The big man shrugged.
“We’ve analyzed your body using the best computers, baby, the best programs, and with the way you’re built, you’ll have no problem convincing the public that you’re pregnant.”
My jaw literally dropped open, I was so shocked.
“So let me get this straight,” I said slowly. “You’ve had cameras watching me for the last year, tracking my every move as I strode through the halls of the Union Art League.”
“And in every classroom,” he added helpfully. “And at Ninth Street Espresso.”
I shook my head, barely able to process the information.
“And after watching my every move, you fed the tape into computers, which determined that I was fertile,” I continued slowly. “From things like the size of my boobs,” I almost choked.
“That’s right,” he nodded with a gleam in his eye. “Not just that honey, but a host of factors. The way your hair is shiny and thick and your skin’s clear. Don’t ask me,” he said shrugging again. “The scientists do it, they know what to look for, and based on their analysis, you’re the perfect candidate.”
I stared at him.
“But I could be infertile for any number of reasons, none of which would be on tape.”
“Nope, you’re not,” the big man bit out. “We have your health records. All the times you went to the school nurse for headaches? We took your blood and saliva and had it analyzed.”
This was now way too freaky and I stood up, holding out my wrists.
“Uncuff me,” I demanded. “I can’t believe this has been going on. There have to be laws against this. You can’t just spy on someone without them knowing. You can’t just access a stranger’s medical records.”
The alpha male shot me a glance, a lazy grin on his lips.
“But what if I am the doctor? What if I am the school? Security guards who work for me review video tape. Nurses who work for me look at medical records. Get where I’m going with this? Honey, I am the man. Nothing that happened is illegal.”
I shook my head desperately, mewling.
“It can’t be,” I breathed, holding up my cuffs. “This has to be illegal. No way you can just cuff a random girl and tell her you’re engaged. That has to be illegal.”
A grin spread across his face then.
“Okay, maybe the cuffs are a lot, so fine, I’ll take them off,” he rumbled, coming close again. And oh god, but the air grew warm as he advanced, my body responding instinctively. Masculinity rolled off Mason Major in waves, a spicy scent hitting my nostrils and making my insides gush.
But I hadn’t lost my sense of self-preservation. Because sensing an opportunity, I ran over to the door immediately, pounding on the hard oak.
“Help me!” I screamed, slapping my fists so hard they hurt. “Help, I’m trapped, I’m locked up by a maniac! Anyone! Anyone, call 9-1-1!”
Mason didn’t even budge from where he was.
“No one can hear,” he remarked with an amused grin. “Seriously, stop Katie, this place is triple-reinforced and insulated, no one can hear you but me.”
But I wasn’t giving up. I backed up and began doing karate kicks against the heavy oak.
“Open,” I huffed as I swung my foot as hard as possible. God, why did my jeans have to be so tight? It was so hard to get good leverage when wearing stiff denim, and I cursed myself for splurging on the pair. They were supposed to make my butt look good, but did the manufacturer ever think about what would happen when I needed to make an escape?
“Hi-ya!” I screamed again, giving it my best chop.
Mason merely chuckled.
“Please honey, it’s doing you no good,” he said mildly again. “Come back and sit.”
I wouldn’t listen, instead continuing with my karate kicks. But the door remained steadfastly closed, my insistent pummeling doing nothing except amusing the man who watched. And finally, I turned back to him, panting and breathless, face red with exertion.
“You have to tell me what’s going on,” I wheezed, leaning over my knees. “This is so crazy and insane.”
He merely patted the couch cushion next to him.
“Come sit next to me and I’ll tell you everything,” he invited. I looked warily at that big hand and where he wanted me to sit. How did I know it was safe? Maybe he’d slip those handcuffs on again. But Mason held up both his hands in surrender.
“Naw baby, no need for cuffs this time, I promise,” he said. “Just sit and talk for a little, you’ll see.”
With that, I made my way slowly to the couch, lowering myself on the cushion as far from him as possible.
“What?” I asked in a low voice. “What could possibly justify all this?” I asked, shivering a little. “This is insane.”
He nodded in acknowledgment.
“Of course, it’s insane. But then again, Major Corporation has never been known for playing by the rules. In fact, the opposite,” he continued mildly. “We’re known for pushing the limits to make things happen. And like I said,” he said, swinging that blue gaze back to me again, “I need a pregnant fiancée, and you honey, are the best woman to create that illusion.”