by King, Imani
“Most of the houses and apartment complexes are falling apart. Even the landlords don’t care about maintaining their property. Most of the land is up for sale and for pennies on the dollar at that. After that, I started talking to the other executives and we started making plans .”
Jonathan waved his hands at the papers spread out in front of them. They were all architectural designs. He’d had the architects that had designed the hospital do these up, though they were still in the working stages and weren’t complete .
“We designed a bunch of low cost, easy to maintain apartment complexes. We’ve been buying the land to rejuvenate it, to bring life back to the area. What good is having a state of the art hospital if the people who need it most can’t even live in a house that’s not falling down around them? We’re not trying to throw them out or build ‘pretty little condos’. We’re trying to help people .”
Trisha stared openly at him, her mouth hanging open as she did so. Then she crossed the room to look at the papers spread out on his desk. She picked them up, one at a time, carefully studying each one of them. She didn't speak until she'd looked over every single one of the papers .
“You’re… you mean you’re not building condos and high rises? You’re not trying to gentrify the area to make your hospital look better? So you can make even more money off everything ?”
Jonathan shook his head, frowning. “No! Where did you get that idea from? Sure, the MediPads and our Smart Hospital will bring in a lot of money for the company, but it’ll help even more people. The more simple processes are automated, the more time the doctors and nurses can spend actually working with their patients .
“The new apartments and houses will give the people living down in the projects a better shot at life. They’ll be safer, so they can focus on other things, instead of wondering when the walls will fall down around them. Everything will be cleaner, safer, and help keep them from needing the hospital .”
Jonathan moved from behind his desk to stand in front of Trisha. He took her hands in his and kissed them before looking into her eyes .
“I’m not some kind of selfish bastard. I wouldn’t dream of just tossing people out on the streets to make a quick buck. That’s what last night’s gala was about. I’ve been working to raise money to help subsidize the costs of building everything, so the places can be even more affordable for the people living there .”
Trisha closed her eyes. She didn’t try to pull away from him this time. Nor did she try to wipe away the tears the slid down her cheeks. Jonathan waited for her to speak, waited for her to let him know what was going on in her head now .
“I’m… I’m sorry.” Trisha’s cheeks were bright pink now. “I had no idea. When I heard about you buying up all the land… I shouldn’t have doubted you. I’m sorry .”
When Trisha tried to walked away, Jonathan kept a firm grip on her hands. He wasn’t about to let her run away. Not this time. She’s slipped through his fingers last night, but he wasn’t about to let her out of his sight now .
“You don’t have to be sorry.” Jonathan pulled her into his arms, wrapping his arms firmly around her waist. “I wish you’d just come to me last night. That’s why you ran out on the gala, isn’t it ?”
Trisha nodded. “It was stupid. I shouldn’t have listened to anything that vile woman said .”
“What else did she say?” he dreaded her answer, but needed to know. He needed to know what else was bothering her .
“She said you only brought me to the gala to show me off for the media. The pretty little black girl on your arm so no one would question you destroying the projects.” She wiped away another tear that had threatened to escape .
“I brought you to the gala because I wanted everyone to see the wonderful woman I’d met. Just like you, I was tired of things just being sex between us. I wanted more.” He shook his head. “No, I needed more. I need you here, in my arms, forever .”
“You mean that?” She looked at up at him, her chocolate eyes shimmering .
He nodded, then leaned down and kissed her gently. Sparks danced between them for that brief moment. “I… I love you, Trisha .”
Trisha opened her mouth to say something, then closed it. She looked into his eyes for a few moments, then leaned against his chest and cried. Jonathan held her tight until her crying subsided .
“What’s wrong?” he asked, worried. Did she not feel the same way about him ?
“There’s something I need to tell you.” She sniffled. When she pulled away from him and turned around, Jonathan waked up and wrapped her arms around her waist again, pulling her back against his chest .
“You can tell me anything .”
“I’m pregnant .”
Jonathan froze. The two simple words seemed to have made his brain completely shut down. Pregnant? As far as he knew, he’d been the only one that she’d slept with recently. And they hadn’t even thought to use condoms or anything .
That meant …
“Is it… Is it mine?” he asked, his mouth dry again. When Trisha nodded, Jonathan tried to swallow the lump in his throat .
Pregnant. Trisha was pregnant. With his child .
He was going to be a father, again .
His heart hammered now, faster than it had in years. They were going to have a baby! Trisha and him were going to have a baby !
He turned Trisha around, then pressed their lips firmly together. “I love you so much,” he said, breaking the kiss. “When should we tell the boys ?”
“You’re… you’re not mad ?”
Jonathan shook his head. “How could I be mad? I wish you’d told me sooner, but no, I’m not mad. It’ll be strange to have a baby in the house again, but there’s no one else I’d rather have a child with. I told you, Trisha, I love you .”
“I love you, too,” she said at last, making his entire being swell. “I’ve waited so long to say those words to you .”
