Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
“No, I won’t,” I say vehemently, shaking my head so that tendrils of blonde hair come loose from my bun. “This is where I grew up, and this is where I’m going to raise my son. I feel at home, here in Lakeview, and I like it too. It’s great for children.”
“It is,” Nick agrees in an even tone. “Marty gets tons of fresh air, and he’s healthy and happy,” he says, jiggling our child. The movement makes my son look up at his father with glee before letting out a stream of gibberish, and my heart melts despite myself. Marty will always have me tied around his little finger, and he’s not even one yet.
It seems that Nick feels the same because he glances with adoration at the small boy before turning to look at me, his blue gaze fierce and possessive.
“So you’re okay with me moving here?” he asks.
“You’re not moving in with us,” I immediately retort. “This is our home, so you’ll have to find another place to stay.”
Nick nods thoughtfully.
“Yes, I thought you’d say that, and it’s fine because actually, I already own property in town. Remember how we met, sweetheart? Well, I ended up buying Lakeview Manor, so I thought I’d move in there. Worked out, didn’t it?”
My heart begins pounding in my chest.
“What?” I squeak. “You bought Lakeview Manor?”
Nick grins.
“Yeah, I was really impressed when I took a tour, so I decided to purchase the estate. It’s a good investment,” he says, “but it’s not just for investment purposes because now, I’ve decided to move in myself.”
My eyes go wide because I’ve always loved that property like it was my own, and my pulse races. Calm down, the voice in my head warns. Nick is coming to town, but it doesn’t really matter where he stays. It’s his willingness to build a family that counts.
But it’s as if the billionaire can read my mind because he nods slowly.
“I want to be a family, Ella. I’m not saying that you have to be my girlfriend or my wife, but I’d like us to spend more time together. I’m not saying you have to move into Lakeview either. You and Marty are clearly happy at the cottage, and I’m not looking to disrupt this idyll. I just want us all to be happy, together if possible. I want more time with you, and more time with the baby.”
I stare at the billionaire.
Girlfriend? Wife? How did we get here? I’m so overwhelmed that my head spins.
“I’m confused,” I say in a low tone. “I don’t understand how just yesterday, you were living in New York and Facetiming with Marty sporadically. And now, you want to move out to Minnesota and play house? Be a full time daddy? How did this all come about?”
To his credit, Nick looks a little uncomfortable.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” he confesses. “After you left, I figured my life would go back to the way it was. But it didn’t. The apartment was quiet and depressing, when it never was before, and I realized that it was you who made the difference. I missed you, and I missed your presence in my life, and in my bed. I craved you Ella, and the hunger grew so intense that I’ve decided to relocate. Because of you.”
I stare at him.
“You couldn’t tell me this over Facetime?”
“No, I couldn’t,” he says in a determined voice. “The realization hit like a ton of rocks, and once I resurfaced, I wanted to come out immediately. For Christmas, to spend the holiday with you and the baby. I didn’t want to miss out on being a father to Marty, and maybe for something to develop between us.”
I continue to stare at him, my heart thrumming.
“But what about Hadassah?” I ask. “And your other son, Hollister? They’re your family too.”
“They are my family, but in a different way,” he says in an even tone. “Again, I’ve never been in a relationship with Hadassah. She’s an intelligent and kind woman, and a great mother to Hollister, but that’s all there is between us.”
“Except she’s your employee too.”
“Right, and I was getting to that,” Nick says in a slow tone. “Hadassah works at Rocket X, and she’s chosen to relocate to Texas with Hollister. She’s an incredible engineer, and she wants to be there as we launch new rockets into the stratosphere. Of course, I’ve supported her move, and I Facetime with Hollister on a regular basis.”
“So you’re not moving to Texas to be with them.”
“No, I’m not,” Nick says. “I’m moving here to be with you, Ella. I want a relationship with you, and I want it to be a romantic one,” he clarifies forcefully. “I want to be a hands-on father to our son, and maybe even to have more children together, if you’re willing.”