat beside him and passed a stack of papers to me, and one stack to Malcolm. He kept one for himself.
I noticed that there was a digital recorder sitting next to the lawyer and he flipped a switch on it, starting an audio record of our meeting.
“Malcolm has explained to me that you're willing to enter into a surrogacy agreement,” he said. “Is this correct, Casey?”
“Yes,” I said. I placed my hands on my lap to keep myself from fidgeting. “That's correct.”
“And you're here on your own free will?” he asked. “No one is forcing you to enter into this agreement?”
“No, not at all,” I laughed, glancing over at Malcolm.
“Sorry, just routine questions for the record, that's all,” Terrance said. “We need to be sure you understand exactly what you're getting into.”
His eyes narrowed as he looked at Malcolm and very pointedly added, “Both of you.”
“I understand,” I said.
I tugged the hem of my skirt down, searching for anything to keep my hands busy.
Malcolm said, “I understand as well, Terrance. Thank you for getting everything together so fast.”
“Time is of the essence,” Terrance said. “Would you like to explain to Miss Melville the terms of the contract, or shall I?”
“I got it, Terrance. Just correct me in case I miss anything.”
The lawyer nodded, and we both turned our attention to Malcolm. He was also dressed in a suit and tie. He had on a black suit jacket that was fancier than the one he'd worn to the club, a white dress shirt that was crisp and clean, with a sapphire blue tie that brought out the color in his eyes. He gave me a crooked smile, and my cheeks flushed.
In a few days or so, we'd be sleeping together. Just thinking about his body above me, naked and glistening in sweat, started a fire inside of me that I hadn't expected. Yeah, just a business arrangement. Right. I adjusted my position in the chair, feeling a growing ache low in my abdomen.
Malcolm ran a hand through his silky, sandy blonde hair before focusing on the contract sitting on the table in front of him.
“After talking to Terrance, I've decided to increase the payout to you, for your services, Casey,” he said. “I'm paying you one hundred thousand dollars – double what we'd discussed. But, in turn, there are some additional requirements I'll need you to agree to.”
My head started spinning. One hundred thousand. That would be more than enough for my family to start over somewhere new. Somewhere better. I opened my mouth to thank him, but no words came out. Malcolm picked up a plain, brown paper bag from the floor and slid it across toward me.
“I'm providing you with ovulation testing kits. We will monitor when you're ovulating to maximize our chances at success,” he said, his voice detached and clinical. “In addition to the testing kits are pregnancy tests, pre-natal vitamins and fertility treatments. Directions are included for the fertility drugs. Again, this is to increase our chances of pregnancy as quickly as possible, and if you have any questions about the safety of the drugs, you can ask the doctor I'm referring you too. Dr. Welch works for Crane Enterprises and will be running the STD screening prior to us being together. If anything comes back on the screening, then this contract is null and void unless otherwise treatable.”
“That won't be an issue,” I said, trying to make sense of everything he was saying to me. One question popped into my head instantly though. “Fertility drugs? Don't I need a prescription for these?”
Malcolm placed his hands on the table and leaned forward as if sharing some huge secret that only I could hear, except he wasn't close enough for that. The massive table between us kind of prevented that. He nodded to the lawyer, who stopped the recording for a moment.
His face serious, he said, “Technically, yes, but I've handled everything with Dr. Welch,” he said. “We have an arrangement, and I will require you to sign confidentiality agreements once we're done with this meeting. For her safety, of course.”
“Of course,” I said, feeling my stomach beginning to churn. “Is there anything else you require of me?”
He nodded to the lawyer again, who started the recording once more. Back on the record.
“Yes, in addition to the contract about the surrogacy, I am also asking you to sign a personal contract with me that says you will not sleep with anyone but me until after the baby is born, or if we decide to dismiss the contract,” he said. “During your pregnancy, you will also abstain from drinking, smoking and drugs –”
“I already told you, I don't do any of that,” I stammered.
He nodded. “I know, and I believe you,” he said. “But, I feel better having it in writing.”
“You don't trust me?”