ROMANCE: The Bad Boy Meeting (30 page)

Kandra put the ad in the paper the next day. She could hardly wait to start the process of interviewing women to be their surrogate. After only a few days, they had gotten a few responses; and they scheduled interviews with the women that had answered the ad.

The first woman was a young, red-haired woman who was also a college student. She did seem particularly personable; and proceeded to tell the couple that she would be taking college classes while she was pregnant and working two jobs. Just as soon as she left the house, Kandra shook her head in disapproval.

“I don’t want some college student bearing our child. She is going to be way too busy; and moving around far too much to suit me. She just won’t do,” Kandra said.

“Honey, I agree with you one hundred percent,” Robert said. So, they scheduled the next interview, which was with a slightly older woman. Kandra and Robert were both in their early thirties; and this woman was bordering on forty. The woman was a Latino who did not want to make a lot of eye contact with them; and was very curt when she spoke. Then, she let slip that she had a night job that she would need to keep in order to pay her bills. As soon as she walked out of the house, Robert and Kandra looked at each other and simultaneously said, “NO!”

Kandra felt a bit discouraged that night; but Robert consoled her the best that he could by saying that there were plenty more candidates out there left for them to consider and that it was far too early to give up hope now. She took a deep breath and said.

“You’re right, Robert, you’re right.”

The next day, they had a candidate named Rosie McDowell who was an African American woman. She looked to be in her mid-twenties and was quite curvy and gorgeous. She had large, brown eyes and a full, curvaceous figure. Braids fell down around her shapely shoulders.

“HI, my name is Rosie,” she said with a beautiful smile.

“Very pleased to meet you Rosie,” Kandra said.

“Likewise,” Robert said as she smiled at her. Rosie laughed in a friendly manner to Robert’s response; and quickly cast her eyes to the floor. It was immediately obvious to Robert that she as attracted to him; and he could feel an attraction to her, although he didn't let on that he did.

“So, Rosie, we are looking for a surrogate that is not busy, will not be doing any physically strenuous activity; and is able to take good care of themselves and our baby of course for the next nine months- someone who doesn’t drink and has a decent diet,” Kandra said.

“That’s no problem, Mrs. Collins. I just got done with graduate school and have no job at the moment. I have also just started a very healthy vegetarian diet; and although I exercise, I don't plan on doing anything too physically strenuous over the next few months. I also don’t drink or smoke,” she said.

“Good, all of those things sound very promising indeed,” Kandra said. “Robert, do you have any questions for her?”

“Well, do you feel that there is any chance that you might feel an attachment to a baby that you are carrying?” he asked.

“No sir. I don’t plan on having any children of my own for a very long time. I am only twenty-four and don’t plan on settling down any time soon,” she said.

“Great!” Robert said. “Do you have any other questions, dear?” he asked Kandra.

“I can’t think of anything right now. Thank you, Rosie. We will be in touch,” Kandra said with a smile.

“Thank you so much,” Rosie said in a friendly manner with an infectious smile. She got up and shook Kandra’s hand and then Robert’s. When Robert shook her hand, he felt something pass between them that he couldn’t explain. Rosie smiled a little differently when she shook Robert’s hand. Robert noticed it; but Kandra didn’t pick up on it. Robert also couldn’t help but notice what a perfect, full ass Rosie had when she walked out.

“Well?” Robert said as soon as she was gone.

“I like her quite a lot,” Kandra said. “In fact, I think we have our girl,” she said.

“I agree with you dear. Wonderful! This is cause for celebration!” Robert said as he went to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of Dom Perignon. He uncorked the bottle and poured them both a glass.

“A toast to being parents and to our new surrogate,” Kandra said.

“Cheers!” Robert said.

