Billionaire Daddy (Daddy Knows Best Book 4)

by Kelly Myers

  My hands slide over my stomach and, even though it’s still flat as a board, I alone know that I carry Drew’s baby. It’s only a matter of time before I begin to show. Eventually, he’s going to find out and I have no idea how he’s going to take it. But, I plan to make it perfectly clear that I want nothing from him. I have no intention of trapping him or forcing him to give me money. Somehow, I will figure this out and find a way to provide for us both.

  Maybe I’ll move back in with my Mom. I know she will help me, especially in the beginning after I have the baby. And, let’s face it, I’m going to need all the help I can get. I’m going to have to find a job, too.

  Even though I hated it on day one, I have to admit, I began to enjoy working at Carson Industries with Drew. The business side of things has always interested me and watching him work was a constant learning experience. He is smart and so very savvy when it comes to M & A’s.

  Too smart for his own good, I remind myself.

  All too soon, James picks me up and we head over to JD Unlimited. For once, I wish we would get caught in a snarl of traffic, but the roads are clearer than usual and we make excellent timing. His mood is somber and I don’t think he says more than five words to me.

  I don’t think he’s angry at me anymore. He just seems...sad. And, who can blame him? He fought hard against Drew Carson and he lost.

  I’m really not sure if anyone has ever gone up against Drew Carson and won. He’s a man who always gets his way and today is no exception.

  When we pull into the parking garage, my heart begins to thump like crazy. James turns the engine off and I sit there, unable to move. Even though I want to show him that I’m on his side and support him, I’m beginning to wonder if coming here is a really bad idea.

  I don’t think I can face Drew.

  “You okay?” he asks.

  Suck it up, Ash. You’re going to have to see him at some point so it may as well be now.

  “Let’s just do this,” I say, and push my door open.

  The meeting is set up to take place in the conference room with James and the Board of Directors. It’s not nearly as large or fancy as the one over at Carson Industries. My mind drifts back to the night when Drew first kissed me in that room.

  I’ll never forget it. The way he accused me of being easy and how I slapped him. I remember the surprised look on his face and how his expression turned from shock to desire. The way he yanked me up against his hard body and how his mouth plundered mine so thoroughly. Then, how he laid me back on the conference table.

  I feel my breath hitch.

  He has a way of making me forget myself and everything around me. Like it’s just the two of us and then the passion ignites and I’m lost.

  Lost in his arms, in his midnight eyes, in his deep kiss.

  I miss him so much, I think. I have never felt so miserable.

  The Board of Directors assemble in their seats when we walk in and everyone exchanges somber looks. I don’t want to get in the way so I sit in the corner. Waiting for Drew to walk in is torture and all I want to do is bolt.

  But, I wait, hands folded in my lap, knuckles white from squeezing them so hard in anticipation of what is to come.

  When the door finally opens, my pulse quickens and I can’t move. Dan McPherson walks in first. I find myself looking over his shoulder, searching for that tall, lean frame and long-legged, confident walk that can only belong to Drew.

  When I see him walk in behind Dan, I feel a million different emotions surface. Happiness at seeing him. Fear at facing him. Longing, desire, anger, frustration. I’m not sure how to handle my myriad of feelings.

  Of course, he looks flawless in his designer suit. His dark gaze scans the room and then settles on me.

  I see a flash of momentary surprise flit through his eyes when he sees me. Then, it almost looks like warmth. But, I can’t be sure because he hides any further emotions behind a wall of cool detachment. He becomes all business and steps to the head of the table, a folder in his hands.

  I can feel the cold hostility emanating from every man sitting at the table. They hate that Drew is here and forcing them all to resign. No one says a word to him or Dan. It’s actually quite childish, I think. Grown men acting like children.

  But, Drew doesn’t seem bothered. He looks every single man at the table in the eye, including my brother, and then drops the folder on the table. When his smooth, deep voice fills the air, I feel my insides twist at its sweet familiarity. “I know this past month has been unpleasant,” he says. “The acquisition of this company didn’t go as smoothly as I would’ve liked. The original plan called for a swift takeover and this has been anything but that.”

