Chapter Three

He is the most gorgeous man I have ever seen.

The man is tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a black suit that perfectly complements the lean lines of his body. His hair, short and black, is combed back from his face to highlight his big blue eyes glowering down at me.

His expression softens a little when she sees how nervous I am. "You must be- "

"Emily," I interrupt. "Emily Valdez."

He opens the door wider. "Come in."

I walk in slowly, trying not to gawk as I take in his expansive apartment.

"I'm Colton,' he says, offering me his hand. When I take it, his grip is strong, firm but not rough. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

I try to smile, but I am sure it is more of a grimace. "Nice to meet you, too."

"Why don't you take a seat?" he asks motioning to the living room.

"Okay."

"Would you like a drink?" he asks, walking to the small wine stall next to the TV.

"Just water, please."

Colton half-smiles and he nods before making his way to the kitchen. Only a few moments later, he comes back with a cold cup of water.

"Thank you."

"No problem," he says, taking a seat on the other couch with a glass of wine.

There is a moment of silence as I bring the cup up to my lips and take a sip. I am shaking a little, so I set it down quickly before he can see how nervous I am. He can still be a serial killer for all I know-this could all be a trap.

He is looking at me like he is trying to read my mind. "Shall we start?"

"Aren't we going to wait for your wife?" I ask nervously.

"I'm not married, Miss Valdez."

Wait, what? I frown. "But I thought you wanted a baby."

"I don't need a wife to have a baby-that's why you're here," he says, taking a sip of the wine.

"You want me to have a baby for you?"

He chuckles. "Isn't that the whole point of being a surrogate?"

"Well, yeah, I guess," I say, looking away.

"Unless you're not sure? In that case, then- "

"No," I interrupt, quickly, thinking about my family. They need me-they need the money. I look into his blue eyes and take a deep breath, pushing away the nerves. "I'm sorry. I just thought I would be dealing with a married couple."

"I understand, but if this is going to work, you need to know that I don't like to talk about why I do the things I do." He leans in closer until are faces are inches apart. "I don't like questions."

I forgot how to breath for a second. I do not know if it is because of how intimidating he is or because of how handsome he is, but I have to put some distance between us before I can think straight again.

"Your profile says you are a college student," he begins, reaching for a yellow folder. He printed my profile.

"I'm in my last semester at NYU."

"If you were to get pregnant, you will still be able to graduate," he confirms.

I nod, gulping. Why is this so awkward? "That's the plan, yes."

"What is your major?"

"Nursing."

He nods slowly as he looks at the folder again before meeting my eyes. "It says here that you've never had sex?"

I shift uncomfortable in my seat. "Do we really need to talk about that?"

"Yes," he says amused.

"I'm a virgin, yes."

"Do you think that's going to be a problem?"

"Why would it be? It's not like I have to have sex."

"They'll be sticking needles in you," he tells me, his voice soft. "Several times-not just once."

"I'll deal with it."

He frowns. "Do you have any idea what you'll go through? Do you even know the process of getting pregnant?"

I do not like the way he is talking to me, but even more, I do not like that I have no response for him. My surrogacy research only included established coupes using me as an over…but since he does not have a partner…

"You're going to need an egg," I realize, looking at him. "One of my eggs?"

He frowns. "I'm surprised you hadn't realized it before now, Miss Valdez."

My hands are suddenly sweaty and my heart beats faster as Colton stares at me with those intense blue eyes. "I'm sorry," I say after a moment. "you must think I'm an idiot."

"Something like that," he says, but he is still wearing a small smile.

"I just-I was okay with his because the baby wasn't going to be biologically mine. I was just going to carry it. But if you use one of my eggs, that means the baby will be part of me. it is going to have my blood. I know it may sound stupid, but that matter to me."

"Why did you apply for Growing Generations?" he asks me.

I do not say anything for a moment. Why should I say anything to him? I do not know him. He is a stranger who does not even let me ask him questions. "I don't want to do this," I whisper. "I know that's probably not what you want to hear, but it's the truth."

"You're doing this for the money then," he says with a nod.

The way he says it makes me feel like I am a bad person; I know I do not want the money for something bad, but I cannot help but feel like I am selling my body. Selling myself. Does this make me a bad person? All I want is to help my dad.

"My dad is sick…my family needs money." I stand with a sigh, and he stands with me, but I shake my head. "I thought this was the answer, but I don't know if I can do it. I'm sorry." I turn to make my way toward the door.

"I'll pay you double."

I freeze. "what?"

"I'll pay you double."

"Why?" I blurt out, finally turning around to look at him. Is he serious about this? The money was already going to be life-changing for my family…but double would take care of the mounds of medical debt piling up.

He moves closer until he is right in front of me. "I know this is going to sound strange, but you fit the criteria I was looking for in a surrogate. I want the woman carrying my child to be a decent woman-a single, childless woman. You are…perfect." He stares at me for a moment. "I have money Miss Valdez, so it's not a problem. Help me and I'll help you."

I do not know what to say. On one hand… why would a man like him want a baby? I know I just met him, but he seems like a rich businessperson who only comes home to sleep. Why a baby? And more importantly- why me? I am not the only single woman out there with no children. On the other hand, he is offering me a lot of money. Money my family needs- this is my chance to help them.

"I'll think about it," I finally murmur.

Colton reaches for his wallet in his back pocket. He opens it and hands me a small card. "Call me when you decide."

"I will."

We stand there for a moment, staring at each other. Then I nod again and reach for the doorknob.

"Miss Valdez?"

I turn around and look at Colton, one foot already out the door. "Yes?"

"I'm very impatient person," he warns. "Don't take long."