After a couple of drinks, they agreed to go for a hunt in the nearby hills like they did on nights when the moon was full.  They parked their car on the edge of a wildlife area and transformed into their canine alter egos. The wolf couple ran through the dark forest together until they got onto the trail of a herd of deer. They set their sights on a deer that was on the edge of the herd. Kandra and Robert both focused in on the animal and it became frightened and ran in the opposite direction to the rest of the herd. Kandra blocked its escape on one side while Robert closed in and made the kill. The couple dined together; and then climbed to the top of a high cliff where they howled in unison. The sound carried for miles and made the nearby farmers cringe at the sound. Rumors had started to spread that wolves were moving into the woods of Tennessee; but wildlife officials had dismissed these claims saying that people were hearing coyotes.

The couple went to pick up Rosie for the in vitro fertilization procedure after a couple of weeks. Rosie was nervous, so the couple did their best to comfort her.

“Don’t worry, Dr. Kemmons is the best in his field. You are in good hands, I assure you,” Robert said.

“If you say so,” Rosie said as she took a deep breath.

“Yes, Rosie, it will all be over before you know it,” Kandra said.

“You two sure are nice. I promise you that I will take the best care of your child that I possibly can,” Rosie said as she tied back her hair.

“We know that you will. That’s why we chose you,” he said.

The procedure went just as planned. There were no complications and Rosie was all ready to be picked up as scheduled after a few hours. Kandra had an issue to deal with at the school that she was running so she was unable to go with Robert to pick Rosie up from the hospital.

“Robert, I have to get to the school. One of the children is hurt. Will you be alright picking up Rosie on your own?” she asked him.

“Sure no problem, you go play principal dear. I got this,” he said.

“OK, make sure to thank Rosie again for me when you see her,” She replied.

“You got it,” he said as he kissed his wife.

Rosie was fine when Robert when to pick her up. The procedure had come off without a hitch; and the doctor was quite pleased.

“Rosie was a great patient.” Dr. Kemmons said as he smiled and shook Robert’s hand. “Now it’s just a waiting game. I will have her come in after a few weeks to monitor her progress. Otherwise, I would check in with her from time to time to make sure everything is progressing normally,” the doctor said.

“Sure thing, doc. You ready to go home, Rosie?” Robert asked her.

“I am,” she said in a slightly tired voice.

Robert helped her get into his car; and drove her home. He helped her out of the car and into her house. Once he got her onto the couch, he began to thank her again.

“Rosie, I just wanted you to know how grateful both me and Kandra are that you’ve agreed to take this one,” he said as he held her hand. She smiled at him, liking the warm feeling of his hand in hers.

“Thank you, it is my pleasure. Mr. Collins, I hope you don’t mind me saying this; but you make me feel safe when you are around. I’m sure that this child will have a dotting, protective father,” she said.

“That’s nice of you to say,” he said. “Can I get you anything?”

“A glass of water would be nice,” she said.

“So I understand that you just finished grad school. What were you studying if you don’t mind me asking,” he said.

“Well, my parents say I’m foolish for this; but I’ve been studying Anthropology- specifically, I’m looking at Urban Anthropology and how poverty has affected the family in inner city America,” she said.

“Wow, I’m impressed. That sounds like important work,” he said.

“Well I agree. My parents just worry because they say that it will be hard for me to pay the bills if I go into the field of Anthropology as a career,” she said.

“Oh I don’t know about that. I have a friend who is a college professor in Sociology and he makes a decent living. I’m sure you could find a faculty position at some University or get grants for research to keep yourself afloat. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble,” he said. He couldn’t help but think Rosie looked a bit like Lisa Bonet. He found himself staring at her beautiful eyes for too long a time; and he looked away.

“That makes me feel better hearing that from you. I really trust your opinion,” Rosie said as she pulled her hair back over her ears in a nervous gesture.

“So Rosie, if you don’t mind me asking, do you have anyone in your family or a friend or something that checks up on you from time to time?” he asked.

“Not really. Our family is not that close. We only really get together for special occasions and holidays. My friend Rhoda calls from time to time; but I don’t have anyone special in my life. Well, not anymore that is,” she said as she glanced off into the distance.

“I see. Well, whomever he was, he was a fool to let you slip away,” he said.

“That is so sweet, Mr. Collins,” she said.

“Please call me Robert,” he said.