  I see a few men roll their eyes. A couple of them utter a “humph.”

  “James here has fought me every step of the way. Literally.” Drew looks at my brother and the edge of his mouth curves slightly. “Nice right hook, by the way.”

  James’ eyes widen slightly then narrow in suspicion.

  What is Drew doing? Where is he going with this? They’re supposed to be signing papers and sealing the deal with Carson Industries. Everyone at the table begins exchanging curious looks and I wait for Drew to continue his little show.

  “Gentlemen, after some careful consideration and-” he looks right at me, “-a little soul-searching, I’ve decided not to take over JD Unlimited.”

  The room erupts in gasps and murmuring. Even Dan McPherson looks at Drew in shock.

  Drew continues to hold my gaze, ignoring every other reaction.

  I can’t believe it.

  James jumps up. “What the hell are you up to, Carson? I don’t buy it.”

  Drew’s dark blue gaze swings over to meet my brother’s narrowed eyes. “I’ve decided to go in a different direction,” he simply says and offers no further explanation. “JD Unlimited remains all yours.”

  It takes my brother a minute to actually believe Drew, but then a tentative smile breaks out over his strained face. “If this is a joke-”

  “No joke, Douglas. I concede. You put up an admirable fight for something you love and I respect that.”

  His words echo in my head. I wish Drew had put up an admirable fight for me.

  But, he didn’t.

  A sense of awe seems to fill the room and everyone is talking at once.

  Drew clears his throat and turns to Dan who claps him on the back. Dan says something under his breath and Drew merely shrugs. Then, his deep blue eyes look my way again.

  I’m not sure what he’s trying to communicate to me, but his dark gaze seems melancholy.

  I’m the one who you hurt and abandoned, I want to yell across the room. So, why is he the one who looks so sad and lost?

  I release a pent-up breath and stand up. I smooth my shirt down and my hands linger over my stomach. I can’t help it. With my hands over my tummy, I look at Drew. His perceptive gaze momentarily drops then slides back up to meet mine, but I look away fast.

  I have nothing to say to him right now.

  Shoulders back, head held high, I walk over to my brother and hug him. “I’m so happy for you, James.”

  “Did you have anything to do with this?” he asks, eyes full of suspicion.

  I shake my head. “No,” I tell him. I’m not sure if he believes me or not, but it’s the truth. I tried, but Drew was too bull-headed to listen to me. I’m not exactly sure what caused Drew’s change of heart, but I’m damn positive it had nothing to do with me.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Drew

  Seeing Ashley in that conference room today leaves no doubt in my mind.

  I am head over heels in love with her.

  Calling off the takeover was the right thing to do. Of course, Dan is elated. I can’t say I’m quite as happy as he is, but I know now that if there is any hope of getting Ashley back, it was my only option.

  Maybe falling in love is making me soft. Honestly, I really don’t care. I lift my glass, take a sip of Scotch, and look
out over the nighttime view of San Francisco from my terrace. I used to think it was such an impressive view, but it doesn’t seem so great anymore. Maybe it would seem magical again if I had someone to share it with. If I had Ashley here again, caught in between my arms, pressed against my chest.

  I came here with so many plans and dreams to make something of myself. And, I can honestly say that I conquered this city.

  Everything I ever wanted, I have. A mansion, a jet, a fancy car, endless toys, a successful company. I literally have money to burn. But, lately, it still felt like something was missing. I began to second guess myself and my priorities.

  Then, I met Ashley walking down the hall, late for her interview, and I was instantly drawn to her.

  The more time I spent with her, the more infatuated I became. It was a frustrating road because I denied myself until I simply couldn’t any longer. The pull was just too strong.

  I look down at the glass in my hands and slowly turn it. Never in my life have I felt this way. Even when I was married to Tabitha.

