“So … like a couple?”
“Yes.”
“How do you expect us to get pregnant?”
“The usual way.”
“Through a clinic? Insemination?”
He chuckled. “No. I intend it to be traditional, with sex.”
“You want to have sex with me?” She went a little pale, which wasn’t doing any good for his ego.
“I’m good at sex, at fucking.” He stopped as the waiter put their orders down in front of them.
“Thank you,” Anya said.
He watched as she lifted up a fork and started to pierce her dinner but not actually taste it.
“You’re a man-whore! I, just, I don’t understand what you want from me?”
He took a bite of his beef and reached out, taking hold of her hand. When she made to pull away from him, he held onto her hand a little tighter.
“I want us both to have a baby. There won’t be any more women, I can promise you.”
She let out a breath. “This morning you were just my boss. I listened to you be mean to Becky. What if you change your mind? What if I end up out of a job, and with no way to support myself, and I’m pregnant. I just—” She dropped the fork, and shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t eat. I can’t. I need to walk.”
For the first time in his life a woman walked out of a restaurant. She didn’t wait for him, nor could he rush out to stop her. Cursing, he threw down plenty of money, apologized, and followed her outside. Looking left and right, he saw her approaching a cab. “Anya!”
She stopped, waiting for him.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I’m going to head home. This is all just too much. Your idea is ridiculous.”
“Let’s walk.” He closed the door of the cab, linking her arm between his. Walking across the street, they passed several shops that were still open. “I want you to consider this. I’ve been thinking for a while.”
“And now you’ve decided that I’m the best option for you?”
“You’re perfect.” He meant every single word.
“How is this going to play out? Take it from the top.”
“I want us to try for a baby. When you get pregnant, you’ll move in with me, and we’ll raise the child together. You can still work for me, and nothing will change.”
“We’ll be in each other’s life for longer periods of time.”
“We’re rarely apart now.”
She stopped. “I don’t know if I can handle a relationship with you seeing other women.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“You’ll just stop seeing other people.”
“I’ll be with you. I won’t need other women.”
“What about after the baby?”
He reached out, stroking a curl behind her ear. “What do you think is going to happen? We’re going to be together. I like you. For the most part, you like me.”
“Like is really far away from attraction.”
“Sex is easy.”
“For you. I’m not attracted to you.”
He took hold of her face, and pressed his lips to hers. “I can change your mind.”
She pulled away from him. “I’ve got to think about this. You’re asking me to sign my life away. Give up on the chance of finding a man who could love me.”
“Love is overrated. Believe me, I have yet to find a woman who could be so loving and loyal when money isn’t involved.”
“I find your attitude disgusting. You can have love. Money doesn’t have to mean everything. Yeah, it makes life easier not having to worry about it.”
Xavier shrugged. “Then prove me wrong.”
“How can I do that? You have money. Ugh, look, I will think about this, okay? I don’t want you rushing me, nor do I want this getting out. The last thing I need is for our colleagues to start spreading vicious rumors.” She pulled out of his arms, and rubbed her own. “Can you take me home?”
“You don’t want to eat?”
“Not with you. I need my space.”
Xavier wasn’t used to a woman wanting space. They were usually all over him, and this was a new turn for him. “Sure.”
They made their way back to the restaurant where the valet was waiting with a bag of food, and his keys. “You may not want to eat, but I do. I’m starving.”