Page 11 of Baby Bodyguard

He took a deliberate step backward. “Better?”

“Much thanks.”

“Good. Now perhaps you can answer my questions. You put an ad online for sperm donors?”

“Yes. Though I worded it a bit more politely than that.”

“How politely?”

She swept to the coffee table by the chairs, bracelets jangling in agitation, and picked up a scrap of newspaper. “Didn’t Babe show this to you?”

He took the ad from her and removed his reading glasses from his shirt pocket. Another frown lined his brow, but Sami suspected this one came from his need for the glasses. At a guess he despised them because they gave visible expression to an irritating weakness. Aman like Noah might make allowances for weaknesses in others, but she doubted he tolerated them in himself. Propping the half-glasses on his nose, he read the ad aloud.

“‘Man between the ages of 25 and 40 needed to contribute his all in a brief romantic encounter. Will be well paid for his efforts. Required to produce positive fruit from aforementionedlabor. Must sign contract that any and all results will be the exclusive property of recipient.”’

“See? It’s very tactful.”

“You mean it’s guaranteed to draw every nutcase west of the Mississippi to your front door.” He folded his glasses and tucked them away. “At least you had the good sense to rent a post office box for responses.”

“Of course.”

“I hope you also required them to send a photo, arésumé, and references.”

“Yes, I—”

She broke off. Wait just one darned minute. Something didn’t make sense here. It only took an instant to figure out what. He hadn’t seen the ad before! She studied Noah with acute suspicion. He returned her look with a knowing one of his own, no doubt anticipating her next question.

“Come to think of it, Inever received your photo or résumé. I’d remember if I had.” Boy, would she have remembered. “So, if you’re not here in response to the ad, then why are you here?”

“Babe contacted me after she moved into her apartment. She’s concerned about you living all alone here and thought you might need help. Idon’t think she realized quite how much.”

“Hey!” Sami frowned at the reminder that Noah had been sent by her mother. “Maybe we should start over. Who are you? What are you doing here? And how is my mother involved?”

“You already know who I am. Noah Hawke, in case you’ve forgotten. Babe hired me as a birthday present. I’m supposed to work for you. In the traditional sense, Imight add. When I saw the others in the hallway, Iassumed you were interviewingsomeone for the job your mother hired me to do. That’s why I cut in line.”

“And what job is that?”

“Man Friday. Personal assistant. Valet.” He shrugged. “Take your pick.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. Idon’t need that sort of help. Ican take care of myself and all the other household positions are filled.”

“Except for someone to help make a baby?”

The barb hit home. “That’s none of your business.”

“Funny. Not five minutes ago you were interviewing me as a prospective father.”

“That was five minutes ago.” She pointed toward the door. “Now I want you to leave.”

“Certainly. I’ll be happy to go back to Babe and tell her that you’re no longer in the market for an employee.” He paused a beat. “Should I offer her my services as a baby-maker instead? Perhaps that can be your birthday present in place of a man Friday.”

“No!” He was being difficult on purpose. He’d also managed to find the one downside to getting rid of him. “No, Idon’t want her to know anything about this.”

“She’s going to find out one of these days. Or were you planning to keep her in the dark until the baby arrived?”

“I intend to tell her.” Sami tried not to sound too defensive. Not that it worked. She’d anticipated opposition to her plan once word leaked out. She just hadn’t expected it this soon. “But I don’t see the rush in bringing her up to speed.”

“What you mean is, if she finds out what you’re planning before the deed is done, she’ll do everything within her power to talk you out of it.”

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