Her Billionaire Single Dad (Her Billionaire CEO, #8)

by Allen, Jewel

  Two youngish-looking men stood and spoke in their language while an elderly man interpreted. He explained on their behalf that the dance unleashed power to heal individuals. Afterward, the pair danced, skipping up and down the sand pit, kicking up dust as camera flashes went off.

  One of the dancers approached Lara.

  She didn’t need an interpreter to know what he wanted when he tugged at her hand with a friendly smile.

  “You want to dance with me?” she asked.

  When he nodded, Lara glanced back at Michael, who encouraged her with a little push. Lara laughed and joined the young man.

  The dance involved marching up and down the sand pit, holding hands and everyone trying to not run into each other. Looking around, Lara realized that Mick and Lizzie had been invited to dance too, as well as Michael.

  Michael looked adorably awkward with his long limbs flailing out, towering over the others. At one point, they crossed each other, laughing. In a whirl, they danced, circling and running smack into each other.

  Time seemed to stand still. Everyone was kicking up dust that made for an unearthly haze. Light played on Michael’s face, leaving shadows on the angular planes. He reached out and touched her cheek, bending as if to kiss her...

  Mick wriggled between them. Lizzie was chasing him, giggling. They were playing tag in all the dancing.

  Lara stepped back, hugging the children, before letting them escape once again. And then the dance and performance was over.

  But it took a while for her heart to stop beating fast. From the dancing. From Michael’s almost-kiss.

  The San took their bows and then left the resort in a modern pickup truck.

  Michael walked Lara and the children to their room, his expression hard to see in the darkness. A resort employee crossed paths with them, carrying several canning jars with solar lights, looking like a peddler of floating glowing globes.

  “Uncle Michael,” Lizzie said, tugging at his hand, “come read us a story.”

  “I will...after you get your bath and brush your teeth.”

  The children ran inside their cabin in their excitement and amazingly accomplished what had been expected of them. They were in their jammies in no time. The grown-ups took their turns watching the kids and taking their own respective showers.

  It had been a good day. A fun one. Lara came out of the bathroom, changed into her jammies, and her heart beat fast at the appreciative gleam that lit up Michael’s eyes. He was sitting in a white shirt and shorts on the bed, reading the children a story.

  Lara joined the group, conscious of Michael’s arm against hers as the children each took a lap—Mick on Lara and Lizzie on Michael. Lizzie put another book about a bear in corduroy pants in her uncle’s hands.

  Lara shifted, trying to get comfortable, and Michael’s arm went around her shoulder. Soon, she was like the kids, snuggled right next to him. She didn’t dare look at him, but her traitorous body craved to sit close and stay in that position.

  The children soon were snoring lightly.

  Michael let the book fall once he reached “The end.”

  “I’ll carry the children to their beds,” Lara offered.

  “Stay for a moment,” he whispered into her ear. “Please.”

  Lara turned her head slightly, looking up at him through her lashes.

  He watched her intently, his finger hooking under her chin.

  He pulled her close, and she yielded, unresisting, to his caress. A small peck on her parted lips. Yearning for more. And yet relieved when he didn’t push his luck with the kids on their laps.

  He took both the children in his arms, scooping them up like footballs and depositing them with amazing precision into their respective beds.

  Lara realized then that the intimate act of tucking the children in bed was by far the most domestic thing she’d done with a man she was...

  She almost said dating, and yet they weren’t, really, were they? But what else was all the kissing, hand brushes, hugs, touches...?

  Oy. This was starting to get complicated.

  While Michael had his back turned to her, tucking the children under their covers, Lara escaped to the bathroom.

  She stared at her reflection, noting the high color on her cheeks. Like some lovestruck teen on her first date, and she was checking on her makeup between dance songs.

  Looking for an excuse to prolong her stay in the bathroom, she brushed her teeth. By the time she was done, a good fifteen minutes had passed. Surely Michael had gone to his room by now.

