Page 57 of Don't Fall for the Billionaire
“It’s me. Did you call Eloise’s doctor?”
“I just got off the phone with them. I have an appointment to bring her in at three o’clock.”
“Okay. I’ll send Dominic to pick you up, and I’ll meet you there.”
“You don’t have to, Ashton. I know how busy you are.”
“She’s my daughter, Charlotte. I’ll meet you there.”
“Okay.”
I ended the call and tossed my phone on my desk. Waking up my computer, I brought up the Henderson deal. As I stared at the numbers, they blurred together, becoming meaningless to me because all I could think about was one thing: Charlotte. She slipped into my thoughts too easily, uninvited, like she belonged there. I’d built walls for a reason. A wall made of brick and stone, whatever it took to keep the world at arm’s length. To keep me safe and in control at all times. But Charlotte seemed to be slipping past all of it because when she looked at me, really looked at me, I felt seen in a way I hadn’t since…hell, maybe ever.
I turned my chair around and faced the sprawling city before me while tugging on my tie that had suddenly seemed too tight. This wasn’t me. I didn’t do soft edges. I didn’t want to crave her. She was just the nanny, nothing more, and I needed to remember that. But what if she were the only thing in the world that could undo me or possibly save me from myself?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Charlotte
“I have to run to Eloise’s school and pick up her homework for today. Do you mind keeping an eye on her?” I asked Sylvia.
“Not at all. Take the whole day for yourself.” She smiled.
“Well, my cousin does want to meet for lunch,” I said.
“Then go. I’m here all day. Eloise will be fine.”
“Thanks, Sylvia.” I hugged her.
I went upstairs to Eloise’s bedroom and found her sitting up, sipping her water.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better,” she said. “My throat doesn’t hurt as bad.”
“Good.” I smiled, running my hand down her head. “If you’re up to it, Sylvia is making you breakfast. You need to take your medication.”
“Okay. I’m hungry.” She jumped out of bed.
“I’m heading out to run errands, but Sylvia is here to watch you, and Dominic will be picking us up at 2:30 to take us to the doctor.”
“I don’t want to go to the doctor again,” she whined.
“I know, honey, but we need to. I’ll take you for ice cream after.”
“Okay!”
I rested my head on the glass of the cab window as I thought about Ashton and the small moments that kept replaying in my head. The small moments where he wasn’t the ruthless, untouchable billionaire. We’d slept together a few times now. Things were evolving, transforming. And I wasn’t talking about autumn.
I shook my head, mumbling under my breath. “Don’t do this to yourself.” But then I thought about the way he looked at me with hunger in his eyes and the way my heart raced when he walked into the room. My mind kept going back to the way he’d touch me, kiss me, and make me feel like the most beautiful, wanted woman in the world. Maybe—just maybe Ashton Cross wasn’t as untouchable as he wanted the world to believe.
The cab jerked to a stop in front of the school. Climbing out, I asked him to wait for me. Pressing the buzzer at the door, the office buzzed me in. When I stepped into the office, I saw Kitty Corners standing there talking to the secretary.
“Great,” I mumbled under my breath.
Kitty turned around and eyed me from head to toe.
“Can I help you?” the secretary asked.
