Page 47 of Seduced By a Billionaire

“We hadn’t had sex for ages prior to the accident.”

“Only because you were always working.”

“No, that’s not the reason. We’ve been friends almost our entire lives. Had each other’s backs through our lonely fucked up childhoods. I wouldn’t have survived it without you. I never want anything to come between us. That’s why it was a mistake for us to leave the friend zone. And I’m sorry. I really am. I believed you when you said you wanted a post-divorce fuck with no strings.”

“I meant it darling, it’s just you were such a great lay, how could I stop at a few? We are a good match Kyle. Imagine if we merged our resources. Both of us are ambitious, not to mention animals in the bedroom. They always say marry your best friend.” She ran her long scarlet fingernail down his nose. “Can you say you don’t miss the sex, even a little?”

“Yes, I can say that. We’re friends. Accept it or not, that’s all I have to offer.”

“This Hallmark movie starring your nurse will get old. You’re not the domestic kind of guy. I’ll be around to pick up the pieces.”

“Give it a break Charlene. There won’t be any pieces. She has no interest in me despite my irresistible charm.”

“There must be something seriously wrong with her.”

“I rather think she’s discerning, wouldn’t you agree?”

Charlene laughed out loud, “Part of your dubious charm is your self-effacing demeanor—that is unless you’re in the courtroom, then look out.”

Kyle lifted an eyebrow and said, “And here I thought the charm gene skipped me. Are we good then?”

“You know we’ll always be good. Can’t say I’m happy about you cutting me off but easy come, easy go. I’m just glad you didn’t die on me. I would have been very pissed off.”

He held out his arm and she leaned into him as he squeezed her tight.

“I’ll see myself out. Bye darling.” She flounced out of the room like she owned the world.

Kyle stood up stiffly, grabbed his cane and mentally rehearsed his damage control speech. He shook his head wondering how the hell Charlene always seemed to have impeccable timing when it came to Ella.

16

Ella stuffed Finn’s spiderman PJ’s into his superman backpack and zipped it closed. “You’re going to have so much fun with your Aunt Faye.”

“Yeah but what if Dad needs me?”

Ella sat on the bed and pulled him to her for a hug, “That’s why I’m here. Plus, he’s getting stronger every day, soon he won’t even need me.”

Finn buried his head in her neck and in a muffled voice said, “I don’t want you to leave, ever.”

Her heart ached at his admission. This little guy had already lost so much in his short life, now another big transition. They were scheduling interviews this weekend for his replacement nanny.

“Buddy, I promise you that we’ll always be friends. We’ll make play dates and do lots of fun stuff together. Sound good?”

“It won’t be the same.”

“No, you’re right it will be different, but who knows, maybe it’ll be even better. You’ll probably like your new nanny even more than me.”

“Never!” he pushed away and grabbed his pack and ran out of the room.

Ella sighed; her chest heavy. This wasn’t going to be easy all the way around. She had become very attached to this little person. All her maternal instincts had kicked in and she felt their destinies were now somehow intertwined.

Ella caught up with Finn in his father’s office, sitting silently on the floor with Daisy. Faye had already arrived and the energy in the room crackled with her vibrancy.

“Ella! Great to see you again.” Faye looked radiant, her pale skin and features delicate, so different from her brother’s dark complexion and hard angles. It was as if each of their parents got to have a replicated self, Kyle so much like his father and Faye a mirror image of her beautiful mother.

“Hey Faye. Finn and I were just discussing his apprehension about leaving his dad all night,” Ella shared. “He’s a bit worried he might be needed,” she exchanged knowing looks with Faye and Kyle.

“I’ll be fine, in fact I’m taking Ella out for a fancy dinner at The Yacht Club tonight.”

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