The Billionaire's Temptation: Alpha Billionaire Romance (The Billionaire's Touch Book 1) (2 page)

"What has you all turned around, boss?" Hunter crossed his arms over his thin chest and tilted his head. We weren't close, but he was a great employee - the best. Maybe I needed to branch out beyond my grieving mother and my clueless college friends and seek help somewhere else. I didn't have any girls that I could call that I hadn't dicked over - literally.

"My sister's kid is under my legal custody and he's almost six months old. He cries all the damn time, and I'm honestly out of options. I don't know how to care for him or what to do. My mom isn't willing to step in because she's grieving, but I'm at the end of my fucking rope." I ran my hands through my hair as the pain of another sleepless night bore down on me.

"Oh man, that sucks so bad." He shook his head. "What about a nanny?"

"Yeah, I have several girls who babysat for me, but none of them are classy enough to call back." Telling the guy that I had boned all of them wasn't in the cards. I had enough of a reputation to overcome in the office.

"I can recommend someone. Friend of a friend, but she would never take advantage of you or the kid. She's not the type to sleep around or go looking for gold either, if you catch my drift." Hunter moved to pull a business card out of his pocket. "Here. Check her out. She's a good girl."

"Why would her sleeping habits be of concern to me?" I smirked as realization rolled over me. These people knew I was a playboy. I wasn't fooling anyone, and could honestly care less. I was who I was.

"This is what you need, boss. Give her a call."

I turned the card over, wanting to ask about the sowing business the card represented, but figured that might be a good conversation piece with the girl.

"Thanks. I'll do just that."

"You want bacon or sausage?" Brian glanced over his shoulder as I looked up from the table. He was far too good to me and making breakfast was only one of the many ways he showed it.

"Whatever you want. I'm getting up to do the toast in just a minute." I glanced back down and let out an angry growl as he moved to the fridge. Brian had been my roommate for the last few years, and had carried my part of the rent a few too many times as of late. Why he put up with me was beyond me.

"I already started the toast," he mumbled and walked toward the living room.

I ignored him and continued to Google options for my current dilemma. The website for my business had been hacked yet again. All that sat on the site was a large 'fuck you' of sorts in the form of a dancing clown and a creepy song playing in the background.

"Do people seriously not have anything better to do with their time? I'm a seamstress for crying out loud. What good does it do anyone to disable my site? Did I piss someone off by the size or structure of my last dress design?" I glanced up, but Brian was gone.

"Kendra, come see this," he called from the living room.

"Not now. I'm reading through the instructions on how to disable a hacker. They think they are so brilliant, but a simple girl like me is about to take them out." I lifted my arm in victory as I finished typing the commands suggested by kickahack.com. The screen blinked twice and died completely.

"No!" I yelled and got up, slamming the top to the computer and walking to the toaster as the bread popped up. "I thought I was making toast."

"You were. I told you I got it because you were taking forever." Brian glanced over at me, the look on his face pensive at best. He was a cute guy, dyed black hair and beautiful grey eyes. Too bad his boyfriend was even
more
adorable.

"What are you watching? Your sausage is burning." I moved to the stove and flipped it before letting out an exasperated growl. Where I couldn't make a penny to save my soul if I had to, Brian was fully funded, but had attention deficit so bad that he couldn't concentrate on anything for too long. The food being a prime example. The number of times we'd thrown away a great meal thanks to the char on it was countless.

"That's what he said." Brian moved up beside me, chuckling as he took the spatula. "So you emerge from your drama and criticize my cooking?"

"What was so interesting on the TV?" I had no choice but to ignore his bantering. He wasn't a sensitive type of guy at all and only played one to get me started on a rant. It wasn't happening. I needed all of my emotional energy to get my site back up and running.

Not like it's made you any money anyway. It will!

"Just a follow up story on that plane crash that happened a month back. The one where the rich family that runs half of the state took a hit? Killed the daughter and her husband. Remember that shit?"

"I guess. Sad." I shrugged and pulled the toast from the contraption that held it. "I can't understand why my site keeps getting hit. I've been working so hard on my designs and finally have most of them loaded and Bam!"

"Speaking of your business..." Brian glanced over at me and I avoided his stare. I knew all too well where the conversation was headed. I was broke and rent was due.

"Yeah, speaking of my business. Did I tell you what happened last night just before the hacker attacked?"

Brian let out a painful sounding sigh and turned toward me, pressing his hand on his hip. "No. Do tell."

I tucked a long strand of blond hair behind my ears and licked the butter from my fingers before affixing my gaze on him. "I was uploading a new design and no matter how many times I did it, the computer screen blinked and ate the damn file. I realized that something was off when it wouldn't let me load anything."

