Page 23 of The Billionaire's Accidental Daddy Duty
“They make a good pair.” I nodded, trying not to dwell on what it meant that even though the saleswoman had seen us come in together, she didn’t assume Declan and Joey were mine.
Declan was at a completely different level than me—a different dimension really. He was the incredibly hot billionaire who ran a successful consulting firm and was adored by the UK tabloids. I was Isla from Bensonhurst, New York, with the loud Italian family, no job, no apartment, no prospects of any kind.
“What is it about single dads? They’re so freaking sexy.”
“No idea.”
She was getting on my nerves. Mom was a single parent for years and no one ever praised her for it. I knew this because Mom mentioned it every chance she got as a reason why I should find a husband sooner rather than later.
“Isla, what do you think?” Declan joined us, holding a cute little hat that fit Joey perfectly.
Sally gave me a look that said, watch out for your ovaries. I chuckled and caught Joey as he lunged for me. In the two days I had spent with him, we had really bonded. “It’s so…um…British.”
“It starts early.” A sexy half-smile pulled at his lips. “We’ll make a proper Englishman out of this one.”
When he met my gaze, my heart rate picked up the pace. I was getting used to this constant rush of adrenaline I got when he looked at me like that. I tuned into the tiny voice inside my head telling me how much I had to lose.
“Here’s your scanner.” Sally walked around the counter to give Declan the device. “Just point and click. We’ll take care of the rest.”
On her way to the back of the store, she squeezed his shoulder as she leaned in to whisper in his ear. Both his eyebrows shot up in surprise. I could only imagine what she said to him or offered him.Though, admittedly, I couldn’t get too high and mighty about it since I had done exactly the same just a few nights ago—twice. Declan was some sort of magnetic field designed to trap anyone who crossed his path.
“We’re in your capable hands. Shop away.” He handed me the scanner. “Should we start with a crib or a carrier? I’m certain my nephews have those. How about one of those bouncy things, too?”
“Yeah, we’ll need all that. Crib first,” I said in my business tone. After all, I was here as the baby expert. “I was thinking something like this one, clean lines to match your condo.” I stopped in front of a cute crib in a deep mahogany color that felt so Declan.
“I like it. Would it fit in the room?”
“Yeah, we’ll have to move my bed against the wall, but I think we can make it work.”
“Sold.” He beamed at me. “That was easy. What else do we need?”
His blue eyes bored into mine as if the words about to come out of my mouth were the most important thing in the world. Declan’s full attention was almost unbearable.
“A carrier.” I cleared my throat and held Joey a little tighter. “And then we’ll check out the clothes. He’s down to his last onesie.”
The diaper bag that had come with the baby stroller only had enough supplies for three days, which made me wonder if maybe Harper only meant to be away for a few days. “What do you think happened?”
“What do you mean?” He picked up a carrier and did a few curl-ups.
“Harper leaving your baby at your door, no note, with only a few changes of clothes. Seems odd. Who does that?” Iwanted to ask if Harper suffered post-partum depression, but how would he know if the last time he saw her was when they had their one-night stand.
“I’ve been asking myself the same thing. All I know for certain is that I have a son that needs a home.” He raked a hand through his hair.
“And a nanny.” I pointed at myself. “For the next thirty days, anyway.”
“Right.” His gaze shifted between Joey and me.
“Oh, crap. Hide me.” I pulled on his arm. When he didn’t budge, I stepped in behind him. His wide back was the perfect thing to block me from Louisa’s line of sight.
“What is happening?” He furrowed his brows then turned toward the entrance. “Oh, fuck me. Yeah, let’s hide.”
“What do you care if she sees you?” I followed close behind him as he made a beeline toward the playpens where his frame wouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb.
“I don’t want to have to explain stuff to Nicolas. He’s got enough on his plate with the board breathing down his neck.” He craned his neck toward the door, bracing his hand around my waist as if he were protecting me from a wild animal. After a few beats, he glanced down at me. “What about you? Why are you hiding? Isn’t she your sister?”
“Half-sister. But she hates me.”
“How did you figure that?” He cocked his head to look me in the eyes.
