Chapter Fifty One : Does running count?

ASHLEY. A fully clothed Nicholas Bianchi was dangerous. But a shirtless one with sweat dripping down his chest was a fucking hazard. I definitely forgot how to breathe for the first five seconds. And I couldn't stop staring as he moved from one equipment to another. The treadmill and the weight rack were the only things I recognized. The light defined every muscle on his chest. The way his biceps flexed as he lifted the weights. This was all shades of wrong. He was my boss. Technically a friend. "Is this a friend thing to do, Miss Walker?" he whispered closer to my ear and I shivered. I was so lost in my head that I didn't realize that he was walking over here. My cheeks felt warm. "Hi." He leaned against the door and smiled. "Hey." I looked past him and fixated my gaze on an unfamiliar equipment. I needed to focus. "What are you doing standing here, snooping on me?" he smirked. I cleared my throat. "Well... you know." He shook his head, amused. "I don't know." "I

Chapter Fifty Two : We were friends.

NICHOLAS. I had to move away from her.I would have ruined things even further."So," she started, "why were you working out this late?""I couldn't sleep," I admitted.I could already read the question in her eyes.Why?I rubbed my knuckles before answering."My dad and I don't talk every day, and he's never been this mad at me. Knowing he's still angry... knowing he doesn't even want to talk to me..." I exhaled. "The thoughts just won't stop."She nodded in understanding."We don't like disappointing the people we love.""I wish he'd found out under different circumstances.""He'll come around," she said softly. "He loves you."I ran my tongue over my bottom lip."He's taking his sweet time."I turned to her and caught her staring at me again.Was she feeling what I was feeling?I couldn't possibly ask."Do you want to stay and work out?" I smirked. "I'm going to make my protein shake."She groaned dramatically."You'll never let me live this down."I tapped a finger against my chi

Chapter Fifty Three : Save me.

ASHLEY. That had to be the shortest kiss in history.I collapsed onto my bed, unable to resist touching my lips with my fingertips.He initiated it...Then he apologized.Did he feel something too?I didn't want to overthink what had happened, but it was impossible not to.What if he only wanted to sleep with me?What if he didn't like me that way?What if that kiss meant nothing to him?I groaned and ran a hand through my hair.Men...They were just as much work as kids.Nicholas Bianchi was messing with my head, and I had no idea what to make of it.What was I supposed to do now?Pretend tonight never happened...Or keep replaying it until I drove myself crazy?The first option sounded a lot healthier.The sooner I forgot about it, the better.Nicholas Bianchi was trouble.And if I wanted to survive living under the same roof as him...I needed to protect my heart.And stay as far away from him as possible.__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^__^Morning came too early.Maybe

Chapter Fifty Four : How is she?

ASHLEY. "I need to make a quick trip to Chicago. I'll be back in three days," he had said three days after the almost kiss.It made me happy and sad at the same time.The sensible part of me knew which emotion I was supposed to feel.The house felt boring again without him. Katrina had stylishly extended her holiday by another week.I had to cancel my weekly trip to see Lily.Melissa was still using whatever drugs she was on.At least it gave Lily little opportunities to get away from the house.I checked my phone for the time.Lucy had been running a fever since morning. I'd already done everything I knew to do.It eventually lulled her into an unusual afternoon nap.I opened the door to her room and froze.She was still lying in her cot.Not trying to stand.Not trying to babble.Her eyes were barely open.I hurried over and pressed a hand to her forehead.She was burning up."I... Ash-ley..." she whispered.I blinked in surprise.She had said another clear word apart from my name

Chapter Fifty Five : The headlines.

Chapter Fifty Five. NICHOLAS"How much time is left?" I asked the nearest flight attendant for what had to be the millionth time."I'll go and ask the pilot, sir," she replied gently.Was she okay?I didn't know.I already switched off my phone.I ran a hand through my hair before shoving both hands into the pocket of my hoodie.I had seen Ashley's missed calls and text the moment my meeting with the investors ended.My phone had been on Do Not Disturb."About thirty minutes, sir," the flight attendant said when she returned.I nodded distractedly and leaned back in my seat.One of the perks of owning a private jet.The pilot was ready anytime.I closed my eyes and silently prayed.Please let her be okay.My mind drifted to the morning I left.She had clung to my dress pants, crying so hard that I almost canceled the trip.I ended up bribing her with ice cream.Just one scoop.The memory pulled a sad smile from my lips.Seven days.I'd only been gone for seven days.And somehow every

All Chapters of The Reluctant Daddy CEO : Chapter 51 - Chapter 55

Chapter Fifty One : Does running count?

Chapter Fifty Two : We were friends.

Chapter Fifty Three : Save me.

Chapter Fifty Four : How is she?

Chapter Fifty Five : The headlines.