The CEO's Surprise Family by Teresa Carpenter Page A

challenge her. “Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to Velveth. She’s in charge of the hotel nanny service. We do an extensive background check on the nanny candidates, and they are all trained in CPR and self-defense.”
    Outrage and hurt lifted her chin. “Are you saying I can’t take Jazi out on my own?”
    â€œNo.” His immediate response took the edge off her rising ire. “But if you need to go out without Jasmine, I want you to use the service.”
    Shaking off the tension, she nodded. “Okay. That would work when I go to the gym. Is it okay to use the hotel facilities for my workout? Then I’d still be on-site if Jazi needed me.”
    â€œActually—” He stopped and then continued on. “That’s a good idea. The gym is on the fourth floor.”
    â€œGreat.” She wondered what had tripped him up but let it go. They were actually communicating without arguing. All was well.
    â€œI have work. I’ll leave you to get settled.”
    â€œOkay.” Her spirits rose. She’d breathe easier once he left.
    â€œI’ll have my assistant make a reservation for dinner. I’ll collect you and Jazi at six.”
    â€œSounds like a plan.” She followed him to the door, held it open all the while resisting the urge to shove him through it and snap the lock. “See you later, dear.”
    * * *
    Little brat. Jethro brooded on Lexi’s farewell message all the way to his desk. Too strange having people share his space.
    Except for a few rare occasions when he had to host one of his foster brothers, it had been years since he’d had anyone stay over with him. He liked to keep his private space private. One of the contributing factors in why his long-term relationships failed. Long term being nine months and that experience only lasted so long because she’d been in the middle of a merger and too busy to notice the distance he maintained between them.
    He foresaw Lexi and Jazi leaving an indelible stamp on his life.
    He opened his bottom drawer and pulled out the contract Ryan had sent down. Lexi kept insisting she didn’t need financial compensation, but today he’d seen the prices of baby equipment and how much stuff came with a child. And there was Jazi’s future to consider—he wanted her to be able to go to a decent college. He needed to do his part. Locating that section, he made a few significant changes.
    After booting up his laptop, he sent Ryan a short email outlining the changes. Five minutes later the man stood in his office.
    â€œI thought this woman didn’t want any money from you.” Ryan dropped into a visitor’s chair.
    â€œYou know it’s not about the money for me. I’m not attempting to dodge my financial responsibilities.”
    â€œObviously not.” Ryan held up his phone, where he’d apparently read the email. “What changed your mind? Did Ms. Malone change her tune?”
    â€œQuite the opposite.” He told Ryan how appalled Lexi had been when he paid for the few items at the baby store. “I understand the strategy behind keeping money out of the equation when she approached me. But once I recognized Jasmine as mine, the situation changed. I’m not a stingy man.”
    â€œOf course not.”
    â€œDoesn’t she realize by refusing my assistance she’s insulting me and doing an injustice to Jasmine?”
    â€œIt’s not about the support,” Ryan stated. “It’s about control.”
    â€œWhat’s that mean? I’ve seen her finances—I know she can afford to support Jasmine. But with my help, they’d both have a better quality of life.”
    â€œAnd that monthly payment would be a permanent link to you.”
    â€œWhy is that a bad thing?”
    â€œConsider if the circumstances were reversed.”
    Jethro scowled. “I don’t see the problem.”
    â€œBecause you’re being stubborn.