Page 39 of The Billionaire & the Nanny: Vol. 3

“It’s true. She used me like a butter knife during Sunday morning breakfast .”

I laugh. Where is this side of him coming from? The jokes, the smiles. I love it. “Everyone thinks she’s a saint and you’re the bad guy,” I say .

“I won’t say I’m perfect, because I’m not.” He slaps his chest, and his fingers drum along making a hollow, tapping sound. “But she’s no angel. It was clear to me soon after we married that she’d only done it to get pregnant, divorce me, and get money .”

“That’s incredibly sad .”

“It is .”

I think about those poor children. Did they really not come into this world out of love? Because that makes me so sad for them. Suddenly, I wish they were here so I could run up to them and give them big hugs. “That must’ve really hurt,” I tell him .

“Not just that. It made me jaded, distrustful, and I’m sure you could tell. So when you came here and started working, it was hard for me to process my attraction for you. I equated chemistry of any kind as a bad situation to be in, because look where it led me .”

“Right. I get it.” And I do. When he started to like me, it worried him that he’d be hurt again. “But I’m not Miriam,” I tell him. Not that I plan on marrying him and having his babies, but I want him to know that he can trust me. “With me, what you see is what you get .”

“You think,” he says, turning to me. “And I appreciate that. But Paisley, something I really like about you is that you don’t know how much more you are than what you’re showing. Damn, woman, you’re hardworking, you’re awesome with the kids, you’re gorgeous and you’re ambitious. On top of everything, you’re sexy as fuck. I had no idea about all of that when I hired you .”

“So you didn’t accidentally point to my picture when you meant to point to Caitlyn’s?” I laugh .

He pulls me in and takes my chin in his fingers. “Look at me. Miss Summers is attractive, I’m not going to lie, but she’s also conventional and desperate. Whereas you are the genuine article. She’s just a cheapo knockoff. You demand that I take you seriously. That’s what’s beautiful to me about you, babe. Got it ?”

“Got it.” I smile and he kisses me gently. It’s the first time we’ve ever had a conversation this long in bed where he’s not falling asleep and I’m not staring at the ceiling wondering what the hell is going on with my life. “I’m sorry if I haven’t recognized the good things about me,” I say, staring at his full lips and the dark shadow of stubble growing across his jawline. “It’s just that I’ve felt so betrayed by so many people in my life—my best friend, my roommate, even my dad …”

“I know. That one really pissed me off. That’s why I asked what kind of a man was he. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, but I would never do that to my daughter. I know where my loyalties lie .”

And that’s just it. Logan has never given me any reason to believe he’s not loyal. On the contrary, he keeps his eyes to himself, doesn’t ogle women (from what I’ve seen), was faithful to Miriam until she declared she wanted a divorce, and even these last few weeks…even Caitlyn’s physical charms weren’t enough to sway him .

“You’re a good man, Logan.” I mean it. I feel terrible that I judged him on the first day and called him the evil one in the relationship. “I’m so glad I met you. And, just so we’re clear, I don’t just mean for my job.” I giggle and shake my head .

“Yeah, yeah, you’re just sleeping with me to keep yourself employed .”

“Sir, I could leave here anytime I want and be fine with my bank account.” I turn to him and look him in the eyes. “I came back because of you. Because you asked me to. Because I missed us. And I missed Thing 1 and Thing 2 also .”

“Yeah,” he says. “They’re pretty stinkin’ cute .”

“They are. Just like their daddy.” I kiss him and smile when he pulls away and snuggles into my neck, breathing softly and falling into a quiet doze. How did we get here? Just yesterday I thought my love life was over, and then came Logan all the way to my front door to bring me back. Because he missed me, he claimed. Because he needed me. I’m not in the habit of not giving people the benefit of the doubt, but I just find it so hard to believe that he would need me for anything .

But maybe it’s time I start believing. Just because he has money doesn’t mean he has it all. And I can see how women might have acted stupid and desperate around him in the past. Money makes people show their true colors, makes those with money mistrust others’ motives. But I never cared about money beyond what I need to survive and grow a business. It’s Logan’s heart I’m interested in .

Whoa. Where did that thought come from? And why don’t I care one bit ?

Yeah, I think I’ll admit it now. What hurt more than anything about leaving two weeks ago was thinking I’d never have the chance to change his heart .

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