Free Bedding the Billionaire (Book 3) (Legacy Collection) by Ruth Cardello Page A

her a bit defensive.
    He handed her a card. “If you need help for tomorrow morning, call this number.”
    It was the nanny service.
    “I should be fine. I lined up a sitter a while ago.”
    “Yes, of course . Then I should be going.” He looked around as if assuring himself that there was nothing left undone. Their eyes met and for just a split second Lil thought she saw a spark of desire in their dark depths, but it passed and might easily have only been in her imagination. “A limo will come for you on Friday. A jet will take you and Colby to a private airport in New York .”
    Her heart missed a beat.
    Was it possible that he was inviting her to join him in New York?
    She couldn’t do that.
    She shouldn’t do that.
    But for just a moment, she wanted to agree to go wherever he wanted to take her.
    What am I saying? She gave herself a mental shake.
    Jake said, “Dominic and your sister are having a large party this weekend. They said it was important for you to attend.”
    Lil’s stomach lurched painfully and she bit her lip to hold in her thoughts.
    Dominic and Abby.
    Of course.
    “I’ll think about it.” She walked with him to the door. Please just leave.
    “I believe it’s related to their engagement. This is one you shouldn’t miss.”
    A part of her wanted to believe that he was saying that because he wanted to see her again. Don’t be a fool. She asked sarcastically, “So, Dominic told you to make sure I went?”
    The slight incline of his head was all the acknowledgement she required.
    I might be sick now.
    “Goodbye, Jake.” Baby in one arm, she held the door open with her other.
    He stepped through the doorway and paused. “You were right, Lil. This afternoon doesn’t have to change anything. We’re going to see each other at events. It doesn’t have to be awkward.”
    Sure, only listen when I’m talking out my ass.
    She closed the door in his face and leaned her back against it. Looking down at her daughter, she said, “ Don’t look at me like that. I know he’s not coming back. I’m just being stupid now so that I’ll be more sympathetic when you’re older and dating.”
    Colby smiled.
    “I know. I like him, too.” Lil pushed away from the door and carried her daughter back into the living room, their new living room.
    Another day, another story I can’t share with Abby.
     
     
    Later that night, back in his home, Jake sent Dominic a quick text. “It’s done. She’s in her new place. Meet tomorrow morning?”
    Dominic replied, “Can’t. Sent a packet to y our office regarding the party though. ”
    “And the two people you’d like me to meet?”
    “They will be there Saturday .”
    “Did you send me their names?”
    Dominic typed, “Sorry. Bad connection. Talk later.”
    Bad connection? More like bad joke. Why wouldn’t Dominic want him to know who he’d found to work on their server? They didn’t have time for surprises.
    Pacing his living room , Jake ran through a mental list of all of the poten tial mistakes Dominic could be m aking. If he’d reached into the criminal world for assistance, they might end up with an altogether different problem. He hoped that this time Dominic was going to choose a solution that was less dangerous than the problem at hand.
    Coming slowly to a halt, Jake took in his surroundings. Nothing had changed since he left that morning. His tablet was still positioned near the chair he reclined in each evening to read the news. Everything was still perfectly in place. His home was immaculate, contemporary, and quiet.
    Empty .
    Private , h e corrected.
    Orderly .
    He thought about the chaotic evening he’d spent with the Andrades at Dominic’s request. Children everywhere. Competing conversations so loud they made intelligent conversation difficult. It had been a relief to return home afterward .
    He should feel the same way tonight after the rollercoaster of a day with Lil and an evening of watching her child. It bothered him that he