Single Dad CEO: A Billionaire Boss Romance Read online

  She tells me all the things she got up to with Kara, or at nursery, and sometimes we play a little and continue some of those games. Other times I find her paints and craft materials and we create big landscapes out of random components, or I make up stories that she acts out. I get her dinner and help her with her bath and bedtime, and I’m surprised how she doesn’t seem to mind that it’s me doing all these routines instead of her Daddy.

  I guess that sometimes Kara does them, when Kenneth has been away before, and maybe she’s used to it…but it still touches me, somehow.

  Halfway through the week, I have a bad day with Gramps. He tries so hard to have long, real conversation with me - the kind of lively debate we used to have about the things he reads in the paper - and I’m excited when I get in and he starts talking about it, articulately and totally understandable, feeling for a moment that maybe things are back to how they were.

  Within the first ten minutes, though, that initial confidence deteriorates and I watch him getting increasingly frustrated as he struggles for words he can’t find, slurs others and I have to ask him to repeat himself several times. He tries for a long time and we have a bit of a conversation about it, but he gets increasingly frustrated and withdrawn and it hurts to see how demoralized it makes him.

  I try to tell him how great it is we could start that, the obvious progress he’s making and how much better he’s getting with the exercises, but it doesn’t seem to help and when I leave - early, at his insistence - his dejection seems to have worked its way into me, too.

  That evening, when I get back to Kenneth’s, I’m not quite there and I know it. I feel bad about it, but I can’t change it - and somehow, Abbie seems to know. Instead of trying to talk to me or play any of the games we have been doing, she pulls me over to the TV and says she wants to watch a movie.

  That’s about all I feel up for at that moment anyway, so I gratefully put on Tangled when she points at it and sit back down on the couch with her. I’m surprised a few moments later when she wriggles her way under my arm and cuddles up to me and I feel myself tense up, looking down at her. I’ve played games with her and hugged her goodnight before, but we’ve never been close like that before. The appropriateness of it briefly crosses my mind, but I find myself relaxing and wrapping my arms around her before I let myself think about it too much.

  She probably misses her Dad. He probably cuddles her all the time.

  And…it’s nice.

  Unexpected and different, but nice.

  I find myself thinking more about that than the movie, wondering what it would be like if I had children…whether I ever will. I didn’t think I was that bothered before - and I certainly haven’t put any effort into finding a partner - but…well…now I’m not so sure. Being around Abbie is enough to make me want…something.

  Family, maybe.

  Though I wonder if I’m just thinking that because of Gramps’ stroke. Unbidden, I find myself thinking about the letter I had from my Mom again, the same way I have intermittently over the last few weeks. I haven’t been able to bring myself to reach out or do anything about it. I don’t know whether I want to and I haven’t even had the energy to think about it. The last thing I need right now is to introduce another emotional storm into my life. With how fragile I feel about Gramps sometime, I don’t think I could cope if it affected me more than I expect.

  Still, I think about it. And I think about Gramps. And Abbie, and Kenneth.

  And the idea of family.

  What it is, what it ever was, what it could be…

  Things I’m not sure I should be thinking at all, as we cuddle up for the movie and I slowly let myself relax.

  The thoughts and feelings about the day gradually leaving me as I sink back into the couch. Halfway through I even get ice cream and we eat it before dinner - though I make her promise not to tell Kenneth. He strikes me as the kind of guy who has strict rules about these things.

  She giggles about it and gets far too full eating ice cream, barely eats her dinner and spends the rest of the evening bouncing around trying to play with me. I count that evening as a one-off failure and tell myself it’s probably allowed.

  Everyone needs a day to make bad decisions and indulge themselves a little bit sometimes. That’s okay.

  Not that I’m planning to tell Kenneth too much about it.

  I go to bed feeling strange that evening. Not in a bad way, just a little bit confused, a little bit achy inside, and not really sure what to make of it. Not sure whether my feelings are about Gramps or Abbie or both. Or Kenneth. Even if he isn’t here, it’s hard not to think about him when I’m staying in his house, looking after his daughter.

  There is something about being here that feels strange in itself.

  Living here, spending so much time with Abbie and setting up Skype calls for her to talk to Kenneth…it’s almost like being a part of their life together, their little family, but not quite. Slightly on the outside, looking in. I can’t help wondering whether that’s how Nannies feel in general, or whether it’s just me - just with these two.

  It’s so easy to imagine what it would be like to really be part of it that I can’t help thinking about it, even if it is silly. Even if I’m just helping Kenneth out for a week.

  Even if you’re still fantasizing about him.

  I know that doesn’t help. It probably wasn’t the most sensible choice to offer to do this, given all that, but I couldn’t help myself. He needed help and…I wanted to give it to him. I didn’t want to see him so torn between his job and his daughter like that.

  Those thoughts don’t leave me over the week, even as I enjoy my time with Gramps and Abbie.

  I do a little bit of work, too, checking emails and dealing with the most urgent business and anything Kenneth needs for his meetings in New York - but mostly, I don’t need to.

