Page 41 of Baby for My Billionaire Rival

Since the first day when I got an incredible amount of gumption to invite him into the bathroom for a quickie, we’ve had sex every day in every secret corner of Trilby. We’ve onlyalmost been caught once by theactualmaintenance man when he walked into the broom closet we had tumbled into. Luckily for us, there was a dark recess in the corner we were able to hide until he left us alone, leaving us laughing, flushed, and even hungrier to finish what we’d started.

On the one hand, it’s fantastic. The sex is superb. But on the other hand, I can’t stop thinking about him. What else is new? Unlike the way he was on my mind during Christmas break, however, this is way worse. Before, he had a firm place as someone I had slept with and wouldn’t again.

Now he’s my fuck buddy? My friend with benefits? I’m not even sure what to call him. All of those names feel wrong when in my heart of hearts I know I’m starting to catch feelings for him.

Jake is a gentleman. Always makes sure I come, double checks that anything we’re doing I really want to do, and always says the sweetest things to me in the throes of passion.

I want him in ways that are more complicated than fucking though.

“Tea would be good, Caroline,” Gram says, like I’m an idiot for not offering yet.

“Of course. Everyone, sit,” I say, directing Jude and Chase to the couch. Thank God they agreed to come up with Gram. I need buffer people right now.

Jude follows me into the kitchen. “I’ll help you.”

“Thanks, but I don’t exactly need help boiling water,” I say.

Jude looks over her shoulder and whispers. “This isn’t for you, it’s for me! Gram is disappointed Chase didn’t propose during the holidays and he told her it’s because I want to wait and now she won’t leave me alone.”

I giggle. “Sounds like Gram.”

Jude and I chat softly while the kettle boils. Partway through our conversation, the buzzer for the front door goes off. “Probably Amazon!” I call out. “Leave it!”

It buzzes twice more and I roll my eyes. Amazon is like the fucking FBI. They’ll hunt you down.

I leave Jude to deal with the hot water and go out into the living room, peeking through the curtain down at the front stoop.

My jaw drops when I see it’s not Amazon at all. It’s Jake. And he’s holding a bouquet of flowers.Flowers.

He looks up at the window and gives me a wave. I pull the curtain shut fast.

“What is it, dear?” Gram asks, her eyebrow cocked.

“Um, something I have to sign for!” I squeak, rushing to the front door. “I’ll be back.”

Ignoring any lingering questions, I bound out of the apartment and down the stairs, tearing open the door to face Jake. “What the hell are you doing here?” I hiss.

The friendly smile he had on before immediately fades. “I… is this a bad time?”

I’m such a jerk. The flowers in his hands are the most beautiful arrangement I’ve ever seen. More like a bounty than a bouquet. “My family is here.”

Jake’s eyebrows jump. “Oh! I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, I just –” He clears his throat. “I was in town for some business stuff and I saw these and they made me think of you. And I thought if you were free, I could take you out. But you’re not, which is fine, since I showed up out of the blue. I mean, who does that? I should have texted first.”

I can’t help but smile. The poor guy sounds like he rehearsed this in the car and now is finding flaws in his speech.

“So anyway –”

“What’s this about?” Gram’s voice razors into my ear from behind me.

“Gram!” I say, turning around with a wild smile on my face. “I wish you had stayed upstairs.” I glance back at Jake and then at Gram. “I was having flowers delivered for you!”

I grab the bouquet out of Jake’s hands and shove it toward Gram. I’m totally going to hell for this.

“Why?” she asks in such a neutral tone it’s hard not to think she has an agenda.

“Just to thank you for visiting me! Now –”

Gram pushes me out of the way, lifting her chin. “Did she tip you, young man?”

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