Page 7 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire

Chapter Seven

Charlotte

“Well, I'd better get home,” I said.

“Do you have to?” Eloise whined.

I knelt and gripped Eloise's shoulders. “I have a few things to do. But I'll come back and visit you again, if it's okay with your dad.”

“Eloise, go play in your room. I need to speak with Charlotte for a moment.”

“Okay. Bye, Charlotte.” She hugged me.

“Bye, Eloise. Thanks for hanging out with me today.” A grin crossed my face.

As soon as Eloise ran up the stairs, Ashton invited me to sit down in the living room.

“Can I get you a drink?” he asked.

“No, I'm good. What did you need to talk to me about?”

“I'm in a bind and I'm hoping you can help me out. Eloise really likes you.”

“And I like her. She's a cool kid.”

“I would like to offer you a job as her nanny.”

“Excuse me?” My eyes widened. “Her nanny?”

“Yes. My other nanny, Maura, quit a month ago and moved back home to England to care for her ailing mother. I haven't been able to find anyone since.”

“This city is overrun with nannies. How can you not find someone?”

“Eloise can be difficult, and she has strong opinions. She and Maura got along okay, but when she's around you, she's a different person. You said you were unemployed, and you have a lot of experience with children. I'll pay you $1,200 a week with health benefits and paid time off.”

I sat there in shock, not knowing what to say.

I desperately needed a job so I could open my pie shop.

$1,200 a week was way more than I was making at my other job, but did I really want to take care of a kid every day?

I liked kids and wanted my own one day, but I didn't know if I was ready to care for one yet.

I lied to him last night when I said I had tons of experience with kids.

I'd never taken care of a child in my life.

But how hard could it be? It wasn't as if Eloise were a baby.

She was an eight-year-old self-sufficient little girl.

This could be the key to opening my shop.

“$1,500 a week and you have yourself a deal.” I smiled.

“1,200.” His brow arched.

I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was just as desperate as I was.

“$1,500.”

“1,300,” he said.

“$1,500 or it's a hard no, Mr. Cross. I know my worth.”

His eye narrowed at me while the corners of his mouth slightly curved upward.

“Fine, Miss Campbell. $1,500 a week, and I need you to start Monday morning.”

“No problem. What time would you like me to come over?” I asked.

“You can move in tomorrow afternoon.”

I gasped. “Move in?”

“Well, yes. I need you as a live-in nanny. Your room would be on the same floor as Eloise. You would have full access to anything in the house, including my driver, Dominic.”

“You have a personal driver?” Her brows furrowed.

“Yes.”

I wasn't sure if living here was a good idea.

But then again, the thought of baking in that kitchen excited me.

His appliances were a hell of a lot better than the crappy ones in my apartment.

Not to mention the fact that I'd have over 8,000 square feet of living space, a pool, a hot tub, and a home gym.

Then there was Ashton. Shit. Could I live here and stare at his hot sexiness 24/7?

My mind already fantasized about what the rest of him looked like underneath his clothes.

I'd have no choice. I'd have to get over it.

He would be my boss, and that was a big no-no.

I needed to secure my future, and Ashton Cross was offering me that.

“I can move in tomorrow afternoon.” I smiled.

“Excellent. Let's tell Eloise the good news.” He walked over to the intercom on the wall and pushed a button. “Eloise, come down here, please.”

I heard the pitter-patter of little feet flying down the stairs.

“Yeah, Dad?”

“Come sit down. I need to tell you something.” He led her to the couch.

“What is it?” She sat next to me.

“I offered Charlotte the nanny position. She accepted and will be moving in tomorrow.”

“You're my new nanny?” Eloise smiled, looking up at me.

“I guess I am.” I grinned.

“Yay!” She threw her arms around me. She got up and ran over to Ashton, throwing her arms around him. “Thank you, Dad.”

“You're welcome, sweetheart.”

When I arrived home, Melissa and Adam were at the table eating dinner.

“How was the park?” Melissa asked when I walked through the door.

“It was fun.”

“Are you hungry? There's plenty of Chinese food here,” Adam said.

I grabbed a plate from the cabinet, a fork from the drawer, and sat at the table, filling my plate with sweet and sour chicken and fried rice.

“I have some news.”

“Oh yeah? What is it?” Melissa asked.

“I got a job today.”

“A job?” Adam's brows furrowed. “Where?”

“I know this is going to sound crazy, but I really didn't have a choice.”

“Spit it out already,” Melissa said.

“I'm going to be working for Ashton Cross as Eloise's nanny.”

Melissa let out a roaring laugh. “A nanny? You don't know the first thing about kids.”

“Well, he doesn't know that, and we're going to keep it that way. He's paying me $1,500 a week with benefits, paid time off, and access to his driver, Dominic. But there's a catch. I have to move into his house. He wants a live-in nanny.”

“Is this him?” Adam shoved his phone in my face.

“Yes. That's him.” I smiled.

“Let me see that.” Melissa grabbed Adam's phone from him. “Oh no, Charlotte. He's fucking sexy as hell. No. No. No.” She shook her head. “You promised no more rich guys.”

“It's a job, Mel. I'm not getting involved with him. I'm going to save up enough money to get a loan from the bank, and then I'll open my shop, and my nanny days will be over.”

“This is not a good idea,” she said. “I know you. You can't help yourself when it comes to handsome men.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Trust me. The only thing I'm thinking about is my pie shop, not Ashton Cross. He wants me to move in tomorrow afternoon. But can you please hold my room for me in case it doesn't work out?” I pouted.

She reached over and placed her hand on mine. “You'll always have a room here.”

“Thanks. Now, let's open a new bottle of wine and celebrate.” I grinned.