Page 36 of The Billionaire & the Nanny: Vol. 3

“Why?”

“Because all she’s done since starting work is flirt with me. Honestly, I’m sick of it .”

“Why was it different ?”

“What do you mean ?”

“You said sleeping with me was different. Why was it different ?”

Did I say that? One of these days, I’m going to invent a device that lets you rewind conversations to prove that you did or didn’t say something and make a killing off it. I throw my arms up and let them fall at my sides. “I don’t know, Paisley. It just was. I felt drawn to you. I can’t explain it, I just know that I miss you. Plain and simple .”

She watches me carefully, analyzing my face and tone. Paisley’s eyes are like a human lie detector test. “What about Miriam and my father ?”

“Look, I accept that it wasn’t your fault your dad took the job. I shouldn’t have made you feel like it was. As long as you give your word that you won’t share any details of your job with your father, I’ll trust you .”

“I don’t know, Logan. I’m not used the way you talk to me sometimes, like you own me or like I’ve done something wrong when I haven’t. I need respect. I need kindness .”

“And I will treat you with both. I promise.” I know I can be an asshole sometimes. I still don’t completely understand why, but Paisley doesn’t deserve it. It has to do with the doubt I feel with everyone around me .

Her smirk tells me she’s on the fence. She’s mad at me, mad at Caitlyn, mad at her father, and I can totally see why she’s having the same trust issues as me. But I can’t afford to live without her. Not only because of the kids, but also because…well, because of me. There’s only one thing to do .

“Please,” I add, coming around the counter and slipping the knife out of her hand. I take her wrist and press it against my lips. The scent of her skin fills my nose and sends me back to that place. The place I’d lose myself whenever she was with me. The place the helped me forget. “I need you, Paisley .”

* * *

G etting ridof Caitlyn is easy. It’s almost like she knew she’d be fired but is happy to have made it this far. However, when I tell her why, her whole demeanor changes. “You’re bringing Paisley back?” she asks, blue eyes wide and shocked .

“Yes, the kids have grown accustomed to her, she knows them better than you do, and she’s willing to come back .”

“Oh, she’s willing? I wonder why.” Her entire tone changes .

At this point in my life, it’s better to get the real person up front than go on months or years dealing with a pretender .

“Look, I know you’re her roommate,” I tell her. That’s a little detail she left out of her first meeting with me. “And I know she told you everything about us. But this is about my kids, and all my decisions are in the best interest of my kids .”

It’s not true. Some decisions are made because of me, because I need Paisley in my life, but Caitlyn doesn’t need to know that. This is purely professional .

“Sure.” Her smile is carefree but deep down, I can see she’s hurt. It’s a shitty testament to my reputation that she expected to seduce me all because I slept with her friend and roommate, but I need to end that. I didn’t sleep with Paisley out of habit .

I slept with her because I was falling for her .

“It was a pleasure having you, Caitlyn,” I tell her, a harmless white lie. In actuality, she was a real pain in the ass and not very good with the twins. I stick out my hand. Time to move on and figure out my life. “I’ll be adding five thousand for your trouble and efforts and wish you the best of luck .”

The handshake is weak, and she leaves without a word after that .

* * *

T he next day,my driver delivers Paisley back to my building. I ask him to escort her all the way up to the penthouse just in case Miriam or Caitlyn re nearby. Angry women can be brutally dangerous with each other, and I want nothing to happen to her. Overprotective of me, maybe, but I can’t take any risks with the last months of the divorce still looming .

When I step out of the hall and see her standing in the middle of my living room, bags slung over her shoulders, eyes red with tears, I know I should’ve made my offer before sending Caitlyn back to the same apartment. I can see they’ve had a fight, and now I feel like I should’ve acted sooner. My woman, the words slunk into my brain, seeing her standing there .

“I want you to stay here. Whether or not the kids are here.” I stare at her gorgeous face, cheeks stained with tears. Her light green eyes fuel my soul. She’s home .

“I can’t live here, Logan. I’ll find another place to go, don’t worry .”

“You’ll live here,” I told her, rushing up to her and taking her face into my hands, kissing each cheek softly. “With me .”

She doesn’t argue. Just falls apart in my arms defeated by stress and life, like a warrior finally arrived at a safe haven. I need to make sure she understands this is a safe place for her. I know I haven’t been the most dependable man…I have to make that up to her .

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