Page 27 of Marrying the Billionaire Single Dad

"I make it a point to find out everything about those I come in contact with."

Especially when it's a curvy sprite, with wide innocent eyes, who I can't get out of my mind.

"Must be fun to have such a trusting nature." She drops the phone into her bag. "So, I have a few student loans, and a jerk of an ex. Big deal." She swipes her hair over her shoulder and her fingers tremble. "It's not uncommon."

"A £100,000 debt that you’ll spend the next twenty years paying off."

"So?" Her chin wobbles.

"So, good luck with that." I pivot, reach for the door handle.

"Stop," her voice is choked.

I allow my lips to twist, then push open the door.

"Wait… You… You are right."

"Oh?" I say without turning around.

"I need this job."

"Hmm."

"If I don’t get this position, I am in a lot of trouble."

If you get this role, you are in so much more trouble.I push open the door and step through.

"I…need this assignment," she pleads. "The agency doesn't have any other role for me at the moment. Hell, there aren't any roles going for a nanny anywhere in London, it seems." She shakes her head, a look of disbelief in her eyes. "Trust me, if there were an alternative to this, I'd take it."

I pause, glare at her over my shoulder, "How far will you go to get this job?"

"I'll," she swallows, "I'll do a…anything."

"You sure about that, Flower?"

"It’s not like I have a choice, do I?" she grumbles. "I mean, I’d rather go throw myself off a bridge, but then—"

My heart begins to race. I turn, march down the steps so quickly that she pauses mid-step and stumbles. I swoop out my hand and grab hold of her bicep. "What the fuck did you just say?"

"I… I…"

I haul her up to her tiptoes, then lean down and thrust my face into hers. "Say it," I dare her.

"I… I didn’t mean it," she stutters.

"Don’t ever talk like that again."

"O—okay."

"Good." I peer into her features. I should let go of her. I need to get back inside to take care of my daughter, and yet, with her scent in my nostrils, the curve of her arm under my fingers, those big green eyes that hold mine, the lips that tremble and call to me, to close the distance and close my mouth over hers… I… I lean in close enough for our eyelashes to entwine, for us to inhale a shared breath.Kiss her, kiss her… Do it. No bloody way!If I do, I am lost, and she is a distraction I cannot afford. Not now. Not when I need to take care of my motherless child and a career that is fast unravelling unless I do something to turn it around. On the other hand, I’ve never felt as alive as I do in her presence.

Only one way out. I need to turn this situation to my advantage. If I can use her sweetness, her vitality to kickstart my muse… Then huh, why not? As long as she benefits from it too… Yeah, that would make this a transaction that’s beneficial for both of us, right?

I hold her gaze, then lower mine to take in her rose bud lips. "I have an arrangement in mind."

"Oh? You mean being a nanny to your daughter?"

"Only if you pass my test first."