  Only the light by her bed remained on. At first, she thought the room was empty except for the children, but she found Michael standing by the window, looking out.

  “Good night,” she said, standing by her bed, hoping he would take a hint.

  He turned, his eyes gleaming and his lips curving into a smile. “Would you like me to tuck you in?”

  Her cheeks warmed. “No, I’m good,” she said, though part of her felt like a liar. As if to ward off any unruly thoughts, she slipped between the covers and turned off the light.

  “Good night,” she said, her voice squeaking slightly, just like times when she was nervous.

  “Good night.” Laughter laced his voice.

  She closed her eyes and pretended to fall asleep quickly. To her shock and panic, the mattress sank under his weight, making her roll toward him as he sat at the edge of the bed.

  “Michael,” she whispered, scandalized.

  “I just wanted to kiss you goodnight,” he whispered back.

  “What you should do is go to your own room.”

  “I will in a minute.”

  He moved toward her. Any minute now, she would succumb to his magic.

  “Wait,” she said.

  “What?” His lips were just a breath from hers. Tantalizing.

  “What about Esther?”

  He froze. “What about her?”

  “You spent the evening with her yesterday. And here you are, romancing me?”

  “It’s not the same.” He touched her cheek. “I’m not interested in her.”

  “I don’t care,” she lied.

  “Of course not.”

  Hurt by his flippant tone, Lara tried to scoot away, but Michael’s arm around her waist kept her in place.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I’m serious, though. Why would you even think she’s anything to me? We just talked fundraisers.”

  Lara didn’t say anything. His scent, his nearness, made her want to believe him. But that distrust had been so ingrained in her.

  A flash of memory from her childhood returned. Her dad leaning over her bed telling her a quick goodbye before her parents’ divorce. No one could promise forever.

  “Last night,” Michael said, “my pride had been hurt. I thought about kissing her. Just to get back at you.”

  “You thought about it?” Her voice was low.

  “Yes. But I didn’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “What I really thought about was being with you. Kissing you again.”

  Her mouth turned dry. His words in the darkness made her head spin with wonder.

  His eyes glimmered as he hovered over her. Only the lights from the solar jars outside filtered through the window.

  “It’s not fair,” she murmured. “You have so much access to me. Even my boyfriends before weren’t this fresh.”

  “Do I count as a boyfriend now?”

  “I plead the fifth until after the safari, remember?”

  “Ah, yes. You and your impossible demands.”

  “Demands!”

  “You zoned in on the wrong word.” His hand brushed her stomach and ended at her waist. The heat of his touch burned through her shirt, making her suck in her breath. “Impossible. I find it impossible to resist you...”

  He leaned and kissed her.

  The hunger that had been building up burst into flames. He took, and he gave, and she readily gave herself up to the sensations that swirled through her body
. Her arms went around his neck as she yielded to him. His hair was soft under her fingertips. He groaned softly as she arched her back, trying to get closer to him.

  “Darling,” he murmured.

  The endearment undid her. She sought his mouth once again, and his kiss became more insistent, exploring deeper.

  When they finally came apart, he nuzzled her cheek and chuckled shakily. His finger traced her lower lip, and then his hand brushed against the sensitive hollow of her neck.

  “I’d better go,” he said with regret in his voice.

  “Don’t yet,” she whispered.

  He was more than happy to oblige with another round of kisses.

  “Sweet dreams,” he murmured.

  Rising, he left her, giving her a sweet backward glance at the door before letting himself out and pulling it shut.

  She fell back against her pillows with a sigh. She pressed the back of her hand against her lips, trembling with the aftermath. And knowing, without a doubt, that she was irrevocably in love with him. Conflicting emotions cascaded over her in waves as her world tipped on its axis, challenging everything she’d ever known.

  But she wouldn’t think of it too hard. Tonight, she would dream.

  Chapter 25

  Michael woke to the buzzing of his phone.

