Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
I giggle and shake my head.
“No, not exactly. It’s just that I’m a little sore from that new position we did this morning. You know, the one where my back is up against the couch with my legs spread, and then …”
“Ah, that one,” Mark growls, his blue eyes going dark with desire. “Yes, I remember, but you took it so well, honey. It’s astonishing that you’re so acrobatic for someone who’s tummy is definitely getting up there.”
I laugh joyously again.
“Well, I want to keep this going for as long as I can before the baby’s born,” I say in a light voice. “So yes, I’m happy to try the entire Kama Sutra if that’s what floats your boat.”
Those blue eyes glint again, and I can tell that Mark wants to say something sexual, but then the waitress comes over to take our orders.
“I’ll just have the garlic chicken ramen with a side of seaweed salad,” I say. “Thanks.”
My date, meanwhile, goes crazy with sushi and hand-rolls, ordering enough for a feast.
“Are you sure you can eat all that?” I ask after the waitress departs.
Mark pretends offense.
“Of course!” he grins. “But you’re going to help me, right?”
I shake my head.
“No can do, unfortunately. You know pregnant women aren’t supposed to consume any type of raw meat, so maybe I could eat one of the sushi rolls that has just egg and rice, but not the ones with tuna or mackerel or anything. It’s all you.”
Mark grins.
“Yum, more for me. No, I’m just kidding, honey, because I’m sad I can’t share with you. But tell me, are you working right now, Freya? You mentioned that you used to work at a cryo bank, but that ended, right?”
I nod and smile ruefully.
“It’s kind of a long story because yeah, I was a receptionist at Valley Cryo just a few months ago. But they were shut down for violating FDA regulations, so that’s that I suppose. Who knew there were so many rules for operating a sperm bank? But there you go.”
Mark nods slowly.
“Yeah, it sounds like an industry that should be regulated closely because guys are donating bodily fluids. But are you working now?”
I shake my head.
“No, because I got pregnant. You know my baby was conceived using a donor, right?”
Mark nods.
“Yes, you mentioned earlier.”
I laugh lightly.
“Yeah, and I suppose me getting pregnant was good timing. Or maybe opportunistic timing. Valley Cryo was closing its doors, and they had a bunch of unused sperm samples. I think they were going to sell or transfer them to another cryobank, California Cryo or something like that. But anyways, I’d already gone through the screening process, so I jumped at the opportunity. I was inseminated the week before my old employer closed their doors for good, and fortunately, it only took one try and boom! A baby on the way.”
My handsome date nods.
“That does sound like great timing, and it certainly worked out well. But tell me more: why do you want to be a single mom? It’s a really interesting choice for a young woman.”
I shrug.
“I guess it’s because I’ve always wanted to be a mom, and the opportunity came along. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not just that. My parents have always had a contentious relationship, even if they’re married still, and I don’t want that. I’d like to have complete control over what happens to me, my body, and my child, and this is the best way to go about it.”
Mark nods
“That sounds legitimate,” he growls in a low voice. “I’m very impressed with your independent streak.”
I giggle.
“Well, it’s more than just a streak. I’d say it’s a four-lane highway whizzing with cars going at eighty miles an hour. But yeah, there are definitely considerations. For example, as you know, I’m unemployed right now, and it’s by choice. I mean, of course, I was laid off by Valley Cryo but I’ve decided not to look for another job immediately because of my pregnancy. Who’s going to hire a woman who waddles like a hippo who’s also on the verge of giving birth?”
Mark nods.
“That sounds like a good decision. Plus, you had severe nausea,” he adds while shooting me a meaningful glance. “So that would have been a problem in an office setting. Imagine running for the ladies’ room every half hour.”
“Yes, but it’s all better because of you,” I wink at him. “Thank you so much, by the way. You’ve helped me a great deal.”
Something hot flares in Mark’s eyes and he takes my hand in his big one across the table.
“No, thank you, sweetheart. I’ve been enjoying myself this past week. More than you can imagine.”
I giggle again.
“Well, I’m glad you’re available because the constant sex has really helped with my nausea. And this will pass, I promise. It’s definitely a pregnancy thing because before I got pregnant, I was as healthy as a horse.”