Daddy Plus One: A Single Dad Secret Baby Billionaire Romance

by Brooke Valentine

  Next he tugged on some gray slacks, and then tugged on some black loafers. He grabbed a light, gray jacket which he didn’t bother to put on, and finally headed for the door, feeling about as confident as bug caught in a spider’s web as he did so. He hoped for the best, of course, but the odds were Cat wouldn’t be happy at all.

  Aiden, even a nervous Aiden, was not the kind of person who shied away from anything. When he reached Cat’s door, he didn’t hesitate to knock, and it didn’t take her long to open it either. She was wearing a red top with black sequins that etched out tiger stripes, a knee-length black skirt, and her sensible black flats. She was absolutely beautiful.

  “Cat? You look amazing,” he said, reigning in an overwhelming urge to start kissing her again. “Are you ready to go?”

  NINE

  Dammit, thought Cat, why does he always have to look so delectable? It was easy enough to resist Scott while they were surrounded by others, but now that he was ready to bump things up a notch and take her out somewhere, and now that he’d broken the ice by giving her that little kiss earlier, her hormones had gone into overdrive.

  But the man came with some kind of baggage. She needed to keep reminding herself that until she found out what it was he’d been hiding, she really ought to play it cool. At least, that was what she was telling herself mentally at the same time she threw her arms up around his neck and kissed him back for all she was worth.

  He certainly didn't complain, but surged forward with an eager groan and shoved her against the doorframe, more than willing to accept the attention. Then he chuckled and asked, “So, I take it you didn’t mind that kiss after all?”

  “Sorry,” she said breathlessly. “But I knew if I didn’t kiss you back now, I might not get to at all. I have no idea what’s going to happen after your big reveal.”

  Cat zoned back into reality, taking in the fact that she was plastered against the metal piece that was meant to catch the lock rather than her back, with Scott’s hands gripping her ass, and their torsos so close together you’d have to pry them apart with a crowbar. A fact which she wouldn’t mind at all except that the woman whose room was next to hers suddenly opened her door.

  “Oh. Sorry,” said Ellen as she took the pair in. “I didn’t know you had company.”

  “We’re just getting ready to go,” said Cat, blushing profusely as Scott moved away from her. She turned the lock on the door from the inside, grabbed up her purse, and pulled the door closed, noticing that Scott was saying something to the woman, but the blood was pounding so loudly in her ears she had no idea what it was.

  As they headed for the stairs, Scott’s hand naturally slid along the small of her back, however briefly, and the simple touch set her on fire. Her nipples were still remembering the feel of being pressed against his rock-hard chest, and she was finding it difficult to catch her breath. And Scott himself seemed to be playing it cool, like nothing had happened at all, as Ellen followed them down the hall.

  “So where are you two going?” she asked in a conversational tone, obviously hoping to ease some of the tension in the air.

  “We’re going over to Mrs. Mac’s for dinner,” Scott told her.

  “Oh, I love going there,” Ellen grinned. “Eat well, laugh often, live long! Have you ever been, Cat? You should really love the décor.”

  “License plates,” Scott chuckled. “Interesting stuff. But not my main interest personally. I’m just going for a big, juicy porterhouse steak. And that baked potato will be completely loaded.”

  Cat chuckled. “You sure do love packing on those carbs.”

  Aiden flexed his chest muscles. “Well, of course.”

  Ellen laughed as she passed them on the stairs. She leaned toward Cat’s ear and said, “Lucky girl!” Then she disappeared down the stairs. The two of them reached the bottom, and then headed over to the parking lot.

  When Scott bypassed the stalls and headed over to the garage where the company cars were kept, Cat was somewhat surprised. But when they bypassed the company cars and headed for a Porsche SUV, that’s when her confusion really started to show.

  “Don’t look so worried, sweetheart,” said her companion with a chuckle as he pulled out a set of keys and used the fob button to unlock the doors. “Just get in, okay? All shall be revealed soon.”

