SURROGATE FOR THE MAFIA LORD
pte
arp and calculating a
at?" My voice was steady, but I genuin
ief moment, I thought she was checking me out, but no-she was expecting to s
ached into the inner pocket of my jacket. Slowly, deliberately, I pulled out my wallet. It was sleek, black leather-understated but unmist
e'd just walk into my life in a diner, of all places? And not only that-she'd already kissed me. My thoughts flicked back to the memory of her lips, soft
her voice cautious as her eyes darted between me and
d've had her in my bed before the hour was up. But I bit it back. This wasn't about that. She wasn't here for that, and if this worked
time, she slid into the seat, still watching me with those wary eyes. I followed
her attention lingering on the cash, no
it beneath a saltshaker for goo
eyes didn't stop studying me, like she was
minutes of your time. It'
dn't. My body reacted instinctively, and I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to focus. If I weren't so i
this little "intervie
uld sense my train of thought. "This
. "Not at all." Although, in another
to let it go. "Okay. Then can we get
diner's front door. "I'd be happy to give you
warily as before. "Where is that accent from? It's not quite German. Not quite Austria
Impressive. "You
xpression remained guard
rs lightly on the tabletop. "Now, your father'
gaze locking onto me. "You kn
, my tone firm but steady, "I
etly, emotion threading through her voice. "He and my mother were in a car accident three years ago
ed in her seat, the tension between us palpable. It wasn't like I blamed her-anyone
ers?" I asked, keeping
was trying to read between the lines. "I have a brother," sh
now, pressing forward. "A
ed with sarcasm. "Other tha
acknowledge her humor, but I wasn't about to be der
ted in her seat, clearly uncomfo
pregnancies?" My gaze stayed on her, watching
r now. "This is weird," she add
forward slightly, the weight of the mome
g off her. "No!" she snapped, a mix of indignation and
y, holding up my hands in reassurance. "I k
really... weird," she muttered, shaking her head. Then her eyes darted toward th
gh me-a rush of warmth that I hadn't expected. It startled me, almost as much as it seemed to surpr
I said softly, not le
it quick," she said, her tone edged with defiance. "I need to get to w
work?" I asked, forcing
er. "I'm a librarian. And yes, it's harder than you think.
genuine smile. And I meant it. The fact that she'd placed my Montovian accent e
asking me health questions, genetic questions... It's almost as though you're sho
elongings and making a beeline for the door. I swore under my breath,
voice cutting through the ambient noise of the
snatched the bills from my hand, shoving them into
ing my head. "I offered you quite a sum
my eggs to you and your partner? Forge
d her. "Me and my...?" I sighed, exasperated.
ng to my left hand and back to my face. "I don't have time
led after her, quickening my steps to catch up.
ncredulous look. "You're going to give me a million dollars.
," I said, desperation
s narrowing as she
st of your father's treatment," I said, my