Page 60 of Seduced By Contract

There’s a squeal of pure happiness in response.

"And you must be Soraya," he says to my little girl, who, just like her aunt, melts for the authoritative Greek.

I'm not surprised that he remembered the children's names. Zeus is the type who doesn't let anything slip by.

"Now that we've introduced ourselves, let me talk to your aunt."

Even though I resist, my heart swells with affection at seeing how he treats my niece and nephew. It's obvious that he's not used to kids, but perhaps his instincts have made him gentler than usual.

"I'm sorry for not letting you know. I found out last minute, and I was a bit thrown."

"When does your stepmother come back?"

"Later today, I think, but I don't know the exact time. I was waiting for you to arrive so I could catch a taxi."

"Do you want to go home?"

"I don't have much of a choice."

"We need to talk, so maybe it's better if we go to my apartment."

I look at him as if a third eye has sprouted on his forehead.

"What's the matter?"

"You want to spend the afternoon with the kids?"

"I want to spend the afternoon with you, and if that means bringing them along, I don't mind." He sounds indifferent, but when he feels Soraya's little hand grabbing his pants, he crouches down again and talks to her. "Am I being rude by not giving you attention, Miss? It seems I need to improve my manners."

My niece laughs, all happy.

As for me, I pull back. I don't want Zeus around my family, nor do I want to get used to it. "I think it's better not to. Also, we don't even have baby seats for your car."

"How do you usually do it?"

"When Eleanor goes out with them, we always request the same taxi, which has two spare baby seats in the trunk."

He stands up and says something to one of the bodyguards.

"What are you doing?"

"I told them to buy two baby seats. They'll be back in half an hour, max."

"Why go to so much trouble?"

"I want to spend the rest of the day with you. You told me why it wasn't possible, and I removed the obstacle. End of story."

"You're—”

"Yes. Arrogant, conceited, and I don't give up on what I want."

"I'll agree only because, as you reminded me yesterday, I'm under contract."

He gives me a half-smile. "It's a good thing you're dreaming about fashion school, Madison, because if you tried to make a living as a poker player, you'd be lost. You're the worst liar in the world."

We're on our way to his place, with me sitting between the two baby seats in the back. My niece and nephew each have a teething toy within reach, and now and then, they lean forward to chat with each other. It's really funny.

Zeus looks at me in the rearview mirror while I call Eleanor to let her know where we're going.

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