For several seconds, Nick held Summer’s hand. It was apparent she was in deep thought. If he had to guess, she was most likely thinking about eventually having to return back to work. He treaded cautiously as he approached her with an offer she was going to accept, whether she wanted to or not.
“Do you want to go back to work?” Nick asked breaking the silence.
Summer hesitated before answering. She did not want to admit the words she was about to speak. “At some point, I have to go back to work.”
“That’s not what I asked you. I asked if you want to go back to work.”
“No, Nick, I don’t want to go back to work leaving NJ at some daycare all day. I’m his mother. I should be the one taking care of him.”
Bringing her hands to his lips, he gently kissed them.“Then that’s what you’ll do.”
Summer’s heart thumped not just from the tenderness of his touch, but also from what he was offering.
“Nick, I can’t. I have bills―”“Don’t worry, I got you.”
“Nick, I can’t allow you to do that.”
“Why?”
“Because, it’s not right. I don’t want to take money from you.”
Nick softly chuckled. Didn’t she realize he had enough money to comfortably live several lifetimes? Providing for her and his son would not be an issue by any stretch of the imagination.
“What’s so funny?”
Summer’s feelings were hurt. How could he make light of what he was offering? What would she have to give in return for such generosity?
“You are. I know inside that pretty little head of yours you’re wondering what I want in return.”
A frown marred her pretty features. As Summer opened her mouth to refute him, Nick held up his hand.
“If it makes you feel better I can have my lawyer draw up a contract stating that my offer is free of any conditions.”
“No, I don’t want to complicate things. You already buy everything the baby needs as is.”
“Summer, I bring my son a bag of pampers every week. Your mother is constantly sending him clothes. You breastfeed him, so that for now eliminates buying formula. Look baby, all I want to do is take care of you and my son. I don’t want you worrying about how your bills are going to be paid. And to be honest with you I’m not at all down with a stranger keeping my son.” Summer nodded her head in agreement. She wasn’t thrilled with the idea either of leaving her helpless baby alone with a stranger. She’d heard horror stories about babies having diaper rashes so severe they’d gotten skin infections from laying in soiled pampers all day. The thought of it sent chills through her. She didn’t want to think about the other innocent babies that were sexually abused by some sick psycho freaks.
“So, Beautiful, are you going to let me take care of you and my son or what?”
What he was offering would allow her to continue to nurture her son during the most critical time of his young life. An offer of this magnitude could not be turned down. “All right, but how long should this arrangement last?”
She was hoping at least until NJ started pre-school. He’d be four years old and then she could definitely return to work. If someone did do anything to her baby, he could at least tell her about it.
“I was thinking until little buddy is… uh…at least eighteen.”
Summer nearly spit out the last bite of cheesecake she’d resumed eating. “You’ve got to be kidding?” she asked in total disbelief.
Nick never answered her as he signaled for the waiter to bring the check. That’s what he wanted, for her to stay home with his son, like his mother had done with him. But knowing Summer she would return to work as soon as NJ was somewhat independent. He would just have to change her mind. Tilting his head to the side, he thought, maybe another baby might do it.
Summer frowned as Nick slyly grinned at her. He was up to no good and she knew it.
Chapter 27
Nick turned the key, stepping through the door, the aroma of a mouth-watering roast greeted him. The frustrated mask he wore easily dissipated. Setting his briefcase down on the coffee table, he shrugged off his suit jacket throwing it over an armchair. Strolling into the kitchen, he loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves. If only he could so easily roll the day away. Earlier that day Nick discovered one of his executives, Thomas Jones’, addiction to drugs. The man had managed to conceal months of inadequate job performance. Nick was livid upon learning important documents weren’t prepared and forwarded to the legal department due to Thomas’ cocaine addiction. Apparently, the wicked withdraw Thomas was going through lured him away from the office in search of his dealer. Everything came literally crashing down when the DEA surrounded the dealer’s home while the two were settling a drug transaction.