“You won’t ever know unless you try. And hell, Em, he’s not a Neanderthal whose going to grab you up by the hair and drag you off to his cave.” Casey paused and licked her lips. “Although that scenario has some kinky potential.”

“Case, please,” Emma moaned.

“Fine. Here’s the bottom line. Regardless of whether you’re in love with the person or not, sex is all about communicating. So just let him know what you want or don’t want. He obviously wants you pretty bad if he’s willing to offer up his DNA for a little roll in the hay, so I’m sure he’ll be more than willing to do it your way.”

Images of Aidan’s fleeting kindness and concern flashed in her mind. He wasn’t the total ass**le she had once thought he was. “I guess so…”

Casey sighed. “Okay, Em, let’s forget all about the sex pressure and about what kind of man Aidan is. Just for one moment think of nothing else but what it would feel like this time next year to hold your very own baby in your arms.”

Tears stung Emma’s eyes at the thought, and it took her back to what Aidan had said to her last night. A baby—that was the bottom line. Sure, Aidan was practically a stranger to her, but it would be the same thing, if not worse, if she used a sperm donor. She had the opportunity to get to know her baby’s father live and in the flesh where she never would if she went to a clinic. She hadn’t been left with a whole lot of options, so if she was going to have a baby, this plan made the most sense.

She drew in a ragged breath and then exhaled it noisily. Casey had managed to break down what little resolve she had left. “Once again you’ve proven you belong in advertising because you’ve just sold me on taking Aidan’s proposition.”

Casey squealed as she came around the side of the desk. Throwing her arms around Emma’s neck, she grinned wickedly. “Oh Em, just think about the beautiful child you and Aidan are going to make together. He or she will be a hell of a heartbreaker one day!”

Emma smiled. An image flickered in her mind of a baby with her piercing green eyes and Aidan’s sandy hair. She was about to make her dreams come true.

CHAPTER FOUR

A few days later when Emma glanced up, Aidan stood framed in her doorway. Cupping her hand over the phone, she motioned him in. As he swept into her office, her attention was reluctantly drawn away from his handsome features and back to the voice on the line. “Yes, I’ll set that up. Thanks again.” She hung up and penciled in the appointment. Once she was finished, she smiled at him. “I’m glad you could see me today.”

“I’m always happy to make time for you Emma.” It irked her when he smiled at the warmth tingeing her cheeks. “I’m assuming since you called me down here you’re ready to take me up on my offer.” He leaned in, resting his palms on her desk. His face was mere inches from hers. “I’m sure you’ve thought about it long and hard, weighed your options.”

“Yes,” she murmured, as her body was becoming all too aware of the closeness of his. She hated he had that much effect on her.

“Was it the thought of seeing me na**d that finally sealed the deal?”

At his impish grin, Emma rolled her eyes. “Do you think you could muster just an ounce of maturity considering the seriousness of the situation?”

Aidan chuckled and plopped down in the chair across from her. “Fine, I’ll try.”

“It would be in both of our best interests to enter into this arrangement from a business standpoint. First, we need to submit to blood tests to ensure there are no chances for STD’s or other health issues.”

“I can assure you I’m clean, but I’ll be happy to submit.”

“Thank you.” Emma passed a manila folder over to him. “I also had my lawyer draw this up.”

He eyed it before bringing his gaze back to hers. “A contract, huh?” He leaned back in his chair and flipped the folder open. “Is this one of those contracts like in that kinky book where we outline what we’re willing to do or not do during sex? Like our hard limits and safe words?”

Emma felt a wildfire of embarrassment spreading through her cheeks. “Absolutely not!”

Aidan laughed. “Glad to hear it. Just so you know, I don’t go in for freaky shit like whips and chains.”

“That’s so good to hear! Now can you please take this seriously?” Emma huffed. She rose out of her chair and came around the side of the desk. “This contract outlines what is expected, or I suppose I should say, what is not expected of you in regards to what happens after you father my child.” As Aidan skimmed over the first few paragraphs, she continued. “Honestly what it boils down to is protection for you. It ensures I can never try to hold you to any financial obligations, such as child support or paternity settlements.”

“Section Five doesn’t seem to have anything to do with finances,” Aidan replied, holding out the contract.

Emma didn’t have to look at the paperwork. She knew exactly what the paragraph entailed. “Section Five protects me in case you ever try to sue me for custody or try to take the child.”

“You think I would do something like that?”

“Well no. It’s just my attorney said—”

Aidan’s eyes darkened. “This paragraph says I can never have verbal or physical contact with my child.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to. You said before you never really wanted children or the responsibility,” she argued.

“That’s true, but what if I change my mind? Say years from now, I want to see how he or she turned out? And what if the kid wanted to see me one day?”

“I don’t know.” She hung her head and leaned back against the desk. “When it was Connor fathering the baby, I had all the answers. We’d known and loved each other since we were twelve. His parents wanted grandchildren, so I knew he would be involved in some way, regardless of what Jeff wanted.” She raised her head to meet Aidan’s expectant gaze. “With you, everything’s up in the air.”

They stared at each other for a moment. Aidan reached in his suit pocket and took out a pen. “Fine. We’ll do it your way.” He started to scrawl his signature across the contract.

“Wait!” she cried.

He glanced up at her in surprise. “What is it?”

She drew in a deep breath before exhaling loudly. “If you’re truly serious about seeing the baby, we can renegotiate.”