Page 20 of The Billionaire & the Nanny: Vol. 3

Logan

T he urban centerdesign doesn’t just take everything out of me. It taunts me, provokes me, torments me .

It’s no wonder I come home as late as I do .

But tonight, I decide to kick out and head home early. Paisley was right—I need to spend more time with the kids. I know I said it was nearly impossible to spend more time at home but it’s not. I can put people to work for me in my absence, and a little time off would be good for me. At least that’s the plan .

First order of business, setting my phone to silent .

When I walk through the door, I hang my coat and head to the play room, expecting the kids to be there watching TV or something. Except they’re not. I hear giggling on the other side of the house and follow the sounds all the way to the atrium where my kids, guided by Paisley, are digging a hole in the ground. Their hands and faces are covered in dirt. Paisley looks up, her jaw dropping in shock. “Logan ?”

The kids look up, too. “Da-yee!” Thing 1 and Thing 2 drop their mini spades and come running toward me. Part of me puts an instant guard up—don’t want to get dirty in my suit. But the other…ah, fuck it. Each of my arms scoops up a little one, and I plant a kiss on each of their cheeks .

“You’re home early.” Paisley is all smiles from ear to ear. Damn, she’s absolutely gorgeous when she’s relaxed and not scared to talk to me. I should catch her off-guard more often .

Putting the twins down, I sit on the cobblestone walkway into the atrium. “Decided I needed a break .”

She cocks her head. “But won’t everything fall apart without you there?” Her question is laced with cheekiness, and it comes accompanied with a wink, but I won’t reprimand her now. I’ll smack that ass later and make her apologize .

“Yes, it will, but the kids leave tonight, and I wanted to see them before they go.” I reach for one of the mini spades and start digging in the earth. “What are you guys doing ?”

“Making treeeeeeees!” Price throws his hands up, showing me how big his imaginary tree is .

“We had apples for snack, Daddy. They just planted the seeds .”

“Wow, are they going to grow big?” I ask, catching a tackle from Becca on my left side .

“Ya! Very big! We’re gonna make APPLES!” she screams into my ear, nearly bursting an eardrum, and I just don’t care. Their giggles and shouts, hugs, kisses and dirty hands are the best thing that ever happened to me .

Paisley watches the whole thing with awe .

“What? What’s wrong?” I ask .

“Nothing. I just had no idea …”

“No idea I actually loved my kids? Did you think I didn’t care about them?” I catch Becca as she runs circles around me, and she shrieks with pure happiness .

“Well, not exactly, but …”

She did. She thought I didn’t care, that I was some uninvolved father. I can’t blame her. Since the ten days I hired her, five of those here with the kids, I haven’t actually sat down to chill with them even once. But now I’m home, and it’d be good for her to see that I’m actually a great dad. If only I had less responsibilities .

Paisley digs another hole, and Price drops a tiny seed from his hand into it. “Grow big, apple!” he shouts into the hole. Paisley and I both crack up at my crazy son’s antics .

“You tell it, son. Show that seed who’s boss .”

“Like you do to me?” Her comment casually slips out, but it sends shivers through my body. Her tongue pushes into her cheek, and she can’t help that smile. Great, now I want her while the kids are awake, when it can’t happen .

“Exactly.”

We hang out in the atrium until all the seeds have been planted. Of course, none of them are going to grow in this climate-controlled setting not conducive to apple tree growth, but we’ve had fun and that’s what matters. While Paisley gets the kids washed up, “I’ll be in the living room,” I say and move off to pick a movie for us to sit and watch. I know hands-on activities are supposed to be better for little kids, but I’m exhausted and just want to chill with my babies. On the couch. With them in my arms. There’s no better stress-reducer .

I sit and stretch my legs out. Seconds later, the patter of little feet come running. “Yay! Da-yee!” They climb onto the couch, one on either side and settle in against my stomach and chest. Headrests for everyone .

“Daddy,” I correct. “I know you guys are only two, but it’s the most important word you’ll ever say .”

Paisley giggles from the kitchen behind me. I like making her smile. I wish I was witty enough to make her laugh all day long. “Actually, the most important word they’ll ever know is …”

“Don’t do it. I swear, if you say, Mommy…” I warn her .

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