His expression softened a little as he turned and flipped the sausage again. "Keep going."

"So I started to poke around and realized that there was an http site listed at the bottom of the page. I followed it and came to another designer site from Taiwan. Guess whose designs were on their site?"

"No fucking way." He sat the spatula down and turned to me. "They were stealing your designs?"

"Exactly." I pushed the need to cry like a lost child back and shrugged. "I need to get an IT guy to help me."

"And a lawyer it would seem. Have you reported them stealing your designs?"

"No. Who do I report that to? NATO?"

He chuckled and worked to pull the sausage from the pan to a waiting plate. "Well, I know my timing is shitty, but rents due again."

Heat rushed up my chest and coated my neck and cheeks as I carried the toast to the table. "I know. I keep thinking I'll have the money, and the minute I do... it's yours. Things just keep happening to me. Like this stuff this morning."

There was no excuse for my lack of income other than my incessant need to make my clothing line work. I couldn't imagine being given such a cool gift and not being able to use it in my everyday living.

"I understand that, Kendra, but that doesn't change the fact that I have been paying the rent for the last two months. I don't mind carrying you because you're my best friend, but you need to think about getting a real job." He sat the plate of sausage and potatoes down in front of me.

"I know, but if I get a full time job, there will be no time for me to design the clothes and work on the website that will eventually sell them."

"How many have you sold?" He sat down and reached for my hand, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.

"None." I glanced down at my empty plate as tears filled my eyes. "I just keep thinking that..."

"Hey, I didn't mean to upset you. I hate that I'm forced to have this conversation, but I am. I'm trying to save up for a ring for Billy and I can't because I'm paying too much in rent."

"Is he still wanting to move in with us?" I glanced up and sniffled as Brian handed me a paper-towel.

"Yeah. We can talk about that later. I'm just telling you that you're not looking at all the options available to you. Certainly there has to be a job where you can work with people and still find time during the day to work on your website. At night you can work on your designs. It's about time management more than anything else." He picked up his fork and began loading his plate. "Eat before it gets cold."

I followed suit, though my stomach sat in terrible knots. He was right, but my last job as a nurse’s assistant was too demanding and not only didn't leave time for anything during the day, but zapped my energy at night too. There was no reason in bringing it up with Brian. It wasn't his problem. It was mine. His only problem at present seemed to be his slack-ass roommate - me.

"What about the nursing assistant job you had? You loved that."

"It didn't work well with my situation, Brian. I know it seems impossible, but I really believe in this clothing line. I just need attention to get it off the ground." I sighed and took a big bite of the sausage on my plate. "This is good, by the way."

"Thanks." He sat back and pinned me with a stare. "You're good with people. Find something."

"I get too attached. Don't you remember how bad it was when Mr. Jaxson died and I was the one that found him? I didn't think I was ever going to get over that."

"I remember. There's ways around that. You just need to focus on..." He droned on about all the things I needed to do as I sat there, nodding where appropriate. My resolve to remain calm and enjoy my day had been blown by the website hacker and now this...

My phone buzzed from the living room and I took it as a well-deserved escape. "Let me grab that, and I'll be right back. Hold your lecture. I don't want to miss it."

"Sarcasm," he muttered as I disappeared from the room.

"Hello?" I was happy to talk to anyone, a call center being included.

"Kendra. It's Hunter. How are you?"

"Oh my goodness! It's been forever. I'm good. You?" I hadn't heard from Hunter in years, but every time I did, memories would assault me. We had been childhood friends, his father having helped me significantly to get over some of the demons in my younger life.

"I'm really good. I have something I wanted to talk to you about though. Do you have a minute?"

"Of course." I moved to the couch and sunk down as worry rolled over me. Was his father sick or hurt?

"My boss is looking for someone to assist him with a new responsibility he has and I honestly couldn't help but think of you. He's looking for a female whose patient with people and has a good heart."

I crossed my legs as I listened, not quite sure of what he was asking due to the vagueness of the request. "That's it? Just patient with people?"

"Yep. It's a nanny position for a little guy. He's about six month old I believe."

"Oh." Children. I loved children, but being responsible for one wasn't at the top of my list of things to commit to.

"Just say you'll meet him. The salary is handsome and he has the rest of the details waiting on you. It would be a simple interview and if you don't want the job, just tell him."

"No strings attached?" I couldn't help but ask. Seeing the child would most likely bind me to him whether I wanted it or not, but I needed money, and fast.

"Nope. Think about it?"

