by Katie Dowe
She hung up with a grin, putting the phone back in its cradle. Her coffee forgotten for now, Arlie joined her on the couch, tucking a leg under her and reaching for the pad.
"Who was that? A potential employer?"
"Of a sort." Michelle passed the pad over and pulled her long hair out of its ponytail, shaking her tresses down her back. "I've been asked to become a surrogate."
Arlie stared. She wasn't sure she had heard correctly.
"A surrogate? Michelle, why would you want to do that? You've never wanted to be pregnant. Come to think of it, how did you get put into the running to become a surrogate?"
"Take a look at this."
Michelle picked up the newspaper from the table and held it out, tapping a manicured finger on the circled advert. Arlie took the paper and sat back, squinting at the small print and wishing she had her glasses.
"'Want to become a surrogate? Wealthy businessman requires healthy young woman to carry his child. The required candidate..." She scanned the requirements, stopping on the sentence that jumped out at her, even without her glasses. "Must be able to relinquish the child after birth. Medical checks will be done on confirmation of place. Will have a place to stay and be looked after by professionals. $50,000 for the successful candidate'." Arlie looked up and stared at her sister. "Is this real?"
"It certainly is. Only he's not just wealthy. He's rolling in it." Michelle picked up her tablet and tapped it to get rid of the sleep screen. "I checked him out while I was talking to him."
Arlie looked over her shoulder and saw a handsome dark-haired man in his early thirties posing against a backdrop of New York City. His name was blazoned across the screen.
"Matt Prentice. I know him. Isn't he that architect guy?"
Michelle laughed.
"You really don't follow the news, do you? He owns the biggest architectural design company in the East Coast." She waggled her eyebrows. "And he's quite dishy. Should be nice eye candy while I'm waddling around."
Arlie couldn't believe it. Only twenty-four, Michelle was an intelligent woman. She had gone to university with a scholarship and had worked hard to get her degree and become a teacher at their nearby high school. Arlie hadn't gone to university but had worked hard to get where she had been. They knew a con when they saw one. One thing they couldn't be accused of being was naive; both of them did their research before they made any decisions.
But this time Michelle seemed to have taken leave of her senses. Surrogacy?
Arlie held up the paper.
"This is prostitution, Michelle!"
"Oh, I'm not going to have sex with him." Michelle stood up and went into the kitchen. She got a mug out of the cupboard and the coffee from another. "It's all done artificially. His sperm is injected into my eggs and I carry the baby, give birth and let him have the child at the end." She shrugged. "Nothing to it."
"It still sounds like prostitution."
Michelle sighed.
"Well, this is perfect for me. I need the money and I haven't got a job to get in the way. I get paid to carry a child I'm not going to look after."
Arlie shivered, a knot forming in her stomach. Michelle's response sounded cold but Arlie knew the reason; Michelle had been through a lot after getting knocked up at fourteen by their stepfather, who was now serving time in prison. Michelle was career-driven; having children wasn't even on the radar now, maybe never.
Arlie had been the opposite. And then Jason had come along and...
She forced the memories away. Now was not the time to be thinking about what the bastard did to her.
"But what about getting attached to the baby? Mothers bond with the baby when it's in the womb."
Michelle sighed.
"We both know I don't want children of my own." She finished making the coffee and brought the mug back to the couch, handing it to Arlie before sitting with her legs crossed. Still in her pyjamas with her long, long hair and baby face, she looked like a teenager. "I have enough problems with the ones I teach. This gives me a little nest egg until I find another job. And with the market the way it is, that might be a while."
Arlie couldn't argue with the logical thinking. Michelle wasn't materialistic and would use the money wisely. But she still didn't like the idea of Michelle letting other people interfere with her body so she could carry a fetus.
"So you're not worried about being emotionally attached?"
"No. Because I won't."
Arlie wished she could think the same way. Cupping her hands around her mug, she took a sip.
"When are you seeing Prentice?"
"Monday at nine. We're going to go over more details of the surrogacy."
That sounded above board. But Arlie wasn't about to let her baby sister walk into a situation she didn't completely understand. From her experience rich men took advantage of young girls and did things so they would be completely under their control. It had nearly happened to her; there was no way she was going to let it happen to Michelle.
"I'm coming with you."
"What? Why?"
"So I know you're not being taken for a ride."
Michelle laughed. Arlie felt a slight twinge of jealousy. Michelle was always so beautiful, so perfect at everything she did. Even her laugh was perfect. Arlie felt big, plain and clumsy around her.
"Arlie, Matt Prentice takes women for rides in another way. I'm not one of them and he won't be conning me."
"Nevertheless, I want to be there as a witness. For the pair of you." Arlie gave Michelle a look that she knew would work. "I want to make sure everything's kosher and Prentice knows he can't play you."
Michelle opened her mouth to protest but shut it quickly. She knew when Arlie played big sister mode that she meant business. She closed her eyes and sighed.
"Fine. But just be quiet, will you? I need this money."
"I won't say anything if it's not warranted." Arlie raised her mug to her lips to hide the grin.
