Page 21 of The Billionaire Dating Dad

“Uh-huh.” Maddie took Violet’s hand as his driver, pulled beside them. “You can sit beside me,” Maddie said, “I sit in the middle, that means you can have the window seat.”

“Not only will Violet be going to your classes, but she’ll also be living with us too,” he said, meeting Violet’s icy glare with determination. He opened the car door and Maddie hurried into her booster seat. “Buckle up, sweetheart.”

“You promised we’d talk later,” Violet hissed through clenched teeth.

“I promised to listen to your concerns,” he corrected. “Now get in.” The moment she slid into the car, Dimitri leaned forward, fastening her seatbelt.

“I can do that.”

“So can I.” He tugged at Maddie’s seatbelt to make sure it was secure.

“Daddy buckles me up all the time,” Maddie cheered.

Violet’s gaze was heavy and he wondered at the thoughts going through her mind. Her body was rigid from holding herself still. Dimitri doubted she’d taken a full breath since entering the car. A shame he’d have to wait to have her breath brush his cheek. No matter, he’d started this game of seduction and he had no intention of changing direction.

The car ride to the studio seemed longer than usual. Yet, the tension-filled silence was oddly comforting. It had been sixmonths since his daughter’s arrival. He hadn’t dated anyone nor had any woman brought his body to life like Violet. Sharing this moment brought images of what they could be. A glimpse at what raising Maddie with someone might be like.

He glanced over his daughter’s fuzzy bun as the car stopped to meet Violet’s eye and guessed from how quickly she glanced away that she wasn’t immune to the chemistry between them. Seeing Violet was surreal and he couldn’t take his eyes off her for fear that she would vanish.

“Have fun, sweetheart,” he said, handing Maddie her bag. When she joined the other dancers, Dimitri took Violet’s elbow, guiding them to a seating area behind a glass wall where the parents watched the performance.

“Shouldn’t I go with Maddie?” Violet tried to slip out of his hold.

“Not unless there’s an emergency, parents aren’t allowed.”

She quickly glanced around at the other mothers. He was the only father. At times he admitted to being frustrated by the nonstop chatter about competitive dancing.

“Dimitri, I saved a seat for you,” Stephanie, one of the mothers said.

Violet stiffened and he smiled.

“Oh! You brought company.” Stephanie lost her smile for a second before shrugging off her disappointment as if Violet were a mild irritation. She expertly maneuvered Dimitri to sit in the empty seat beside her. “Who’s your friend?”

“Stephanie, this is Violet, she’s my —”

“I’m Maddie’s new nanny.”

“Only until I convince her to be my — aw.” Violet elbowed him and he grinned and her feistiness, even if he intended to get what he wanted in the long run.

“I’m temporary until he finds someone more suitable for the job.”

“Oh.” Stephanie glanced between Dimitri and Violet. “Why didn’t you just ask me, silly? I’ll start making calls as soon as I get home.”

Violet smirked. “Thank you!”

“Perhaps after I’ve made a list of potential candidates, me and Sadie can come over to help narrow down a candidate.”

Dimitri quirked his brow. Before today, Stephanie was content with subtle hints and he’d been okay with her innocent flirtation so long as he wasn’t required to act on it. Visiting his home and throwing their children together under the guise of nanny hunting was too much. He didn’t use his daughter to pick up women.

“Thanks for the offer Stephanie but I can handle finding a nanny.”

“Nonsense, it’s no trouble at all!” The woman clutched his arm, oblivious to his growing agitation.

“Any help finding a replacement would be appreciated,” Violet piped in.

Dimitri faced Violet, meeting arched brows and a pair of wide brown eyes. She was amused and having fun at his expense. Well, two could play that game. “Violet is right,” he said, not taking his gaze from Violet. “Name the date and time and I’ll make sure Violet is available to review your list.”

Violet’s amused smile slowly vanished.

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