Hot Daddy: A Billionaire Single Dad Romance

by R. R. Banks

  Miss Delia is holding Nicholas' hand when they come in from the kitchen. He looks from me to Amanda and gives her a nervous little smile – not unlike the nervous little smile that had flashed across Amanda's face a moment ago. Nicholas clings to my leg, hiding his face. Miss Delia gives me a questioning look. I've never brought the women I date around to meet Nicholas before and she seems a little uncertain.

  “Amanda,” Miss Delia says, recovering her Southern charm quickly. “It's very nice to meet you.”

  “It's wonderful to meet you too,” Amanda replies.

  I squat down and look my son in the eye. “Nicholas, this is Amanda,” I say. “This is Daddy's friend. The one I told you about. Can you say hi?”

  Nicholas looks over to Amanda and takes a tentative step toward her. Amanda bends at the waist to put her eyes at his level and holds out her hand.

  “Hi, Nicholas,” she says. “Your dad's told me a lot about you. It's really nice to meet you.”

  Nicholas gives her a toothy grin and steps forward, a little bolder, and takes her hand in his, giving her a proper handshake. That's my boy, he's got great Southern manners and charm – mostly thanks to Miss Delia's tutelage, I'm ashamed to admit.

  “So, who's ready for a little adventure,” I say.

  Nicholas squeals and jumps up and down. “Me, me, me!” he cries.

  Amanda is looking at him, smiling. I can tell she's at least, charmed by him. She looks at me and I can see the curiosity and excitement in her eyes as well – though, she controls it a little better than my son. Nicholas is wearing jeans, a white button-down shirt, and a pair of cowboy boots that were a gift from Kendrick. I put his own little black Stetson on his head and look at him.

  “He's like a little mini-me, isn't he?” I ask.

  “Not sure the world can handle another one of you running amok,” Miss Delia laughs.

  “I'm pretty sure it can't,” Amanda chimes in.

  “Great. We got ourselves a couple of comedians, Nicholas.”

  He giggles like it's the funniest thing he's ever heard. “Funny,” he says.

  “Miss Delia,” I say, shaking my head. “Can you have Derek bring the car around?”

  “Right away.”

  Miss Delia scurries off to call my driver as I put my hat on. Taking Nicholas by the hand, I guide him toward the front door, Amanda walking alongside us.

  “Are you excited, champ?” I ask.

  He nods eagerly. “What doing?”

  “What are we doing,” I correct him.

  He screws his face up. “What are we doing?” he says.

  “Yeah, what are we doing?” Amanda giggles.

  “I can't tell you,” I say and give them both a devious little smile. “It's a surprise.”

  Opening the door, I let Amanda walk out first. Nicholas grabs her hand and initially, I see her tense up. But then she seems to relax and gives his hand a gentle squeeze. They look at each other and share a little laugh.

  A moment later, the car pulls up and Derek holds the door open for us.

  “Settle in, kids,” I say. “Next stop is fun and adventure.”

  “Yay, Daddy!” Nicholas beams.

  ~ooo000ooo~

  Derek pulls the car to a stop at the curb outside the front gates of the San Antonio Zoo and Adventure Park. We climb out and look around. There is a small group of paparazzi clustered behind a small fence that had been set up near the front gates. When they see us climb out of the car, the immediately turn and start shooting pictures.

  Aside from the paparazzi though, there is nobody else to be seen. Which is perfect. It's just how I planned it. Amanda is looking around, her expression curious.

  “What's with the paparazzi?” she asks.

  I shrug. “Slow news day?”

  “Is this place even open?” she asks. “There's like nobody here. Literally.”

  “There better not be,” I say. “I rented out the park for the afternoon.”

  “You rented out the park?” she asks, her eyes wide. “The whole park?”

  I nod and ruffle Nicholas' hair. “What better way to see the park than to have the run of it?” I ask, smiling wide. “No lines, no distractions. We're free to go where we want and do what we want, when we want. Sounds like a perfect way to enjoy the park to me.”

