Accidental Sugar Daddy: A Single Mother, Billionaire Romance

by Kaci Rose

  We talk for a few minutes about our dinner, and then it's radio silent again. By the time we get back in the car, I want to scream just to get a reaction from him. He isn't talking to me and while I'm not sure how I pictured our Friday night dinners, I know this isn't it.

  He drops me off at home and doesn't walk me up or even kiss me on the cheek good night. I don't look back, just walk inside and up to my apartment. I go inside and Mia seems surprised to see me.

  "You’re home early."

  So, I sit down and tell her about the date.

  "Something is up," she says.

  "Yeah, he would have been over the moon excited this morning if I’d have told home about the move. But tonight? I got no expression."

  "Well, you could force a reaction out of him."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Tell him you’re going to go find a job on Monday and go back to work full time because this isn't working."

  “That’s horrible advice.” I sigh, "and it might be more than a threat."

  She nods. "See how tomorrow goes." She hugs me and leaves for her apartment.

  I get ready for bed and notice I don't even have a good night text from him. I wait up for at least half an hour, hoping he will send one and the last thought before falling asleep is knowing he won't.

  ∞∞∞

  I woke up to no text messages, so I keep myself busy by cleaning the apartment until lunchtime when Shelly knocks on the door. Like last time she has a few dresses, her box of makeup and hair stuff.

  I pick the first dress and try it on. It’s a baby blue strapless, for the main part of the dress, but it has what looks like a light mesh over the top that is see-through, sliver and glittery. The mesh has a high neckline and long sleeves and covers the dress down to my ankles.

  The girls say I look like Elsa from Frozen and I have to agree that's what the dress reminds me of. It hugs all the right places and I pair it with silver shoes.

  I ask Shelly to leave my hair down, but just curl it and add some volume. She does my hair and my makeup perfectly and is still putting her stuff away when Owen knocks on the door at four-thirty on the dot.

  Mia opens the door and I walk into the living room. No comment about how I look, he just asks if I'm ready to go. I look over at Mia and she shakes her head then hugs me.

  "Remember what I said," She whispers in my ear and I nod.

  I'm surprised when he takes my hand as we walk to the car, but once inside, we sit in silence again.

  We are waiting in the car line for our turn and when we are two cars away, I look over at him.

  "Can you at least pretend to like me when we get there?" I ask.

  He looks over at me in shock. Finally, a reaction. Then his face softens, and he looks at me. Really looks at me.

  "You look beautiful tonight."

  "Thanks," I say, this time it’s my turn to keep my tone cold. I stare out my window. Neither of us says another word.

  When we get out of the car, he plays the adoring boyfriend part well. All smiles and kisses on the cheek for the cameras. I smile and soak it up because I have a feeling this is the best it will get tonight.

  We get inside and he holds my hand the whole time but gets caught up in the talking to people one after another. I recognize a few from last week and try to chat with their wives. We talk about our dresses and the new shop that opened up downtown and the new restaurant everyone wants to try.

  The whole time he doesn't once let go of my hand, but we don't talk to each other either. At one point he gives an envelope to an older gentleman so when they finish talking, I ask him who it was.

  He says it's the man running the event tonight, and that was his donation. I nod and as we get ready to head to the table; I say I'm going to go to the restroom. In reality, I need a minute to regroup.

  I should have known I wouldn't get it. Less than a minute after I duck into the bathroom in walks Clara. I didn’t even think she’d be watching me. I sigh loudly and roll my eyes.

  "Everyone can tell you two are fighting," She says while pretending to fix up her makeup. "I told you it wouldn't last."

  I laugh at her, which seems to throw her off. Good.

  "Not everyone has perfect days when they have to show up here. Just because things are going on in my personal life doesn't mean it's affecting Owen and me."

  "If that's what you need to tell yourself."

  "Well, I bet he'd still turn you down."

  An evil smile forms on her face, and she walks out. I take a minute, breathing deeply, and enjoying the silence before going back to the table. I sit down next to Owen and he asks if I'd like a drink and I say yes.

  He walks to the bar and Clara walks up and starts talking to him. He doesn't pull away from her touch this time, but after a minute grabs our drinks and heads back to the table. Clara has her back toward me, so I can't even read her face.

  He sees me watching him, but his expression is blank. He sits down and hands my glass.

  "Nice," is all I say before taking a big sip of my wine.

  He looks at me a minute, then turns to talk to the gentleman next to him. As we eat our meal, he takes my hand and rubs his thumb over my knuckles and gives me a small smile.

  The woman next to me leans down to whisper in my ear. "Chin up dear, the hard times only make the good times that much sweeter."

  "Don't I know it," I say, and she smiles.

  After dinner, I lean in and whisper to him. "You are going to have to try harder. People are noticing something is wrong." He pulls back and looks into my eyes like he is searching for something. He leans in and kisses me on the temple but doesn't say anything.

  We listen to a few speeches and then mingle. While he’s talking to other couples, he alternates between holding my hand and wrapping his arm around my waist.

