Chapter 8 Tate
TATE
“It smells like he’s got a huge dick.”
I pull the apron away from my nose and scoff as Ashley gives me a suggestive smirk.
“It smells of laundry, you doofus,” I cry, my shoulders shaking as I try not to laugh at her expression.
“A guy whose laundry smells like that has to have a giant dick. There’s no way he doesn’t.”
I shake my head at her, but as I tie the freshly laundered apron around my waist, I get another waft of the scent that puffed like a cloud out of the Beaufort Diamonds box this morning when I’d opened the courier delivered package.
I left his office in such a rush yesterday to get back and continue my shift that I forgot my apron. My cocoa covered apron with a small tear in one of the ties. Only for it to be delivered back this morning in time for my shift, mended, and smelling…
Like the laundry of a billionaire with a giant dick.
I brush my hands down over the soft fabric that’s been pressed to perfection.
I don’t think it’s ever looked so good. It’s better than when it was new.
And Ashley’s right. The scent coming off it is…
a subtle version of the man himself whom I spent nineteen minutes with yesterday.
Well, technically no more than ten. Most was spent with his adorable daughter.
“You think he washed it with his underwear? You could be wearing something that’s touched the fabric that touches his dick.”
Ashley laughs as I shove her playfully.
“Cut it out.”
“When do you start?”
I shrug and make myself busy, wiping down the already spotless counter as the first flurry of customers start arriving.
“You called him last night to accept, didn’t you?
Like we agreed?” Ashley crosses her arms, giving me the look of a teacher exhausted by a student with all the potential in the world but zero initiative.
“His temp PA emailed you the offer—you have it in writing. Girl, snap it up before he changes his mind. Think what you could do with that money. Picture me as your wing-woman, perched on your shoulder. You’ve got talent, Tate.
Dreams to chase. This offer could change everything—your song… your dad… just think about it.”
“I know.” I gnaw on my lower lip.
Ashley’s always been better at seizing opportunities than me. She’s a ‘yes’ person. It’s how she’s managed to build such a successful business by herself. She’s got plans to open other coffee venues. And I know she’ll achieve it, because she isn’t scared of taking a chance.
Not like me.
“What did your dad say?” she asks.
“He said if I want to do it, then he thinks it’s a great opportunity. And that I should be out and not home every night with him.”
“He’s right.” Ashley gives me a pointed look. “You know he is. And we’ll work it around your shifts here. The morning’s the busiest when I need you, and the contract said daytimes and occasional evenings, right? Plus, it’s only a few hours here and there.”
“You’re really trying to sell it to me, aren’t you?” I laugh, wiping my clammy hands on my apron, then stopping as another subtle waft of something expensive hits me. It’s weird to think that my apron was amongst Sullivan Beaufort’s laundry.
“I don’t get why you aren’t snapping his hand off to accept.”
Ashley turns to take a customer’s order and I busy myself fixing it for them.
I know I have to say yes to his offer. How can I not?
My father and I need the cash. And I’d give my time for free to spend it with Molly.
She’s a cutie. Full of smiles and giggles.
But it’s her father I’m concerned about.
He spent the entire time pacing up and down like an angry bull when he was in his office.
I caught him glaring at me more than once with those eyes of his.
Piercing blue and deadly. The kind of eyes that are so mesmerizing they take you aback and you can’t help but stare.
They’ve the power to freeze you in place while he devours you alive.
Yet, I couldn’t stop looking at him. Just like I couldn’t stop turning his business card over and over between my fingers, feeling the smooth velvety texture as I laid in bed last night.
Even that smelled incredible. The gold foiling on it is so vivid it wouldn’t surprise me if it were actual gold. He’s a billionaire, after all.
I snort, earning a quizzical look from Ashley.
“Fine,” I whisper as I reach for the cocoa. “I’ll call him after my shift.”
The end of my shift comes fast because we’re busy with a constant stream of customers. One has a Beaufort Diamonds bag draped over her forearm as she peruses the menu board behind the counter. The sight of it makes my stomach squirm.
“Do it now.” Ashley holds Caffeine Couture’s phone out to me the moment I take my apron off and fold it neatly.
“I’ll use my cell as I walk to the subway.”
“You’ll wimp out.” She presses the phone into my palm. “Do. It. Now.”
I huff out a breath and pull his business card from my purse. Ashley gives a satisfied smile as I take the phone.
“Wait. This has his office number and his cell. Which should I call?”
“His cell,” she says quickly.
I nod in agreement. I’m also less likely to get that snooty receptionist if I try him directly. Although a conversation with her might be a walk in the park compared to Sullivan Beaufort.
I tap it in and hold my breath.
“It’s ringing,” I tell Ashley as my heart rate picks up.
“Sullivan Beaufort.”
My mouth goes dry the second his rich, deep voice travels down the line.
“Um, it’s Tate… I mean, Miss Miller.”
“Hello, Miss Miller.”
Ashley twirls her fingers for me to continue as I shoot her a look of panic.
“I was calling to accept your offer to be Molly’s nanny.”
There’s a pause and I wonder if I should ask if he’s still there.
“You’ll not be Molly’s anything. You’ll be my employee, as it states in the contract.”
I’m pretty sure the blood has drained from my face to my feet.
Jesus, he’s so rude.
“You did read the contract, correct?” he clips.
“I can read,” I snap back, unable to stop myself, a newfound sass forming in response to his abruptness.
His responding silence has me swallowing my surge of confidence and I curse myself.
I really need the money he’s offering. “So do you still require my assistance, or did you fill the position?” I ask, trying to sound more professional.
There’s a pause before he clears his throat.
“The position’s yours, Miss Miller. You can start once your shift ends.”
“Oh…” I widen my eyes at Ashley. “Well, it’s already ended for today and I—”
“In that case, wait there and my driver will come for you.”
“But—”
I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at the screen.
“What did he say?” Ashley asks.
“He hung up,” I tell her.
What the hell did I just agree to?