  Her eyes are wide and she looks absolutely floored. I squat down and look Nicholas in the eye.

  “What do you think, buddy?” I ask. “What do you want to see first?”

  “Elephants,” he cries. “See elephants!”

  “Elephants it is then,” I say, taking his hand in mind.

  We walk to the gates and park security is doing a good job of keeping the paparazzi back. Amanda looks absolutely terrified as we walk by the small cluster of people who are snapping pictures and shouting questions to us.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Keating,” says a man in khaki cargo shorts and a light blue polo shirt. “Welcome. We're glad to have you all as our honored guests. If there is anything you need – anything at all – you just give me a holler. My name is Peter West and I'm the General Manager of this facility.”

  “Sounds good,” I say, shaking his hand. “I appreciate you letting us have run of the place.”

  He smiles and nods his head. “Of course,” he replies. “The park is yours.”

  The man turns and heads off and I grab a map of the park, locating the elephant enclosure.

  “Ready to see some elephants?” I ask.

  Nicholas is jumping up and down, squealing with delight. Amanda is smiling and laughing and she looks absolutely beautiful. Her smile absolutely lights up her face and makes her eyes sparkle.

  “You should do that more,” I say.

  She looks at me and cocks her head. “Do what more?”

  “Smile,” I say. “It looks really pretty on you.”

  She looks away, blushing. Taking my boy by the hand again, we head off in search of elephants.

  We spend the day touring the zoo at our leisure, enjoying the different enclosures and habitats of the different animals. I can't get enough of Nicholas’ wide-eyed wonder at the different animals and his endless, non-stop questions about them – most of which, I can't answer.

  We ride all the different rides in the park – some of them several times. And of course, we stuff our faces with junk food of a million different varieties. I can honestly say, this has been one of the most enjoyable days I've had in a very long time.

  I check my watch and see that it's nearing six o'clock – which means it's time to head on out. They have a function later that night, so I'd only been able to rent out the park until then. But that's okay, we'd seen and done everything that was on our list.

  And Nicholas is pretty much down for the count anyway. It's been a long day and he's falling asleep on his feet. I pick him up and carry him as we make our way to the front gates.

  “I have to say,” I said as we headed back to the car. “That's the way to see an amusement park. Alone and entirely unobstructed.”

  Amanda nods. “That was amazing, Brady,” she says. “I've never been in a park when it was empty like that before. It was just so incredible.”

  I give her a smile. “Thanks for coming,” I say.

  “Thanks for letting me tag along.”

  I give her a long look. “You're doing a little more than just tagging along,” I say quietly. “You're part of the family now.”

  Her smile is soft and she falls silent as we get back into the car. The ride home is quiet and I can't help but wonder what's going on in that head of hers.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Amanda

  Part of the family now? Those few words feel like a kick to the gut at the same time they feel like the most wonderful thing in the world.

  On the one hand, the idea of being welcomed and accepted so warmly feels amazing. I grew up feeling like I never really belonged. In a family that was neglectful and abusive. My parents were alcoholics and drug addicts more concerned with
their next high than they were in making sure the needs of their children had been met.

  On the other hand, though, I have to wonder if I'm only being welcomed so warmly because of our little business arrangement. If this is all part of the facade Brady is trying to sell. If his warm and welcoming acceptance only goes as far as what we can do for one another.

  I have no way of really knowing.

  The interior of the car is dark, so I can't really see his face. But I'd love to know what he's thinking. I saw a side of Brady today I am shocked even exists. Seeing him with his son, seeing how warm and gentle he is with him – seeing what a devoted dad he really is – it blew me away.

  I've always kind of figured that he's too selfish and wrapped up in himself to be a good father. I expected to find that Nicholas is being raised by somebody like Miss Delia. So, it surprised me to no end to see firsthand how wrong my assumptions were.