  Cat did as she was told, but her stomach balled up into a wad of nerves. Getting into the smooth seat of luxurious gray leather certainly helped, though. She’d never sat in a more comfortable seat in her life. Don’t get distracted, she reminded herself. There’s most definitely something up.

  Scott turned the key in the ignition, and the radio came on. Apparently, he must like rock music. He moved to turn it off, but Cat shot out a hand to stop him. “Not yet, okay? This is a good song.”

  Grinning appreciatively, he left it alone. Backing out of his stall, he angled the car in the right direction and headed out, and not much later they’d already traversed the short distance to the middle of the island, finding the Overseas Highway and the salmon pink, shack-like restaurant at the side of the road.

  “I’ve heard of this place, but I’ve never been before,” said Cat as she looked around. The place was a bit of everything, with license plates littering the walls, and glass cases containing starfish and snakes painted onto the floor and counters, encircling things, including a large wooden plaque with the ‘eat well’ saying carved onto it with black letters. The tables were bright red, which somehow contrasted well with the completely plate-covered walls.

  “What do you think?” asked Scott with a chuckle.

  “It’s amazing,” Cat said, grinning. A waitress greeted them and brought them to their seats.

  “Well, first off, we’d like a couple of appetizers please,” said Scott as they slid into their seats. “I think a batch of lobster bites, and maybe some oysters, should suffice.”

  Cat giggled. “Are you sure oysters are a good idea after that little fiasco of a greeting earlier?”

  Scott grinned at her, waggling his eyebrows. “Oh, definitely. That, and some Iguana Bait beer. Could we get a pitcher, please?”

  “Sure thing, mister.”

  Cat blushed and shook her head. “And maybe a Coke for me too, just in case I’m not impressed by his beverage choice?”

  The waitress chuckled. “I’ll get on that right away while you two look over your menus.”

  “Oh, I already know what I’m having,” said Scott, grinning. “But the lovely lady still needs time.”

  “No, not really,” said Cat, shrugging. “A scampi seafood platter sounds divine.”

  “All right, then, let me just get those menus out of the way and we’ll get this party started, okay?”

  “Thanks,” said Cat, smiling.

  By some mutual, unspoken agreement, neither of them brought up Scotts hidden secret until they’d each taken their last bite of key-lime pie and the waitress had brought the check to the table. Then, as he stood to go, Scott said, “I think I’d like to drive out onto the beach for our little discussion, if you don’t mind. Maybe take a moonlit stroll, share this bottle of wine? That way, even if you’re mad at me, being under the stars might just mellow you out.”

  “I thought you said it wasn’t bad,” Cat complained.

  “Well, it isn’t,” he grumbled as they headed for the door. The air had grown slightly chilled, and Cat shivered. Scott was quick to slip the jacket he’d brought with them over her shoulders as they headed for the SUV. They didn’t say anything else as he drove them to a marina on Bayside.

  “Let’s go,” he said to her, and Cat got out and followed him down a set of steps that led right out onto the beach itself. She was glad she was wearing her flats as they held hands and walked, side by side, enjoying the cool breeze.

  “So, I’ve given you plenty of time,” she told him after a while. “What is this big secret you’ve been trying to hide?”

  “Can I ask you something first? What do you think of mixing romance with work?�
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  “As long as two people are able to separate them well enough, I don’t think it’s bad really,” Cat shrugged. “Why?”

  “But what if you were dating your boss?

  “What, did you already get hired?” she asked. “But even if you did, that still doesn’t make any sense. You didn’t even go for an admin job.”

  “I didn’t have to apply for that,” he admitted. “It’s sort of already mine.”

  “So Mr. Whitney put you in charge already?” Cat clarified. “I knew somebody would have to manage the resort, but I thought you just wanted to dive. Are you in charge of the watersports, then?”

  “No, Cat, you’re not listening,” he sighed. “I’m in charge of—everything. Mr. Whitney is me. Scott isn’t my first name, it’s the middle. I hate that I couldn’t tell you before, but I’ve been pretending all week. Figuring out who stays, and who goes.”

