Page 14 of Playboy Billionaire's Secret Baby

She laughs and shakes her head. “No way. I’ve always been a good girl. I was always in school, even when others weren’t because I knew I had big dreams.”

“Hmm, I don’t know about that… you weren’t exactly a good girl with me. I sense more of a rebel hiding away in there somewhere.”

“Well, I blameyoufor that. You always seem to bring out the bad girl in me.”

My foot grazes her leg. I can almost see the electricity flashing across her face as she feels it. The chemistry definitely hasn’t gone anywhere. It might even be more intense now. I can’t wait to get her back to my place so we can explore it more…

“Well, maybe we should finish this wine and be bad again.” I wiggle my eyebrows playfully. “Because you are driving me crazy all the way over there…”

Just as I’m about to pull her closer to claim her lips with my own, the waiter brings us the dessert menu. Not great timing, but if Lexi wants something sweet, then I am all for it. This date is for her, anyway, and I want Lexi to have the very best time with me. Even if it delays the gratification I so desperately crave...

Chapter 9

Lexi

Ring,ring…Ring,ring…Ring, ring…

I don’t want to get up from the table as yet because I’m having such a nice time… but this is Mom calling. I can’t ignore the call because it might be about James. Bringing my two worlds together is a little unnerving, I have to admit.

“I’m just going to take this,” I tell Frederico as I scrape my chair back. “Be right back.”

“You don’t have to go,” he chuckles. “I won’t listen in.”

I smile thinly as I back away because there’s no way I can have this chat right in front of him. Not when I haven’t even mentioned my son. I can’t talk about James without being honest, and Ireallydon’t think Frederico will respond well to my news.

Oh hey, you have a young son that I never told you about.

Yeah, that won’t go down well, especially since it seems to me like Frederico is still the same playboy he was a couple of years ago. He’s still a flirt who doesn’t give off vibes that he wants to settle down. So a son won’t be a blessing.

It’s kinda sad, but I think I did the right thing by keeping the identity of James’s father to myself; my son doesn’t need to be rejected. He’s an adorable child, the light of my life, and the best thing to ever happen to me. I will bubble wrap him fiercely to make sure that no one hurts him - and that includes his biological father.

“Mom, hi,” I answer as soon as I’m far enough away from Frederico. “Is everything okay?”

“Oh yeah, fine, I just wanted to check in. How did it go today?”

A smile spreads across my face. “It went really well, Mom. I think it’s one of those jobs that I will do really well. They were excited to have me in their office, and I loved it too.”

“Aw, great. That makes me really happy. James and I have missed you, but we’re happy that you’re in Italy, kicking ass. I bet they absolutely love you out there.”

I can hear James babbling away in the background and my heart instantly melts. I feel a powerful pang of desperation because I want to be home with my son. IknowI need to work hard to make sure that we have a good life, but that doesn’t make my heart any less pained to be away from him. It’s always a battle, one I’m sure most moms have.

“I miss you guys too, Mom. I can’t wait to get home.” I sigh hard. “Thank you for always being there for me and James. I appreciate it… you have no idea how much.”

I really would be on my own if it weren’t for her. I don’t know how I would cope. I certainly wouldn’t be able to afford my career because childcare is crazy expensive. Her help tears me in two because I don’t want to put too much on her shoulders by spending time in Italy.

“Oh, it looks like James wants to speak to you, hold on. Let me…”

The babbling gets louder as Mom puts the phone to James’s mouth. I can’t quite pick up on what he’s talking about, but his sweet voice makes my heart bleed.

“Hey, baby boy. How are you? Mommy misses you. I hope you’re being a good boy.”

We chat back and forth a few moments, my heart aching more with every moment. I only stop when I whip around to find Frederico right behind me, now definitely within hearing distance. Did he hear? Shit, does he now know that I’m a mother? Fuck, I really don’t want to have to tell him the truth, but now I can’t lie. I just can’t do it.

“I have to go, Mom,” I say awkwardly as she comes back on the line. “I’ll call you later.”

We say our goodbyes and I hang up, with ice cold blood careening through my veins. Frederico’s expression is completely unreadable, so I don’t know what he heard and now knows. I should be the one to start the conversation, but I can’t. A thick ball of fear is lodged in the base of my throat, making it impossible for me to say anything.

“I just came to let you know that dessert is at the table. It looks good.”

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