Page 1 of The Billionaire Dating Dad

CHAPTER ONE

Violet

June

He stepped from his car, tossing his keys to the valet, wearing confidence like she wore her favorite lingerie. His black suit hugged his broad shoulders, gliding in tune with his long strides.

Erotic.

Sensual.

Violet swallowed when he turned, giving her a generous peek at his chest from the buttons he’d left undone. He hadn’t bothered with the black tie she’d suggested. If possible, his minor rebellion against society’s expectations made him more attractive.

Dimitri looked delicious, better than his photo on the Holidates App, and she hoped no one at the black-tie charity event would notice his lack of neckwear.Who was she kidding?The smooth skin around his collar would draw every donor's eye.

If Violet didn’t know better, she’d assume he’d rehearsed the carefree way he handed over his keys and looked in his suit a million times.What would it be like to have a man with his confidence shower her with attention?She bit the inside of her cheek to temper her wild imagination aside as he approached. As sure as sunrise, men like him didn’t date the help.

This was a professional date. Though her roommate swore another nanny had found love on the Holidates App, Violet wasn’t looking for romance. All she wanted was to make a good impression.

“You must be Violet.” His hand was warm as he gripped hers, sending electricity to her fluttering stomach. “I’m Dimitri.”

“Thanks for the last-minute date,” she said, wondering briefly ifshe’doverdressed.

His gaze trailed a chilling path from her four-inch heels to the artfully messy bun nestled at her crown, making her shiver under his attention. “It’s purely coincidence we’re attending the same event.”

Violet’s fingers tightened around her small clutch.Ouch.She winced.

His piercing eyes said he knewshedidn’t belong at tonight’s gathering. Any other day, he’d be correct. Overpriced booze and snobby companions weren’t her ideas of a good time.

“I’ve never seen you at the gallery before.” He stared at her, head cocked as if replaying the many guests he’d met at previous gatherings.

“Because you attend all charitable events for children or because you remember everyone you see?”

“Only the showings my sister drags me to."

Violet sighed. His reluctance was palpable. A pang of regret for using the App dimmed her good humor.

"And yes, I would remember you.” His stare caressed her bare skin, causing her belly to flutter.

She cleared her throat to remind herself where she was. “I’m guessing that since you’re here with me, accepting my date wasn’t your idea.” Again, he didn’t strike her as a man who needed help in the dating department.

“It was my sister’s.” Dimitri’s jaw clenched and unclenched.

Okay…He wasn’t in the mood for company tonight, but it was too late for Violet to go in alone, not after she’d told the Townsons she’d bring her boyfriend.

Boyfriend.Good grief. Her mouth dried. If he was already objecting to being her date, how was she going to tell him they had to pretend to be in a relationship?

“Well, you can get back at your sister by having an amazing time.”

He cocked a brow. “I had other plans this evening.”

Of course, he did. It seems they would just have an okay time, then.

“We might as well get this over with,” he said.

Violet clutched his arm. “Wait.” It was now or never. Better to get the hard part over with before they went inside. “I sort of told Mrs. Townson we are together.”

“What exactly do you mean by ‘together’?” His gaze narrowed.

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