  Brady is quite a bit different than I've always thought he was. He's very different than how he's painted in the tabloids. I'm seeing a side of him very few people get to see and I have to admit – it's really attractive. I mean, physically, he's a gorgeous man. But seeing him as I've gotten to see him – outside the glare of the paparazzi cameras – it's changed my perceptions of him.

  I find that I'm intrigued by him. Very intrigued. He's got that whole Southern charm rap down pat. He's witty and clever. Smarter than I gave him credit for in the beginning. And passionate – his passion is something I find incredibly alluring. He has something of a hard exterior and like me, he's got a biting sarcasm. He's a man used to getting what he wants and having people do what he tells them. He's not a man that likes to hear the word “no.”

  But underneath all of that is the heart of a good man. I can see it. And I find it intoxicating.

  I know that I have to shut all of this down now though. I can't let myself get too invested in him emotionally. For him, this is a business deal. A way to ensure his inheritance and make sure he doesn't lose his father's company – or his precious football team. This whole sham marriage is nothing more than a mutually beneficial relationship.

  And I really need to remember that if I want to keep myself from getting hurt.

  Still – there are times when he looks at me or says something that makes me think there could be more there. Something underneath the surface. There's some small piece of me that genuinely wonders if he could actually be into me.

  It's unlikely. It's probably even highly doubtful. But still, those thoughts persist and I'm left to question whether it's a product of wishful thinking or because it's true.

  “We're home,” he says.

  The driver opens the door and we slide out, Brady carrying a limp and sleeping Nicholas up the short set of stairs to the front door of the house. The door opens before we get there and I see Miss Delia standing there with a smile on her face.

  “Looks like somebody had a big day,” she says.

  Brady nods. “He was out before we even left the park.”

  “Bless his heart,” she says.

  “Amanda, why don't you go grab a drink and I'll meet you on the back deck,” he says. “I want to go put Nicholas to bed.”

  I nod and follow Miss Delia out to the back deck, as instructed. “What can I get you to drink, dear?” she asks.

  “Oh, water will be fine,” I say. “Thank you.”

  She nods and disappears back into the house. The sky overhead is dark and there's a bit of a chill in the air, but it feels wonderful. A moment later, Miss Delia appears and hands me a glass with some ice water in it.

  “Thank you,” I say and take a drink.

  Miss Delia stands there looking at me, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The way she's standing there reminds me of somebody holding on to a secret they're just bursting to tell.

  “What is it, Miss Delia?” I ask.

  “Brady really likes you.”

  “I hope so,” I say, knowing I have to play my role. “I'm – pretty fond of him as well.”

  “You're the first woman he's ever introduced to Nicholas,” she says. “He's always so careful about that.”

  “Nicholas is a great kid,” I say.

  “He is,” she replies. “He's a very special little boy.”

  I give her a smile and take another drink of water. As I stand there, I can't help but feel like Miss Delia is taking my measure. That she's weighing me, judging my worth and my value. It feels a lot like how it would feel to have an overprotective mother eyeballing me. And I realize that she's as protective about Brady as she is Nicholas.

  “You know,” she says. “I've known Brady since he was a little boy. I probably know him better than he knows himself. And I can tell you that he seems to really like you.”

  I give her a smile. “And what makes you say that?”

  “The way he talks about you. But mostly, the way he looks at you,” she replies. “Especially when you're not looking. He just seems to have this look of adoration on his face that I don't think I've ever seen.”

  “Thank you for telling me that,” I say as heat rushes into my cheeks.

  “Of course,” she replies, and then whispers conspiratorially, “we girls have to stick together and look out for one another in this man's world, don't we?”

  I laugh and nod as she turns and walks back into the house. What she's saying makes my breath catch in my throat. I've been operating under the assumption that we're doing our best to sell this illusion of our impending marriage. That we're creating a detailed and intricate facade – a fact that was underscored by him telling me he had his personal assistant anonymously tip off the paparazzi that we'd be at the zoo today. Our first official coming out appearance.

