Page 23 of The Billionaire's Virgin

Taylor smiled. “This is my point though,” she said. “Your father, my father, my stepfather: they’re the bad parents. They’re the ones who had sins they need to atone for. You have done nothing but try to protect your daughter and keep her safe and happy.”

They were comforting words, and I did feel better. I looked up and met Taylor’s beautiful eyes. My initial instinct was to reach out and touch her hand, but I forced down the urge. I couldn’t get involved with my daughter’s nanny. That was just ridiculous. It was a recipe for disaster, and I couldn’t afford to lose Taylor considering how much Jenna loved her. I needed to put Jenna first, no matter how hard it was.

“Um… thanks for the snack,” I said, deciding to end the conversation here. “But I really should get back to work. You can head back home too… now that Jenna’s sleeping.”

“Oh, sure.” Taylor nodded, getting up. “I don’t mind staying the night and watching Jenna; she still has a slight fever and I know you’re busy.”

“No,” I said, more harshly than I had intended. “No, that’s not necessary.”

Given the intimacy of the conversation we’d just shared and the connection we had established, my abrupt tone caught Taylor off guard. Her face fell slightly, and I saw that she was trying to figure out if I was upset with her or not.

“It’s just that Jenna’s fever has broken,” I said. “And I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

“It’s not an inconvenience at all,” Taylor responded. “But… if you’re sure, I’ll be off now.”

I nodded. “Okay, thanks.”

She gave me a parting nod and headed to the entrance hall to get her things. “Ah… Taylor?” I said, standing up.

“Yes?” she asked, turning to me.

“I have a business trip scheduled in March,” I said. “It’s only two nights, but I’ll need you to stay with Jenna.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll give you the details when the dates are confirmed.”

“Okay.”

“And once more thing… you’ll join Jenna and me this Sunday, right?”

She smiled. “Sure,” she replied.

Then I watched her walk out of my apartment, even though I would have much rather have had her spend the night. I took a deep breath; having Taylor around was really going to test my discipline. I hoped I was up to it, for Jenna’s sake.