  After speaking to one couple, he leans into my ear and asks if I'm ready to leave and I tell him I am. We head out to the car and once inside he lets go of my hand and we sit in silence once again.

  After a few minutes, I can't take it anymore.

  "What did Clara want at the bar?" I ask.

  "She asked if I was going to the gala next week."

  "Are you?" I ask.

  "Yes." Good lord, I'm just done.

  "Great, then she can be your date," I snap at him and stare out the window.

  He grabs my hand, "That's what she wanted, but I told her I was going with you."

  I just nod and keep looking out the window. More silence and finally I go for broke. Still looking out the window when I speak.

  "Monday I'm going to go apply for a job at the new bakery."

  "More part-time work?"

  "No, for a full-time position."

  I see in the window’s refection his head snap toward me. Finally, a reaction.

  "Why?"

  I look over at him. "Because this," I wave a finger between the two of us, "isn't working." His entire frame goes stiff.

  "This is what you wanted."

  "No," I snap, "I didn't want to be humiliated back there where everyone can tell something is wrong. So much so people are trying to get dates with you while I'm right there. Wives are telling me to keep my chin up it will get better. I don't want to sit in silence across from you at a dinner table talking about nothing but the food for five minutes and you know it!"

  I take a deep breath as we pull into my building’s parking lot.

  "You want to punish me for this great job, well you just pushed me past my limits." I get out of the car without so much as a goodbye. I slam the door behind me and march inside.

  I walk in and walk right past Mia. She follows me into my room and hugs me. I get ready for bed and find her in my bed.

  "Figured you wouldn't want to be alone even if you don't want to talk." I nod and lay down.

  My phone goes off, but I don't even check it as I'm drifting off. I think time with my girls will make everything better tomorrow.

  ∞∞∞

  I wake
up and the bed is empty, but I hear cartoons on the TV in the living room and hushed voices. I look at my phone and see it's just after nine in the morning and that I have a few text messages from Owen.

  Owen: Can we talk, please?

  Owen: I'm sorry.

  Owen: Good night, baby.

  Ahh right back to calling me, baby. I don't do whiplash relationships. I don't have time for it, so I don't bother to answer him.

  I head out to the living room to join the breakfast fun. Of course, there are waffles. After breakfast, Mia goes home saying we will talk later.

  The girls and I make some cookies and then snuggle down on the couch to eat them while watching Frozen yet again.

  We have a lunch of frozen pizzas and then head to their room to play a few games when there is a knock on the door.

  I look through the peephole and see it’s Owen. I contemplate not opening the door, but when I see the girls are still in their room, I open the door and step into the hallway. I notice he looks tired and has a bag of groceries in his hand.

  "I came over for movie night and to talk." He holds up the bag of groceries, "I brought dinner."

  "You don't get to ignore me for the last two nights and think you can pick right back up where you left off." His face falls. "In there is a family and you don't get to pick when you want to act like a family when it's convenient for you."

  I turn to walk inside, and he grabs my hand with his free one.

  "I know that. I also know families fight. They aren't always perfect, but they stick it out and talk. Please let's have a movie night and once the girls are in bed, we can talk. Give me a chance and let's talk through this."

  I notice Mia's door is open, and she’s been watching us. "What do you think, Mia?"

  "Just listen to what he has to say and enjoy some free food," She rolls her eyes at me and closes her door.

  He smiles and looks up at me through his eyelashes.

  "Fine, come inside," I say rolling my eyes at him.

  We walk into the apartment and the girls come running out of their room yelling.

  "Yay!! Owen is here!!"

  He kneels down and catches them in a hug.

  "What movie are we watching tonight?" He asks them.

  "Well, we watched Frozen with my mom this morning," Allie says. "So maybe Cinderella?"

  "Whatever you girls want to watch," he says.

  "Can we mommy?" They ask.

  "Do you want the cartoon version or the live-action one?"

  "Live," they both say, and I pull it up so it's ready to go.

  "You know I heard something," Owen says, still kneeling down in front of them

  "What?" they ask.

  "I heard they have started filming a Moana Two," he says.

  The girls start jumping up and down squealing asking to see it and when is it coming out.

  I laugh, "I'll look into it okay?" I say as Owen stands up and puts the groceries on the counter.

  He then shoos me out of the kitchen.

  "I'm cooking dinner tonight."

  "You can cook?" I ask.

  He laughs, "Yes as the son of a single mom, I can cook. I’m making my specialty, Chicken Parmesan."

  Smiling, I leave him to it and go play with the girls. Half an hour later some amazing smells are filling the apartment and the girls are playing Barbie’s, so I wander into the kitchen.

  His back is turned towards me and I want nothing more than to walk up and press myself against it and wrap my arms around his waist. But I stop myself and just lean on the counter behind him and cross my arms.

  "Smells good," I say.

  He turns around and smiles. "I've got about fifteen minutes free."

  I nod and turn my head towards the girl’s room. "They’re playing Barbie's."

  He smiles and walks in front of me. He tries to reach out and grab my waist, but I walk away back to the girl’s room.

  I can put up walls too.

