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“Actually, my father did. He played. Every night, when he got home from work, he poured himself a drink and played the piano for a while. He said it relieved the stress of the day. I would sit next to him when I was a kid, and he’d play a few songs. It was really the only time I got to spend with him. Running Bradshaw Capital was his priority. I used to play soccer, and he never once attended my games.”
“Why?” Stella’s brows furrowed.
“When I asked if he would be there, he told me he didn’t have the time because he was building my future.”
“And your mother?”
“She came to a few over the years, but not many. She’d be on her phone the entire time. She and my father were Bradshaw Capital's power couple. That company was everything to them.”
“I don’t understand why she put your uncle in charge. That company is rightfully yours,” Stella said, picking up her wine glass.
“My mother was a narcissist. She never apologized for anything, and she was never wrong. Everything was about her. One day, when I was fourteen, we got into a huge fight. I asked her why she even had me, and she said she had no choice. My father wanted a child who would carry on the family legacy they were building. After I was born, she had her tubes tied so she couldn’t have more children. She told my father she gave him a son, and that was enough. From the time I could walk and talk, I attended the best prep schools in New York. It was all about the show and what made her and my father look good. As I said, they were Bradshaw Capital’s power couple, and I was expected to uphold their image. Out of defiance, I got into a lot of trouble as a kid and was almost expelled from school. But once my parents made a huge donation, the things I did went away. While I was at Harvard, my father passed away, and my mother took his seat in the company, making my uncle her right-hand man. After I graduated, I went to work for the company. I worked hard, and I would party when I left the office. Levi and I would go to clubs, drink, and pick up different women. I was featured on Page Six daily, and my mother said I was making a fool of myself and tarnishing the Bradshaw name.”
“I’m sorry, Miles.”
“I eventually cleaned up my act. She wanted me to settle down and give her a grandchild. That was the one thing she couldn’t control, and she didn’t like it. Hence, the reason she temporarily put my uncle in her position and stated that if I married and stayed married for at least a year, the company would go to me. Even from the grave, she’s still trying to control me.”
“It worked, didn’t it?” Stella said, sipping her wine.
“She knew how important that company is to me. Enough about me. Tell me about your parents?”
CHAPTER 13
Stella
“I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. When I was ten, my parents and I were in a serious car accident that took their lives. After I got out of the hospital, I went and lived with my grandmother. After I graduated from high school, I attended the University of Florida. I got my bachelor’s when I was twenty-three, and right before I started the master’s program, my grandmother became very ill, and I had to take some time off to take care of her. Six months later, she passed away. After the funeral, Jordyn convinced me to come to New York, move in with her, and get my master’s and doctorate at NYU. So, I did. When I was having trouble finding a job that would cover my living expenses and tuition, a friend of a friend of Jordyn’s told me that the Kensington’s were looking for a new nanny, and I should apply. She said they would pay me well, and I’d still be able to take my classes. I applied, and they were impressed with my credentials. They hired me on the spot.”
“I know Nadine, and I can’t imagine it was easy working for her.” A smirk crossed his lips.
“It wasn’t. But the kids made it better.” I smiled.
“You really like kids, don’t you?” he asked, finishing the last of his bourbon.
“I love kids. I started babysitting when I was twelve and worked in daycare centers while I was in school. Who doesn’t love kids?” I got up from the table and grabbed our plates.
“Me, for one,” he said, and I stopped momentarily before setting the dishes in the sink.
“You don’t like children?”
“Ten and up are okay. Any child under ten, no.”
“Why is that?”
“They’re loud, obnoxious, demand too much attention, and most of your time. Being responsible for another human being is not my thing.”
“So, you never want children?” I turned and looked at him.
“No. My work causes enough stress in my life. The last thing I’d need is to walk through the door after a long workday to a screaming kid. I like my peace and quiet. But I take it you plan on having children someday.”
“Yeah, I do because I love kids.”
“To each their own.” He winked. “We couldn’t be more complete opposites.” He took hold of my hand. “Except in the bedroom. Leave these dishes for tomorrow morning and come with me.” He led me to his bed.
I awoke in my bed the following morning. Miles suggested that it wasn’t a good idea that I stayed in his after we had sex. He was a complicated man with a lot of issues. Issues that stemmed from his parents and childhood.
Climbing out of bed, I went into the kitchen, where Miles sat at the island, scrolling on his phone and drinking a cup of coffee.
“Morning,” I said, making my way to the coffee machine.