Jonathan grinned at her, unable to fight the happiness welling up inside him. Another kid hadn’t even been on his list of things to do, but he couldn’t deny being excited. Part of him missed having a little guy running around the house, now that the boys were growing up .
He couldn’t wait to have another son or even his first daughter. And he couldn’t think of anyone better to raise a kid with than Trisha .
“You know this means I’ll have to hire a new nanny, right ?”
Trisha’s eyes went wide, her face pale. “What? Why ?”
“Because….” Jonathan kissed her on the nose. “If my wife is busy taking care of a baby, someone has to help with the other two. You think they’re a handful now, just wait until you have and infant to deal with. Plus, you still have school .”
Trisha buried her head in his chest. She shook in his arms as he felt tear soak into his shirt. He held her tighter, vowing to never let go. He’d never find a woman like this again, and he knew that. Now he just needed to make sure this one didn’t go anywhere .
When Trisha’s tears subsided, Jonathan gently lifted her head until they looked deep into each other’s eyes. He leaned forward and kissed her again. “How about we go to the bedroom and celebrate before we have to go pick up the boys ?”
Trisha flushed scarlet, but she nodded, a small smile appearing. Then, after a moment, her smile turned into a wicked smirk. “I think I know just the way to celebrate !”
Jonathan was still grinning like a fool as she led him from the room. It didn’t get much better than this, he thought to himself. He was looking forward to spending the rest of his life with Trisha, starting with tonight !
25
Trisha
T he grin on Trisha’s face seemed to be permanent. Today was the day Jonathan had been looking forward to for years. This was the day where his dream would finally come true. And standing on the stage behind him, Trisha couldn’t have been prouder .
Alexander and Declan stood next to her, both dressed in their nicest clothes and grinning just as broadly
as she was. They both knew how much today meant to their father. They’d been talking nonstop, both apparently excited to be on TV, even if it was just them standing behind their father .
Boys , Trisha thought as she shook her head. Then she looked over at little Justin and her heart swelled. The tiny four-year-old was on her hips, his eyes wide as he looked around at the crowd. His milk-chocolate skin was a stark contract to the pale white of Alexander and Declan, but there was no denying they were related .
All three had the same inquisitive eyes and energetic nature. No one who say the three of them together would even be able to think they were anything but brothers. If Justin hadn’t had her eyes and skin color, he’d have been their tiny twin .
Declan in particular had really taken to the role of Big Brother. In fact, he’d been the one who’d wanted to hold Justin today. If Declan had his way, he’d carry his baby brother everywhere .
When they’d first told the boys about Trisha being pregnant, Declan had started bouncing off the walls, going over everything he wanted to teach his little sibling. And now that Justin was finally getting old enough to learn a few things, Declan had appointed himself Justin’s mentor .
Trisha and Jonathan had sat on lawn chairs, watching as Declan taught Justin how to ride a tricycle, with Alexander watching the two of them like a hawk, helping when needed .
Alexander hadn’t been thrilled with Trisha becoming a permanent part of their family, but he’d adjusted. Jonathan had talked to Alexander a few times, letting him know Trisha wasn’t there to replace the boys’ mother .
After that, he’d opened up and gone back to normal .
The four, and then five, of them had become a family. Jonathan did his best to be home for dinner each night. He’d even taken the boys on weekend trips fairly often, spending a lot more time with the two of them than he had before. And, once the baby was born, he’d hired a new nanny to help take some of the burden off of Trisha so she could focus on finishing school and taking care of the baby .
Trish had finished out her undergrad degree without issues. Jonathan and the boys had all been there at her graduation ceremony, cheering as she’d walked across the stage. The only time she’d ever felt happier was on her wedding day, with all of her friends and family in attendance. But hearing everyone yelling her name as she received her diploma had made her grin like a fool .
He’d supported her through her Master’s program, always being there when she need a shoulder to lean on. He’d even offered her a job working in the new hospital after she graduated, but she’d turned him down, not quite ready for that yet. Instead, she was working with a small, local practice now, helping counsel abused children .
One day, she might take Jonathan up on the offer to work with the hospital, but not yet. She wanted to be confident in her skills and knowledge before she took on a project that big. But it would be her new goal, working through the hospital to help the children who came through its doors .
But right now, it was Jonathan’s turn to have everyone here for him. Trisha and the boys were behind him, along with some of the other executives from AshCorp, but the rest of Jonathan’s friends and family were out in the audience. Even Gretta and her husband, as well as Judith, were out there to support him .
“Today is a historic day,” Jonathan said, making the crowd go silent. “Today we open AshCorp Hospital, the next step in medical advancement. This hospital and everything inside it has a been a dream of mine, and many of those at AshCorp, for many years now .
“With the latest advancements in medical technology, we’re bringing top of the line healthcare to those who need it most. Now, healthcare can be easier, quicker, and more affordable for everyone. Why should the best care be limited to just those who can afford it ?
“We’ve spent years building the hospital. Now, to see it standing behind me in all its glory, it’s like seeing my dream in person for the first time. Together with our low cost housing, AshCorp will revitalize the city, finally giving the poor a chance to move up in life .”