  TEN

  Cat’s face went through numerous contortions as confusion, realization, and insult warred for dominance. Aiden winced as she pulled her hand free and started to walk slightly ahead of him along the shore.

  “Cat, wait, please?” he called after her. “You’ve got to understand, I’ve always wanted you to know. I wasn’t sure if this thing between us would grow, but I was certain all along that I wanted you here. You’re a phenomenal woman, and I need you to be on my administration team. But now, I want something more than that too. A whole lot more. I want to find out exactly how far things between us could go. But if you don’t want me, I’ll understand that part. We could keep everything between us at a professional level. It might hurt me—a lot, but I’ll do things any way you want. What do you say? Will you be the head of my domestic team?”

  “I need to go back,” she said, stopping in her tracks. “I need to consider this—proposal. Every part of it. I don’t think I can just dive in head first, Aiden. I’m just not that kind of a girl.”

  Aiden stepped up and grasped her by the shoulders, turning her around. She kept her eyes turned down, so he caught her by the chin, turning her face up until she would look at him.

  “Say that again,” he said softly, practically begging.

  “Say what again?”

  “My name, sweetheart,” he whispered. “You have no idea how I’ve longed to hear it on your lips.”

  Cat rolled her eyes and turned away from him. “Aiden Scott Whitney, I ought to tell you to go straight to hell,” she said, folding her arms around her chest. “I have no idea what I’m supposed to do here. I mean, clearly I want to take the job—I need to take it. I’d be a fool to tell you no. But I’m not sure how I could manage to endure taking the job without also choosing to be with you too. To me, it feels like a package deal.”

  “I’d like you to choose to do both. You know that? It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted anything quite so much, in fact. But there’s just one more little hitch, though, and I’m afraid it may upset you the most. I’m in the middle of going through a divorce.”

  Cat sucked in a breath, and she finally looked at him. It was a glare. “Then why are we even having this conversation at all?”

  “Come on, Cat, don’t be that way,” he grumbled, catching her by the shoulders. “I didn’t come down here looking to find a girl who is everything I’ve ever wanted and more. Believe me, it was the last thing on my mind until I got just one look at you. Can you not forgive me for the bad timing of the thing?”

  “This is just the sort of situation I’ve always tried to avoid,” said Cat sternly. “I only have three big rules/ First, the guy must be single, second, he needs to be serious because I’m not the kind of girl who sleeps around. And third, I don’t date men who like to play silly little games. Masquerading as someone else? That’s probably got to be the worst game of all. Seems like you’ve broken every single rule all at once. So why am I hesitating to run for the hills? How can I believe a single word you say?”

  “Please, Cat, I know it’s a big mess right now, but it’s one I’m trying to clean up, okay? I never meant to break your rules. If you let me, I’ll do my very best to make it all right,” he insisted, drawing her close. “Won’t you at least give this thing a try?”

  “God, I must be crazy,” Cat grumbled, biting at her bottom lip in indecision. “I’m sure it’s those damned oysters talking, but I just don’t—I can’t seem to say no!”

  Aiden’s heart skipped a beat, and then kicked into overdrive. He felt a huge, joyful bubble burst somewhere deep inside of him as he took in her words. “What, do you mean it? You’re not going to tell me to go to hell?”

  Cat giggled, shaking her head no. He scooped her into his arms and kissed her for all he was worth—and considering he was a billionaire, that was a pretty huge amount.

  “Damned oysters,” he finally grumbled. “They just won’t let me even think of letting you go. If I had my way, sweetheart, I’d keep holding you all night.”

  “I know,” said Cat huskily. “But I really do think we should head back now.”

  “I want to take you home,” he told her.

  “What do you mean, home?” she asked, confused. “I thought Bob said your house is in Miami. I think they may be a bit out of the way, don’t you?”

