Billionaire Baby Dilemma by Barbara Dunlop

ceilings, with a marble pillar perimeter around the rectangular dance floor. The chandeliers were lavish, the flowers fresh, and dinner had featured fresh Pacific salmon and white chocolate mousse served with an impressive flare by what must have been a hundred efficient, tuxedoed waiters.
    One long side of the ballroom opened to a concrete patio that overlooked Puget Sound. The crisp ocean breeze wafted in. Cruise ships, freighters and smaller boats passed by, while the lights of Bainbridge Island twinkled off in the distance.
    After months of drool and diapers, Devin felt like a fairy princess. She’d even splurged on a new dress—though she’d never admit to Lucas that she’d gone shopping. It was strapless, copper satin, with a fitted top that shimmered against her skin, and a full skirt that rustled at her knees. She’d worn the rhinestone sandals and borrowed a silver link necklace and matching earrings from Lexi. The earrings dangled from her lobes, gently brushing against her neck as she danced.
    It was fun to feel pretty.
    â€œThe nanny interviews start at ten in the morning,” Lucas reminded her as they moved into a turn.
    Devin frowned up at him. “You’re ruining the mood.”
    â€œThere’s a mood?”
    â€œOf course there’s a mood. We have music, fine food, champagne—”
    â€œAnd beautiful women.” His eyes lit up with a appreciative smile that bordered on mischief.
    â€œHandsome men,” she returned, refusing to react.
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œPlural,” she corrected. “I was talking in general.”
    â€œWell, I wasn’t.”
    Her steps faltered. This wasn’t where she’d wanted the conversation to go.
    â€œYou look very beautiful, Devin.”
    Though she knew she should, she couldn’t bring herself to look away from him, and it was a struggle to maintain her equilibrium. He was being polite, nothing more. It was appropriate to compliment a woman while escorting her for the evening. He didn’t mean she was beautiful in, say, comparison to the supermodels and trophy wives in ten-thousand-dollar dresses who were swirling around the room.
    He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I believe the words you’re looking for are thank you.”
    Her throat was dry, but she swallowed to clear it. “Thank you.”
    He smiled and straightened.
    â€œThat wasn’t fair,” she admonished.
    Amusement still lurked in his eyes. “Not fair?”
    This time, she was the one who leaned in. “You promised.”
    â€œNot to compliment you?”
    â€œNot to…” She struggled for the right words. “This isn’t supposed to be a date.”
    â€œYou didn’t want to talk about nannies,” he responded with a shrug, like there were only two topics in the world.
    â€œFine. Let’s talk about nannies.”
    â€œAnd spoil the mood?”
    â€œPlease. Go ahead and spoil the mood.” She didn’t care that she sounded petulant.
    The danger in pretending she was a princess was that it made Lucas the prince. And it was all too easy to let the fantasy meander into perilous territory.
    They’d arrived at the party tonight in a limo. Later, they’d go home to his castle. And if she wasn’t careful, she’d start thinking about a kiss good-night.
    â€œThe interviews begin at ten,” he said.
    She shook off her wayward thoughts. “Not with the prison matrons.”
    â€œI gave the agency both your specifications and mine. They’re sending people who are available immediately.”
    She supposed she’d have to be content with that.
    They danced a few more steps, swaying under shimmering lights.
    â€œDid you have a nanny?” she found herself asking.
    â€œYes, I did,” he told her. “Several of them.”
    â€œAnd did you like them?”
    â€œSometimes.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œIt means I