Free Addicted (A Billionaire Romance Novel) by Aubrey Michelle

to like him. Chad also wanted to keep Christina happy so that she would continue to allow him into his daughter’s life. He was aware that he’d made poor choices in the past and they were all coming back to haunt him, one at a time.  
     
    On his way over to Christina’s that evening, he stopped by the toy store and bought Kayla, a small stuffed puppy. He didn’t know exactly what she was into, but what kid doesn’t like stuffed animals or puppies? He figured he couldn’t go wrong with his choice. As he started getting closer to the house, he felt jumpy and nauseated. The butterflies in his stomach were coming on in bouts and his fears were running through his mind. He was so worried that the little girl wouldn’t like him or that she might not understand why he was there.  
     
    He parked on the street in front of the house and sat in his truck for a moment as he tried to calm his nerves. Drawing in a deep breath, he pushed his truck door open and stepped out. As he stood on the side of his truck, he paused for a moment to straighten his clothes and adjust his tie. He wanted to look his absolute best when he met his daughter. Slowly, he walked up the concrete stairs and knocked on the door.  
     
    He could hear footsteps coming to the door and a cartoonish voice yelling from the back of the house. Christina answered the door and let him in.  
     
    “Hi,” she greeted him. “Kayla’s in the bathroom; have a seat.”  
     
    She noted the stuffed puppy that Chad was carrying. It eerily resembled a dog they once had; she wondered if he’d known somehow.  
     
    Kayla walked into the living and stopped when she saw Chad sitting in the chair.  
     
    “Hi!” he said, standing up to meet her.  
     
    “Hi,” she barely whispered.  
     
    “I brought this for you,” Chad said holding out the stuffed animal.  
     
    Kayla looked at her mom, unsure if she should accept the gift or not. Christina nodded her head, granting her daughter permission. She walked over to Chad and hesitated before taking her present.  
     
    “Go ahead, he doesn’t bite….and neither do I!” he tried joking with her.  
     
    Kayla reached for the dog and took it before Chad could say another word to her and retreated to the couch to sit by her mom’s side.  
     
    “I think Kayla should go play for a minute while we talk,” Christina said, dismissing her daughter.  
     
    After Kayla was gone, Christina looked at Chad and motioned for him to lean in with her fingers. In a small, hushed voice, she began talking to him.  
     
    “Kayla’s never really had men around her. I’ve not dated much so I don’t think she knows what to think of you.”  
     
    “Christina, I know you said not to introduce myself as her dad, but I really believe we should be upfront with her. I intend to be in her life from now on. I would’ve done it sooner had I known about her.”  
     
    “You don’t think you’re just going to waltz in here and be a daddy, do you? That might confuse her,” she protested, smacking her knee with her hand.  
     
    “It wouldn’t be any more confusing than explaining to her friends why she doesn’t have a daddy or wondering why she doesn’t have one.”  
     
    “I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Christina said, pursing her lips.  
     
    “I’m not trying to replace you if that’s what you think. Had I known that I had a daughter years ago, I would’ve been here from day one,” he argued.  
     
    She considered what he said and called Kayla back into the living room. Kayla slowly entered the room, unsure why the strange man was still there. Chad patted the gray microfiber couch seat that was next to him and asked her to come sit with them. She looked at her mother, again, for permission.  
     
    “Go ahead, Kayla. Sit, we need to talk to you.”  
     
    Chad adored the little girl. She was the spitting image of her mother; he noticed as he often stole glances at her. With her now sitting by him, he