Page 14 of The Virgin's Baby
Hurrying to put the seatbelt on, I barely got it snapped into place before he took off. My head felt as if it was becoming one with the headrest as he took off like a shot. “Oh, gosh!” I gripped the sides of the seat to hang on.
He didn’t even seem to notice how affected I was by the exhilarating ride.
“Go on, Aspen. What is it that you don’t understand?”
“Oh, yeah.” I looked at him with curiosity. “Why do you need to hire a woman to have your baby? That’s what I don’t understand.”
“Yeah, I can see why you would ask that.” He took a left, and I felt as if we were up on two wheels, but I stifled the scream that crept up my throat. “You see, I don’t want any strings. I think I told you this last night.”
“Yes, you did. But you also said that me being a part of the child’s life might be okay. Do you still think that?” I asked. I felt like he and I might be attracted to one other.
Okay, I felt like I was attracted to him, and he couldbecomeattracted to me. I wasn’t hard on the eyes after all. And I was on my way to an awesome career. I would kinda be a catch for this guy.
“I do still think that.” He took a right, and I found myself looking out the passenger side window as the inertia pulled my head in that direction. “You see, you aren’t my type. I think this will work out even better than I planned.”
I’m not his type?
I had to admit that he’d knocked the wind out of my sails. There weren’t a whole lot of men who attracted me as powerfully as he did. Okay, there were no men who did what he did to me. But why wasn’t I doing anything for him?
I’d dressed up. I smelled nice. My hair was on point and so was my makeup. But I wasn’t overdone. I hadn’t become plastic or anything. Or maybe that’s what he liked.
“Do you mind me asking you why I’m not your type?” I just had to know.
“You’re way too gorgeous. You seem perfect.” He smiled at me as he stopped at a red light. “Can you smile for me, Aspen?”
Although I felt put on the spot, I made my best smile. “There you go.”
“Perfect teeth,” he said. “And so white too. Did you have to have braces or anything like that?”
“No.” I was still struggling with him saying I was gorgeous but not his type.
“Do you use something to whiten your teeth?” he asked before stomping on the accelerator as the light turned green.
Hanging on once again, I answered, “No, I don’t use anything but regular old toothpaste.”
“You’ve got great genes.” He screeched to a stop in front of the restaurant. “Here we are.”
A valet appeared instantly to open my door and let me out. “Hello, ma’am. Welcome to The West Table.”
“Thank you.” I climbed out of the car with the man’s help, smoothing my dress out as I stood up.
Ransom strode around the car, took me by the hand and led me up to the door that another man held open. He, too, greeted us, “Mr. Whitaker, what a pleasure to serve you and Miss Dell this afternoon.”
He knows my name?
Ransom nodded. “Thanks, Calvin. Is my usual table ready?”
“It is.” Calvin led us inside before yet another man took over.
The waiter that Ransom also knew introduced himself to me, “Hello, Miss Dell. I’m Ricardo. Tell me what kind of wine you prefer, ma’am.”
I wasn’t one of those girls. The kind who drink wine. Or anything else. “I prefer water.”
“Of course,” he said as he pulled the chair at a table for two out for me. “And I will bring your drinks right away, Mr. Whitaker.”
“Thanks, Ricardo,” Ransom said as he took his seat. Steepling his fingers, he leaned his strong chin on the tips of them. “So, tell me about yourself, Aspen.”
Well, I’m falling in love with you for starters.
