The Proposition(7)
She shoved him away with all the strength she could muster. “God, you’re such an egotistical bastard! I’m baring my soul to you about wanting a child and you tell me you want to…to…”
Aidan crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re a big girl, Emma. Can’t you say fuck?”
“You’re seriously disgusting.” She gripped the edges of her glass and narrowed her eyes at him. “If I didn’t desperately need the rest of my margarita, I’d throw it in your arrogant face!”
He chuckled at her outrage. “Now is that anyway to talk to the future father of your child?”
She snapped back in her seat like a rubber band. “E-Excuse me?”
“I’m talking about a little proposition for us both to get something we really, really want. I give a little, and you give a little.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m talking about offering up my DNA for you. Connor said you refused to go to a sperm bank because you might end up bearing Satan’s spawn, so I figure I’d make a good candidate.”
Emma widened her eyes as the shock waves rolled violently against her. “You can’t be serious.”
“About which part: me being a donor or that I’m a better choice than Satan’s spawn?” he asked, with a wicked grin.
“Both…but mainly that you would want to be my sperm donor.”
“Yeah, I’m serious.”
“Do you have any idea what being a sperm donor entails?” she questioned.
He smirked at her. “I have a pretty good idea.”
Emma shook her head. “How can you act so flippant about it? It’s a huge commitment.”
“Give me a break. We’re talking about jerking off into a plastic cup, not donating an organ.”
“It’s a little more than that actually.”
“I had some buddies do it in college. Nothing too strenuous.” Aidan shrugged. “Besides, it’s not like I’m agreeing to marry you and bring up the kid. It’s just a little DNA shared between acquaintances. I’m sure Connor was going to sign something saying he wasn’t raising the kid, right?”
“Yes, we had discussed a contract when Jeff continued not to want Connor involved.”
“I bet I’m an even better candidate than Connor was.”
“And how is that?”
“Everyone wants a healthy, smart, and attractive kid, right? Well, I just got a clean bill of health with my yearly company physical. My family doesn’t have a history of any major diseases or mental illness. I graduated top of my class from the University of Georgia, and I have my MBA.” He winked at Emma. “And I think it’s safe to say I’d bring some mighty fine looking genes into the picture.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “But what’s the catch? No offense, but besides us working at the same company, I barely know you. And what I do know isn’t very flattering. Regardless of how lightly you’re taking it, offering a part of your essence is a huge sacrifice on someone’s part. I just can’t imagine you doing anything so unselfish.”
Aidan swept his hand over his heart. “Damn, Emma, that really wounds me. I mean, I just put my life on the line not an hour ago when you and Connor were fighting, yet I’m still a selfish prick.”
She rolled her eyes. “Just answer the question.”
He grinned. “Okay, okay, you’re right. My motives are not completely unselfish.”
“I knew it!” she huffed.
“Here’s my proposition. I offer to father your child, and you in turn, promise to conceive it with me naturally.”
Fear radiated over her, causing to her to shudder. “Naturally? As in you and I…have sex?”
“Most women would find that a little more appealing than you just did,” he mused.
She shook her head furiously. “I can’t have sex with you!”
“Why?”
“I just can’t.”
“You’re going to have to give me a reason.”
Emma twisted the paper napkin in her hands like she was prone to do when she was nervous. “It’s just I believe sex is something sacred and special meant to be done between two people who are deeply committed to each other and who are in love.”
His brows furrowed. “And how many times have you been deeply committed to someone?”
She refused to meet his expectant gaze. “Once,” she whispered.
“Holy shit.” He shook his head. “That’s unbelievable.”
Emma snapped her gaze up to meet his. “I’m sure it’s hard for you to comprehend anyone who doesn’t bang everything that moves! But I don’t play that game. And yes, I was twenty when I lost my virginity to a guy I’d been dating for over a year who later became my fiancée.”