  “Good morning, sir,” Kalinga said.

  Michael peeked at the alarm clock and fell back against his pillow. “Kalinga, it’s six a.m.”

  “I know, sir. I apologize. I just needed to remind you that your group has horseback riding through Chobe today.”

  “Oh, that’s right.”

  “We’ll need you in the lobby in an hour. Is that acceptable?”

  “It will have to be, won’t it?”

  “Would you like me to ring the miss?”

  “No,” Michael said, smiling to himself at the mention of Lara. “I can call her.”

  Ending the call, he lay back down and thought of the previous evening. The dance had awakened something primitive in him. Something elemental. And Lara was a revelation at the dance.

  But of course, the highlight of the night, of the safari so far, was how she’d responded so sweetly to his kisses. Maybe they could make this relationship work. He wanted to, anyway. He couldn’t wait to see and hold her again.

  He picked up his phone and called her.

  “Hello?” The sound of her voice filled him with pleasure.

  “Good morning.”

  “Hey,” she said. He imagined her turning to her side and smiling.

  “Did you sleep well?”

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  “Did you miss me?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” She giggled.

  “Can’t have that. Maybe you need a good morning kiss.”

  “Through the phone?”

  He kicked his sheet off. “I’m coming over.”

  “Michael, you know we can’t...” The rest of her sentence ended muffled.

  “Can’t what?” he asked.

  “Flirt like this.”

  “Why not?”

  She sighed. “Because I’m your nanny.”

  “You won’t be for too long.”

  Silence, then, “You’re firing me?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  Her voice lowered. Became more subdued. “Uh-uh. I don’t.”

  He got up, walked out his door, and made his way to her cabin. He knocked and waited. When she opened the door, her lips dewy and perfectly kissable, he hung up and reached for her.

  The hand holding her phone came ‘round his neck as his lips captured hers. She was exquisitely sweet and pliant, eager for his kiss. He pulled her close, kissing her deeper, until she trembled.

  “Who is it?” a little voice said.

  The two broke apart and smiled sheepishly.

  “It’s Uncle Michael,” Lara said, biting her lip.

  Michael showed himself to the children. “You guys want to ride horses today?”

  “Horsies!” Lizzie said, kicking off her covers.

  Mick made a neighing noise.

  “I take it that’s a yes,” Michael said, his eyes seeking Lara’s.

  He grasped her chin and passed his thumb over her lower lip. He heard her gasp as she swayed slightly toward him. If it weren’t for the children...

  “I’ll see you soon,” Michael said.

  Lara bit her lip and nodded, her eyes shining.

  Minutes later, Michael was making his way to the lobby, whistling a happy tune. What a beautiful day it was. The morning dew made everything outside seem to sparkle, from the resort lawn to the flowers in the trees. The sun was starting to come up, casting everything in a soft light, including Lara and the children as they made their way over. He waited up for them. She raised sparkling eyes to his, and he wished they were alone.

  Or that Kalinga wasn’t already meeting them too.

  “Good morning,” Kalinga said, rubbing his hands together. “Good to see everyone.”

  “Will the horses be small enough for the children?” Lara asked.

  “Yes, they are.”

  Lara yawned. “I have to say, it’s hard to keep up with this schedule when we get to bed late...” Her words trailed off as she flicked a self-conscious glance at Michael, cutely embarrassed.

  “That’s so we can be done early enough to not be too hot on the trail,” Kalinga explained. “The horses, I’ve been told, are more used to that schedule.”

  “Don’t worry, the kids and I are tough,” Lara assured him.

  “And I’m not?” Michael said.

  “We all know you’re tough.” She winked.

  Michael caught the gesture as though he were collecting souvenirs, tucking it into his heart. “Right.” He winked back.

  Her eyes glowed before she looked away.

  “The kitchen has prepared breakfast for you,” Kalinga said, pointing at the little cardboard boxes on the table.

