Page 52 of Daddy's Unexpected Gift

A few minutes later, the elevator doors slid open, and Sterling stepped out. He paused as he looked at me, and then a smile spread across his face. “You look stunning. Come, the car is waiting.”

“But I thought I was having dinner with you and?—”

“You are. The new nanny is upstairs with Georgie, so I’m taking you out.”

“The new nanny? Her background check went through?” I asked.

“She was vetted by the agency I hired her through. They came highly recommended, and they are highly rated. The extra background check is to mollify the agency you work for, not for me.”

I nodded in understanding. “Do I get to meet her?”

Sterling twisted his brow and seemed to think as he led me into the back of his waiting car. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. If she doesn’t know who you are, she can’t accidentally tell Peggy Stanholt that you are still seeing us.”

I settled into the back of the car and waited for Sterling to sit next to me. “That makes sense.”

He slid his arm behind my back and tucked me in close to his side. “You were so nervous this morning. I want to see you, Cecelia. I want you with me and Georgie. I don’t want to add to your stress. As long as Georgie is being monitored and this nanny works for me, you won’t meet her.”

“Should I be jealous? Is she pretty?”

He chuckled. “She looks like a grandmother with short, white hair. You have nothing to worry about.”

I leaned against Sterling, and for a moment, I didn’t worry about anything. He was fulfilling his responsibility to the baby, he wanted to see me, and he was figuring it all out so that I didn’t get in trouble. This could work. And when he kissed me, I stopped thinking altogether.

He didn’t stop kissing me until the car stopped and the back door opened.

“We’re here,” he said as he climbed out of the car.

I hesitated. We were safe and alone in the car, but outside, people could see us. What if the wrong people did?

He leaned on the open door and ducked down to look at me. “No one you know is going to see you with me here.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“The same reason no one was going to see us at the park the other day. Exclusivity. This isn’t the kind of place that… Well, let’s just say, I doubt any of your coworkers would come here.” He held his hand out to me.

“Promise?” I asked as I took his hand. I stepped out of the car and realized he was right. This was the kind of restaurant that celebrities and the super-rich went to, not social workers.

“I’m glad I changed. Coming here in my work clothes would have been awkward.”

“You looked fine in what you had on earlier. But I’m glad you changed. I like that dress.” Sterling leaned in and whispered, “I can’t wait to see it on the floor.”

A blush assaulted my cheeks. Sterling laughed as I buried my face against his arm.

“You are adorable when you blush,” he said.

“And you’re incorrigible for making me blush.”

“It’s so easy to do,” he crooned.

“Sterling.” I felt my blush burn bright. “I thought we were supposed to go over some of your lists for Georgie.”

“I’m demonstrating my competency,” he said with mock-affront. He even placed his hand on his chest dramatically. “I thought you would be impressed that I managed to get a nanny and arrange for us to go out. We can go over lists another time. Come on, let me show you a good time first,” he said as he led me into the restaurant. “They even serve realistic food portions here.”

“You mean it’s not so fancy they can’t give anything but a taste?”

He shook his head. “Not nearly as fancy as that, but not so casual that you’ll get enough to feed the state of Texas on your plate.”

We had food. I barely remembered any of it. It was good, I think. And there was dessert, but it wasn’t as interesting or captivating as watching Sterling. I spent the entire time staring at his mouth and his fingers. He smiled and laughed. I kept thinking about how he wanted to see my dress on the floor. I did too, right next to his trousers and shoes.

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