Billionaire Daddy - A Standalone Novel (A Single Dad Billionaire Romance Love Story) (Billionaires - Book #6)

by Claire Adams

  The dean's choice of words kicked my mind right into the gutter. I turned and felt my insides churn with volcanic heat. Clarity stood next to her father. My eyes dropped to her red high heels then climbed up the clinging black dress to the bright scarf cinched around her tight waist before I got myself under control.

  "Thanks so much for the hospitality, Dean Dunkirk. I love your Craftsman house. It must be really nice to be that close to campus," I said, tearing my eyes off his daughter.

  "We like it, don't we, darling?" the dean asked Clarity. "Helps me keep an eye on her."

  "What about all that rhetoric about me breaking out and finding my passion? Now you want to keep a close eye on me?" Clarity gave her father a challenging glance.

  "Right, you're right. I'll leave you to the close, watchful eyes of your professors," Dean Dunkirk grinned at me.

  I straightened my shoulders and kept my focus on him. Clarity's father seemed to have missed my glances, and he turned me towards his other companion. "Professor Bauer, I'd like you to meet one of Landsman College's biggest supporters, Michael Tailor."

  Michael Tailor gave my hand a hard shake. "Dunkirk tells me you worked for Wired Communications. Wesley Barton is an old friend of mine."

  The name was a shot of poison, and I was glad to tug my hand free of Michael Tailor's handshake. The tall businessman had the dark-blond hair and denim-blue eyes of an All-American legacy. I knew just by looking at him that he had old money—too much of it—and he wielded it over others like a whip. The fact that he knew Barton was no surprise as they were cut from the same, ultra-rich cloth.

  Wesley Barton was the reason I was trapped like a lab rat in maze of academia. He'd fired me personally, with a guarantee that I would never again work for a credible news source.

  "You worked for Wired Communications?" Clarity asked.

  Michael Tailor offered her an arm, pleased by the dark glance I gave him. "My dear, if you're interested in pursuing journalism, you should let me introduce you."

  She glanced over the shoulder of his expensive suit and caught my stormy look. The question was bright in her, and she mouthed, "Talk later?"

  I shook my head and gave my excuses to the dean. "I'm sorry, but I'm supposed to be meeting a friend. Actually, a friend of a friend."

  Dean Dunkirk laughed. "A blind date, you poor soul. And here I thought a handsome man like yourself would be inundated with offers."

  "Never from the right women," I confided in the older man, and he chuckled.

  "Sorry to interrupt," Clarity reappeared, and I felt her presence like an electrical storm. "Professor Bauer, there's a woman looking for you. She said to mention that she's wearing a black flower pin?"

  "His blind date," her father explained.

  "Oh," Clarity's eyes jolted to mine. "I thought maybe you were married or something."

  "No, I tend to tell people defining details like that right away. It saves a lot of awkwardness," I said.

  She shrugged and shot me a provocative smile. "Some people can handle awkwardness better than others. Good luck with your blind date."

  I watched Clarity walk away with her father and felt my attraction to her like burning magma in my bones. For twenty-two, Clarity was self-assured, sharply intelligent, and far more mature than I wanted to give her credit for.

  Nine years was an impossible stretch, even if Clarity acted much older than her age. I reminded myself it was right to be meeting a woman only one year younger than me.

  Jackson told me Tara was career-driven and rising fast through the ranks of his wife's law firm. He didn't say anything about her being nearly six feet tall with shocking red-dyed hair cut close to her head in tight curls.

  My blind date was indeed in a red dress that matched her hair, and the black flower pin stood out in sharp relief. After those details, she departed drastically from the fantasy I had tried to focus on. Tara was rail thin with sharp angles instead of curves. Instead of a sultry walk in black high heels, she smacked her way across the gallery floor in black, leather, flip-flop sandals.

  "You must be Ford; so nice to meet you. My name is Tara, but I think that Alice's husband already told you that. She told me that you are a professor but that I shouldn't expect a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches," she chattered with a wide smile.

