Page 16 of The Billionaire's Secret Child

A ruckus from inside the house broke into his wonderings, footsteps pounding, feminine mutterings. His smile widened as he imagined Laura racing around, getting ready for their meeting. He made her nervous, that was obvious, despite her attempts to hide it. So much more had been apparent, namely his undignified attraction to her. Hopefully further meetings would elucidate where it would lead… and what he would do about it.

He looked at his watch. A few minutes early, just as he planned. Until she shared everything with him, he intended to keep her off-balance. He wanted to catch her when she least expected it. He would start by discovering if she was hiding anything in that quaint little home of hers.

He stood tall, unable to stop the anticipation at seeing her again. Time for another round, and this time he anticipated victory. He gave three swift knocks to the door.

Chapter 5

The knocking was literal music to her ears. As Laura crisscrossed the house like an out-of-control pinball, preparing food and activities for Jeanie and the babysitter, she said a silent thank you that her teenage rescuer had made it, and without a moment to spare. She stuck her head into Jeanie’s room. “Honey, Nancy's here.”

Jeanie, who was a big fan of her “honorable big sister,” hopped up with a squeal, then bounded after her mother in the living room. Laura ran to get her keys. “I’ll be right there, Nancy.”

“Who?”

Laura froze at the voice that resonated through the door.

Because the voice did not belong to the babysitter.

Nor to any of the million people she would not have minded seeing…

Including the boogeyman…

No, the man right outside, separated by only a thin door from the daughter he’d never met, was none other than Aidan Bancroft.

“It’s Aidan. Aren't you going to let me in?”

Breathe. Don’t panic. It’s going to be okay.She sucked in a breath of heavy air, whipping around like a fox cornered by a hungry wolf. She needed to think rationally to come up with a plan, and she had about fifteen seconds before Aidan became suspicious. Heck, he probably already was suspicious. Then… an idea formed.

It was foolhardy. It was risky. It was unlikely to work.

It was all she had.

“Aidan, you’re early. Give me two minutes?” she called out.

“Can I wait inside?”

“No!” she yelped. Nowshesounded like the bogeyman. She calmed her voice. “I mean, I’ll be ready in just a minute. Hold on.”

Laura faced her daughter, who had been observing the whole situation quietly. “Is it a game?” the girl asked.

Although she hated lying to her little girl, this wasn’t the sort of situation you could explain to a four-year-old.I’m sorry, sweetie, but I don't want your exceedingly hot daddy to meet you before I properly vet him.“Yes, it’s a game,” Laura agreed. “And this is how we’re going to play. I want you to go into your room.”

“Like hide-and-seek?” Jeanie jumped up and down, eyes wide with excitement. “That’s my favorite.”

Right now, it was her favorite, too. “Exactly, like hide-and-seek. Now be very quiet. The game is to not let my friend see you. Then Nancy will come over, and you can play hide-and-seek with her. Sound like fun?”

“Sounds aww-some!” Jeanie smiled brightly as she spun around and bounced towards her room.

“But remember, unless it’s an emergency, you can’t let him see you, okay?” Laura called after the rapidly disappearing girl. “I won’t leave until Nancy comes.”

“I know, Mommy,” Jeanie replied in an insulted tone. “I’m a big girl.”

Even in the dire circumstances, Laura chuckled at her daughter’s indignant comment. Breathing in courage, she made her way to the door. She turned the silver lock, poised for the performance of her life, when suddenly she stopped, and slowly pivoted. Two dozen photographs of Jeanie stared back at her, on every corner and wall, every table and countertop, with likenesses bearing a clear resemblance to Aidan. He might not recognize her, but if he did…

With desperation-fueled movements, she sprinted from the door, swiping up picture frames and photo mugs, personalized plaques and photographic mementos, tearing them from walls and removing them from mantles. She didn’t have time to go to every room, of course, but hopefully she could conceal all the obvious evidence in the main room.

“What’s going on in there?” Aidan called from the door. “You started to unlock the door a moment ago. Did you change your mind?”

The amusement in his voice buoyed her. Perhaps he would forget to be suspicious.Yeah right.The man suspected every move she made. "I'm not leaving," he confirmed. "You can’t get rid of me that easily."

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