Page 30 of The Grumpy Billionaire Baby Daddy

Honestly, the food smells pretty good.

I walk to the front door and open it. It’s Enns —always the first to show up at everything, including work. Enns has been working at Consco from when dad was in charge. He’s probably the most loyal Project Manager on the team. There are only two things I dislike about Enns: his badly-timed jokes and his bald head. He offers a wide smile as he steps into the living room.

“Where’s the music, Jason? Are we having a party or a funeral?”

Here we go.

It doesn’t take long before everyone else starts to arrive, from Charles, the MD, to Gabe, the Finance officer, to Kavia, the CTO. Kavia is the only woman on the team. She’s also the smartest and most efficient. I’m the only person who hasn’t hit on her at Consco because I never mix business and pleasure. I wish everyone thought the same way, but no one else really considers it a big deal. Enns, over fifty and married for twenty-four years, hit on her too. Well, most of the Consco guys are married and sleeping with everyone else but their wives anyway. Marriage really does suck.

It doesn’t take long for the house to get packed. The party hits it off after a short work speech, a few drinks, and some delicious snacks from mom. As the loud music fills the air, everyone wants to dance with Kavia, but she keeps asking me to dance. I finally agree, but only because tonight is different. As we move our bodies to the rhythm of Travie McCoy’sBillionaire, I let myself loose, realizing how great a dancer she is. She twirls, shakes, and turns like she was a professional dancer in her previous life. That would explain her toned body.

Just when the music gets to my head, I spot a familiar figure from the corner of my eye. Richard. What’s he doing here? I told him to stay out of my hair until the party ends. It gets worse when I notice who he’s dancing with.Fiona.

Everything in me boils as I fix my eyes on them. They’re oblivious to everything and everyone else as they move to the beat of the music. Richard whispers something in Fiona’s ears that causes her to laugh. I clench my jaws and look around. No one’s really bothered about them.

They probably assume she’s Richard’s girlfriend.

The thought sends a wave of red-hot rage through my body, and my heart pounds in my chest.

Kavia, unaware of my change of mood, places her arms around my neck when the slow music starts. My gaze keeps shifting toward Richard and Fiona, and I completely lose it when Fiona places her arms around Richard’s neck to dance. I abandon Kavia before she realizes what’s happening, hastening toward them. Richard spots me first and whispers to Fiona again. She grins. If I don’t hold myself back, I’ll lose my shit here. “What are you doing here?” I say.

My eyes dart from Richard to Fiona, resisting the urge to wipe off the ridiculous amused look on their faces.

“Chill man, we just came to have a little fun too. We’ll be out of here in a couple of minutes.”

I turn to Fiona, who looks like she’s about to laugh. Has she been drinking?

“Let’s dance,” I say.

She stares at me with a puzzled expression on her face, then she blinks and it’s gone. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I place my hand on the small of her back, over her tight shorts and hoodie. The hoodie hides her little bump well enough.

“Did I not tell you that no one must see you?” I say in a low voice, thankful for the loud music. At least no one else will hear me.

“I was really bored staying upstairs all day. Richard came over and suggested we crash the party. I needed something fun.”

I glance around to ensure that no one observes our heated conversation, lest unfounded rumors spread. Then, I raise her hands and spin her around with grace. Her movements are elegant, prompting a smile to form on my lips. As she returns her arms to my neck, I become ensnared by her mesmerizing ocean-blue eyes, catching myself before I am completely lost. A slight shiver runs down my spine as her fingers brush against my neck, taking me aback. How does she possess such a potent effect on me?

“Fiona, when I say you stay in your room, you stay in your room.”

She moves her feet two steps back and waves her hand in the air before doing another twirl. I close the gap between us, my gaze still fixated on her. Oh shit. Everyone must be watching us. I look up to find a couple of people whispering to each other. Kavia seems displeased.

I need to talk to Fiona privately.

“Come with me,” I whisper to Fiona and walk into the hallway. I peer into the room on the left. Empty. Good. I turn to ensure Fiona is behind me before opening the door and entering. When she steps in, I shut the door and glare at her.

“Okay, I get it. I’m sorry, okay? Won’t happen again.”

“You don’t get it!”

She looks away, rolling her eyes and blowing out a noisy breath.

“I have a reputation to protect. No one can know about you. If it somehow leaks, I’ll lose everything! It’s selfish to ignore all of that because you’re bored!”

She scowls at me. I move back slightly, thrown off by her reaction.

“Don’t yell at me. I’m not your child! You know what? You’re the selfish one. Hear me?”

It takes a while for me to process what she’s saying, but she doesn’t stop. She’s almost screaming now.

---