"That's what I'm worried about."
*****
Matt made sure he was in the office really early. He wanted to make sure he made a good impression on Michelle Slade. She needed to see a professional but personable man, not a gruff, dictatorial human that he was known for being whenever he was in the office. Everything needed to be right.
Ever since Jay had made the suggestion about a surrogate Matt had been gripped with the idea. He had sent out adverts in all the newspapers in the area, hoping that someone would be interested and make contact. In the past week he had been inundated with calls so he had got a few of his more trusted employees to filter the calls and applications.
Only Michelle's application had caught his attention. She was twenty-four, healthy, and had grown up in Brooklyn. University graduate, recently a high school teacher until downsizing had forced to let go some of their newer employees. From what Matt could gather from her, when he made the phone call personally to her on the Saturday, was that she wasn't interested in having a child and was more focused on her career.
She had been open in letting him know that the money would be perfect to tide her over until she found another job, confessing that she didn't like periods of inactivity. She had been friendly and warm and Matt had liked her immediately. If she became his surrogate and they were going to be in each other's faces for the next nine or so months, at least she would be good company.
It was a few minutes to nine when his intercom buzzed. Adjusting his tie and checking that his curls weren't standing up on end, Matt answered it.
"Yes, Jemma?"
"Miss Slade is here to see you." His private secretary's voice dropped to a near whisper. "And she's not alone."
She had a friend with her. But they hadn't spoken about if she could bring someone along. Matt just hoped they didn't mind being separated.
"Send Miss Slade in and have her friend wait outside."
"She's saying that's not an option, Mr Prentice." Jemma sounded worried. "Shall I call security?"
Matt
sighed. That was not what he wanted to deal with on a Monday morning.
"No, send both of them in."
The friend would just have to sit to the side and wait quietly.
A moment later Jemma opened the door and two black women entered. Matt stood and came around his desk, taking a moment to look them over. The shorter of the two women had glossy black hair that was braided all the way down her back. She was a little on the plump side but it was a pleasant plump and not overtly. She was dressed in a simple navy skirt suit, shirt open at the collar but not showing any cleavage and the skirt wasn't indecent. Simple silver studs were in her ears.
But it was her companion that had Matt's attention. She was nearer his age and almost as tall. While she wasn't as attractive as the petite woman, there was a striking look about her that drew the eye. Her hair was cut short into a pixie cut bob, showing off her high cheekbones and smooth chocolate skin. She wore a black trouser suit, both looking rather shapeless on her body.
However it was her eyes that drew Matt in. They were full of fire, aimed at him as if expecting a challenge. Matt could never resist a challenge.
He dragged his eyes away from her and glanced between them.
"Miss Slade?"
The petite woman stepped forward and held out a small hand. Her smile reached her eyes, which was warm and inviting. She was a very pretty woman. But Matt felt no spark.
"I'm Michelle Slade." She nodded at her tall companion. "This is my sister Arlie. She insisted on coming to make sure you didn't con me into anything."
Matt blinked. He turned to Arlie, who was watching him with narrowed eyes. Now he did feel something and it hit him in the chest. There was something about Arlie that fascinated him and it wouldn't let go.
"I don't con people, Miss Slade."
"It's for my sister's protection." Arlie didn't even blink. "It's a lot of money to carry someone else's baby."
"That it is." Matt wasn't going to argue with that. He waved a hand to two leather seats Jemma had placed in front of his desk while the introductions had been made. "Please, be seated."
Matt's hip caught the corner of his desk as he went around to his side. Biting back a wince, he kept walking and sat, only to realize that Arlie had noticed what he had done. She raised an eyebrow at him in amusement. Again there was that spark and Matt's body started feeling warm. Arlie seemed to realize that something had happened because her eyes widened and she looked away as a blush covered her cheeks.
It was really quite attractive but Matt knew he wouldn't say it if he valued his life. Arlie Slade didn't seem to be the type of person who took a compliment well.
Forcing his thoughts away and focusing on business, he picked up the two stapled sheets from his in-tray and handed it across to Michelle.
"I've had a contract written out for you, Miss Slade. If you could just look through it and sign at the bottom."
"Okay."
Michelle took the contract and took out a pen from her purse. As she perused the papers, a little frown between her eyes as she read, Arlie fixed her inscrutable gaze onto Matt again.
"What's the catch here, Mr Prentice?"
Matt blinked.
"Catch?"
"She's going to be carrying your baby. There has to be strings attached to what she's going to do."
Matt sat back, lacing his fingers across his stomach, aware that Arlie's eyes went straight to his hands for a moment before looking back up at him.
"It's simple. My sperm has already been harvested. It will be injected into your sister's eggs. When she becomes pregnant she will be moved into my home..."
"Why?"
Matt wondered if the woman was a lawyer in her spare time. She certainly had the stare for one.
"So she can be close and I won't worry about where she lives." He glanced at Michelle, who had signed the contract and put it on the table. "You live in a slightly rougher area of Brooklyn, don't you?"
Michelle flushed and glanced at Arlie.