  I literally can’t stop thinking about Ashley Monroe and seeing her this morning just reinforces the fact that I don’t want to live without her.

  That I can’t live without her.

  When I set my mind on achieving something, it happens. And, right now, I need Ashley back in my life.

  The thing that terrifies me most, though, is maybe she doesn’t want me.

  The way she looked at me this morning hurt. Like nothing else. More than anything my stepfather could have ever done to me.

  Her gaze was so cool and detached. She sat there, frozen, like some untouchable Queen on her throne of ice. My soul aches at the memory. Mourns at every text and call that she ignores.

  I decide that going about this the usual way I handle business isn’t going to work. I can’t simply come up with a plan of attack and conquer. Instead, I have to finesse my way back into her life and beg for her forgiveness.

  And, I honestly don’t know if it’s going to work. She’s smart, strong and has a mind of her own. Although I admire those qualities greatly, they may not exactly work in my favor right now.

  With a sigh, I swallow the rest of the Scotch, drop my head between my shoulders and look down at the ground. The sidewalk is empty this time of night and I release the empty glass loosely clasped between my long fingers. It drops several floors, hits the concrete and breaks into a million pieces.

  At this point, my heart feels about the same.

  What if she doesn’t want you? a little voice asks.

  The thought makes my knees buckle, and I slide down to the ground and feel an overwhelming sense of darkness close in all around me. Back against the glass wall, I prop an elbow on my bent knee. For the first time since I was eight, I feel a stinging behind my eyes.

  It’s such a foreign feeling that I’m completely caught off guard.

  I do not cry.

  Ever.

  Hell, I didn’t even cry at my Mom’s funeral. Or, after my divorce.

  It’s a sign of weakness or something weepy, overly-sensitive women do.

  When I feel a single tear roll down my rough cheek, I catch it with the pad of my index finger. I look at the tiny moisture on the tip of my finger in amazement. I’ve never felt so vulnerable in my life.

  Because as much as I love Ashley, there’s no guarantee she feels the same.

  And, that scares the ever-living shit out of me.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Ashley

  It doesn’t take Laurel long to realize something is wrong and before I can dissuade her, she’s knocking on my door, a bottle of wine in hand. When I pull the door open, she looks me over and shakes her head. “You look like shit,” she says.

  “Thanks a lot.”

  She holds the bottle of wine up and gives it a little shake. “Don’t worry. I brought reinforcements.”

  I force a smile and motion for her to come inside. As much as I’d like a glass, it’s not going to happen. I dread having to tell her I’m pregnant. Actually, catching her up to date on everything that has happened is going to be hard for me. Talking about losing Drew is going to wreck me.

  I follow her into my small kitchen where she pulls two glasses out of the cabinet and fills each with a generous amount of wine. She passes me a glass and we sit at the small table.

  “Okay, spill it,” she says.

  “Oh, God, Laurel, I don’t even know where to begin.” I release a long sigh.

  “Last I heard, he was perfect in every way. So, what did the asshole do?”

  I drop my face in my hands. You are not going to cry, I tell myself. As I repeat the mantra in my head, Laurel takes a sip of wine, waiting patiently. “Okay,” I finally say, and run my hands through my hair. “Everything was perfect. The benefit was a huge success and afterward, Drew flew me to Chicago on his private jet-”

  “What?” she exclaims. “Why did he take you to Chicago?”

  “For pizza,” I say.

  “Because San Francisco doesn’t have pizza?”

  “He wanted me to try his favorite deep-dish pizza and kept saying how it was the best.”

  “Was it forty thousand dollars good? Because I bet the cost of fuel was at least that!”

  I give her a small smile and toy with the base of my wine glass. “We had a really good time. After we ate, he took me all over the city. We walked along the lake, went to the top of Willis Tower and had drinks at this amazing little jazz club. Then, we drove to his old neighborhood. He opened up to me for the first time and told me about his childhood and just personal things. Things that I don’t think he ever talks about.”