  "No, I prefer just plain leather," I said, indicating my worn, black-leather jacket.

  "It's a good look; it matches your shiny, black hair. Oh! We're twins! We both match our clothes to our hair." Tara let loose a loud, jittery giggle that had people gawking.

  I spent the rest of the art opening fending off Tara's future date plans that included karaoke-themed house parties and feral cat rescues.

  "Thinking about that train?" Clarity asked in passing.

  I grabbed her wrist and dragged her back into a conversation about Tara's bathroom grout. "I'm so sorry, Tara, but the Dean of Students has offered to do a one-on-one interview for the student paper. Now is the only time he has."

  "Oh, that's sounds exciting," Tara said.

  "Actually, no, it's a pretty straight-forward piece. Right, Clarity? I have to help the students prepare their questions." I caught Clarity's eyes with a desperate glance.

  She puckered her lips but finally smiled. "Yes, I'm sorry, but we need Professor Bauer right away."

  "Sure, okay, call me!" Tara called as I pretended Clarity was leading me away.

  The other students had already gathered their notes and headed home. We slipped out the exit and around to the back parking lot as the campus art gallery closed.

  "Thanks, I owe you."

  Clarity raised an eyebrow at me. "Not very mature, Professor Bauer."

  "How about I give you money for ice cream and you keep quiet, kid?" I teased her right back.

  She crossed her arms and smiled. "How about you give me a ride home instead?"

  I bristled, worried that she planned to get me in trouble. Then I looked at her and relaxed. Everything about Clarity was open and honest. She was tired and wanted to ditch the campus gathering before her father was done shaking everyone's hand twice.

  "Sure." I opened the car door for her. "Climb in."

  Chapter Three

  Clarity

  "This isn't happening; it's not possible." I stood up and circled the pink trunk used as a coffee table.

  Jasmine lounged on the compact, white sofa in her dorm room and tried not to smile. "Just because it's never happened before doesn't mean it's not possible," she said.

  I scratched at my throat and couldn't catch a deep breath. "Is this how people feel? Really? It's terrible. Like an avalanche and volcanic eruption all at the same time."

  "You know, your father thinks you're so straight and narrow because he's never seen you like this," Jasmine said.

  "I've never seen her like this," Lexi called from the minute bathroom. "All hot and bothered. I think that Professor Bauer has got her number."

  "Don't change the subject," I groaned and flopped down on the sofa next to Jasmine.

  Lexi marched into the middle of the dorm room and planted her hands on her hips. "Relax, Clarity, it's just a D+."

  I tossed the offending article on the pink trunk and covered my face with both hands. "I can't believe he gave me a D+."

  Jasmine hooked the article with one, long arm and flipped through the pages. "His comments are really insightful. Man, I wish my English professor wrote half as many encouraging things. Have you even read his edits?" Jasmine asked.

  "Why? All they'll tell me is that I suck at the only career I've ever wanted," I said.

  "That's not true." Lexi pried my hands off my face and smiled brightly, “You used to want to be a writer. Like the woman who wrote that series we all obsessed over in high school."

  "Don't be silly." I sat up and looked over Jasmine's shoulder. "That was high school. This is the real world, and journalism is a more-respected profession."

  "Come on," Lexi sighed. "You used to be such a great storyteller. I
still have nightmares about that three eyes story you told us around the campfire."

  "Ooh," Jasmine gave a delighted shiver. "He could watch you even when his back was turned. Creepy awesome."

  "What does that say?" I asked, desperate to change the subject.

  Jasmine held up Professor Bauer's comment and read, "Very poetic, but distracts from the point."

  "See, I'm a total failure," I flopped back again.

  Lexi snatched up the article. "He's complimenting you. Word choice, creative details, poetic images, and excellent storytelling. You just went over the word limit and buried the lead."

  My groan turned into a growl. "So he thinks I'm flowery and frivolous. He doesn't even know me!"

  "Is that what's bothering you?" Lexi asked. She sat down on the pink trunk directly across from me. "You're bothered because he got the wrong impression from your assignment?"