"It's not bad but it's not great, either." She admitted quietly.
"Then you'll be staying with me. I'll accompany you to all the appointments, any hospital bills I will pay for, and you will have free room and board. Once the baby's born you will be paid the amount agreed to and have no further contact with the baby."
Saying it in his head sounded a lot better. Out loud it sounded harsh, cruel even. Matt inwardly flinched and hoped he didn't come across as crass. But Michelle smiled and nodded.
"I can do that, Mr Prentice. The end of the pregnancy coincides perfectly with the time schools advertise new jobs. I'm thinking of moving south to Miami."
Matt liked Michelle. She was warm, personable and down-to-earth. Her head was screwed on. It was a pity he wasn't attracted to her. Arlie was staring at her sister in amazement.
"You want to move to Florida?" She sounded startled, scared even. Scared? Matt must have heard that wrong.
"Why not? It's warmer down there."
Matt chuckled.
"You've got that right."
Arlie got over her shock quickly enough and focused her look back on Matt, whose body was beginning to react to the looks. While it wasn't unpleasant it wasn't exactly professional.
"I want to come with her."
Chapter 2
For a moment Matt's brain computed that into an entirely inappropriate sentence. Then his brain clicked to what she had actually said.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I want to come with her. Make sure she's being treated well."
Matt found himself shaking his head.
"Absolutely not. This is just for your sister." His eyes glinted and he smirked at her. "Unless you want to become a surrogate yourself."
Judging from her frame this woman was athletic, albeit on the thin side. Those long legs would be able to wrap perfectly around his waist...
"If and when I manage to become pregnant," Arlie's voice was cold and put a dampener on his wayward thoughts and his reacting body, "I won't be handing the child over for money."
She sounded like she hated the idea of giving up something for money. Matt also felt a bit of pain behind her words and wondered who had hurt her.
"Actually," Michelle put in hurriedly, "I'd like Arlie to come with me. I'll be in a place I'll be unfamiliar with. Arlie also used to be a health visitor and knows what pregnant women need."
"I could bring in a healthy visitor for you." Matt protested.
"But I'd do it for free." Arlie pointed out.
Matt was torn. While he wanted to see what was going on between him and Arlie, having her at close quarters in his house was asking for trouble. But if it soothed Michelle to have someone she knew there helping to look after her...
He sighed.
"Okay. She can come with you." He sent Arlie a warning glare. "But any issues and you're out."
"Don't worry." Arlie's glare was just as stern. "I won't bother you."
Matt had an awful feeling that she would, whether she did it willingly or not.
*****
Matt tried to focus on the magazine he had picked up but he was aware of Arlie pacing the waiting room, her footsteps never easing up as she walked up to one end of the room, turned and came back again. In the forty-five minutes since Michelle had gone in to see the fertility specialist to have the procedure of having Matt's sperm injected into her eggs, Matt had got dizzy and nervous watching her and tried to engross himself in a ladies magazine.
It had been twenty-four hours since Michelle had signed the contract and things had been put into motion. Matt had put Michelle through a rigorous health check to make sure she was fit enough to carry a child to full term and the young woman had taken it like a trooper, smiling and laughing throughout it all. Matt found himself warming to her; her disposition reminded him of his little sister Molly, who wouldn't let anything stop her smiling.
While Michelle had been a delight, her sister was another matter. Arlie had been in a corner, arms folded with a scowl on
her face. She gave off an aura that said people had better keep away. Matt knew she disapproved of what her sister was doing but she said nothing.
He knew that Arlie was concerned for Michelle and was naturally looking out for her but he sensed that there was something else going on, something under the surface. There was a lot of hurt, as if being around the mere mention of children was painful. A few times he had caught a flinch flash across her face before the scowl deepened. Matt wanted to go to her and do something - anything - make her feel better, but he had a feeling Arlie would have his balls in a blender if he touched her.
He lowered the magazine, noting that his hands were trembling, and tried to lighten the mood.
"I didn't realize it would be this tense." He joked.
Arlie had stopped pacing and had slumped into a chair across from him. She gave him a raised eyebrow.
"I've been told making a baby the proper way is a lot more relaxing and less clinical." She said.
Matt winced. Ouch.
"If it's mutually agreed to and the two parties are in love." He pointed out.
"That doesn't often happen." Arlie's expression softened a little. "But it's better if the parents love each other."
She looked like she was loosening up a bit. Matt liked seeing this side of her; he loved seeing the fire but this softer side was also attractive.
What was wrong with his brain if he was becoming attracted to the cold, spiky sister rather than the warm, softer one?
Arlie looked him over and Matt felt his groin tightening as her eyes roamed over him. He was glad he was wearing jeans and not his usual suit; that was terrible at hiding erections.
"I've rarely met a man who's become broody." She commented.
"I've grown up in a big family." Matt smiled as he remembered his three brothers and two sisters. "Everyone else but me has kids and it makes me sad I can't add to that."
Much as he loved being an uncle to the fifteen nieces and nephews, Matt wished he was a parent himself. Family get-togethers always left a lump in his throat.