"I will. I'll call you later today for the details. I just need to make sure it's a good fit for my time and future goals."

"I understand completely. We'll talk soon."

I hung up and stood as the idea rolled around in my thoughts. The smile on Brian's face said that he heard most of the conversation.

"So. Give me the deets. I want to know what's up." He wagged his eyebrows.

"That was an old friend. His boss is looking for a nanny for his six month old son." I shrugged and sat back down at the table.

"How much money and how much time?"

"I don't know. I'll call him back later. I need to think about it a little before making any sudden decisions."

"Well, I think it would be great."

"Maybe. I'm not sure if watching a baby all day is going to give me any free time at all." I picked up my fork and moved the cold bits around my plate.

"Babies sleep half the day. This is actually perfect." He stood and picked up his dishes. "Besides, word on the street is that your roomie is not going to be able to carry you for another month. Might want to remedy that."

"You'd kick me out?" I glanced over my shoulder, forcing myself to look more shocked than I was. I deserved to be booted then and there.

"Nope. I'd invite Billy to come in and you'd run screaming from the building."

"This is so true..." I turned and realized that my options were limited. A nanny position couldn't be too bad. I'd at least take the interview and check things out.

Besides, it was no strings attached.

After spending the day working on the website, I knew it was completely useless. I needed help far beyond what my own capabilities were. That help would demand to be paid, so being without any other options, I called Hunter and accepted the interview.

I figured it would be a few days until the father wanted to meet with me, but I had been wrong. It was a theme as of late. The man seemed to be in desperate need and wanted to meet that evening. Seeing as though I had nothing else to do... I agreed.

I pilfered through the dresses in my closet, trying to imagine what a nanny might look like. I had never applied to be a nanny, but wearing something comely seemed more fitting than anything that might make me look young and hungry for success.

Still... I was young and ready to succeed at life. Weren't nannies older women with long black dresses and curly white hair?

"You're being an idiot," I muttered to myself and released my prejudices.

Tugging my favorite black and blue dress from the hanger, I held it up and turned to face the mirror. The color scheme was perfect for bringing out the blue in my eyes. I could wear my hair in a bun and add flats instead of heels to pull away from the attractiveness of the outfit. Besides, the best advertising was to actually wear the things I created.

I finished getting dressed and walked back into the living room as Brian turned the TV off. He glanced up and smiled.

"Don't you look beautiful? Professional and sexy all in the same space."

"Really?" I turned and smiled, enjoying the soft cotton and silk material that I'd chosen for the pattern. "Think it's comely enough?"

"Comely? That's not your style and no, it's not at all comely. You look like a tiger in a casual business suit. Own it."

"A tiger? Damn. I was going for a focused, nerdy look."

"Then wear your glasses and braid your hair. That bun says you have power and want more."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my purse from the table. "I don't care what it says. I'm watching some rich guy’s kid. He just wants to make sure I'm not a villain and that I know a thing or two about kids."

"Are you really thinking about taking the job?" Brian moved to the door and opened it for me.

"I guess. Nothing better is coming up and not only do I need rent money, but that security pack I want for the website is over a thousand dollars. That's not happening without a job." I shrugged and moved past him.

He tugged me into a warm hug. "Well, good luck. I know you'll kick ass."

"It's a baby. I'm not kicking anything."

"Yes. Don't kick the baby. That would not win you any favors."

I shook my head and laughed before walking to the elevator. The sign on the front said it was out of service, which wasn't at all out of the norm for the day I was having. I made a sharp turn for the stairs and took a deep breath.

Good thing I wore flats.

***

I couldn't help but pick at my nails as I repeated the address over and over. The guy next to me on the subway turned and growled softly, his expression letting me know that silence was expected.

"Sorry," I muttered and sat back, trying to picture the tall high rise buildings that littered the lots near Carrington Park. The interview would be interesting enough seeing that the man I was interviewing with had more money than God. Everyone who lived in that area did.

My phone buzzed and I pulled it from my purse that was tightly gripped under my arm. It was Hunter with a quick message that the salary for the job was two grand a week.

"Two thousand a week?" I yelled and glanced up as another grunt resounded close to me. "Sorry. I'm easily excitable."

The older guy rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Clearly."

Who would pay a nanny two thousand dollars a week? That was eight thousand a month. He had to be wrong. There was absolutely no way his figures were right. Maybe he meant two hundred a week. That was more reasonable; sad, but reasonable.

The subway pulled into the station and I bounded up, checking my watch. I had plenty of time, and yet I couldn't stand the thought of not being fifteen minutes early. First impressions were the only impressions. After that first greeting, the rest were nothing more than perfunctory interactions. People judged immediately and based their understanding of you on that one moment.

