Page 45 of The Billionaire's Secret Heir

Ten minutes later, exhausted and panting, Madi dragged herself out of the pool. She collapsed on the lounge chair, wrapping herself in a towel and taking a moment to listen to the monitor. Beckett joined her, sitting on the chair next to hers. He shook his wet hair in her direction with a wide smile.

“This was a good idea,” Madi said. “I love seeing you in the water.”

He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “You do?”

She laughed. “Yes, but not for the reason you’re thinking. Or, not just for that reason. You seem so at home in the water. And I like this lighter side of you. It’s not something I would have ever expected.”

“You bring it out in me. There’s just something about you that makes me feel … more youthful. More fun. I can honestly say that I don’t remember the last time I had this much happiness in my life. I thought I was content, but I had no idea what I was missing.” He reached across and took her hand, tracing his thumb over the back of her hand.

Madi turned on her side so she could face him. “I feel the same way. Although, I knew that I was missing happiness. I just … hadn’t thought to hope for it anymore. I think I’d given up on finding someone like you.”

Beckett brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingertips. “I never even imagined it. And now, I can’t imagine being without it. Without you.”

His words made her melt. He couldn’t have said anything more perfect. And yet, she still had the nagging sense that she had to talk to him. Sitting up, but keeping her fingers locked in his, Madi took a breath. “Can I talk to you about something?”

He sat up as well, leaning closer and taking her other hand. “Always. Though that seems like the kind of question that comes before something bad.”

She felt panicked and her mind spun back to another question. “Remember in my kitchen, the day you met Becka? What did you say to me in Dutch?”

Beckett smiled. “You have beautiful eyes.”

Madi didn’t want to be needy for his encouragement, but his words meant so much to her. It felt like she was stockpiling the nice things he did and said in her mind, holding onto them so they could remember them again and again. “Really?”

“Twice over. Really that’s what I said and I also really meant it. But that’s not what you were going to ask.”

“No, it wasn’t.” Madi sighed. “I just have some concerns. One big one. You have been so incredibly generous and kind. The child support, the house, the gifts—Beckett, it’s so much.”

“Too much?” He searched her face.

“It’s not that it’s too much. I know that you love giving gifts. And it makes me feel so loved to see how you pay attention to even the smallest details. Like the new running shoes. Thank you again, by the way.”

“You are more than welcome. Where’s the but?”

She smiled and squeezed his hands. “But I feel like I’m not pulling my weight in this. Or any weight. I’m not paying rent. You spent what I’m guessing was thousands to get the safety up to par with the pool and the guest house. My only income right now is the child support from you. You’re sending groceries to the house. I’m not doing anything.”

“That’s not true. You are caring for Becka full-time, which is an enormous task.”

“It is and I don’t want to downplay that. It’s just that I feel like … ” She paused, searching for the right word. “This sounds old-fashioned, but I can’t think of a better way to put it. I feel like a kept woman. You’re doing everything and I’m bringing nothing to the table. I feel dependent on you to a degree that doesn’t seem healthy. I’m worried that I’m not giving enough back. And that if something were to happen to this relationship, I would be completely stuck.”

Beckett again kissed her fingertips. “Madi, first of all, let me assure you that I can only see good things when it comes to the future of our relationship.”

This warmed her and Madi gave him a soft smile. “That’s what I want. I often imagine the worst, so I’m prepared.”

He groaned. “Well, please stop.”

“I don’t know if I can. But I’m trying.”

“Good. That said, I want you to know that I personally do not see you that way. I don’t feel like you owe me or that you aren’t bringing anything to the table. I haven’t thought anything along those lines once. I have more money than I could spend and it’s a joy to take care of you and to buy you and Becka gifts. But I do think I understand how you feel. I wish you didn’t feel that way, but I think if the roles were reversed, I would feel it too.”

Relief washed over Madi. “What can we do? I was thinking about getting a job. Nothing full-time, or maybe something I could do from home, maybe during Becka’s naps or at night.”

“I have an idea if you’re looking for work to do. There are a few people I can think of—clients and a handful of people at VDKI—who might be in need of an accountant. I know that’s your background. It’s something that you could do from home completely and would allow you flexibility.”

“That would be great, but it’s really late in tax season to do anything there.”

“People need more than just taxes. And some are filing quarterly anyway. Would you be interested?”

“Absolutely.” She bit her lip. “But again, it kind of feels like I’m letting you rescue me.”

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