Page 100 of The Billionaire's Virgin

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Reed

I was vaguely aware of Jenna’s and Taylor’s voices in the background. Taylor had brought Jenna a large globe that specified the different continents in the world and all the animals that were native to those parts. Now Jenna and Taylor were going through the globe continent-by-continent and learning more about each animal.

It amazed me how Taylor could manage to make learning fun for Jenna. She was always excited about learning new things now because Taylor managed to dress it up as fun. I had hoped that this weekend would allow me a little free time to spend with both my girls, but unfortunately the work had piled up. And with all the time I’d been taking off, it had finally caught up with me. I was forced to work through Saturday, and now it looked like I would be busy the whole of tomorrow too. The one consolation was that I could work from home.

“Daddy,” Jenna said, running up to me. “Did you know that there are penguins in Africa too?”

“I did know that actually.” I nodded.

“They don’t just live in the cold.”

“Amazing, huh?”

“Uh-huh.” Jenna nodded. “Can we get a penguin?”

I laughed. “I don’t think so.”

“Aw,” Jenna said, looking down with disappointment. “Daddy?”

“Yeah, honey?”

“Come play with me,” Jenna said pleadingly. “We’re going to Aus… um… we’re going to Aus—”

“Australia?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.” Jenna nodded excitedly. “We’re going there next.”

“And I would love to join you, honey,” I said. “But I have a little more work to finish.”

“You said that ages ago.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” I said. “But Aunt Jen is coming over to help me finish things up a little sooner.”

Jenna sighed loudly and then ran back to Taylor, who gave me a little wink when I made eye contact. A few minutes later, the doorbell rang, and I went to open the door for Jennifer. She was standing in the foyer directly outside the elevator in pinstriped pants and a crisp white blouse. She was on a call when I opened the door, and she gave me a nod as she walked in.

“Mr. Reed will be there for the next meeting, Linda,” she said. “I promise you that… great… thanks. Goodnight.” She hung up and shot me a glare.

“Well, hello to you too,” I said.

“You better be there for the next meeting,” she said threateningly.

“Promise,” I said, with a smile.

“Don’t give me that schoolboy grin.”

“Why?” I asked. “Too charming?”

She rolled her eyes, but I saw a smile at the edge of her mouth. She walked in and saw Taylor and Jenna on the living room carpet.

“Jenna!” she said. “My God, I haven’t seen you in ages. Come and give me a hug. Have you gotten taller?”

Jenna approached with a smile and hugged Jennifer around the waist. “I think so,” she replied. “Taylor says I’m going to be as tall as Dad one day.”

“I agree.” Jennifer nodded. Then she turned to Taylor. “Hi, Taylor; how’s it going?”

“Very well, thanks,” Taylor replied.