"Make this one good," I mumbled to myself and pressed into the large crowd who tried to squeeze through the door at one. Someone tugged on my purse and I jerked my shoulder, making sure to keep it with me. It was probably a small child reaching for something to take hold of, but it shook me up a little nevertheless. After slipping out into the busy platform, I half jogged up the stairs as I peered around.

The large glass and steel building sat in front of me, the structure the tallest in the ritzy area of down town for sure. I walked toward the opening as a bellman glanced up from his phone and smiled.

"Evening, madam. Enjoying this beautiful night we're having?"

"I am. Early springtime is always my favorite." I smiled and moved into the building before making my way to a receptionist area. Some part of me had to wonder what the residents in such an extravagant complex did for a living. My first inclination was inheritance, but that couldn't be the case. Most millionaires were self-made from all I had studied. It was one of the only reasons I believed myself capable of rising above and making something out of my design talent.

"Evening, Miss. How can I assist you?" A young guy in a perfectly pressed suit glanced up.

"I'm here for an interview with Jax Wilder."

"Ah yes. He told us that he would be having someone stop by." The guy pointed just behind me and I turned as he continued with his instructions. "Just take the elevator to the forty-fifth floor and when you get off, you'll see a door. Just knock there and Mr. Wilder should answer it."

Only one door?

"Sounds good. Thank you." I turned and walked to the elevator, not too concerned with the interview. I would get the job or I wouldn't. Needing money as badly as I did, I'd resolved sometime during the day to follow Brian's advice and find some form of employment. "Here goes nothing."

I yelped as a small older man turned and greeted me. He must have been leaning against the inside of the elevator. "Hi miss."

"Hi. I'm going to the forty-fifth floor, please."

"The penthouse. You got it." He winked and pressed the button.

I pulled out my phone and texted Brian that I was headed for the interview and to send good thoughts my way. I turned the phone on silent about the time the door opened and nodded to the bellman who'd been chatting since I got into the steal box.

"Best of luck on your interview." The man smiled and nodded toward the door. "Knock loud. I can hear the baby crying from out here."

I chuckled and walked to the door, knocking loudly and leaning in as the sound of a small child who was coming unglued filled my senses. Hopefully it was an easy fix and the dad just didn't have a clue what to do. If not, I wasn't sure I could withstand hours of a crying child.

The door opened and my breath caught in my chest. The last thing I expected was the handsome man before me. My eyes adverted to the screaming baby in his hands as my lips lifted into a tight smile.

"I'm Kendra Valentina. I'm here for the interview."

He moved back and I walked in, turning to look up at him. He was a good head taller than me, his dark brown hair a mess and green eyes telling of adventures that most women would pay good money for. The regalia of his features, straight nose, high cheek bones and beautifully powerful jawline left me with no doubt of his need to find help that wasn't after his wallet or his affection.

How many women's hearts have you broken?

"I'm Jax. Come on in, Kendra. It's nice to meet you. Thanks for coming on such short notice."

"Of course." I reached toward the small boy who was shattering the moment with his cries. "May I?"

"Heavens yes." Jax handed me the baby and moved back as I cuddled him to my chest and began to bounce.

"Have you fed him?"

"Three times in the last hour." The handsome devil shrugged and licked at his mouth. He was dangerous and would have to be avoided at all costs.

"Changed his diaper?"

"Yes. I'm going through a pack a day, which is fine, but usually the diapers aren't wet, I just see no point in putting them back on him." He ran his hand through his hair, leaving it messier than it was before. He was insanely adorable, but he seemed like the kind of man that was quite aware of his looks.

"Burped him?" I asked and walked to the large wall of windows that peered out on the city.

"Did what?" His voice filled with confusion.

I glanced over my shoulder. "Burped him. You have to burp a baby after every few ounces of milk."

"No one told me that. How do you burp him? I can't get him to stop crying, so surely he isn't going to respond when I tell him to burp."

I chuckled, unable to help myself. Picking up the cloth on the side of the chair nearest me, I tucked it over my shoulder and repositioned the sweet little guy. A few minutes of patting him on the back and he let out a string of burps, his crying stopped and head lulling to the side as I pressed my lips to his forehead.

"Much better, right, little one?"

"Wow." Jax moved to stand beside me. "Burping him... interesting."

"What's his name?"

"Tyson. His name is Tyson." Sadness rolled across the handsome man's features in front of me and I couldn't help but wonder what the rest of his story was. A bachelor with a six month old baby and no one had taught him to burp the boy?

Tragic.