The Boss's Baby Affair by Tessa Radley Read Free Book Online Page A

he wanted Candace. But he didn’t want to spook her and lose her. Nor could he rid himself of the wriggle of discomfort over his ruthless desire to seduce someone who worked for him. He’d never been tempted to do anything like that before.
    But then again he’d never experienced anything like this.
    He wanted Jennie’s nanny.
    And what was more, he was certain Candace desired him, too, despite her cool annoyance. The challenge lay in gettingher to admit her desire—especially after all the lengths he’d gone to in order to convince her that he wasn’t interested.
    Yet Candace wanted to talk about him and Jennie, the last thing Nick wanted. He never talked about Jennie—about his suspicions that she wasn’t really his daughter.
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    By the time Nick had gotten himself firmly back in control, Candace had already taken Jennie out of the rear car seat. Nick pressed the key fob to open the trunk, hoisted the stroller out and unfolded it.
    He took Jennie from Candace and lowered her into the stroller. She let out a howl of protest and went rigid.
    â€œHey,” he chided her, “stop that.”
    The objection grew more vociferous.
    Nick shot Candace a helpless glance. She was watching him through narrowed eyes—okay, so he was on his own. He transferred his attention back to Jennie; he wasn’t about to let a baby defeat him.
    â€œCome on, missy, be still. Let me buckle you in.”
    Jennie let out a yell of objection. It was clear to Nick—and to anyone who cared to listen—that she had no intention of submitting to being strapped into the stroller. Time to change tactics.
    â€œAfter we show you the ducks I’ll take you up to the café. You can have a treat—an ice cream,” he said craftily.
    Jennie greeted his bribe with the contempt it deserved and simply shrieked more loudly.
    â€œYou little hellion,” he told her softly, his admiration growing in leaps and bounds.
    The noise stopped abruptly. Eyeing him assessingly, Jennie cooed and blew a raspberry.
    Nick couldn’t help himself—he laughed, then leaned down and planted a kiss on her plump cheek. It was soft, like a peach. A wave of emotion rushed through him.
    What did it matter if she wasn’t his child? No one except he would ever know that Jilly had played him for a fool.
    There was no point in maintaining the distance he’d been keeping from Jennie. She didn’t deserve to suffer; after all, she was the only innocent party in the entire mess.
    And if he wanted, she could be his. All his.
    â€œYou are a hellion,” he said, impressed.
    She gave him a gummy smile and capitulated, allowing him to put her into the stroller.
    In that moment Nick felt his heart constrict and he fell irrevocably in love.
    â€œYou’re also a wicked flirt,” he scolded Jennie as the clip for the restraining strap locked into place.
    A movement out the corner of his eye had him lifting his head. Candace was watching them. The look in her eyes was full of yearning, but as she caught him studying her, shutters dropped into place.
    It was possible that Candace was as ready as he to take their relationship to its inevitable conclusion. Yet Nick suspected that Candace would want more than simply sex. And while he could never tell her the true reason why he’d held Jennie at a distance, it might help to divulge the precarious position he was in with Valentine’s. It wouldn’t be easy to share that knowledge; he’d always handled his problems by himself, in his own way. He’d never been the kind of man who shared his concerns.
    Maybe it was time to let a little of his tightly leashed control slip.
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    The idea of letting his control slip became even more attractive as Nick followed Candace through the rose-covered archway and down the pathway to the landscaped parklands by the lake. He couldn’t help but notice the pert curve of her bottom under the fitted,