Page 64 of Billion Dollar Mistake

There’s a sparkle in her eye. “Not anymore.”

I know what she means, and fuck, she’s everything. With one look that says she wants this as much as I do, I grunt. “Good. Let's order and get you home.”

The word home slips too easily from my mouth. I don’t think she picks up on it. Or if she does, she doesn’t say anything.

She sits up and I slip my hand on her thigh, needing to touch her.

“What would you like?” I ask.

“Cheeseburger meal with a coke. Are you eating too?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“I just didn’t think you’d eat it.” Her voice drops and so do her eyes. She runs her gaze slowly over my shirt before clearing her throat and returning to hold my gaze. “Aren’t you used to caviar and oysters?”

A deep rumble leaves my chest. I get her question and if I was her, I’d think the same.

“I’m not a fan of either of them. But shh, don’t tell anyone.”

She bites down on her bottom lip, fighting back a giggle, and looks at me with these big shimmering eyes. I want to kiss her again like it’s my last day on earth.

That first kiss ruined me. I can’t imagine what our second one will be like, when we get to do it where we don’t get interrupted, or I don’t have to stop. Because I don’t think I’d ever want to stop kissing her once I start.

She brings out the playful Jeremy. It’s so refreshing. I’ve been working my whole life and I’m tired. I love my job, but she gives me something I didn’t know I needed: companionship, friendship, and maybe even a relationship.

With Nova, I can see all those things.

I order our meals. Both the same.

“Are you copying me?” she teases and pokes me in the side of my stomach.

I curl over and my face is closer to hers again. “Yes. I haven’t had a cheeseburger in so long. I haven’t had McDonalds in a long time either. So I figured you’d choose well.”

Her head rears back. “Hey. Don’t put that kind of pressure on me. What if you hate it?”

“I’m sure I won’t. I’m sure whatever you choose I’d love.”

Her eyes drop down and I can’t tell what she's thinking. Her cute nose is pink, and I just soak in her until our order is ready.

The smell in the car is so rich with fat and salt it makes me hungrier.

She sits up. “Looks good.” Nova smiles.

I tilt to face her. “It does.”

“My love of food is the reason I box.”

“Is that the only reason you box? I thought you said it was good for stress.”

“It does help with that. It centers me.”

“I need to check out your gym.”

Her face brightens at my suggestion.

“I’d love that.”

She hums and I know she’s happy.

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