  “That made you feel special,” she says.

  “Very. I felt a deeper connection and it seemed like the beginning of something really amazing. After we came home, I noticed James had called a couple times and when I finally spoke to him…”

  My voice trails off and tears fill my eyes.

  “What happened?”

  “He told me that Drew was a terrible person who was forcing a takeover on his company. He accused me of working for the enemy and said he was going to lose everything.”

  “Oh, no.”

  “I went over to talk to Drew and he had already figured out that James was my brother. And, he didn’t care, Laurel. When I asked him to stop and leave JD Unlimited alone, he said no.” I swipe a tear away. “He chose money over me.”

  “What an asshole,” she says, and lays a hand over mine. “I’m so sorry, Ash.”

  “But, here’s what I don’t understand. I went with my brother to what was supposed to be the final meeting of the takeover and Drew told everyone he had changed his mind. He said he wasn’t interested any longer and that he was pulling out.”

  Laurel raises a doubtful brow. “He’s a shark. When sharks smell blood, they don’t swim away. They attack.”

  I shake my head. I have no idea why he made that decision at the last minute. “He told everyone that after some soul-searching, he decided to go in a different direction.”

  “Has he tried to contact you?”

  “Every day.”

  “And?”

  “And, I don’t answer!”

  “Ashley! He changed his mind for a reason. What would make him do that?” I can only shrug my shoulders. “You, silly! It’s the only thing that makes sense. He doesn’t want to hurt you.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “He could’ve taken your brother’s company, right?” I nod. “But, he backed down. Only one thing would make him do that. He cares about you. You need to talk to him.”

  “There’s something else,” I say, my voice suddenly soft.

  “What?”

  I’m not sure how to say it, so I just blurt it out. “I’m pregnant.”

  Laurel’s eyes go wide. “Oh, my God.” Her gaze drops to my untouched wine. “No wonder you aren’t drinking,” she says and we both let out a half-laugh. She hops up and gives me a big hug.

  “Are
you sure?” she asks.

  “Yeah, pretty positive.”

  “Oh, sweetie, it’ll be okay. Does he know?”

  “No! I haven’t talked to him since we fought about the takeover and he refused to budge.”

  “But, he did budge. He walked away.”

  “It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “You need to talk to him. Find out where his head is and why he changed his mind. I guarantee you had a huge part in that decision.”

  “I’m scared it’s too late,” I admit.

  “Do you love him?” Laurel asks.

  For a long moment I don’t say anything. I just picture his handsome face and that gorgeous dimple. I hear his deep voice and remember the way he held me in his arms and made me feel a passion that I never thought could be possible. “So much,” I say and start to cry all over again.

  Laurel grabs a box of tissues off the counter, swipes a couple out and hands them to me. “Then, you have to go see him. Now.”

  “But, what if he doesn’t feel the same?”

  “And, what if he’s sitting there right now and thinking the same exact thing? You have to find out. For yourself, for him, for the baby.”

  I blow my nose, not entirely convinced. “I think a baby is going to scare him away.”

  “You don’t know until you tell him.”

  “And, my brother hates him. And, I know he hates my brother. How is that ever going to work? You know how close we are.” I sigh, sniff against the tissue.

  “They’re grown-ass men. They will have to set their egos aside and figure it out.”

  “Our lives are just so different. I’m not sure a baby and I will be able to fit into his jetset world.”

  I hear my phone beep and look down to see a text from James. “It’s James. He wants to stop by.”

  “Talk to him,” Laurel says. “You’ve got to tell him about the baby. And, that you’re in love with Drew.”

  “That’s probably not the best idea,” I say. I can only imagine how angry James will get when I let him know I have feelings for his nemesis. I suppose I can only keep the baby secret for so long, though. Maybe it’s best if I just get everything out and into the open. The anxiety and stress of anticipating how everyone else will react is driving me crazy.