The Boss's Baby Affair Read Free Page B

sorry.”
    Thankfully, this time he didn’t say anything.
    And this close to him it was even more difficult to think clearly. Nick’s body was taut and unexpectedly muscled under the crumpled, striped business shirt, and much warmer than she’d expected. Much firmer, too. It wasn’t the body of a man who sat behind a desk all day.
    What was she doing thinking about Nick Valentine’s taut and admittedly well-honed body? It struck her that she wasn’t giving him a very good impression of her professionalism. Candace jerked upright as a quiver of fear feathered across her heart. If Nick Valentine doubted her ability to look after his daughter, he’d dismiss her without a second thought.
    She searched for something to restore normality and asked a little breathlessly, “What did you come upstairs for?”
    He didn’t answer. Instead, he studied her. Candace shifted nervously. In the dimness of the doorway she couldn’t clearly make out his expression. Of course, every emotion on her face would be visible to him under the overhead light. Could he see her apprehension? Was he really going to fire her for her clumsiness?
    â€œYou’re Candace.”
    She flinched, and waited a heartbeat. Yet there was no dawning recognition in the narrowed gaze.
    â€œYes, I’m Candace,” she conceded at last. “And you’re Nick Valentine.”
    He inclined his head. “You have the advantage on me. I don’t know your last name.”
    â€œMorrison.” She gave it with reluctance, tensing as she waited warily for his reaction.
    Nothing changed in the enigmatic navy-blue eyes. Her name meant nothing to him. Only by sheer willpower did she prevent herself from closing her eyes in relief. The longer he remained in ignorance, the better for her. Candace suppressed the notion that he deserved to know, then dismissed the momentary scruple and told herself he wouldn’t care. If he’d been the kind of man to care, everything would’ve played out differently.
    Even as she grappled with what to do next, Jennie let out a howl of protest in the room behind them.

Two
    C andace could’ve kissed the baby for the timely distraction.
    Nick spun around and hurried into the nursery, and she followed quickly in his wake.
    He peered into the crib. “What’s wrong with her?”
    â€œShe’s tired and she wants her bottle.” Candace scooped the baby into her arms and handed her to Nick. He hesitated.
    â€œHold her while I get the bottle ready,” she said hurriedly. “Otherwise, she’s going to howl the place down.”
    On cue, Jennie’s protests grew louder. Nick clumsily reached for the baby. Candace hovered, worried that he might drop her. He made some grunting noises, apparently intended to comfort the baby, but they only made Jennie scream more loudly.
    â€œIf you hold her a little more firmly, she’d settle.”
    Watching him, Candace was visited by the insane notion that Nick had never held the baby before. It wasn’t possible. Yet he didn’t appear familiar with the baby at all.
    Her heart ached for Jennie. Poor motherless tyke. Nick was an ambitious businessman who spent more time chasing deals than with his child. Of course, having a full-time nanny made it all too easy for Nick to avoid his parenting responsibilities.
    Candace wasn’t ready to analyze the surge of emotions that flooded her. Instead, she grabbed his wrist. “Put one hand here…” she placed it behind Jennie’s bottom “…and the other here.”
    â€œShe’s my daughter. I know how to hold her.”
    Who was he trying to fool? Yet the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips drew her attention back to Nick, making Candace aware that her hand still gripped his wrist.
    She released him as if she’d been scorched and stepped back, out of his force field, and ordered, “Walk with her.”
    He gave her a