Page 9 of The Billionaire Dating Dad (The Holidates #18)

Violet

V iolet pulled into a driveway long enough to fit a dozen cars. The house looked nothing like the Townson’s home – cold. Vacant. Instead of stone, this home was modern with a structure that resembled a contemporary eco-friendly design.

Before getting out of the car, she whispered a silent prayer for the meeting to go well.

After she’d turned down the Townsons’ offer to travel abroad, Violet realized Mrs. Townson was spiteful as well as jealous.

A month had passed since she’d told the agency she was available to work and this was only the second job opportunity she’d received.

She clenched her fists. Violet had done her job and through all the parties and overnights, she’d managed to steer clear of Mr. Townson. Yet, it hadn’t been enough.

Looking at the double doors before her, she hoped this meeting would be different.

She wasn’t given much information about the family other than they needed a nanny for their five-year-old daughter.

According to the agency, the job was hers, except for this last formality.

The pay was perfect and she’d met all the requirements.

Meeting her prospective employer was the last hurdle.

Violet knocked on the door and waited. When no one answered, she lifted the metal knocker again but the door swung open, snatching the ring from between her fingers. “Hi,” she said to the little girl dressed in a ballet outfit and pink tutu. “Are your parents home?”

She expected a shy shake or nod from the child but what Violet received was a guarded stare.

“My mommy is not here.”

“Oh.” That was not a good sign, especially because mothers tended to be the ones that did the hiring. She exhaled. Any hopes of getting hired today were beginning to dim. “Is there an adult home?”

“Jack. He’s our cook and Beth is our housekeeper.” The child tilted her head. “Are you here to clean something?”

Violet choked. “What about your father, is he home?”

The child turned, twirling further into the house. Was she supposed to follow or wait?

“Aren’t you coming?” The girl executed another ballet move.

“Do you always answer the door?”

“Sometimes,” the child said, “when Daddy and Beth are busy.”

“You know, not everyone on the other side of the door is friendly.” Violet understood being excited and the anticipation of seeing someone that made you happy. She suspected opening the door was a constant surprise for the girl.

“Daddy doesn’t let mean people come over, silly.”

“Okay.”

“My aunt Candice and uncle Alexie are nice and my aunt Katya is only mean to Daddy.”

Violet frowned. “Don’t you like your aunt?”

“Aunt Katya is the best, but sometimes I wish it were my — ” The child clamped her mouth shut.

A sadness washed over her face that tugged at Violet’s chest. She wanted to hug the girl, folding her tiny frame into her arms. Instead, she asked, “What’s your name?”

“Maddie.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Violet.”

Maddie cocked her head to the side, as if exchanging their names had somehow made Violet visible. More real than a stranger she didn’t have to remember. “Why do you want to see my daddy?”

The unflinching question wasn’t meaningless.

Violet sensed the importance of her answer in Maddie’s cautious tone.

The last thing Violet needed was to lose this job before she’d even had the opportunity to meet her potential employer.

Some children enjoyed having nannies while others rebelled against the idea.

Violet didn’t know which category Maddie fell into.

“Maddie!”

Violet stood still. She recognized that voice. It belonged to the man who’d kept her awake and restless through sleepless nights.

“In here, Daddy.”

Daddy… She glanced at Maddie, then at the man whose presence made her mouth dry.

It had been months since she’d seen him, but Violet recalled the sharp edge of his muscular jaw.

The champagne on his tongue when his mouth had slanted over hers.

And she remembered the hollowness that consumed her when he didn’t call.

That night never existed.

Any connection she’d felt toward this man wasn’t real. It was a weak attempt at convincing herself.

Violet swayed in her disbelief. How dare he fake a relationship when he’d obviously been in one with the girl’s mother. She tamped down on her wounded pride.

He frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“The agency sent me, they said I was hired for a nanny position.” Violet crossed her arms. Unbelievable. “Or do you no longer need my services?”

“Beth!” Dimitri called moments before a middle-aged woman entered the room. “Please help Maddie finish getting ready for ballet.”

“Yes, Mr. Popova.” The woman took Maddie’s hand. “Come on, sweetheart.”

Violet sucked in a steadying breath once they were left alone. It was one thing to pretend Dimitri never existed but another to be in his presence and see disinterest mask his features.

He swiped a hand through his hair, pulling the wayward strands from his forehead. “I left my sister in charge of hiring a nanny. I had no idea it was going to be you.”

Because had he known, he would have hired someone else .

“Got it.” Violet turned toward the door.

“So we’re clear,” she said over her shoulder.

“I didn’t know you lived here.” She didn’t chase after any man, no matter how fine he looked or how much he turned her insides to goo.

And Dimitri definitely had that effect on her.

“I’ll tell the agency to send someone else. ”

“For heaven's sake, Violet.”

She didn’t slow her pace until she reached her car and yanked the driver’s door open. Dimitri slammed it shut. “What the hell?” When she turned, she almost bumped into him. He stood too close and her pulse sped with awareness.

“I don’t want anyone else.”

Her stomach fluttered. It was easy to imagine he meant something far more intimate than hiring a nanny.

“You’re intelligent, savvy. From what I witnessed the night we met, you care about your charges enough not to jeopardize that relationship with a handsy employer.”

“You got all that from one encounter?”

“I’m a good judge of character.”

Violet arched a disbelieving brow.

“I also look into the women I’m interested in,” he admitted.

“Of course, you do.” Violet snorted. “You could have asked me anything like a normal human being.” Wait, did he say he was interested in her?

The sneaky son of a gun. Don’t listen to his nonsense, Violet.

This man was hot and cold and she didn't carry a thermostat in her back pocket to gauge the temperature before she acted.

“When you say normal , do you mean pretending I’m your boyfriend to get a job?” He closed the gap, trapping her between the car and his arms. “And lying to your employer or does everyone use the Holidates App as their escort service?”

Violet flushed. She couldn’t claim the moral high ground but she could take care of Dimitri Popova once and for all.

“It seems that I’m no different from you.

” She turned, dismissing him. Violet needed this job but not enough to put herself through the agony of being in his home…

in his presence. “Even more reason to hire someone else.”

“No.” His breath tickled her nape and she immediately realized her mistake in turning away from a predator when goosebumps rose on the exposed skin. “I want you working for me and no one else.”