Page 14 of The Billionaire Love Match

She wasn’t going to let him get off that easy, especially with the cameras rolling and after her own humiliation. “So why did you pick her?”

“I got...scared. I actually felt something tonight. A connection with you. I don’t admit this much, but my love life—it’s kind of a disaster.”

“Tell me about it.” When he looked shocked, she said, “What? I Googled you when I came home.”

Casey could see the cameramen and producers hiding their laughter.

Colt cleared his throat. “So maybe you can understand why I got scared to feel something...real. I panicked.”

“So it wasn’t the fact that I flashed my undergarments in front of the world? You aren’t looking for someone more...composed?”

With her free hand she gestured toward herself. She was wearing yoga pants and a T-shirt with a taco on it that read It Takes Two to Taco.

His mouth turned up at the corner. “That is precisely why I want you to come with me. Please, Casey. I may not deserve a second chance, but I hope you’ll give me one.”

She closed her mouth tight on the immediate yes that she wanted to shout. He would have to wait on her. She leaned against the door frame. This whole time he had kept her hand in his, but his thumb wasn’t tracing hidden circles on her palm anymore, which was a good thing since it made her whole body light up. Now he was tapping out a rhythm that felt familiar on her wrist.

The moment stretched long. She realized as she waited that he hadn’t said the words that he was supposed to—asking her to be his Potential Love Match. Should she read into that? Was that a good or bad thing.

Tap tap tap TAP TAP TAP tap tap tap.

His continually thumb beats on her palm we’re gaining intensity, reminding her that she still hadn’t answered him.

Casey cleared her throat. “Yes, Colt. I’ll come with you. On one condition.”

“Anything,” he said.

“Honesty. I know this is TV or streaming whatever. But I want full honesty from you. Even if it hurts.”

He swallowed as something that looked an awful lot like guilt flashed across his face. Almost as soon as it was there, it was gone, replaced with that crooked grin that she couldn’t help but smile back at.

“Thank you,” he said, leaning toward her. Casey’s eyes flashed to the cameras, which seemed to also be leaning in. She’d been able to ignore them, but couldn’t imagine kissing him in front of them. Though if his kisses were all like the one they shared earlier, she’d forget the cameras soon enough.

He paused in front of her, just inches away. Casey held herself back, watching his lips.

“You’ve got something...right...here.”

She closed her eyes as he leaned close. Instead of kissing her lips, he placed a lingering kiss right at the corner of her mouth.

“Mmm,” he said, pulling away. “Chocolate. I think I got it.”

Her face flushed. Earlier it was her undergarments. Now she had food on her face. This next stretch of time, however long it lasted, was going to be one long humiliation. She felt sure of it. And yet, Casey felt weak in the knees looking at Colt’s eyes. Having chocolate on her face while on TV was worth him kissing it away.

He tapped out the familiar rhythm once more on her hand and then walked away, the cameras parting to let him through. “See you tomorrow!” he called.

Casey could only wave a hand weakly.

As Colt walked away with one set of cameras, one of the set crew explained that she should get dressed and grab her bag. It was still down in the car. She hadn’t even brought it up from earlier.

“You ready?” The crew guy smiled at her. Cameras were off now and she felt like she could breathe again now that Colt had gone.

“I have to pee,” she said. “Be right back.”

She slammed the door to her apartment and leaned up against it. Amanda gave a loud whoop and clapped her hands. She was standing just to the side where she obviously heard everything.

“You’re going to have to call my parents,” she said. “I didn’t tell them. And I can’t stomach the thought now.”

“Will do first thing tomorrow. You, my dear, were brilliant. This is going to be so much fun to watch. You were born to be in front of the cameras,” Amanda said. “If people didn’t love you before, they will now.”

But Casey didn’t want to be in front of the cameras. She wasn’t capable of faking anything and that worried the heck out of her. It was clear that Colt could change his face without any effort, portraying whatever part he was playing perfectly. She had asked him for honesty, but wondered if he was even capable of it.

Part of her didn’t even care. Whatever the cost, the thought of kissing him again was worth it.

“I am in so much trouble,” Casey said.

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