Page 27 of The Billionaire Babe

“I’m a lawyer. I have worked in the family business my entire career. Straight out of college. I love it. It was always my dream to be the CEO, like my mother was and her mother before that.” I can see it. The way she holds herself. Her quiet confidence, her sass. She has the guts and determination to make it.

“I can see it,” I tell her honestly, and her eyes lock on to mine.

“You can?” she asks, like she is astounded that someone could see that in her.

“Yeah. As long as you survive Mr. Burger, you have no problems.” My smirk shines through at seeing her look at me with her relaxed grin and sparkly eyes.

“At last, he smiles…” she murmurs, taking the straw in her mouth again before Betty delivers our burgers, and it is then I realize that this is the first date I have ever been on where I have actually smiled.

14

VALERIE

“I think I am going to explode,” I murmur, never having eaten as much food in my entire life. Truth be told, I was full after the milkshake, and given I haven't had dairy in forever, I wonder if I will regret that decision later.

“You haven’t even touched your burger,” AJ says, looking at me as though I am crazy.

“It was delicious. But it was huge.” I look at the half-eaten monster burger on the plate. He finished off his meal about ten minutes ago. I have never seen a man eat so fast, so I am guessing I wasn’t the only one who was hungry.

“Too much for you, love?” Betty says, coming to our table.

“It was, but it was amazing!” I say to her as she chuckles.

“Told you,” AJ says as he stands, and Betty clears the table. I grab my bag and scurry to find my purse to grab some cash, but I am too slow as he throws a few bills down. “Don’t even think about it,” he warns.

“I’ll get the next one,” I say, slipping out of the booth, catching a small scowl on his face at my comment. I raise my eyebrow in question.

“Never going to happen.” I chuckle at his chivalry.

“Let’s go.” Grabbing my hand, he pulls me along with him. “See you next time, Betty.”

“Thanks, Betty,” I chime in as we walk out of the diner.

“See you soon,” she says, getting back to work.

“I better get you home, Cinderella,” he says as he lifts the helmet and jacket for me again.

“I feel like a pumpkin already.” I seriously feel like I gained at least five pounds.

“You look as sexy as sin, sweetheart.” He brushes the hair from my face, and the air leaves my lungs for a moment.

“I bet you say that to all the girls who jump on the back of your bike,” I tease, smiling up at him.

“Never had any women on my bike before.” My grin falters a little at his seriousness.

“Never?” I ask, astounded.

“Nope. Never. You’re the first.” There is a soft breeze that skirts across my shoulders, and I shiver.

“Here,” he says, draping his jacket over me again. My heart is beating a million miles an hour as he stands close, dressing me as my mind remains stuck on the fact that a man like AJ has never had a woman on his bike. Except for me.

“If they haven’t been on your bike, then how do you take girls on dates?” I ask. Maybe he has another car or something. My breathing is shallow as I wait for his answer.

“I don’t go on dates.” I start to smile at his response when he looks at me.

“We just had a date,” I say, grinning at him.

“We just had burgers,” he confirms, not entertaining my teasing.

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