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

narrow black jeans. Her long legs picked up speed when the path dipped as they approachedthe water’s edge, causing the stroller to roll faster and faster. In the breeze her blond hair streamed like a banner over her shoulders.
    When he caught up to her at the edge of the lake, she wasn’t even breathing hard.
    â€œThis is a wonderful spot.” She knelt down and pointed at the water. “See the ducks, Jennie?”
    At last he’d done something she approved of. Nick couldn’t stop the surge of pleasure.
    Jennie was sitting bolt upright, starfish fingers pushing on the arms of the stroller, her eyes wide with excitement.
    For the first time since leaving his office, Nick started to relax. This might work. There was still a chance for them…for him and Jennie.
    More than a chance.
    Resolve set in and Nick’s jaw firmed. He had a responsibility to Jennie. He’d agreed to donate his seed for the baby Jilly wanted, even though he knew, almost to the day, that Jilly had changed her mind. She’d stopped talking about their baby…started talking about her baby. Initially, it hadn’t sunk in that she’d found another donor…a lover. Hindsight was twenty-twenty.
    Yet after Jilly’s return from the fertility clinic on the Southeast Asian island of Namkhet, he’d been sure of it. It wasn’t his sperm that had impregnated Jilly….
    But Nick no longer cared. All that mattered was the baby leaning forward in the stroller, her eyes gleaming with delight. So vital and full of life. The child everyone believed to be his daughter. He spared a glance at the woman kneeling beside the stroller. Candace had made her opinion clear—he didn’t deserve Jennie. But what did her opinion matter? Jennie could be his daughter…all he needed to do was accept her. He’d already made a start. It was proving to be much easier than he’d ever imagined—and the rewards were pure pleasure.
    And little Jennie didn’t know it was a lie. To Jennie he was the only father she’d known.
    Nick vowed that he would make it work. He would prove Candace wrong. He was the only family Jennie had.
    Â 
    A pair of black swans glided toward them, long necks gracefully arched. Candace started to smile as Jennie beat her arms up and down and let out a squeak. Even Nick grinned at the baby’s antics.
    â€œSorry, no food.” Candace spread her hands out as the swans slowed in front of them.
    â€œLook, there are even eels,” Nick said as an inquisitive nose poked out the water. “See?” Jennie was all eyes. “Want to take a closer look?”
    Not liking the sound of that, Candace said quickly, “She’s fine in the stroller.”
    But Nick ignored her warning and unclipped the restraint. “Come on,” he told Jennie. “I’ll show you.”
    Jennie hung out of his arms as he hoisted her up, her arms flapping frantically. Little breathless puffs of baby excitement filled the air, and Candace clambered to her feet. “Nick, this isn’t a good idea—”
    â€œDon’t be such a killjoy!”
    Ducks crowded around, craning their necks, beady eyes fixed on him. In the water, the swans paddled in one spot. Nick laughed, shrugging aside the cautioning hand Candace placed on his arm as Jennie gurgled with unrestrained glee.
    â€œJust look at her.” With Nick reveling in the baby’s amazement, Candace didn’t have the heart to spoil the moment. “Next time we’ll bring bread,” he promised the baby.
    More ducks were scrambling out of the water.
    â€œNick, that’s probably close enough.” Candace cast an anxious glance at the water’s edge. “Those are geese coming—and they can be quite aggressive.”
    â€œJennie’s having the time of her life. And so am I.”
    There was no suitable response to that. Candace let out the breath she was holding and tried to stop