  We join the fun until he has to finish dinner. I set the table while he finishes up. The food is delicious, and he insists on cleaning up. I help the girls with their showers and getting ready for bed before we watch the movie.

  When the movie is over, he helps me put the girls to bed and I close the door and go sit on the couch and turn to face him as he turns to face me.

  "I don't know how to do this," he says. "Being us. I love nights like tonight with you and the girls. I loved having you at my office on Friday, but Friday night felt wrong for the first time it truly felt wrong."

  He reaches out like he wants to touch me and pulls back. "The last thing I ever wanted was to make you feel dirty or hurt you. Ever. But I have to know you’re taken care of. That you and the girls are okay because my sweet Ellie, I'm head over heels in love with you."

  His eyes are locked on mine, pleading me to understand. I know my eyes have to be wide because to say I'm shocked is an understatement.

  "I love you, baby," He keeps going when I don't say anything, "I love those little girls in there and I'm sorry I blocked you out the last two nights but I don't want to cross the line or do anything to jeopardize our relationship. So, I put up a wall and kept telling myself to get through those two nights so I can have my girl back tonight. But in the process, I hurt you and knowing that kills me."

  He pauses then looks at me and, in a whisper, says, "I don't know what to do, please tell me how to make this right."

  I'm still in shock and processing it all. "Owen it's been three weeks." Is what keeps running through my head.

  "I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that you were special, but that night when you called me out on the food, I knew you were mine. I remember thinking it. It wasn't until a conversation I had with my mom a week later that I realized I was falling in love with you."

  I lean in and kiss him. He kisses me back and brings both hands to my cheeks, framing my face. His kiss is soft, gentle, and loving. The kiss along with everything else causes tears to form in my eyes so when he pulls back, I bury my face in his neck and close my eyes.

  He rubs my back and hugs me for a minute before speaking again. "I loved having you my office on Friday and if you go back to work, I can't have that. I will support whatever you decide, but I want to find a way to make this work so you can come to work with me, even just a few days a week."

  I think about what he said, what Mia has said, and what my mom has said. There is a risk in allowing this man to take care of us, but I've never felt this way about anyone. Hope for the best, plan for the worst, right?

  I take a deep breath, "Let's move to a monthly payment and stop letting the money get between us. I understand you need to take care of us. I do. It's hard to accept, and it makes me uncomfortable. But being able to write my book and not having to send the girls to aftercare and being part of their school activities means the world to me and them. For them, I can do this."

  "What about us?" he asks.

  I look up into his eyes. They are so vulnerable right now. I place my hand on his cheek, never taking my eyes off his. "I love nights like this too. I love it when you’re here, when we get home and willing to cook dinner or help with homework. Let's see how the next couple of weeks ago. But ultimately it will be the girl’s choice if we move in with you."

  He nods and his Adam's apple bobs hard. "Next weekend there is a gala a friend of mine is putting on. It’s to raise money to cover adoption fees for families who can't have kids. Before he started working for me, his wife and he adopted, and it drained their bank account. This is a big event for him, and the company backs him on it. Will you be my date? My true date?" He whispers the end.

  "Yes." No hesitation, I want to be there by his side.

  He quiets a minute then says, "Next Friday after school why don't you and the girls spend the weekend at my place? Mia or your mom can come over to watch the girls on Saturday night, but our Friday night date can just be a family night along with Saturday morning and all-day Sunday. You can take the girls to school from there on
Monday. Call it a test run?"

  I stare at the wall behind him and think. I know the girls would love it. I guess it would be good to do a test run. My only problem, can I survive a weekend with this man without completely losing my heart?

  I sigh and nod my head and watch his face light up.

  "One more thing."

  "You’re pushing your luck," I say in a scolding tone.

  "I got the tickets for the spa from the auction. I'd like you and your mom to go this week. Use after school care one more time and spend the day with your mom."

  My eyes mist over. "I'll ask her."

  He hands me my phone. "Call her now; I want to plan my week with you."

  I smile and call my mom, and she’s excited., We agree to go on Tuesday. Owen says he’ll set it all up. We watch a little TV and then Owen asks me to go in with him to the office tomorrow and I agree.

  He stands up, "Well I'm going to go home and get some rest baby," he says.

  "You really want to sleep alone?" I ask before I can think about it.

  "No, but I don't want to push my luck. I feel like I just got you back."

  I grab his hand and pull him into my room. "Just cuddles tonight, okay?"

  He nods his head with what looks like relief on his face and we get ready for bed.

  Once we’re in bed and snuggling under the covers, he kisses the top of my head.

  "This is perfect baby, I love you."

  "Owen..."

  "It's okay, you say it when you’re ready. Right now, I can love you enough for both of us."

  I smile against his chest and snuggle into him more drifting off to sleep.

  Chapter 11

  Ellie

  I'm standing in the middle of my room packing my bags and thinking over the last week. It's been a very good week and one I want to repeat over and over again.

  Monday, I spent the day writing in Owen's office. I don't know what it is about his office, but I find it the best place to write, I get so much done. He ordered lunch for us again and took some time to sit and eat with me. He fed me while I sat on his lap and just talked about the day so far.