Page 20 of Don't Fall for the Billionaire
Chapter Nine
Charlotte
I was in the kitchen, plating the pizza I ordered for Eloise and me. Ashton walked in, and I swallowed hard. Crisp black designer dress pants and a light gray button-down shirt with the sleeves slightly rolled up, looking like he'd just stepped off the front cover of GQ Magazine. His cologne lingered in the air as he passed by—scents of sandalwood and cedar with a touch of citrus. He didn't bathe in it, like other wealthy men I'd known. It was subtle, but not too subtle. A scent that suited him perfectly, balancing the polished professional man with something wilder and more dangerous. A smell that made my legs squeeze together.
“I'm leaving now.” He leaned over and kissed the top of Eloise's head. “Be good for Charlotte.”
“I will, Dad.”
“I'll see you two in the morning.” He looked at me.
“Oh, a late night?” I asked.
“Most likely.” He smiled.
After he left, I sat at the table with Eloise and ate my pizza.
“He's always going out,” Eloise said.
“Oh yeah?” I took a bite of my pizza.
Suddenly, a sadness washed over her as she lowered her head.
“Hey, what's wrong?” I asked.
“Now that you're here, he'll never be home anymore. I kind of liked not having a nanny.”
“Why? Because your dad had no choice but to be home more?”
She slowly nodded.
My heart broke, for I knew what it was like not to have your dad around growing up.
“You know what? I have so many things I want to teach you that you won't have time to worry about your dad not being around.”
“Like what?” She lifted her head and looked at me.
“Making pies.” I grinned.
“I love pie.” Her eyes widened.
“Good. Because we're going to bake a lot of them. I learned how to make them from my mom, and now I'm going to teach you.”
“What kinds of pie do you make?” she asked, taking a bite of her pizza.
“All kinds. And now, with fall coming, we can bake all things apple and pumpkin. What do you think about autumn?” I cocked my head.
She shrugged. “I don't know. I never thought about it. Summer is my favorite season because there's no school.”
“Ah, I loved summer when I was a kid for that very reason.” I smiled.
My first nightsleeping in my new bed was beyond amazing. I wasn't sure if I'd ever slept in a more comfortable bed in my life. I was up at 6 a.m. to shower and get ready before waking Eloise up at 7. When I opened my bedroom door, I smelled it—his scent that lingered through the hallway.
Walking into Eloise's room, Ashton had already woken her up.
“Good morning.” I glanced at my watch. “It's 6:58. I see your dad already woke you up.”
“Yeah.” She reached into her closet and pulled out her school uniform.
