Chapter 4: The Deal
923 Words
COHEN
Why did she have to be so beautiful?
I watched in awe as she chewed on her plump bottom lip and blinked down at the contract, her insanely long lashes pressing against her cheeks with every blink.
She was just a means to an end. Only my mate could give me an heir, but once she delivered my child, I would send her on her way.
Still, she was hesitating, and I could feel my nerves in the tightness of my shoulders.
I needed this baby. I was one hundred and fifty years old, though I only looked about thirty, which gave me two hundred and fifty years to train my progeny to take the throne.
I wanted an heir, and I wanted them now.
“I'll heal your sister," I said, crossing my arms over my chest and knowing I'd won.
Ellie's head whipped up, and she narrowed her eyes at me, a fierceness there I hadn't expected. “Don't play with me."
“You've heard about the healing power of vampire blood. We don't give it out often and try to stay vague on the details, but I can heal your sister."
Ellie sucked in a deep breath and pressed her hand to her chest over her ample breasts.
My eyes involuntarily followed the curve of them before I clenched my jaw and brought them back to her face.
I didn't want a woman and I certainly didn't need one. I just needed an heir then, I'd kick her to the curb and never see her again.
Still, I absolutely hated how attracted to Ellie I was. I'd never experienced such a thing.
In my early years, before I fully hated women, I'd had the occasional dally with them, but I'd never been this drawn to any of them.
“How?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, but I heard it easily despite the din of the bakery.
“I would feed her my blood. She would likely only require a little, but I'd give her another dose a week later just to be sure."
Ellie nodded quickly. “I'll do anything you want if you save her."
I scowled. “All I want is an heir, nothing more."
Ellie slid the contract across the table to me. “Add in there that you'll save my sister and initial beside it."
I couldn't help the smirk that tugged at my lips. She was a clever one.
I flipped to the page about compensation and wrote it in before sliding the packet back to her.
Ellie turned to the first page and started reading. I watched her, my brow furrowed.
Something about Ellie Jones captivated me. She had a lot on her plate, but you'd never guess it as she hummed while reading through the contract. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her. She was mesmerizing.
It was almost a pity that she'd likely die while giving birth to my heir, but I was already saving her sister. I couldn't be responsible for both of them. I didn't want to be tied to this woman for the rest of her life.
“My sister will move with me," Ellie said, looking up from the packet. She slid it and the pen to me.
“You want me to take your sister into my house?" I repeated in a low tone.
Ellie lifted her stubborn chin and nodded. “I'm not about to leave her behind after she's just been healed. She has been in that bed since she was eighteen, for the most part."
I sighed through my nose and massaged my forehead with my fingertips. “Whatever."
I took the pen and scribbled another note before initialing it and sliding it back to Ellie.
She took it and continued reading.
Suddenly, it felt like I wasn't the one in control here.
Oddly enough, I didn't seem to mind Ellie's take-charge attitude.
And that pissed me off.
I didn't want to like her. She was a woman and I knew all too well what vile creatures women were. I'd learned that lesson the hard way more than once.
Finally, Ellie reached the last page. She signed on the final line then slid the packet across to me with a big smile.
I blinked at that smile.
It was so big and bright, and I had the thought that I'd never seen anything so stunning in my long life.
I scowled. I snatched the pen off the table and scrawled my name on the contract.
The sooner this was over with, the better. Thank goodness vampire pregnancies were only six months. The sooner she got pregnant the sooner she would be out of my life for good. I didn't want or need a mate, no matter how much everyone else wanted me to take one.
This was a business deal and nothing more.
“Go home. Pack up everything you need for you and your sister. Tomorrow, we'll heal her and move the two of you to my home."
Ellie nodded and tears welled in her eyes.
I stood and shoved back my chair with a screech that rang out through the bakery. I quickly turned and strode away, Lance falling in at my side.
“That went well," he said as I shoved through the front door.
I nodded, but said nothing.
I'd barely managed to sit alone with her in a bakery. How on earth was I going to handle having Ellie in my home for seven months?
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