Page 62 of Seduced By a Billionaire

“It’s not like our staff need us hovering over them to do their jobs.”

“There has to be a leader or things start to fall apart,” Kyle said.

“Well I’m a little tired of being the “leader” it’s been a very long nine weeks buddy.”

“Wow, really? Get the fuck out of here then.”

“I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Don’t sweat it.”

Kyle ignored his last statement and turned toward his office. He shut his door forcefully behind him. He was fuming. If the situations were reversed, he would have gladly picked up the slack, in fact he had carried most of the weight of the practice since the beginning.I guess you find out who your friends are. Maybe Pete had always been this self-centered and he just hadn’t noticed. Maybe I’m the one who has changed.

22

Ella and Finn were outside playing kickball when Kyle returned home. Their laughter pierced the air and he felt himself relax from the sound of it.

Finn spotted him, “Daddy!” Running full speed towards Kyle, he stopped just short of barreling right into him.

“Looks like you two are having fun without me.”

“Sorry dad, we couldn’t help it.”

Kyle eyed Ella warily as she approached, waiting to see what the weather conditions between them were going to be this afternoon.

Eyes downcast she said quietly, “Hey.”

“Hey yourself.”

“How was your first day back?”

He lifted her chin with his fingers and looked piercingly into her liquid green eyes, “Lonely.”

“Me too.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes which was his undoing. Tenderly he said, “Come here you.” Pulling her tightly to his chest, he inhaled her intoxicating scent, “I’m sorry.”

Her voice was muffled against his chest as she replied, “I’m sorry too.”

He whispered softly in her ear, “Could you repeat that.”

Ella smiled against his chest her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

Finn snuggled his way in and sandwiched himself between them. Kyle felt an ache in his chest and his throat tightened with emotion.I’m in real trouble here. How the hell did this happen?

* * *

Ella struggled with her own vulnerability. When she had looked up from their ball game and saw Kyle standing there in his suit coat and dress shirt untucked and unbuttoned, her heart had literally flip-flopped. Her earlier anger had vanished and was replaced with a deep longing. Hell, she didn’t want to leave, but she knew it was the sensible thing to do. Things had moved so quickly between them and giving herself a breather seemed like the right thing to do. So why did she feel like bawling her eyes out?

As if reading her mind Finn looked up, eyes brimming with tears, and said, “Why do you have to go? Why can’t you stay and live with us forever? Daisy doesn’t want to go either.”

“She doesn’t?”

He solemnly shook his head no, “Besides, me and dad love you, you’re our family now.”

Ella’s eyes widened and she burst out in laughter as Kyle joined in.

“What’s so funny?” Finn asked bewildered.

“Nothing you little munchkin,” Kyle said squeezing him tight. “You’ve got it all figured out. Way ahead of us adults.”

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