A playboy's proposition

CHAPTER FOUR

Mason bent down and brushed her elbows with his own. "Me of all people—what does that even mean?"

Kelly took a head dive. Not a thing.

"Oh no," It's not so simple for you to get off.

"You just can't possibly understand my problems or my desires, given the type of man you are."

Mason gave a snot. Give it a guess. I can't imagine what it must be like for you to want to be a mother so badly you'd ask your gay closest buddy to hit you up because of my purported reputation for womanizing.

"I didn't mean that."

Then inform me.

When their faces were inches away, Kelly leaned over. Tell me whether you comprehend this, as you seem to think you know everything. Have you ever had a desire so strong that you believed you might perish without it? That you can't sleep at night just thinking about it. You are unable to eat, drink, or sleep. You don't think anything else matters because you are so obsessed by one need, and if you can't have it, you don't think life is worth living. Her eyes stinging with bitter tears, she bit her lip to stop herself from crying in front of him.

Kelly shook her head and slumped back in her chair, but Mason said nothing. See? I'll end here. "A man such as yourself could never know what it's like for me to desire a child.”

No, I understand. I genuinely do.

Her auburn eyebrows raised in his direction. "I seriously doubt that."

"Perhaps to a certain degree...," A slow, sensual smile crept across his face, making her squirm in her chair and sending warmth up her cheeks. "At the Christmas party, I wanted you so much that I thought I would die when you wouldn't come home with me."

She was shocked by the gruff tone of his speech. "Pardon me?"

She resisted the want to pull away as he moved his chair so near to hers. She swallowed at his proximity. His eyes flashed with passion, giving him the appearance of the Big Bad Wolf towering over her. To what extent can I simplify it? I thought you looked amazing in that green outfit. Your hair hung loosely about your shoulders in undulating waves. And from across the room, you continued to give me those sweet, innocent grins. He muttered in her ear after his breath burned across her face. "I wanted to f**k you more than I've ever wanted to f**k anyone before."

Using all the power she could manage, she shoved him away. "You're such an arrogant bastard, God! I'm opening up to you about my desire for a kid, and you say you'd want to."

Mason folded his arms over his torso. Kelly, you're a big girl. Could you just say f**k?

"You really are repulsive." Squeezing the rims of her glass, she squinted at him. "I would throw my remaining margarita in your haughty face if I didn't absolutely need it!"

He laughed at her indignation. "Is there any way to talk to the man who will father your child in the future?"

Like a rubber band, she snapped back into her seat. "E-Pardon me?"

"I'm talking about a small proposal that would allow us both to obtain something that we truly, truly desire. You provide a little, and I provide a little."

"Explain yourself."

I am proposing to donate my DNA to you. Michael added, "I figure I'd make a good candidate since you refused to go to a sperm bank because you might end up bearing Satan's spawn."

The shock waves crashed heavily into Kelly, widening her eyes. "You're not serious at all."

With a menacing smile, he questioned, "About which part: me being a donor or that I'm a better choice than Satan's spawn."

Both...primarily that you would choose to donate your sperm to me.

"Yes, I do mean it."

She asked, "Do you know what being a sperm donor entails?"

He gave her a sly smile. "I believe I have a good idea."

Kelly gave a head shake. "How are you able to act so casual about it? It's an enormous commitment."

"Give me a moment." Not organ donation, but jerking off into a plastic cup is what we're talking about.

In actuality, it's a little more than that.

"In college, several of my friends did it. Nothing really demanding. Mason gave a shrug. Besides, I'm not promising to marry you and raise the child. It's simply a small amount of DNA that friends share. Michael was undoubtedly going to sign a document stating that he was not the child's parent, right?

"Yes, when Alex insisted on keeping Michael out of the picture, we had talked about a contract."

"I think my chances of winning are higher than Michael's."

"How is that as well?"

Sure, everyone wants their child to be brilliant, beautiful, and healthy. I recently had my yearly business physical, and I felt great. There is no history of significant sickness or mental illness in my family. I received my MBA and graduated first in my class from the University of Georgia. He gave Kelly a wink. "And I believe it's fair to say that I would contribute some very attractive genes to the mix."

She gave him a wary look. What's the catch, though? I scarcely know you, except from the fact that we work for the same firm. Please excuse me. Furthermore, what I do know isn't really positive. Offering a portion of your essence is a significant sacrifice, no matter how lightly you take it. I simply cannot fathom you acting in such a selfless manner.

Mason covered his heart with his hand. "Oh my goodness, Kelly, that hurts so much." Even if I risked my life to stop you and Michael from fighting barely an hour ago, I'm still a self-centered i***t.

Her eyes rolled over. "Just respond to the query."

He smiled. "All right, you're correct. My intentions are not entirely selfless."

"I was right," she said.

This is what I'm proposing. I pledge to be the father of your kid, and you agree to conceive it naturally with me.

She shuddered as a wave of fear passed over her. Normally? As in, I had s*x with you?

"That's a little more attractive to most women than what you just did," he thought.

She angrily shook her head. "We can't have s*x," I said.

"Why?"

"I simply cannot."

"You'll need to provide me with a reason."

Kelly's hands curled the paper serviette in a way that she always did when she felt anxious. "It's just that I think s*x is something special and sacred that should only be shared by two people who are incredibly in love with each other."