The Proposition (The Proposition #1)(25)

Casey motioned over Emma’s shoulder. When she turned around, Connor stood with a bouquet of lilies—her mother’s favorite flower. Tears filled Emma’s eyes as she popped out of her seat and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here!”

“I’m just glad you’re hugging me, rather than slugging me.”

As she pulled away, Emma giggled. “I guess I left things pretty bad between us, huh?”

“Dude, I thought I was a goner between you and that guy—oh what was his name again? The one who thought I was your boyfriend and was going to kick my ass.”

Casey snickered. “His name is Aidan, but I think we can refer to him as Em’s prospective Baby Daddy.”

Connor’s eyes widened, and he staggered back. “You got that guy to be your sperm donor?”

Emma shot Casey a murderous look before jerking her out of the booth. “No, not exactly.” She motioned for Connor to have a seat. “I think I need to fill you in on some things.”

Connor waved the waitress over before sitting down. “I’m going to need a beer…actually, go ahead and bring me the pitcher!”

CHAPTER TEN

Aidan hustled off the elevator from his last meeting of the afternoon. With his new promotion, his days were slammed from the moment he walked through the door until he clocked out. Thankfully, it was only half an hour until he could leave.

He stopped at his secretary’s desk. “Any messages, Marilyn?”

She shook her head. “But there’s a Ms. Harrison waiting for you in your office.”

Aidan’s c**k twitched at the mention of Emma. The last time she’d been in his office they’d had a mind blowing quickie. He sure as hell hoped that was what she was back for. “Thank you.”

He licked his lips in anticipation and pushed open his office door. Any hopes he had of getting laid were dashed the moment he saw Emma sprawled out on his couch, sobbing hysterically. His throat closed in horror, and he struggled to breathe. He’d been accustomed to scenes like these when he was growing up. With four sisters, he’d seen and heard just about everything.

But usually whenever an estrogen shit-storm rose on the horizon, he and his father got the hell out of dodge by escaping to the ballpark or pizza place. No matter how successful in business he was, there was one thing he couldn’t handle: emotional females.

Emma glanced up to see him standing in the doorway. Their eyes met, and she broke down again. “Oh shit,” he muttered, running his fingers through his hair. He hesitated before slowly walking over to the couch. As he stared down at her, he rocked back and forth on the heels of his feet. Finally, he took out one of his monogrammed handkerchiefs from his suit pocket and handed it to her. “Emma, what’s wrong?”

“I just got my period.”

He grimaced. “Um, I’m sorry. I’ve got some Advil over in my desk if you’ve got the cramps or something.”

She blew her nose and glared up at him. “Don’t you get it? I got my period, so I’m not pregnant.”

“Oh,” he murmured, finally understanding her major freak-out.

“And I know getting pregnant the first time was a long shot and all, but I can’t help thinking what if I can’t get pregnant? I mean, sure my gynecologist says I’m healthy and capable, but what if she’s wrong?”

Aidan opened his mouth, but Emma kept barreling on, her voice raising an octave. “Or what if I just have this huge mental block that becomes a physical one where I can’t conceive? What if I wasted all my fertile years and now I’m just going to be barren and alone for the rest of my life?”

She broke down again, her chest heaving from the hard sobs that racked her. Aidan stood rooted to the floor, silently debating about turning on his heels and running out the door. What the hell was he supposed to do with her like this? Reluctantly, he sank down beside her on the couch. Without him even offering, Emma threw herself at him. Her tear-soaked cheeks pressed into his neck while her body trembled against him. He momentarily froze, and she might as well been comforted by a marble statue.

He cleared his throat and tried to get his bearings. “Shh, it’s okay. Don’t cry,” he said, patting her back. That seemed to be the encouragement Emma needed because she then tightened her arms around his neck. Since he didn’t know what in the hell else to do, he just let her cry.

An eternity seemed to pass before she had worn herself out. Her breath came in frustrated pants, and her body shuddered. “Are you okay now?” he asked hesitantly.

Emma jerked away at the sound of his voice. Suddenly, a mortified expression flashed across her face. “Oh God, I’m so, so sorry! I can’t believe I came up here and freaked out on you!”

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. Shit! When I saw…when I knew I wasn’t pregnant, all I could think of was getting to you. I even bypassed Casey’s office.” She shuddered. “God, I’m so embarrassed you had to see me acting like such a psycho!” she moaned, burying her head in her hands.

Trying to lighten the mood, Aidan said, “You know, you’re kinda giving me a complex here.”

Emma raised her head. “What?”

“I think deep down you’re most upset about the prospect of having to have sex with me again.”