Page 2 of The Billionaire Dating Dad (The Holidates #18)

“It’s true.” She nodded. “I did it for four years, before realizing I wanted to serve children that didn’t have access to resources.”

“You’re going about it oddly, don’t you think?”

“It takes money.”

“And you think the Townsons will help?”

Mrs. Townson was her inspiration. The woman not only hosted charities but frequently donated to underprivileged schools, both in America and abroad. If it weren’t for her current financial situation, she would spend most of her time volunteering at the youth center.

“So why do you think a woman you admire insisted you bring a date to a job interview?”

Violet felt the scrutiny in his question. “It’s a social event.”

“No,” he said. “It’s because she sees the same thing I do. Passion.”

Violet glanced at Dimitri from the corner of her eye. She shook her head, she couldn’t figure him out. “Let me get this straight,” she said, confused about whether passion was bad or good. “You think I was asked to bring a date because I love my job?”

“For all her qualities, Mrs. Townson is a jealous woman.”

Violet rolled her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous!”

“It's why she won’t hire single nannies, no matter how qualified you are.”

“Women like Mrs. Townson have everything. Why would she be jealous of a nanny?” If Dimitri was trying to distract her, he was doing a first-rate job.

“Even I can see that you’re not just a nanny, Violet.”

Her eyes widened.

“You have passion and passion is attractive.” His tone dropped to a husky rumble born from raw desire.

Wait. Did he find her attractive? As quickly as the thought materialized, Violet dismissed it.

He turned them toward the wall of paintings, but she didn’t see any of them.

Every part of her, from the bottom of her feet to where their hands connected, swayed in complete harmony with the man beside her.

The warm woodsy scent of his cologne invaded her nose, coating her dry throat, and filling her lungs with liquid heat.

“You’re dedicated and I admire that.”

“Thanks.” She cleared her throat, his admission took her off guard.

“Mr. Townson has gained a reputation for his infidelity. He loves beautiful women and you are both beautiful and intelligent.”

Heat flooded her body at his compliment because Dimitri didn’t seem the type to issue idle flattery. “Why are you warning me?”

Dimitri paused. “You should know who you’ll be working for.”

“I…” How was she supposed to respond to that bit of information minutes before meeting the man? “Thank you,” she said, but Dimitri’s warning only spiked her nervousness.

Was that why Mrs. Townson insisted on meeting at the event and asked if Violet had someone special in her life.

She’d been ready to say no but had sensed the importance of answering yes to the woman’s inquiry.

Then, she’d done what any sensible woman would do and asked her roommate for help to find a date.

Dimitri couldn’t be right. Her nanny friends said the woman was demanding and frequently traveled with her husband, but none mentioned anything about infidelity.

“You’re welcome.” Dimitri lifted a stray lock of hair and tucked it behind her ear.

For a moment, Violet forgot where they were. She forgot about the job and that the man possessively holding her wasn’t hers to fantasize about. “What… what are you doing?” she breathed. Why was it so hard to speak?

“You’re mine, remember?” His fingers lingered on her neck.

Good Lord. Violet shivered. She should tell him that she wasn’t his anything, except the rebuttal was lodged in her throat.

When he stared at her mouth, she unconsciously drew her lower lip between her teeth. “I should kiss you,” he said, “Let him see that you’re mine and not to be trifled with.”

If he kissed her, Violet realized that she would let him. Her body hummed at his nearness and the seductive idea of being kissed in a room filled with onlookers.

“Do you want me to?” His eyes raced up her face to hold her gaze.

She flushed and was sure he felt her burning skin against his palm. Yes, she wanted him to pretend but this felt different. Real. “Are you helping or trying to get me to change my mind about working for Mrs. Townson?”

He released her, and she immediately missed his hand in her hair. “How about a wager?” he said in her ear.

“What?” She swallowed, resisting the urge to touch the spot where his breath tickled.

“If you are so sure you’re right about Mr. Towson,” he said with a devilish glint in his eyes that tempted her to take a chance. “You have nothing to lose.”

Violet bit her lip. Dimitri had done her a huge favor. What was the harm in playing his silly game? Besides, if she won, she would declare them even.

“If I win, the rest of your evening belongs to me.”

“And if I win?” she asked.

“You won’t.”

She quirked her eyebrow at his confident response.

He smirked. “If you win, I’m at your mercy for the rest of the night.”