  The children tore into theirs, the curious little monkeys. There was a hard-boiled egg, cheese, crackers, an apple, a sandwich, and a little orange juice.

  “Nice,” Michael said, taking a bite of his apple. “Please tell them thanks.”

  “I will,” Kalinga said. “Are you ready for this adventure?”

  Lara glanced at Michael. ”Definitely.”

  Michael wondered if she meant the horses or something else.

  Kalinga drove them to a barn down the road with a dirt lane leading up to a gazebo-like structure. Barns and outbuildings surrounded it under the canopy of ancient-looking trees. A woman in English riding dress—fitted pants and tall leather boots—greeted them.

  “My name is Debra,” she said in a no-nonsense voice. She had close-cropped silver hair, with a lean and fit body. “I know you’re on holiday,” she deadpanned, “but I need to know your weight.”

  Lara got on a scale first, followed by the children and Michael.

  Debra eyed Lizzie. “How old is she? She’s awfully small.”

  “She’s four going on sixteen,” Lara said.

  Lizzie cracked up and giggled, and Lara scooped her up and kissed her cheek.

  Michael gazed at Lara, charmed by their cute little bonding moment.

  Debra cleared her throat, looking from Michael to Lara.

  Time to pay attention to the teacher.

  “Maybe I could have Lizzie ride with me?” Lara offered.

  “We’ll see,” Debra said.

  Debra walked out of the gazebo, motioning for everyone to follow her. In a little clearing, stable employees held on to horses by halters.

  On the ground, at the edge of the clearing, little farm dogs chased baby warthogs. Mick pointed and tugged at Michael’s hand. The two boys roared with laughter. Lara and Lizzie joined in too.

  Debra motioned for them to pay attention. She mounted a horse, facing them like a general ready for battle. “I am sorry in advance for terrifying you with the rules,” she opened.

  Everyone tittered nervously, but Debra didn’t smile.

>   “If you get charged by an animal,” she said, “and your horse bolts, hold on. If you run into brambles, lower your head and love your horse.” She demonstrated bending at the waist and hugging her horse’s neck. “If your guide says to move, do as he says.”

  She trained her direct gaze next on Lara and then Michael. “And you two,” she barked. “I know you only have eyes for each other, but pay attention to your surroundings.”

  Lara, her cheeks a charming pink, didn’t look at Michael.

  “Why is she mad at you?” Lizzie asked Lara.

  “She’s not, sweetie,” Lara assured her.

  Finally, it was time to mount. Lara got on a white horse named Charlie, with Lizzie fitting snugly in the front of the Australian saddle. An Australian saddle didn’t have a horn but was sturdier-looking than an English one.

  The horses followed each other and their guide, Tomas. A different guide, Joseph, took up the rear with some high-powered rifles that took Michael aback. They rode at a walk, with Michael riding behind Lara. Mick had his own horse, but a guide rode alongside him for backup.

  They passed impala, their legs skinny and graceful, darting off once their curiosity of the humans was satisfied. Tomas raised his arm, asking for silence as a herd of eland—a bigger kind of antelope—ran through. Along the tops of tall trees, giraffes’ heads towered slightly.

  All too far for good photos on Lara’s phone camera probably, but she tried to take some shots anyway.

  That was when Michael noticed the leopard in the bushes near her. As Tomas did too.

  “Everyone,” Tomas said in a brisk voice. “Move!”

  Chapter 26

  In hindsight, Lara thought setting little Lizzie in the same saddle as her was not a smart move.

  There was only so much room for the two, and Lara couldn’t move fast without either jostling Lizzie or bouncing off the saddle with her. Their horse was stuck in a trot that was neither graceful nor fast.

  The leopard had noticed them, pricking his ears and his body coiling at the ready.

  Mick’s guide had Mick’s horse by the rope halter, bearing him toward the stables. Lara and Lizzie were straggling behind.

  “Hand her to me,” Michael said, whirling around to accept Lizzie in his arms.