“Ok Robert. Well, my boyfriend, Jarvis was really sweet at first; and he bent over backwards to act like a gentleman when we first met. Then, he met my girlfriend, Sierra; and well, let’s just say I haven’t talked to either one of them since then,” she said.

“Oh that’s rough when your good friend betrays you like that,” Robert said.

“Well, she showed her true colors. She wasn’t nearly the good friend I thought she was,” she said.

“Well, her loss. Listen, I had better get home soon. Can I get you anything else?” he asked.

“No, I’m good,” she said.

“What about dinner? Do you have anything to eat?” he asked.

“Um, not really; but I’m not all that hungry right now,” she said.

“Well, I can’t let you sit here with nothing to eat,” he said.

“Well, I have some things to make pasta; but I’m just a little too tired…”

“Say no more, I will whip up some dinner for you. Let me call Kandra and let her know I’m gonna be a little while,” he said.

“Robert, you don’t have to…” she said.

“”I know; but I want to,” he said as the two of them exchanged a smile that was more than just a polite exchange.

Robert went into the kitchen and began to gather the ingredients that he needed while he dialed Kandra on his cell.

“Hi honey, did everything go alright?” Kandra immediately asked him.

“Yes! Everything went as smoothly as possible. I have Rosie here safe and sound in her apartment; and she’s pretty tired so I’m going to fix her some dinner,” he said.

“Oh honey that is so sweet of you. I have the sweetest man in the world, you know that?” she said.

“Well, I have to keep our little bundle of joy in good health don’t I?” he said.

“Yes you do. I will see you when you get home later dear, love you, bye,” she said.

“Bye, love you too,” he said as he began to cook up the pasta.

Over dinner, Rosie and Robert talked a blue streak. It turned out that that they a whole lot in common.

“You mean you’re a musician too? Get out!” Robert said.

“Yep, I play the violin. I haven’t played since high school when I was in the youth symphony; but I do still play. DO you ever play your guitar anymore?” she asked.

“Sometimes when I’m alone in the house I still work on writing songs,” he said.

“Oh, I would love to hear some of them some time,” Rosie said.

“Ok, sometime when I come over to check on you I will bring a CD for you to hear,” he said.

“I would love that,” Rosie said. Robert looked at the time. It was nine o’ clock at night.

“Oh man, I had better get home. I didn’t realize that it was so late,” he said.

“You should. Thank you so much for bringing me home and making me dinner. Mrs. Collins is really lucky to have a man like you in her life,” Rosie said. She didn’t realize it; but when she made this last statement, she was looking him over like she was undressing him with her eyes.

“That’s nice of you to say,” he said as he carried the dishes off to the kitchen and rinsed them off. When he got back, Rosie had gotten to her feet to see him off. The two of them exchanged a look of mutual attraction that made both of them blush slightly. Robert began to feel drawn to her in a way that he knew wasn’t appropriate; and he looked to the ground.

“We will be by to check up on you soon,” he said as he made his way towards the door. Rosie gave him a hug just before he was about to leave. Robert was taken in by her scent, which was a slightly musky, lavender smell. He found it quite enticing. Once they were done hugging, they looked into each other’s eyes; and Robert could not resist her stare. He was drawn in closer; and filled with the desire to kiss her full lips, which quivered with the same desire. As much as his conscious wrestled with him, in the end desire won the day and Robert was pulled in closer until his lips were touching Rosie’s. Her lips received his gladly and the kiss was slow and passionate. Robert pulled away after a moment and began to apologize.

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have let that happen. I really don’t know what came over me,” he said as he turned towards the door.

“No, no, don’t be silly. You didn’t do anything. It was me, I really wanted you to kiss me and I guess I was sending those vibes out. It’s all my fault,” she said.

“Nonsense,” he said. “Look, let’s just forget about it- no need to make too big of a deal out of it,” he said as he turned and smiled at her.

“You’re right,” she said with a slight blush. “See you later,” she said.

“Rosie, thanks again,” he said as he began to walk towards his car.

Once he got home, he found that Rosie was filling up his thoughts. He would try hard to think about work or focus his attention on his wife; but when things got still and quiet, his mind returned to that afternoon and that kiss.