Chapter 7: But I Don't Know You

Vanessa

I stare up at Brent and see a mischievous look in his hazel eyes. Suddenly, I feel like hunted prey. I back away, hitting the chair's edge to my right.

Am I terrified of sex with Brent?

No.

I'm intrigued.

Yes.

I wish he'd touched my most intimate places. Yes, I want to know how he feels inside of me. I've heard my friends have all of those intimate moments with men—that's what I desire with Brent.

Oh, God, Brent, how do you look when you're...

Brent winks at me as if he knows what I'm thinking. Seconds later, he cheerfully says, "Our schedule will depend, of course, on your cycle. However—"

"I'm not having sex with you," I harshly tell him.

As he walks to his desk, Brent turns and studies me.

All those old-school moral lessons my parents and grandparents have taught me race through my head.

No sex before marriage.

Love the man you're going to give your virginity to—and make sure he's in love with you.

No one-night stands.

Always use protection.

Brent frowns at me. He moves his hands as he talks, "Vanessa, seconds ago, you were ready to sign a contract to be my surrogate. Is there some legal reason you're backing out now?"

Suddenly, I feel like opposing counsel.

What's my argument?

Mommy always said.

I place my hands on my hips and take a deep breath. That's not how I've seen lawyers on television start their arguments, but it seems right for me.

Of course, I don't make eye contact with Brent as I talk. "Listen, Mr. Halladay, this is a great opportunity, and I don't know anyone who can make this amount of money in a year or nine months. However, I believe love and sex are blended."

"Blended?" He places his hands on his hips, giving me a challenging stare. "We're not making a smoothie here."

"My point exactly, okay?" I sigh, feeling victorious. "We can still do this. You get your baby, and I get the money."

"How?"

"In vitro," I say and smile.

"No," he responds and pouts.

My smile disappears.

He raises his right eyebrow. "Vanessa, babies are made when a man and a woman—"

"Don't insult me. I know how babies are made," I tell him, waving my right hand. "FYI, they are also made when men and women love each other."

Brent stops inches from me. "Tell that to someone who’s a product of a one-night stand."

Good point. Darn it.

I stare him down. I've got one for you.

"Mr. Halladay, at least we can agree that there should be an attraction between the partners, right?" I don't wait for him to speak.

He shoves his hands in his pockets. "Draw me a map so I can follow."

"I'm not attracted to you," I angrily tell him. "How can I have sex with someone I'm not attracted to, huh?"

A grin teases Brent's lips. "I said draw me a map I can follow, not create a fairytale."

His stare at me makes me bite my bottom lip and back away.

He takes a step forward.

I take another step back.

Brent says, "Honestly, ten million dollars should be the only attraction in a business contract."

Now, I feel the office door against my back.

He places his palms on either side of the door, blocking my escape. "Do you understand? It's business, not pleasure."

"That's why I said," I stammer, "I'm not attracted to you…like that."

Brent dips his head, kissing me on the lips.

I open my mouth wider, letting his tongue into my mouth.

My palms touch his chest and waist as I deepen the kiss. Our tongues do a passionate dance of moving against each other.

Oh my God, did I just hear myself moan?

Brent scoops me upward, grabbing my butt.

Oh, yes, I feel his erection stiffen as he grinds himself against me.

I want more.

No, I need more.

Who said what and when about love, marriage, and virginity—who cares? Right now, I'd give anything to feel Brent inside me.

I yank at his belt.

Brent grunts, breaking our French kiss.

"You're cutting the circulation off to the wrong area," he says, pulling his belt looser.

Please unbutton your pants.

I watch him pause as if he's trying to decide whether to buckle his belt.

Forget it!

I pull at his dress shirt.

Brent doesn't stop me. Instead, he kisses me.

Someone knocks at the door.

Brent jumps away, and he hurriedly dresses.

The door opens.

Linda struts in like she's on a catwalk. Her shoulders sag when she sees me. "Really? You're still here."

He quickly turns to face us, looking "put together."

Linda stares at his pants and frowns. Then, slowly, she hands him a file folder. "You wanted an update on the Renyolds case."

Brent grabs the folder and tosses it on his desk. "Tell Jackie to train you on inter-office mail."

"But you…my desk is next door—"

My phone rings, causing me to step back from the intriguing conversation. I quickly grab my purse from the chair next to where I sat.

"Vanessa," Isley says, sounding rushed. "Delta called me when he couldn't get a hold of you."

I rub my eyes. My phone's on silent. "What's wrong?"

"Suzy-May needs surgery. From what I gather, it's not serious. However, the doctors want to take preventive measures," Isley rambles. "As you—"

"Isley," I gruffly interrupt, then look at Brent and Linda.

Linda's staring at Brent.

Brent's staring at me.

I quickly say, "I'll be there in a few, okay?"

"Yeah," Isley says before ending the call.

Brent acknowledges Linda with a nod and a "Thank you."

Linda slowly backs away, turns, and closes the door behind her.

I drop my phone back into my purse, telling him, "I'm sorry, I have to leave."

"I see we have one matter settled—"

"One?" I frown.

"The lie about your attraction to me," he smirks.

Instead of defending myself, I walk to the door.

"Are you going to act as my surrogate?"

I glance back at him. "Yes, if we do the in vitro."

"That's not an option," he walks to his desk and says, "I'll give you twenty-four hours to make your final decision."