  Jasmine sat up, her blue eyes sparkling. "What are you going to do, confront him during office hours? Step right up to that handsome face and tell him exactly how wrong he is about you?"

  I stood up and paced around my friend's cluttered dorm room. "I'm not some dreamy poet or some fairytale writer. I want him to take me seriously." I snatched up my coat and book bag.

  Jasmine clapped her hands. "Yeah, go to his office and make him take a good, long look at you. Here, I'll do your hair."

  I swatted her away. "This doesn't have anything to do with how attractive Ford, I mean Professor Bauer, is. He needs to know that I take my work seriously, and I intend to be an excellent journalist. He can't scare me off or steer me towards some other career."

  "Maybe he's just trying to provoke you," Lexi said.

  Jasmine clapped again. "And now he's waiting for you to come into his office breathing fire so he can tame you."

  "That's it," I cried. "I'm confiscating your paperbacks. You have got romance on the brain." I scooped up an armful of novels with ripped-bodice heroines and bare-chested heroes.

  "Might want to leave those here if you're going for a serious vibe," Lexi said.

  I dumped the books on the pink trunk and left in a huff, despite my friend's good-natured laughter. They didn't understand the pressure I felt. I had carefully and practically selected my chosen career because journalism kept me firmly rooted in real life. To have anyone, including Professor Bauer, point out that I was more like my creative, free-spirited mother turned my core to ice. I didn't want to resemble her in any way.

  Thinking of her wild, long curls, I carefully tamed my hair into a low ponytail. The journalism professor all had offices on the top floor of Thompson Hall, and I ran up the steps two at a time. I took a moment to smooth down my pink sweater and catch my breath. Then, I knocked on Professor Bauer's office door and tapped my foot quickly on the hallway floor.

  "Clarity, I'm not surprised." Ford checked his watch. "Actually, I am. Office hours are almost over. I thought you'd be here right away, ready to tear into me for your D+. As it is now, I was just getting ready to leave."

  I shoved him aside and marched into his office. "Office hours are set, school policy, and I still have time. This is your office?"

  The narrow, attic room was dominated on one side by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Straight ahead, a lancet window let in sunlight dappled by the ivy still clinging to the outside of the limestone building.

  "What's wrong with my office?" Ford asked. "It's got everything I need: a desk, a couple of chairs, and I even have a little couch."

  I looked at the sagging couch and opted for an old, wooden chair. "You have like five things on your shelves," I said.

  He scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "I'm still moving in. I work at home a lot." His gray eyes turned from smoke to metal. "And it doesn't matter how much time we have to debate, I'm not changing your grade."

  I scooted to the edge of my chair as he sat down next to me. "You docked me for using flowery language. The assignment was to describe artwork."

  "Precisely," he sighed. "The focus needed to stay on the artwork, not on your clever turns of phrase. The reader is not supposed to notice you as an author, but as the organizer of clear facts."

  I sprang up. "Your rubric is unduly harsh. It's your responsibility to nurture my abilities and teach me new skills, not crush my spirit."

  Ford's pupils dilated and twinkled as he smiled. "You don't look very crushed to me."

  I forced my hands off my hips and stopped leaning over him. "I don't understand why journalism has to be so impersonal."

  He sat up and stopped himself from taking my hand. Ford crossed his arms over his chest and nodded for me to sit down again. "Journalism isn't impersonal; in fact, the best writers of any genre keep the focus on the topic."

  I sank back into the hard chair. "How?"

  "A good way to learn is to write about something outside of your comfort zone. That way it's a new experience for both you and the reader, and you can learn how to present it that way." Ford grinned. "What can you try that you've never done before?"

  I was distracted by his lips, by wondering how soft his black stubble would feel under the palm of my hand. I had never secluded myself in an attic office with an undeniably attractive man before. Leaning closer to catch the lingering smell of his soap would definitely be out of my comfort zone.

  I shook the temptation off and reminded myself we were separated by the Landsman College Honor Code. "I don't know, but if I find something and write an article about it, will that raise my grade?"