  I don’t know exactly what Kenneth did, but he told me he’d sorted everything with HR - according to them, I’m just ‘working from home’ this week. It’s even true, I guess, though I don’t think Kenneth told them whose home I was working from. Or the type of work I’m doing. But it’s enough that I’ll get paid for it - and with the bonus Kenneth is offering me, I feel a little less stressed about the cost of all the therapy I’m getting Gramps.

  I feel a little less stressed in general, actually. A little less tired too, despite the whirling storm of little-girl-energy I deal with every night. I think I’m sleeping better, here in this amazing, stately house, with all my time and attention able to focus on what’s really important right now: Gramps and Abbie.

  * * *

  On the last day of Kenneth’s trip, I spend the whole evening trying to convince Abbie of all the reasons why she can’t stay up to wait until he gets in, sometime after midnight. I don’t think I do a very good job.

  By the time we’re halfway through her bath time, I’m about willing to admit that I’ve been out-debated by a four-year-old whose logic consists entirely of ‘but I waaaaant to’, just to end the complaining and mini-tantrums.

  I can just wait for her to get tired and fall asleep, right?

  I finally ‘give in’ and suggest curling up on the couch to wait and reading one of her bedtime stories.

  Or all of them, if we’re going to be there for hours.

  I’m hoping that the routine might have her drifting off by the time I finish the book and then I can carry her up to bed - but before we get halfway through, the door opens.

  Abbie jumps up and races over to it, slipping and sliding in her fluffy socks as I try to catch up and steady her.

  “It’s Daddy! It’s Daddy, it’s Daddy, it’s Daddy!” She sing-songs. “He’s hooooome!”

  “Okay, okay—careful!” I try to say, totally confused. I have no idea if it actually is - he’s not even supposed to take off for another hour - but I don’t know who else would have a key to the door—

  “Hey there, little girl!”

  Kenneth’s voice stops the jumbled thoughts,
something about it going straight through me and I step out into the hallway to see him knelt down with Abbie scooped up in his arms.

  “I knew it, I knew it!” She exclaims happily, clinging to him as he holds her tightly.

  He glances up at me briefly and I give him a small smile, but I stay out of the way. This is their moment, not mine.

  You were just here to help, remember?

  “I missed you, baby girl.” He says, his voice rough as he kisses the top of her head.

  “I missed you too, Daddy.” She snuggles closer to him and he stands up, easily lifting her up with him and letting her legs circle his wide torso.

  “Did you have a good time with Jessica?” He asks encouragingly, bouncing her as he picks up the bag he left on the floor, walking toward me.

  “Uhuh.” She nods, her head moving against his shoulder.

  He smiles at me again, over the top of his head. “Thanks Jessica, for all of it.”

  “That’s okay.” I meet his gaze evenly, trying to control the flush that seems to want to rise through me, directing my focus back to Abbie instead. “We had fun together.”

  He walks past me through to the kitchen and my stomach does a little flip-flop as he passes inches away from me. I follow, slightly bemused, and surprised at how warm and pleased I feel to see him.

  I wonder whether maybe it hasn’t just been Abbie missing him. Which seems silly, but over the last few months, I’ve gotten used to working alongside him and seeing him every day. His presence has been a steady, consistent thing…and it’s noticeable when it’s not there anymore.

  “I brought take-out.” He turns to me, raising an eyebrow and lifting the bag he’s carrying.

  I blink, still not quite processing that he’s back already.

  “We already ate.” I say, shaking my head. “I didn’t realize you’d be back in time, or we would have waited. I thought your flight—”

  “I was done early, so I took an earlier one. I thought I’d surprise you both.” He says, smiling at me before turning to Abbie.

  I frown, confused. Wanting to surprise Abbie, I can understand…but me? Why wouldn’t he let me know?

  “I was hoping to be back for dinner, but at least I made it back for your bedtime, hmm, sweetie?”

  Abbie mumbles something into his shoulder and I’d guess it’s not going to be too long before she needs that. After all the energy and excitement of waiting for him, arguing with me about letting her stay up and then finally seeing him again, I’m not surprised that now she’s what she wants, warm and content and wrapped up in his arms, she’s getting tired.

  I don’t blame her. I can imagine just how easy it would be to fall asleep in those arms.

  As you do imagine. Far too often.

  “I think I better take her up to bed, huh?” He gives me a wry smile, glancing over his shoulder as he looks back at me. “I’ll just be a few minutes.”

  He’s gone before I can question that and I pause, suddenly unsure. Now that he’s back, he doesn’t need me here anymore - and I would have thought he’d want some uninterrupted time with his daughter, even in her semi-comatose state - but a few minutes doesn’t suggest that at all.

  I hesitate, not sure whether I should be packing up my things, or if I’m staying here tonight just because that was the original plan.

  It’s not that late. But…

  I don’t go back to the spare room to pack. Kenneth has only just arrived, in a whirlwind of activity that’s left me feeling slightly adrift and unsure. I’ve enjoyed this week - it’s been different, sure, and maybe not exactly my job description, but it’s been nice too - and even though I knew I’d be heading back home tomorrow, that doesn’t mean I’m quite ready to leave just yet. It might be stupid, but some part of me wants to hold onto this for a little longer.

