Two To Wrangle (Hotel Rodeo #2)(14)

“I don’t know. Maybe my cows did.”

“The cows?”

“Yes. They all look so happy with their babies. Please, Ty! Just hear me out. Can’t we just talk about this like two rational adults?”

“That’s a tall order when one of us is out of her ever-lovin’ mind.”

“Look, it’s not like I’m asking for us to get back together. It’s just a little sperm, Ty. How hard can that be? Hell, you’ve probably wasted enough of it over the years to populate half of Oklahoma.”

He returned a glower. “I’d never be so reckless. I’ve never gotten a woman pregnant.”

“I didn’t say you had. I just said you could have, given all the ones you’ve slept with.”

“It’s probably only a fraction of the number you think I’ve been with.”

“Whatever.” She waved a hand. “It’s water under the bridge.”

“Look, we hashed through this once before when we were married. I’m no more ready to settle down now than I was back then . . . and we ain’t married anymore, Delaney, in case you forgot. And I have no intention of changing that. I’ve been to that place before, and it’s not on my list of repeat destinations.” After their ugly divorce he’d sworn to live as he pleased and answer to no one. He’d played it fast and loose ever since, never involving himself in any serious relationship, hadn’t even considered it—until Monica. “Why don’t you just find yourself another husband?” He asked. “Wouldn’t that be a lot better solution? You might be batshit crazy, but at least you still have your looks.”

“I don’t want another husband, Ty. Once was enough for me too. Thank you very much. I just want a baby.”

“And what is your family gonna say about that? You raising a kid on your own?”

“Women do it all the time. There’s millions of single mothers. At least I don’t have to worry about making rent and buying groceries. I have plenty of money.”

“If you’re that lonely, get another dog.”

“I don’t want a dog. I want a ba-by.”

“Then go get a deposit from a sperm bank.”

“You don’t even want to go into business with strangers, so why the hell would you think I’d want to have a baby with one?”

“You know plenty of men. Why me?”

“Because you have all the right qualifications—above-average I.Q., tall, athletic build, good looks, sense of humor.” She ticked off the inventory on her fingers. “Maybe we didn’t suit each other, but you’re still better than most of the men I know.”

“Hell, if I’m that good maybe I should just put myself out to stud?”

“You’re not a proven sire, Ty. But I’d be glad to give you that chance.” Her lips curved into that smile that used to set his blood on fire, but sleeping with Delaney again would be the biggest mistake of his life. Not that he had any desire to. Whatsoever. Hell no! That flame had doused for good seven years ago.

“You don’t have to settle down. You can stay in Las Vegas. I don’t care. I’ll do it all. C’mon, Ty. At least think about it.”

“There’s nothing to think about. I’m not ready for kids. If and when I ever do decide I want them, I plan to be there. To raise ’em.”

“Like your father wasn’t? Is that your real problem?”

“My problem is with this whole topic of conversation, Delaney. Get this idea out of your head right now. ’Cause it ain’t gonna happen.”

“What if you lose the hotel? What have you got then? A ranch in Oklahoma that’s half mine. What are we going to do, Ty? Draw a line down the middle of it?”

“So you’d resort to blackmail? You’re quite the opportunist, aren’t you?”

“I don’t see it that way. We’d both be getting something we want out of it. I’m still in my prime breeding years, but my bio clock is ticking. I’m offering you a lot of money at a ridiculous rate of return—interest free, just for giving me a baby. So what’s it gonna be, Ty?”

Delaney thought she had him over a barrel. Maybe she did. He needed money to move forward with the hotel renovation, and she was offering a deal in exchange for his sperm, but there was no way in hell he’d ever father a child and then become absent from its life. He didn’t know if he even wanted kids. Maybe one day with the right woman he might, but that sure as hell wasn’t now with Delaney.

He wondered what Monica thought of kids and what she’d look like holding a baby. He had a hard time imagining her as the maternal type. Did she even have it in her? For that matter, did he have it in him to be a father? That whole train of thought was enough to make his head explode.

“You’re perfectly free to take the deal or walk,” she said, “but I need an answer.”

He clawed a hand through his hair with a groan. “We’re not talking about this again, Delaney. Not now. Not ever.”

“Fine, then.” She turned with a toss of her blond mane. “Be a stubborn jackass. Do you know where I can find Rosa?”

“Most likely in the bunkhouse kitchen,” Ty said. “Probably been cooking up a storm since sunrise.”

“Thanks,” Delaney said. “Has she told you if she plans to stay or if she’s going back to Houston? I was hoping to hire her on as a nanny.”