  "Sure, extra credit for breaking out of your shell." He held out a hand to shake.

  His fingers were strong, his grip sure, and I had to say something to break the electric spell of his touch. "Have you been talking to my father? Because someone should tell him he might not actually like it if I start bending the rules."

  "He might not, but I bet I will," Ford said. Then he broke our handshake and stood up to hold the door open. He cleared his throat. "Good luck, Ms. Dunkirk."

  "Thanks, professor."

  #

  "All I'm saying is that it seems counterintuitive to bring me along while you go out of your comfort zone. An old friend is like a security blanket; everyone knows that." Lexi craned her neck to look up at the elaborate ropes course that stretched far off into the tree tops.

  "I'll owe you, Lex. Home-cooked meals at the dean's house for a week," I said. "And maybe we don't actually have to get hoisted up there. Maybe I can just interview people and create the story that way."

  "The new article that's going to erase that D+?" Lexi shook her head. "I really don't think a few points on your GPA is worth getting killed over."

  "Alright, students, remember this trip to the ropes course is sponsored by Landsman College. As long as you participate, you represent our school, so let's show them how brave they make 'em up on the hill." Ford appeared from behind the Landsman College bus.

  "Oh, now I get it," Lexi nudged me in the ribs. "Professor Hotness is chaperoning. Why didn't you say this was about more than extra credit?"

  I rubbed my side and glowered at her mischievous smile. "I had no idea he was chaperoning this trip. Of all the crappy luck—"

  "Partner up," Ford called.

  "Excuse me, Lexi? Do you remember me from Biology class? I'm Ethan." A handsome student with sandy-blond hair smiled down at my petite friend.

  "Yes, you are," Lexi smiled, "and you know what else you are, Ethan? My partner."

  "What?" I cried.

  "Just trying to help with that whole comfort zone thing," Lexi said as she laced her arm through Ethan's and left me standing alone.

  "Fine, I'll just go alone," I called.

  "Sorry, the instructor says everyone needs a partner. I'm the only one left," Ford said. He handed me one of the two harnesses he was holding. "If it makes you feel better, we get to go first."

  The nimble strength of his fingers as he helped me into the harness added a whole different tone to my jangling nerves. Ford stood just inches away, close enough tha
t his shadowed chin caught a few tendrils of my hair. He brushed them carefully back into place. His touch was so soft that it was impossible for me to feel it all the way to the soles of my feet, but I did.

  "Last chance to back out," he said.

  "No way in hell," I grumbled and grabbed hold of the rope with both hands. Ford and the instructor hoisted me high up to the first platform.

  "You're just nervous because now you're the dork partnered with the teacher," I whispered to myself on the treetop platform and waved to Lexi far below. "If this doesn't count as out of my comfort zone, then Professor Bauer is insane."

  He was insane. The whole student group cheered as he opted to climb the tree instead of catch a ride to the top. I couldn't see much from my angle, but Lexi was fanning herself and shooting me thumbs ups.

  "Sorry," Ford said, only slightly out of breath. "Can't let the students think I'm an old man."

  I clung to the tree trunk but offered him one arm. He shook his head and hauled himself onto the platform before springing to his feet. The crowd below cheered.

  "Good job, professor." I couldn't take my eyes off him.

  Ford was jaw-dropping in just an undershirt and jeans. He'd shed his college logo button down below, and the white, short-sleeved shirt did nothing to hide the taut strain and flex of his chiseled muscles. Standing so casually on the edge of a dizzying drop, Ford looked more like a superhero than a college professor.

  "Army training," he explained when he saw my eyes were riveted to his biceps. "Haven't broken the habit yet."

  I refused to let him see me drooling over his rock-hard physique. This ropes course and a perfectly worded article were all that stood between me and a better grade. I inched around the tree trunk and swallowed hard as I looked out across the ropes course. Two parallel ropes, one over the other, stretched from our platform far across to another one. In between seemed to be nothing but open air.

  "I'll go first, if you want. Or we can go together," Ford said. "Hold my hand?"