Page 44 of The Billionaire's Virgin

“Candy requires your father’s permission,” I reminded her. “You know the rules.”

“Aw…”

“I’ll tell you what, I’ll try and pick something yummy for you. If you’re a good girl today, I’ll bet your dad won’t mind giving you a treat.”

“Yay, thank you.”

“Does your dad need anything else from the supermarket?”

“Dad’s making us snacks in the kitchen,” Jenna replied, and her voice dropped suddenly. “But I prefer your snacks.”

“Don’t tell him that,” I said conspiratorially. “It might hurt his feelings.”

“Okay,” Jenna promised.

“Good girl.”

“I’m going to watch a movie now,” Jenna told me. “Daddy said he’d watch it with me.”

“Have fun,” I said. “Does your dad know you’re using his phone?”

I heard a little giggle from the other end, and I had my answer. “You are way too smart for your own good, kid.”

I heard another giggle, and I shook my head fondly. “Go play with your father.”

“Okay, bye-bye,” Jenna said. “You’re coming home soon, right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

I hung up and put my phone away. As difficult as this nanny gig had turned out to be, it had proved to be far more rewarding than I had ever imagined. Sometimes I thought it was even better than teaching. It had nothing to do with Reed; I was not putting my feelings for him into the equation at all.

My phone rang again, and I smiled, believing it was Jenna calling back to ask for more candy. I was so sure it was her that I didn’t bother to check who it was first before answering.

“Jenna?”

I was met with silence and the distinct sound of someone breathing. I froze in place, and my heart started beating a little faster.

“Whoever this is, stop calling me,” I said, as fiercely as I could manage.

“I’m watching you. So you better watch your back.”

I felt goose bumps prick at my skin. This was the first time anyone had spoken. The voice was grainy and raspy; it didn’t feel real. It felt like someone was trying to scare me.

“Who is this?” I demanded.

Just then an announcement sounded off in the supermarket, and I gave a start as I realized I could hear the announcement echo through my phone. Whoever it was that was calling me was in the same supermarket. They were following me. That knowledge was what really freaked me out, and I whirled around trying to spot whoever it might be.

I saw someone dart back behind a shelf, but the movement was so fast that I missed any details of the person. I couldn’t even say whether it had been a man or a woman. I abandoned my shopping cart and rushed around the aisle hoping to catch a glimpse of the person who had just called me. But all I found was a rather confused old woman trying to decide between canned peaches or lychees.

I rushed down each aisle in the supermarket, but no one looked particularly suspicious to me. In fact, I was getting a few glances the way I was running around like some frightened chicken.

“Screw it,” I said, under my breath as I scrolled through my recent calls and clicked Reed’s name.

“Hello?”

“Hi, sweetheart,” I said to Jenna. “Is your dad around?”