Page 35 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ashton

I was finally starting to relax after the couple of drinks I threw back.

“Let’s go,” I said.

“Where are we going?”

“Out to dinner. Do you like hibachi?”

“I love hibachi.” She grinned.

“Good. Grab your purse and let’s go. I’ll call for a cab.”

Within minutes, a cab pulled up to the curb and we climbed inside.

There was at least a two-hour wait at the restaurant, and I wasn’t happy about it.

Sure, we could have gone somewhere else, but I wanted hibachi, and so did Charlotte.

Reaching into my wallet, I pulled out a hundred-dollar bill, neatly folded it, and placed it in the palm of the hostess.

“You said there are two spots for us?”

She looked at the bill in her hand and then up at me. “Yes, sir. Follow me.” She smiled.

“Show off.” Charlotte smirked.

We enjoyed the fantastic show and meal. Our chef was one of the best I’d ever seen.

I glanced at Charlotte as she held a conversation with the woman sitting next to her.

Her voice, her laugh, just everything about her made me happy.

Being with her made me happy. And I wasn’t talking about sex.

It was the small things. Sharing coffee with her in the mornings, helping her make pies, and talking about our days when I got home from work.

It was also the way she loved Eloise, made it known, and the way she wanted to protect my daughter at all costs.

I paid the bill, and we headed home. My heart raced with nervousness when we stepped inside. It could have been PTSD from what we walked into earlier, but I knew exactly what it was.

“Charlotte, we need to talk.” I walked over and poured myself a scotch. “Can I pour you a drink?”

“I’ll just have what you’re having.”

I handed her a glass of scotch and then turned on the fireplace.

“Let’s sit on the rug by the fire because I’m surely not sitting on that couch.”

She laughed and sat on the rug.

Sitting beside her, I inhaled a sharp breath.

“I want to apologize to you.”

“For what?” Her head cocked.

“Everything. Every bad fucking thing I’d ever said to you. You didn’t deserve it, and I’m so sorry.”

“Ashton, you don’t have?—”

“Yes, I do. I’m nothing but an idiot who let my fears control my life, and I’m done doing that.

” I reached over and held her hand. “All this time, I was keeping you at a distance by pretending I didn’t feel what I felt for you.

I love you. God, I love you so much it terrifies me.

I know I don’t deserve another chance after everything I’ve put you through.

You’re not just someone I want in my life.

You’re someone I need. You make me better, Charlotte.

You make me want to be the man you deserve.

I can’t breathe without you, and I can’t think straight.

And I can’t go on pretending that I don’t love you because I do. ”

She brought her hand up and placed it on my cheek, my heart hammering against my chest.

“Ashton, I love you too.”

“You don’t hate me?”

“No. I could never hate you. I love you.” A beautiful smile crossed her lips.

I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers. “Will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?” I smiled, leaning my forehead against hers.

“I would love to be your girlfriend.”

My mouth smashed into hers for a passionate kiss, and I embraced her.

Standing up, I held out my hand and helped her up.

Swooping down, I picked her up, her arms wrapped securely around my neck, and carried her to the elevator.

Once we reached the bedroom, our clothes flew off, and we fell onto the bed.

I thrust in and out, long, smooth strokes as the warmth inside her enveloped me.

The feeling that knowing she’s mine coursed through me like no other feeling before.

This beautiful woman who threw a cupcake at me in Central Park blew into my life like the wind blowing the leaves off the trees, and I couldn’t have been more grateful.

I had plans for us. Big plans. Future plans.

Our moans heightened as we came together. Dropping my body on hers, I held her tight, making sure she knew that I would never let her go. Pulling out of her, I rolled on my back, and she snuggled her beautiful body against mine. This was exactly where she belonged.

“What are we going to tell Eloise?” she asked.

“The truth.” I stroked her hair.

The following morning, we got up, dressed, and headed to the furniture store. I purposely picked one with same-day delivery because I wanted that couch out of my home today.

“Oh, look at this. This sectional is nice.” Charlotte smiled as we walked hand in hand.

“It’s very nice.” I sat down. “Comfy too.” I smiled.

“Good morning.” A sales associate walked over. “That couch is on sale. Today only. And I’m pretty sure it’s in stock for delivery this afternoon.”

“You really like this one?” I glanced at Charlotte.

“I do. Do you?”

“Yes. I like it. Can you double-check that it’s in stock? I really need this today.”

“I’ll be right back. A few moments later, she walked over. “We have it in stock and can arrange delivery today between 5:00 and 8:00 pm.”

“We’ll take it.”

After we left the furniture store, we grabbed some lunch, walked around the city doing some window shopping, and headed home—our home.

The delivery men showed up at five thirty with the new sectional. After taking the old couch, they brought the new one in and began assembling it.

“Hi, Dad. What’s going on?” Eloise walked in.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I picked her up and hugged her. “Did you have fun?”

“Yeah. We had so much fun. Where’s Charlotte?”

“She ran upstairs. She’ll be down in a minute.”

“Why did you buy a new couch?”

“I spilled red wine on the other one, and we couldn’t get the stain out.”

“Charlotte!” Eloise exclaimed as Charlotte walked down the stairs.

“Hi, sweetie.” She hugged her. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

After the delivery men left, it was time to tell my daughter about Charlotte and me.

“Wow. This is comfortable.” Charlotte and I sat on the couch. “Eloise, come here.” I patted the cushion. “I need to talk to you about something.”

“What is it, Dad?” she asked, sitting down.

“You know how much Charlotte means to you, right? The way she makes you laugh, helps you with your homework, and makes the best pies in the world?” I smiled.

“Uh-huh.” She nodded.

“Well.” I glanced at Charlotte. “She means just as much to me. We are in love with each other and have decided to be together. As a couple.”

“I knew it! I knew it would finally happen!”

I chuckled.

“Are you still going to be my nanny?” Eloise asked, looking at Charlotte.

“Of course,” Charlotte replied. “I will always be here for you. Always. No matter what.” She grinned.

“Let’s not call Charlotte your nanny anymore,” I said. “She’s your dad’s girlfriend from now on.”

Eloise nestled herself between us, my arm stretching behind Charlotte, pulling both of them closer to me. For the first time, what felt impossible to me was perfectly real.

“Go take a bath and get ready for bed. You have school tomorrow,” I told her.

She ran up the stairs, and Charlotte lay her head on my chest.

“Why did you tell her not to call me the nanny anymore?”

“I don’t want to be that guy.”

“What guy?” She lifted her head and stared at me.

“The guy who fucked his daughter’s nanny.”

Charlotte laughed. “It’s too late for that. We’re going to be the talk among the socialites. I can hear the whispers now. ‘Can you believe he slept with his nanny? Ugh, I better watch my husband and nanny very closely. He’s so cliché sleeping with his nanny.” She grinned.

“Okay. Okay.” I chuckled. “Let them talk.” I kissed her lips.

After Eloise took her bath, Charlotte and I tucked her in.

“Does this mean that Charlotte will be sleeping in your bed from now on?” Eloise asked.

“Yes, Eloise. Charlotte will be moving her things into my bedroom.”

“Okay. I’m happy you’re together. I love you both so much.”

“We love you too, sweetheart.” I kissed her forehead.