Baby for the Billionaire(63)
He fought for a control that should have come without thought or effort. But ever since Annalise had entered his life with her distinctive hip-swinging stride, that control had eluded him. He couldn’t help himself. He released a barking laugh, unable to recall the last time he’d felt such genuine amusement. Isabella’s head jerked up and she stared at him in open disbelief, as though the sound was not only unheard of, but downright impossible. Sorrow caused his humor to fade. Was his laughter really such a rare occurrence?
Annalise followed the progression of his thoughts with uncomfortable accuracy. “Okay, I get it. You’re a ruthless businessman. But who are you to Isabella? How do you want her to respond to you, Jack? Should she fear you, or should she look on you as her kind and loving uncle?”
He shook his head. “It’s not like I have a choice. I am what I am.”
“Are you saying you’re incapable of kindness? Of love?”
He turned his gaze on her, one he didn’t doubt reflected the wintry coldness that seized hold. “Those qualities were eradicated long ago. What I can give my niece is a home, financial security and as much attention as I can spare.”
“Got it. That sounds a lot like duty and obligation to me. And yet, not two minutes ago you claimed that wasn’t why you took Isabella in. You might want to consider which is most accurate.” She fixed him with an unwavering stare. “And I suggest you choose one that CPS will buy.”
“You want me to lie?”
“Right now, I’m not sure even you know what’s truth and what’s lie.”
He swore beneath his breath and surged to his feet. He’d had enough of this touchy-feely stuff. Time to take control, and this time he wouldn’t let Annalise wrest it away again. “I think we need to discuss what happened earlier in the playroom.”
His comment struck a nerve. She deliberately turned her head in Isabella’s direction. His niece remained fully engaged with her doll. “I believe I already addressed that issue. It won’t happen again.”
“Time will tell.”
She followed his example and thrust back her chair. He couldn’t begin to imagine the amount of inner fortitude it took for her to stand and face him. But somehow she did it. “I have no excuse for what took place earlier. I will tell you I’m no stereotype, despite that unfortunate incident. You’re paying me to take care of your niece, not be your mistress. Decide now, Mr. Mason. Which do you want? A nanny or a mistress?”
“And if both roads end up in the same place?”
“I’ll quit before I become your mistress. Is that clear enough?”
“Quite.” He leaned his shoulder against one of the beams supporting the wooden canopy that shaded the patio and folded his arms across his chest. “There’s only one small problem.”
“Which is?”
Her poise wasn’t as secure as she’d like to pretend. He’d always been excellent at reading people and Annalise proved no exception. He caught the slightest quaver of her voice and the helpless balling of her hands. Even more telling, the pulse in her throat fluttered like a moth struggling to throw itself into the flames. And like that moth, she was irresistibly drawn to something guaranteed to deliver her into the arms of certain disaster.
His arms.
“I have a strict policy forbidding interoffice fraternization.”
“I don’t work in your office.” The instant the words escaped, she inhaled sharply, aware of how much she’d given away with that single thoughtless comment. “I mean—”
He cut her off without compunction. “That policy extends to all my employees. I’ve never treated anyone who works for me with anything other than complete and utter professionalism.” He paused deliberately. “Until today. Until you. Why is that, do you suppose?”
Her eyes darkened and she shook her head in open denial. “I have no idea.”
“Yes, you do.” He hadn’t budged an inch, and yet for the first time since they’d met, she took a step backward. “Something unexpected happened between us. Something that caused me to ignore one of my cardinal rules. Do you have any idea how unusual that is?”
“If CPS suspected we were involved, it would cause untold problems,” she was quick to say. “You can’t afford to risk that, not if you’re sincere about keeping custody of your niece.”
“I’m dead serious.”