Violet swallowed against her rising excitement. “So either way, I’m stuck with you.”

He chuckled. “Fine. I’ll honor whatever you decide.”

She didn’t know which she wanted more, to win or lose.

By the time Mrs. Townson made an appearance, Violet found her mind occupied with thoughts of Dimitri and winning their bet.

He had a self-assuredness that made Violet comfortable in the presence of their current company. He was charming and observant.

“Here comes your employer.”

Violet turned in time to see a woman in her early fifties heading directly toward them. She barely had time to give into a fresh wave of nervousness at being caught having fun, before Dimitri’s palm intimately caressed her lower back. Her heart somersaulted in her chest when his fingers lingered.

After exchanging a brief greeting, and introducing Dimitri as her boyfriend, he excused himself. Yet, as she and Mrs. Townson talked she felt the weight of his gaze following her from across the room.

He was making a grand show at being an attentive date, Violet reminded herself. Yet, his presence was like an anchor tethering her to him. Dimitri's gaze had snared her more than once, making it hard for her to focus on the older woman's words.

“When you said you’d bring a date”— Mrs. Towson’s eyes lit up with delight — “I never expected it to be a Popova.”

She didn’t know what Mrs. Townson meant, but she hoped it didn’t jeopardize her chances of getting the job. “Is that a problem?”

“On the contrary. Most women I hire claim to be in love until…” Mrs. Townson smiled.

“Until?” For the first time, Violet gave the woman her full attention. She had a sinking feeling she was about to lose the bet to Dimitri.

“Let me be frank. I won’t tolerate any attempts to seduce my husband.”

Violet resisted the urge to glance toward Dimitri.

“I assure you, Mrs. Townson, I take my job seriously. And though I’ve only recently begun dating Dimitri, I have no interest in anyone else.

” She had no interest in dating anyone, period.

Her attraction to Dimitri was unexpected, and after tonight she would lock it away in a box, but this woman didn’t need to know that.

“I think we’ll get along nicely, Miss Terrell.” Mrs. Townson linked their arms. “Let me introduce you to my daughter.”

“Did you get the job?” Dimitri asked from behind her.

Violet closed her eyes at his nearness. His presence was a live beast at her back. She felt him as keenly as the pulse in her veins. “I start Monday. What about you? Did you get the paintings for your sister?”

He nodded. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, thank you.” Why did the end of their night feel like a physical blow? It shouldn’t. She didn’t know him and he wasn’t enthusiastic about being forced on a date.

Violet knew the answer. It had been ages since the last time she’d gone out with a man. Even longer since a man stirred her senses the way he did. None of that meant she would stay in his company a minute longer than necessary. He’d done his part. More than his part.

They were halfway across the room when Mrs. Townson’s voice flooded the room through overhead speakers. Everyone except Dimitri stopped, giving the woman their attention. He maneuvered them around people to reach the exit. She understood his eagerness to leave, but this was ridiculous.

“I’m pleased to announce that a very generous donor has purchased all the art pieces.” Violet learned from Mrs. Townson that the children had painted the art pieces.

Dimitri grunted.

“Thanks to Dimitri Popova, every child in this room will have their summer art program fully funded.”

Violet gaped as the room broke out in applause. When he’d asked earlier about what it would take to end the event, she never thought… "Wait, shouldn't you go up—"

"No." He grasped her elbow to get her moving.

"But don't you want to—"

"No," he interrupted as he determinedly headed toward the exit.

As they left the hall, he didn’t mention his purchase or their wager, and she didn’t admit to losing a bet. If a few hours in his company made her breathless, Violet couldn’t imagine what doing his bidding would cost her.

The first signs of rain echoed in the corridor as they exited. The suburban neighborhood was already quiet, and the sound of fat droplets hitting the concrete steps only added to the stillness.

The valet from earlier hurried toward them with an umbrella. “I’ll bring your car, sir.”

“I’ll come with you,“ Dimitri said. “Return with the umbrella for the lady.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Wait here.” Dimitri stroked her chin. “It would be a shame to have to dry you in addition to taking you home,” he said playfully.

Violet inhaled sharply as she watched him hurry towards his car.

Dimitri was a threat to her simple, orderly life.

For a second, she considered doing as he asked, but there was no point prolonging their time together.

If she was honest, Violet knew that he made her thirst for things she’d given up hope of finding.