Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Ella’s cheeks color as her small hands grip into fists.
“I’ll have you know that I work because I’m establishing a future for me and my baby,” she says in a stilted voice. “Up until a few hours ago, we didn’t know if you’d make an appearance. If anything, maybe me and the baby are just nobodies that you were choosing to ignore.”
“No, never,” I rasp, my chest growing tight at the thought of abandoning this woman. “I understand that we conceived this baby accidentally during a single night of passion, but he or she is here, whether or not we like it. I want you under my protection,” I rasp in determined tone. “New York is the best place for me to make sure you get everything you need. For example, you’re dressed completely inappropriately,” I state in a harsh tone, gesturing to her thin sweater and shabby housedress. “It’s fall in Minnesota. This park is freezing already, and I don’t understand why you’re not bundled up like a bear.”
Immediately, I know I’ve said the wrong thing judging from the rush of color up Ella’s neck. It’s bewitching, actually, and I want to run my tongue along her smooth skin before claiming her plush pout in a kiss. I want to graze my hands along her voluptuous curves, stopping only to worship the baby within her bulging belly.
Wait a minute, when did you get so sappy? the voice in my head sneers. You’re acting like a fucking pushover.
Immediately, I resolve to exert my dominance, except Ella’s primed for a fight now.
“No, I won’t be going to New York,” she states, drawing the edges of the jacket closer about her shoulders. “I belong here, in Minnesota. This is where I’m from, and this is where my home is.”
I stare at her.
“Ella,” I say in a slow voice. “You’re working long hours, for little pay. You don’t have to do this. I’m here, and I want to look after you and the baby. You’ll be living in the lap of luxury in New York.”
The spots of color flame vivid on her round cheeks.
“But I don’t belong there,” she says in a smooth tone. “I belong here. Besides, what would I even do in New York?”
“That’s the point,” I interject quickly. “You wouldn’t have to do anything. You could quit your job, and focus on taking care of yourself and the baby. I want you to stay healthy, and to relax without being on your feet from sun-up to sundown. I don’t know what’s so difficult to understand about that.”
She flushes red again, but her chin is a stubborn point as she shakes it.
“I don’t appreciate your patronizing tone,” she says in a stiff voice. “It’s completely unnecessary, and especially when you’re talking to the mother of your child.”
“Of course,” I amend immediately. “I apologize for that. But still, there’s logic to my words. Why stay here, working your fingers to the bone when it’s unnecessary? I’m offering you an opportunity to relax. To take a deep breath, and to focus on your pregnancy. What’s so wrong with that?”
Ella eyes me carefully.
“But what would happen afterwards, Nick?” she asks in a slow tone. “I give birth to the child, and then what? We stay at your apartment? You introduce us to everyone you know as your child and his babymama? Who am I to you, anyways? And what’s going to happen to me after the baby’s born?”
I shrug unselfconsciously.
“I don’t know,” I reply. “I haven’t gotten that far yet. But what I do know is that I came to find you today, and you were working like a dog at a shabby resort that’s seen better days. Whatever they’re paying you, I can do better. I can double your salary, or even triple it, and you won’t have to lift a finger. You can live in the lap of luxury, and just enjoy yourself. Sit back, exhale, and let yourself experience the finer things in life as the baby grows. That’s what I’m offering you.”
Ella bites her lip, her expression unreadable.
“Okay, you haven’t exactly answered my question about what happens after the birth,” she begins.
I lean forward, my gaze intent.
“Because I don’t know the answer. I’m being honest with you, which is the best I can do now.”
She’s pensive as she nods slightly, pulling the jacket about her narrow shoulders again.
“Okay, but how long do you think the deal will last?” she asks. “I don’t mean to be pushy, but I need some structure. It can’t all be open-ended and nebulous.”
I shrug again.
“I don’t know because again, I’ve never done this before. This is my first time as a father. It’s my first time as a provider because I’ve never gotten a woman pregnant before. But I assure you that you’ll be taken care of after the baby’s born. That I can guarantee.”