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