  Because he is who he is – Brady Keating, San Antonio's most eligible and sought-after bachelor – the news that he was at the zoo with some new mystery woman drew the paparazzi there like moths to the flame. I was a little put off at first, but had to reel it back in and remember that this is a deal we struck – our relationship has to be public. Which isn't all that hard to accomplish, given the fact that he's such a public personality.

  Miss Delia, so far as I know, doesn't know about our little arrangement. Doesn't know that we're setting this all up to have a sham wedding – and that this is nothing more than a mutually beneficial relationship. So, it's possible that we're just selling this illusion incredibly well.

  But the fact that she's known him since he was a kid – and according to her, knows him better than he knows himself – makes me wonder if she's seeing something more. Something I'm not. Could Brady actually be interested in me? Is it possible?

  I shake my head, telling myself that no, it's not possible. That I'm nothing more than a business arrangement for him. A means to an end. But still, there's that nagging little voice in the back of my mind that makes me wonder. Is it the voice of pointless hope? Or the voice of my intuition – something that's rarely wrong.

  Things have been chaotic and a whirlwind in my head for a little while now and I'm beginning to doubt that I can trust myself. Especially when it comes to anything Brady-related. The man has me all twisted up like a pretzel and there are times I don't know up from down.

  “Did you have a good time today?”

  His voice cuts through the maelstrom of thoughts in my head and I turn, giving Brady a smile and he hands me a glass of champagne. I don't necessarily feel like drinking – especially since I have to drive home soon – but I feel compelled to take it anyway.

  And as the bubbly hits my tongue, I realize in that moment that everything today has been so perfect and I just want this evening to last.

  “I had an amazing time,” I reply. “Thank you, Brady. I still can't believe you rented out the entire park for us.”

  He shrugs. “I really don't like crowds.”

  “Apparently.”

  He turns to me. “I'm glad you had fun,” he says. “I had a wonderful day with you as well.”

  I'm staring into hi
s light blue eyes, feeling my pulse quicken. We stare into each other's eyes for several long moments, a companionable silence between us. But there's something more there than a companionable feeling. Something below the surface. A feeling of anticipating. Expectation.

  And before I know what's happening, Brady leans forward and presses his lips to mine, kissing me with a feeling like burning desire.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I pull away and take a step back, stunned. The warm tingling from his lips is still upon mine and I feel lightheaded – and not from the champagne. I look at him with wide eyes and see the same expression on his face mirrored back at me.

  “I – I'm sorry,” he says weakly. “I don't know what came over me right there.”

  I shake my head. “No, it's okay,” I reply. “No need to apologize.”

  I take another sip of champagne and stare out into the darkness of the night, my heart thundering in my chest. I can't believe he kissed me. And maybe I'm just thinking like an idiot girl with a crush, but that kiss felt – different. There was a genuine passion and heat, and yet a tenderness, to it – something I never would have thought Brady could have felt for me.

  I feel dazed. Confused. But also, something more. Something I can't place or define. I feel like the high, thick walls I've constructed inside of myself have started to crack, to crumble, and I don't know what to do. Let them crumble and give myself over to him? Or take a step back and reinforce them somehow?

  Business arrangement? Or genuine feeling? Those questions – and the emotions that come with them – continue to swirl in my head leaving me feeling dizzy.

  “Are you okay?” he asks.

  I nod but don't say anything. I drain the rest of the glass of champagne and try to quell the storm of emotions inside of me. I turn to Brady and find him looking at me, a strange look upon his face. All at once, a powerful wave of emotion surges up within me. And before I can stop to think about it, I close the distance between us and kiss him.

  He seems shocked at first and the kiss is hesitant, but the awkwardness quickly fades and the kiss becomes more intense. More passionate. Our tongues swirl and dance together as he runs his hands through my hair, gently pulling on it. I press my body to his and feel his cock, already stiff, press against my belly. It ignites a fire between my thighs and sends a rush of tingles through my body.