  Instead, I wait in the kitchen, until the smell of Kenneth’s take-out draws me over to it. We might have had dinner, but he obviously hasn’t yet…

  I start taking it out and setting it onto a plate for him, ready to heat up, more for something to do than anything—

  “Couldn’t wait for me to get back, hm?”

  The deep voice startles me and I look over my shoulder to see Kenneth leaning against the doorway, watching me with a smile. I give him an amused glance and shake my head.

  “I was just getting it ready for you.”

  He walks forward to behind me, looking over my shoulder at the different boxes of Chinese food. I don’t move away before he gets there - and then I’m suddenly aware of his presence against my back, close enough that I swear I can feel him, my breathing stilling in my chest.

  “You’re not joining me?” He says, his voice dropping to a murmur.

  I tell myself that’s because Abbie is sleeping upstairs, but she’s so far away it’s a ridiculous thought. Especially when that murmur works its way into my stomach, curling pleasantly there.

  I cough to try and diffuse the feeling as I shake my head.

  “I already had dinner, remember?”

  “Yeah, no doubt some of the nice, healthy food that I insist Abbie eats. But she’s not looking now - we can indulge a little.” I can feel his smile in his voice, but I don’t turn to look at him. If I did that, I’d practically be in his arms. “C’mon, aren’t you just a little bit tempted?”

  Heat rushes up my cheeks and suddenly I’m not thinking about takeout at all.

  Stop it, Jessica. This is ridiculous.

  I look back at the takeout in front of me, trying to focus.

  “Well, maybe just a little…”

  I have to cough again to stop my voice dropping to the same low murmur, as I tell myself I’m just talking about the takeout. Just the takeout.

  It does look pretty good.

  I try to ignore the way he’s still standing there just behind me as I dish out another portion for myself - and then he finally picks one up and moves over to the microwave. A slight tremor runs down my back as his presence disappears, my body relaxing a little as it releases some of the tension.

  “Good.” He responds, turning to look at me and leaning against the counter with the now-whirring microwave. He folds his arms across his chest and I get an immediate pulse of lust at the way it highlights the bulging muscles there, even through his crisp white shirt. “I was hoping we could eat together. It’s the least I can do after you staying here this week - turn up with some good food at the end of it.”

  He smiles at me and I match it, turning so my hip bumps against the counter.

  “How was the week away? Did it go well with your investors?” I ask, genuinely interested and hoping for the best.

  He’s had so much to worry about recently and I have no idea how he juggles it all. Something has to ease up for him soon, surely?

  He nods. “Well enough. They were some of the more awkward, uncomfortable conversations I’ve had in my life - but by the time I left, they were willing to give me enough benefit of the doubt to wait until the court case comes in. They won’t do anything until then, at least.”

  He sighs and I frown, irritated on his behalf.

  “Can’t they see—you don’t deserve any of this, Kenneth. This whole case is so unfair.”

  I’ve tried to refrain from voicing too much of an opinion before, but it’s getting to the point that I can’t help it. I can see what this is all doing to him - and I know he’s innocent now. I might have found it hard to trust my own instincts earlier, but every moment I spend around him just makes it too obvious to doubt even my judgment.

  “And hopefully, in a few weeks’ time when this all goes to court, everyone else will see that too.” He smiles grimly at me, then shrugs. “But either way, it’s done now. I won’t have another trip to New York to think about for a long time now—”

  “Don’t say that!” I admonish automatically. “You said that after you came back last time. It’ll jinx it.”

  “Mm, yeah, I’m sure that was why I had to go out this time and not, say, a bunch of in
vestors getting scared about the lawsuit.” His eyes sparkle and I know he’s laughing at me.

  “Who knows, maybe that’s why they got scared.” I point out and he actually does laugh.

  The microwave pings behind him and he pulls out his plate, swapping it for my own as the enticing scent of takeout steams between us.

  “Either way, it’s done now, and there are better things to be thinking about.” He continues, then looks across at me again. “How was everything here?”

  “It was good.” I say, chewing my lip slightly, suddenly unsure. I don’t know exactly what he was expecting from my stay here, but I figure I did a good enough job. “I think Abbie had a good time - and everything worked out fine.”

  “And your grandfather?” His voice softens as he says it.

  “He…he’s a bit better, I think. I think…maybe…he’s making progress.” I say slowly, feeling like I actually believe it as I say it.

  “Good.” I look up to see Kenneth a few steps closer to me, the intensity back in his eyes as he looks at me. “I’m really glad, Jessica.”

  The compassion there makes me swallow glance away before meeting his eyes.

  “It’s been…really good…to have more time to see him. I think it’s made a difference.”

  He nods, and the understanding in his expression goes right through me. “If you want some more time off…”

  “No, that’s okay. I just wanted to thank you, for whatever you arranged.”

  “Believe me, you’re not the one that needs to say thank you here.” He takes another step so that he’s standing in front of me, his hand settling on my arm where it’s resting on the counter, sending an electric jolt through me. My eyes dart to his and I can feel them widen as my heart beats a little faster.

  Stop it. Don’t be stupid, Jessica.

  “Thank you for taking care of Abbie.” He murmurs gently. “Again.”