Baby for Sugar Daddy: A Secret Baby Romance (Heartstring Dating Agency Book 6), Lauren Wood [ebook reader with internet browser txt] 📗

without me.” He reached out and placed a firm hand on Jordan’s shoulder. “I trust you.” Then he turned to me with a loving, proud gaze. “And I expect you to take it easy on this guy. Don’t hardball him too much.”

I tried to smile, but it seeped across my face in a cringing grin. Hard and balls were the last words I wanted to hear come from his mouth with Jordan around, especially when he was abandoning the two of us alone together.

Neither of us seemed too thrilled to be left alone to this conversation over lunch. Now I needed a drink with the same desperation I heard in Jordan’s voice when he first brought up the bar.

“To the bar it is then,” he said quickly, reading my mind, as we watched my dad’s car drive off.

“Well, like he said…I guess we do have to get used to this kind of thing. And we should get comfortable with each other.” I knew it was true, and I meant it in the most innocently professional way possible. I just hoped he didn’t notice the red flush of my cheeks that implied I wanted us to be comfortable with each other in more ways than one.

“That we do,” he nodded. “I guess even though I’ve been around your dad and your home since you were a kid, we’ve never really known each other on a personal or professional level.”

He placed his hand on my back to lead me inside, and I swore it felt like a branding iron—even through my blouse and thick jacket.

We walked inside and slid onto two stools at the bar. I ordered a vodka cocktail, he ordered bourbon. Then there was nothing to do but make small talk. Obviously the real business at hand wouldn’t begin until food was served. This was all just an ice breaker, but there was nothing cold about the energy crackling between us.

“So, I’ve heard all about your time in college and everything you’re hoping to accomplish with your career,” Jordan started. “But what about the rest of it? What have you been doing with yourself?”

“Well…I am my father’s daughter. I’m a true workaholic and don’t have much time for hobbies or ordinary fun and social events. The only socializing I do is at business meetings and networking over cocktails.”

He flashed his perfect white teeth with a chuckle. “Your father’s daughter indeed. That makes three of us. So I take it you don’t have much time for dating. Are you sure we’re qualified to take on a dating app company?”

“Oh, actually…,” I stammered. I had to tell him. I couldn’t believe my dad hadn’t already. There was no reason to keep it a secret. In fact, telling him would only build up the much needed wall that needed to remain between us.

“I’m engaged,” I blurted. “His name is Drew and he’s a financial analyst. My father set us up.”

For some reason I felt the need to hold out my hand so he could see the ring, as if I needed some kind of proof. I didn’t know why I couldn’t control my awkwardness. I only knew my body did not react well to admitting to Jordan, the guy I had lusted after since I first learned what lust even felt like, that I was seeing someone. Much less set to be marrying someone.

Oh well, I thought. Better he knew it right off the bat. It was just another reason to add to the long list of reasons my fantasies about him would never be more than just that. My biggest dream would be coming true if this deal went through. It seemed only fair that I sacrifice another dream in the process, even if it was my desire to see Jordan naked and sweaty on top of me.

As if it even mattered. Jordan obviously had a girlfriend…or five or six. How could someone who looked like him not?

3

Jordan

“What about you?” Cat asked as she leaned over her cocktail, sucking the straw in between her plump, glossy lips.

It took me a moment to snap to and realize what she was asking. Why did her admitting to having a fiance feel like someone punched me in the chest?

“Me? Oh…” I shook off the blow. “Nothing serious.”

“Then you know the dating game well,” she decided. “Perfect. Between the two of us…I’m confident we can conquer a dating app.”

A contagious smile spread across his mouth, then my own. I found myself getting sucked into her gaze for a moment. She had this self-assured, wild look in her eyes that made me believe even more than I did before that we could take on this new venture without a hitch.

“Mr. Ashford?” A busty waitress appeared behind us with two menus in hand. “Your table is ready. Follow me.”

I hated to be sucked out of Cat’s gaze, but the moment we sat down—it picked up all over again without missing a beat. We ordered another round of drinks and talked over the menu.

“The steak is good here,” she told me. “But I also recommend the veal.”

“Damn, woman,” I chuckled. “I know we’ve already said it—but you are your father’s daughter for sure. You eat like a middle-aged businessman. I expected you to order a salad, like most women do…no offense.”

She raised a brow. “I inherited my mother’s good genes and metabolism. Besides…I work out like a twenty-year old gym rat.”

“I bet you do,” I teased, finding it hard not to fantasize about her glowing tan skin beading with sweat, stretching over her fit muscles. My eyes drifted to the hint of cleavage poking out over her tight blouse and I could vividly picture drops of perspiration dripping down between her breasts…inviting me to follow them. Of course, going to the gym wasn’t the only thing that could make her sweat like that.

Thankfully, Cat had already turned her attention back to the menu—so she couldn’t catch me staring at all the places I shouldn’t have been looking at.

I