By the time they arrived home the boys had almost fallen asleep. Mrs. Moran had insisted on changing their diapers before they left, so Kasper could just take off their coats and shoes and put them to bed.

After he tucked the twins in, he picked up his laptop and settled in the sitting area of the dining room. The housekeeper was at work in the kitchen. The nursery smelled fresh, and the boys' clothes had been washed and folded.

He hadn't seen where Dani had gone, but wanted to give her space. Truthfully, he wanted to kiss her again, but needed to tread lightly. Even though she had spent plenty of time on Walnut Street, he showed her a behind the scenes look at his family. Amelia loved Baxter's sons, even though she criticized Ivy. She was doing the same, by visiting Mattie and not Beck. She wanted Doyle to know she didn't approve of her husband.

The sibling had discussed it and agreed the only one missing out was their mother. Kasper hadn't realized his father visited the twins. Something felt funny about the previous evening. He considered asking Doyle about her text, but was reluctant at the same time.

He answered emails and worked on his proposal. When the housekeeper left, he stood to find Dani. Kasper expected her to be hard at work in the office, but her laptop was closed on the desk.

As he took a step down the stairs, he heard the boys and changed direction. It was showtime. Once they were safe inside the play area, he went down to Dani's suite. The door was closed, so he returned to the kitchen. Instead, he texted her to let her know naptime was over.

When she hadn't appeared by dinnertime, he worried. Had he offended her? Had his mother? She was quiet on the way home. He made an executive decision to skip baths and tucked the boys in alone.

Hesitantly, he walked all the way downstairs again. When he knocked lightly on her door, she didn't answer.

Kasper slowly turned the knob to open the door. She was asleep in her clothes. A pill bottle sat on the table next to her bed. One glance and he had the image in his head. As he quietly left, the vision in the foreground of his mind was of how soft she looked when asleep. Her hard lines faded into vulnerability.

With his phone, he looked up the medicine. "Migraines." The answer surprised him, but also loosened the knot in his gut. Although painful, migraines were not a severe illness.

Guilt crept up his spine as he remembered nagging her about the day she hadn't come to work. Replaying the memory made him certain that Baxter knew.

Deep in thought and regret, he jumped when his phone vibrated. "Hey Bax. Having fun?"

"It's great. How's Jonny's teeth?"

"Good. He slept last night and had a great day. Dad surprised me last night."

"Did he? Sometimes he stops by when mother is busy."

"She was at Tate's, but we went to visit her today."

"Good. I tried Danielle, but she didn't answer. Can I talk to her?"

"She's been sleeping since I put the boys down for a nap."

"Okay. I'll try her tonight. Your morning."

Kasper cleared his throat. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine. Nothing to worry about. Kasp, I really owe you for what you've done. Ivy was right, you were up to the job."

"Did you think I wasn't?"

He sighed. "Honestly, I'm not sure I could do it on my own for more than a day. That's why I wanted Danielle to stay."

"She hasn't helped, but I appreciate knowing there is another set of hands if I need them." Just not tonight. He missed her company.

"Thank you."

"Yeah, yeah. I love you too." He laughed and hung up before Baxter responded.

Feeling unsure, he crept back into Dani's room and climbed on the bed to spoon her like they had earlier. She sighed and pressed into him. He kissed her neck and whispered. "Can I get you anything?"

She moaned and stirred, neither helped in his goal to stay flaccid. "Why are you here?"

"I was worried. You haven't eaten or drank anything in hours."

"I'm okay. I'll get up and get something."

"I'm here. Let me help."

"It's fine. I'm used to being alone."

Kasper pulled her tighter. "You don't need to be."

"Please don't."

He loosened his hold. "Don't what?"

"Don't be nice to me. It's confusing."

"I'm a nice guy. Remember, you think it's a flaw."

"Right and compassion doesn't help the bottom line."

"I like you better when you don't sound like Baxter." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Get up when you're ready."

As he left her room, he eyed the exercise equipment across the hall. Baxter owed him, because he hadn't worked out all week.

Kasper made himself a cup of tea and waited. Dani looked half asleep when she stepped into the kitchen. "Sorry. I promised to help today."

"It's okay. I skipped the bath. What's the point when they'll shit in the morning."

"Don't use that word."

"They're in bed. Do you feel better?" She nodded. "Are you hungry?"

"A little. I'll make some toast. What are you drinking?"

"Tea. Do you want some?"

"Thanks. I, um, thanks for being nice."

"You keep forgetting that I'm the compassion and you're the bottom line. I worried about you when you were sick before."

She studied him with a frown. "No, you didn't, you gave me shit for..."

"Uh, uh, uh."

She chuckled slightly. "Crap for missing work."

"Only after I knew you were okay. I was worried about you that day." He cleared his throat. "I, um, stopped by your place, but you didn't answer the bell."

Her head snapped up. "That was you? I thought it was, um, someone else."

"Someone you were avoiding, like someone you dated."

"Don't change the subject. You really went to my place? Why?"

"Because it's not like you to be sick and miss work. I was wor... You live alone. It's the type of guy I am."

"It's nothing, so you don't need to worry. Sometimes. Sometimes I. Never mind. I feel better now."

"I know. I saw your medicine. I won't tell anyone. Baxter knows."

"I had to tell him. They don't happen often, but stress makes them worse."

"And I stress you out."

"No. Yes. Sometimes."

"If me and the twins are too much, you can go home and take the weekend off."

"It's fine. I'll stay. I don't know what triggered it today."

"Maybe the stress of not knowing when your next amazing kiss will be."

She chuckled. "Or the stress of losing my job."

"We had this discussion. We can dance in the sheets all night and you won't get in trouble. My brother might have something to say but not my boss."

"He'll say I'm not worthy."

He shook his head and walked over to her. "Don't put yourself down. You care more than I do, but you are, um." Perfect. My match. "Just right. Smart, beautiful. My mother likes you."

"You're talking nonsense."

"Maybe, but I want to kiss you."

She sighed, and he didn't give her a chance to change her mind. When her mouth opened up to him, he tasted her and savored the sampling. The beating in her heart had him questioning the cross. Maybe it wasn't as broken as he thought. Needing more he pressed her against the counter. Her curves melded into his body. He wanted to lift her up and take more of her in the kitchen, but he didn't have protection and he doubted his brother did.

Once again she pulled away first. He admired the blush on her face, even as she shook her head. "We can't be doing this."

"I disagree. We should. I'm attracted to you."

"Physically." She scoffed. "You don't even like me."

"Not true. I like you a lot. I even like arguing with you."

She frowned. "You pick fights with me because you like me."

"Not exactly. I'd rather work together on the same side. You think if I succeed you'll fail. I want us both to get what we want."

She narrowed her eyes and wrinkled her brow. "What do you want?"

You. "To be challenged while I help Kane Properties. To spend time with a beautiful professional."

She laughed. "Is that your pickup line?"

"Sweetheart, you wouldn't have to ask if it were. Tell me you aren't attracted to me."

"Me and one billion women."

"I don't know the others. I know you and care for you."

She turned away. "My toast is getting cold."

He said more than he planned to. "So tomorrow is Saturday." He smiled. "One more day."

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