The Tycoon's Cupid Surprise (a Valentine's novella) (Holiday Babies) Read Online Free Page B

reached and pulled up the blind. Brooke held her breath while he peered out that window. Finally, she looked again, too. No one was there.
    Thank God , Jake Bentley had gone, hopefully this time for good.

Chapter 7
     
    The next afternoon, ten minutes before shutting up shop, Xander experienced a close encounter of the zany kind.
    Brooke was out back with the baby w hen a young woman came in. Seeing him behind the counter, the woman clapped both hands over her mouth and then shook her head as if to clear her vision. Her hair was palest blond, cut short and mussed up with a whole pile of product. She wore tatty jeans, a tee that read “Admit One,” and a pair of ankle boots encrusted with crystals.
    Xander shifted his spray bottle to one side. “Can I help you?” he asked.
    “I’m sure you can .” The woman’s gaze traveled down the column of his throat then over his chest before gliding back up to settle on his mouth. “How did my sister land you for an assistant?”
    Sister? Ah, now it fit.
    “ You must be Ella,” he said.
    “ Brooke’s told you about me?”
    “ She certainly has.”
    Ella tried to look contrite. “Only half of it’s true.” Then her expression changed. “Hang on a minute. I bet I know who you are. Mr. Blistering.”
    “ Blistering ?”
    “As i n hot. Sizzling.”
    He joined the dots. “Brooke called me that?”
    Striking a slightly pigeon-toed pose in th ose crystal boots, Ella crossed her arms and studied him hard. “This’ll sound like a scam, but haven’t I seen you somewhere before?”
    “Though t I recognized the voice.” Brooke had emerged with Chance from out back. “Ella, meet Alexander Drake.”
    Ella tipped sideways and almost fell off her heels. “ Holy balls . I don’t believe it. Of course I know you. Everyone does. But what’s a billionaire doing behind a counter wearing an apron? Not that I’m complaining. I’m sure Brooke’s not complaining, either.”
    Xander began to explain. “There was this contest—”
    “A bachelor draw for charity,” Brooke chipped in.
    “ Yeah…I read the woman who won had backed out.” Ella’s voice lowered in awe. “My God, Brooke, was that you ?”
    Brooke nodded. “Still don’t know how that happened.”
    Ella looked between the two of them. “Someone must have put your name in. Don’t you want to find out who and seriously thank them?”
    While Xander rubbed a corner of his grin, Brooke explained to him. “Ella’s a little excitable.”
    “But what’s he doing here now,” Ella went on, “serving?”
    Xander made himself useful, spraying some mixed bouquets , while Brooke explained the situation fully. Ella still couldn’t come to grips with the news.
    “I’ve phoned ,” Ella said. “I’ve come over nights to visit. Why didn’t you say something before now?”
    Brooke kissed the top of Chance’s head. “I wanted to see if this partner thing worked out.”
    Ella eye d Xander again. “Looks like it’s working out pretty well to me.” Then her focus shifted to the baby. “And why haven’t I said hello to you yet?” She put out her arms to nurse Chance and cuddle him close. “Lord, you smell good. All powdery and fresh and cuter than any baby in the world.”
    Chance was talking back, in cooing baby language, of course.
    Ella spoke to Xander. “Mind if I borrow my sister for a minute.  There’s a matter of utmost importance we need to discuss.”
    He shot spray at the gerberas. “Be my guest.”
    “I’ve come over to make you an offer you can’t refuse,” Ella told Brooke. “I’m staying over Hannah and Dan’s tonight. We really, really want to look after Chance, give you a night off.”
    Brooke took a moment and then exhaled. “Okay.”
    Ella froze. “Did you say…? I thought you said…”
    “Yes ,” Brooke said, moving behind the counter. “You can look after Chance tonight.”
    Ella gently bounced the baby. “Yay us!” Then she sent Xander a sly but approving look. “Did you