When Jonathan paused, the crowd burst out in applause. There were cameras everywhere, all running constantly, focused on Jonathan. If Trisha had been up in his place, she’d have been shaking with nerves. But despite all the attention, Jonathan didn’t seem to be phased in the least .
Trisha wanted to run up and wrap her arms around him for comfort, but she stood firm behind him. Instead, she put her arm around Declan’s shoulders. He looked up at her and grinned, and the butterflies in her stomach settled .
As she focused on the boys standing on either side of her, and Jonathan standing in front, her entire body seemed to relax. She could do this, she told herself. She could stand here and support her husband. She wasn’t the same woman she was four years ago .
But when Jonathan looked over his shoulder, locked eyes with her, and smiled, a different kind of butterflies filled her stomach. No matter how long they’d been together, no matter how many nights they’d spent in each other’s arms, Jonathan never ceased to make her heart pound its hardest .
“I’ve had a fortunate life. I have a wonderful family, with all the opportunities of the world at my fingertips. I know a lot of people don’t have the options I do. Which is why all of this is so important to me. Everyone deserves a shot at success, at happiness. Even those born into poverty deserve healthcare and housing they can afford .
“It is my hope, that the people of this city will be able to work their way out of poverty, now that they don’t have to worry about their houses falling apart or a broken bone being a debt sentence. It is my hope that the future generations of the people living in the projects will have more opportunities available to them, that there will be nothing they can’t do .”
Trisha grinned broadly now. Not only had Jonathan used AshCorp funds and investors to fund all of this, but he’d sunk quite a bit of his own money into these projects. He really did care about those around him, even if he didn’t even know them .
She couldn’t believe she’d ever doubted him. That was the last time she’d ever listened to the opinion of a woman she’d never even met before. She should’ve known better than to believe a single thing that woman had said. She’d been the type of woman Trisha despised above all others, yet she’d listened to everything that shrew had said and let it get to her .
Never again, she vowed. She would stand behind Jonathan no matter what happened. She would stand beside Alexander, Declan, and Justin for the rest of her life. Just like she knew they’d be there for her, she would be there for all of them .
Her family .
I hope you loved The Nanny! Don’t stop now. I’ve included a couple special extra surprises for my sexy readers. Turn the page to read My Secret Billionaire, my bestselling BWWM Romance! -Imani King
My Secret Billionaire
Imani King
M y Secret Billionaire is a full standalone BWWM Romance Novel with a happy-ever-after and NO CLIFFHANGER !
She didn't know who I was. It was better that way. But she unknowingly forced me out from the dark ...
Sierra Simmons is proud, capable, and ready to leave her mark on the world. Graduating valedictorian, she's willing to work her way up and carve out her name in the journalism world. When a surprise internship with the biggest station around falls into her lap, she's given her first major opportunity: an off the books chance to blow the lid on a dangerous website that caters to the sexual needs of the rich and famous .
Blaine Winguard , bachelor billionaire extraordinaire, leaves a string of sexual conquests in his wake. But there's one person who can stop him in his tracks – naive, oblivious Sierra Simmons. When it seems she’s closed the latest door he's opened for her, he has to know why . With secrets buried deep in his heart, he'll have to finally step into her life, risking events that will change their lives – and their hearts – forever .
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1
S ierra
E ager for a distraction while I waited on my terrifying job interview, I snatched up the top issue of a nearby stack of tabloids – and it wasn’t any surprise who was dominating half the front page .
Blaine Winguard .
Of course I knew who he was. Everyone did .
Blaine Winguard was the most strikingly handsome billionaire in the entire Northeast. A known flirt, big-shot film producer, and effortless seducer, he was notorious for three things: his fantastic wealth, an endless string of high-profile sexual conquests, and a penchant for strange, downright peculiar behavior. He might be the most eligible bachelor around, but he was sure as hell the most eccentric , too .
From the looks of things, Blaine was embroiled in some antic again. Apparently, the billionaire playboy had been caught by the paparazzi in the back of a secluded black sedan with Sophia Pains, a starry-eyed upcoming supermodel. While there were only a few usable photos snapped in the ensuing chaos, they were given all the page space they needed .
In the cover shot, Blaine was smoking a cigarette with lipstick smears on his cheek, standing behind the car and unknowingly staging himself for the camera. Less photogenic shots were included inside, along with the article proper .
A female palm with fingers outstretched, barely visible from behind the window tint .
Sophia, laughing and trying to cover her face, her foot flirtatiously kicked out .
Blaine, clutching at his dropped trousers and furiously shoving a hand towards the camera .
Some people have all the fun .
I wondered why he had staged a photo for the front cover, as I set the tabloid back down on the stack, but this was just par for the course for Blaine Winguard. His image was almost a cultivated parody of billionaire culture; constantly rocked by scandals that would dethrone lesser men, but with just the right sense of humor to always come out of top. Intentionally or not, the stunts he pulled gained national attention, but that attention was seemingly a complete afterthought to him .
