Page 4 of The Billionaire Dating Dad

Violet glanced at Dimitri from the corner of her eye. She shook her head, she couldn’t figure him out. “Let me get this straight,” she said, confused about whetherpassionwas bad or good. “You think I was asked to bring a date because I love my job?”

“For all her qualities, Mrs. Townson is a jealous woman.”

Violet rolled her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous!”

“It's why she won’t hire single nannies, no matter how qualified you are.”

“Women like Mrs. Townson have everything. Why would she be jealous of a nanny?” If Dimitri was trying to distract her, he was doing a first-rate job.

“Even I can see that you’re not just a nanny, Violet.”

Her eyes widened.

“You have passion and passion is attractive.” His tone dropped to a husky rumble born from raw desire.

Wait.Did he find her attractive?As quickly as the thought materialized, Violet dismissed it.

He turned them toward the wall of paintings, but she didn’t see any of them. Every part of her, from the bottom of her feet to where their hands connected, swayed in complete harmony with the man beside her. The warm woodsy scent of his cologne invaded her nose, coating her dry throat, and filling her lungs with liquid heat.

“You’re dedicated and I admire that.”

“Thanks.” She cleared her throat, his admission took her off guard.

“Mr. Townson has gained a reputation for his infidelity. He loves beautiful women and you are both beautiful and intelligent.”

Heat flooded her body at his compliment because Dimitri didn’t seem the type to issue idle flattery. “Why are you warning me?”

Dimitri paused. “You should know who you’ll be working for.”

“I…”How was she supposed to respond to that bit of information minutes before meeting the man?“Thank you,” she said, but Dimitri’s warning only spiked her nervousness.

Was that why Mrs. Townson insisted on meeting at the event and asked if Violet had someone special in her life. She’d been ready to say no but had sensed the importance of answering yes to the woman’s inquiry. Then, she’d done what any sensible woman would do and asked her roommate for help to find a date.

Dimitri couldn’t be right. Her nanny friends said the woman was demanding and frequently traveled with her husband, but none mentioned anything about infidelity.

“You’re welcome.” Dimitri lifted a stray lock of hair and tucked it behind her ear.

For a moment, Violet forgot where they were. She forgot about the job and that the man possessively holding her wasn’t hers to fantasize about. “What… what are you doing?” she breathed.Why was it so hard to speak?

“You’re mine, remember?” His fingers lingered on her neck.

Good Lord.Violet shivered. She should tell him that she wasn’t his anything, except the rebuttal was lodged in her throat.

When he stared at her mouth, she unconsciously drew her lower lip between her teeth. “I should kiss you,” he said, “Let him see that you’re mine and not to be trifled with.”

If he kissed her, Violet realized that she would let him. Her body hummed at his nearness and the seductive idea of being kissed in a room filled with onlookers.

“Do you want me to?” His eyes raced up her face to hold her gaze.

She flushed and was sure he felt her burning skin against his palm. Yes, she wanted him to pretend but this felt different. Real. “Are you helping or trying to get me to change my mind about working for Mrs. Townson?”

He released her, and she immediately missed his hand in her hair. “How about a wager?” he said in her ear.

“What?” She swallowed, resisting the urge to touch the spot where his breath tickled.

“If you are so sure you’re right about Mr. Towson,” he said with a devilish glint in his eyes that tempted her to take a chance. “You have nothing to lose.”

Violet bit her lip. Dimitri had done her a huge favor. What was the harm in playing his silly game? Besides, if she won, she would declare them even.

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