Page 15 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Nanny

In the center of the room was a modern glass fireplace with a fire already roaring inside. A decorated Christmas tree stood off to the side near the comfy leather couches. On the opposite side, was an open kitchen. It was fully equipped with fancy professional-grade stainless-steel appliances, an espresso machine, and a bar area.

At the other side of the suite, I spotted an office area through an open door, as well as a series of bedrooms.

Blake let Emilia out of his arms and stretched his back. "You're a writer, Lacey. Surely you can come up with some other description."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Wow is a perfectly adequate reaction. This place is amazing. It's all ours for the holidays?"

He grinned. "All of it, until after the New Year."

Emilia grabbed my hand. "Let's go pick our rooms."

I laughed and let her drag me down the hall.

After we figured out where we were all going to sleep, it was time for dinner.

We went downstairs to the restaurant in the hotel lobby. The multi-story lobby was tastefully decorated for the holidays. Sparkling crystal ornaments hung above us, recreating the snowy winter wonderland outside. Gold and silver tinsel snaked around the giant bubbling fountain in the middle of the lobby.

The restaurant was more subdued. Each table was covered with a white tablecloth with an arrangement of warm and inviting candles at the center. Jazzy Christmas music played softly in the background. Garlands of pine ran along the dark wooden beams overhead and potted red poinsettia plants added a pop of color all around the dining room.

Emilia was practically bouncing on her feet from the excitement of being somewhere new. Sensing the impending disaster of a hyperactive child in a restaurant filled with delicate glassware and burning candles, Blake picked her up and carried her in one arm.

"Good evening, Mr. Wulfthorn, Mrs. Wulfthorn" the hostess greeted. "Your table is ready. Please follow me."

I shot him a surprised look. My lips parted in surprise, but Blake did nothing to correct her. As we followed the hostess through the restaurant, I scanned the diners in the room. In their crisply tailored suits and expensive silks and pearls, I felt distinctly underdressed in my fleece sweater. Blake reached over and took my hand in his, giving it a comforting squeeze. The warmth from his touch flowed through me, giving me a boost of confidence I didn't know I needed.

We arrived at the rear of the restaurant, where our table overlooked the snow-covered garden at the back of the hotel. After we were seated, the waiter filled our water glasses, and we were presented with our menus and a basket of bread. Our waiter took our drinks orders before disappearing discreetly.

"Don't worry about them, Lacey. There's no dress code here. It's all fragile egos and small minds. I'm still judged to be lacking."

I took a sip of water. "But how? I mean, you're you."

Blake laughed. "New money has a smell. Not that I give a damn. All money smells good, as far as I'm concerned."

He split open a dinner roll and buttered it before passing it to me. Repeating the motion, he gave half a roll to Emilia and kept the other half for himself. Breaking off a chunk, he chewed for a moment. "Not bad. Baked in house this morning. The crust has a good chew, but it could be crispier."

I bit into the roll and mulled. "Definitely not up to Wulfthorn standards. That's why I took this job, you know. The unlimited supply of fresh bread was an offer I couldn't refuse."

Blake laughed. "That's the sweetest thing anybody's ever said to me. I knew you only wanted me for my buns."

The waiter returned to take our orders. We helped Emilia settle on a five-cheese tortellini in a butter herb sauce. Blake ordered roasted duck with black pepper sauce, while I chose the rack of lamb with garlic and rosemary.

Emilia was so happy to be eating in a big girl restaurant, that she was on her best behavior as she ate her pasta.

"How's your book coming along?" Blake asked before taking a sip of his merlot.

"I'm done with the first draft. Hopefully, I can get in a couple of revisions and send the manuscript to an editor after the new year."

"That's great. I would like to read it when you're finished."

I stabbed a forkful of lamb and paused. "Really? It's just a silly vampire story. You don't have to pretend--"

Blake shook his head. "It's not just a silly story. Don't undersell your talent like that. You have to believe in yourself before others will." He leaned across the table. "Besides, you don't know how many hours of Anne Rice audiobooks I've listened to during my middle-of-the-night baking sessions."

He was right, of course. "Alright then. I'll make sure to save a copy for you and even autograph it."

"Make sure you remember us little people after you have your breakout hit," he added.

I rolled my eyes at him. There was nothing about him that was little.

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