  “One of my homes is in Miami,” he said, nodding. “You must know that I have several. But they’ve just finished up with my new condo right her in Key Largo. It’s not very far from the resort. Please, Cat, I’m not ready to go back to the hotel. I’m enjoying having you all to myself for a change.”

  “Those oysters sure do talk a lot, don’t they?” Cat commented dryly.

  Aiden grinned. “Is that a yes? And we don’t have to listen to the little buggers unless you want to. I’m not trying to take things any faster than you’re ready for.”

  “We’ll just have to see how that goes,” she answered, and her smile was sly.

  Aiden couldn’t get them back into the SUV fast enough. All the way back to his place, he had one hand on the wheel, and the other holding hers. The heat that began to build was unmistakable and mutual. After four years of torturing himself, tonight he was going to finally give himself permission to move on with his life. And damn, it was about time!

  When the car was parked, Aiden got out and stepped over to Cat’s side, opening her door. She slid out of the seat and into his arms. He leaned down to kiss her.

  “So, I haven’t gone in yet to see what the movers have done,” he explained. “I know the furniture has been delivered, but for all I know they’ve left it all in the middle of the living room or something. Although even if that’s true, I’m sure we can sort out somewhere to sit down in short order.”

  Cat giggled. “I hate how well you know me already, Mr. Whitney. If that place is a shambles, my first instinct is going to be to set everything in order. I half suspect that’s why you wanted me to come over.”

  He tugged her closer still. “I can guarantee you, it was not.”

  When he kissed her this time, he decided to take it up a notch. His tongue swept out, caressing her bottom lip. Cat opened her mouth and her own tongue came up to meet his. Their breaths became heated as they mingled together.

  Her fingers slid gently over his biceps as she moved to fold him into her arms. Their bodies melded together, and Aiden started to think about the logistics of taking her right there against the vehicle. He pulled back, shaking his head to clear it at least a little before he did anything quite so unpredictable.

  “I think I’d better get you inside,” he said huskily.

  “Yeah,” she agreed. “I think you’re right.”

  They hurried up the steps. Aiden fit his key into the lock and opened the front door. Inside, not only was all the furniture neatly placed, but on the center table sat a little note, which he picked up and read out loud. “There’s a bottle of champagne in the fridge for you, sir. It’s just one more way the Rock Reef community welcomes you to your new home. Enjoy!”

  “Wow, that was nicely done,” Cat said, smiling.
“We’ve done that for V.I.P. people in the hotel, but I didn’t know they did that for condos.”

  “Probably a bit of an apology for making me wait so long,” Aiden grumbled. “Make yourself at home, my dear. For once, I’ll be the server.”

  “You’ll do nothing of the sort,” Cat protested. “You wait right here. I’ll have it ready in just a moment, Mr. Whitney, sir.”

  Aiden chuckled dryly. “Fine, Miss Addison. Knock yourself out.”

  ELEVEN

  Cat stepped into the dream kitchen, complete with double ovens and a walk-in refrigerator, and hoped like hell she didn’t wake up yet. She was too happy to even dare to pinch herself. All week long, her only real worry had become that one or the other of them would not get hired. But obviously if she’d been falling head over heels for the actual owner, she didn’t have anything to worry about. Well, other than the fact he’d been lying to everyone, and he still had a wife.

  No, no, she insisted. Don’t kill this fairy tale now. I want to enjoy it for a while!

  She brought the champagne out of the refrigerator and located two flutes in a rather large china hutch. Clearly, this condo had been equipped to service executive parties and such, considering the other contents in the thing. But then again, why wouldn’t it be? It had yet to sink in, but she was beginning to remind herself that the guy she was about to bring his champagne to made one hell of a lot of money.

  Not that she wanted to dwell on that right now either. All she wanted to do was allow this evening to reach its natural conclusion. And if the bed she woke up in tomorrow morning happened to be so expensive it’d be as comfortable as hell that was just a bonus.

  This was all going to work itself out. He just needed a little time, and then everything would be fine. She just knew it. She was smiling as she set the glass into Aiden’s hands.