Page 3 of The Billionaire Love Match

She peeked up at the mirror. His hazel eyes locked on hers. Now they looked more brown than green. His right eye was puffy and looked terrible.

“Your face,” she whispered. She looked back down at her feet, feeling the start of tears. “This is all my fault.”

No, she couldn’t cry. That was her one promise to herself about this show. It would be a challenge since Casey cried over greeting card commercials and movies and even her own books sometimes. But she had told herself that she was going to be different on the show. Even though the cameras weren’t rolling yet and might not be—especially now—she would not break this promise to herself.

“What I’m trying to figure out,” he said, “is if you apologized first because you knew what was about to happen.”

Casey’s eyes flew open and she turned to him. He had his back to the sink now, leaning up against it with his narrow hips, arms crossed over his T-shirt. Blood spattered the front of it.

“No! I would never have done...that if I knew. I was just trying to hide from my ex and I panicked. I thought if he glanced in, he would just see a couple making out and miss that it was me.”

“That was your ex? That guy is a maniac. You should get a restraining order. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” He took a step toward her, but stopped. His eyes were filled with compassion and a concern that sent a flush up her cheeks.

“No, I’m fine. Really. He kept his crazy locked in the closet when we were dating. Apparently I have bad judgment when it comes to guys,” she said.

“That’s an understatement, Boots.”

“Boots?”

He nodded to her shoes. “Boots. I like them. And I don’t know your name, so...”

“Thanks,” she said, feeling a warmth spreading in her chest. He gave her a nickname. This thought made her ridiculously happy. “And again, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry for his sake. He did that all on his own. As for the few seconds just before he interrupted...”

Her head shot up and she saw that he was grinning. And looked just as good with a puffy eye and cut chin as he had before. She had a sudden urge to touch his face and realized she was staring at his lips again. His smiled widened and she looked up to see him watching her face. A blush immediately hit her cheeks.

His smile dropped, replaced almost instantly with a smoldering look. “I wouldn’t mind reliving that, Boots.” He took a step forward. “You?”

“I wouldn’t mind,” she said, her voice cracking.

Casey’s heart felt like a jackhammer. He took a slow step toward her and then another, not breaking eye contact. She wished he would hurry and yet loved the anticipation of watching him cross the room toward her.

The door swung open again and Casey jumped as the two bodyguards entered the room. The moment was broken. She could feel the attraction stretching out between them. The two bodyguards must have felt it too. They looked at her, then Mr. Casual.

What was she doing? She needed to get out of here. Casey didn’t kiss guys in the bathroom. Especially when she didn’t even know their names. She could count on two hands the number of guys she’d kissed, ever. She turned and almost ran for the door.

“I’m sorry,” she said over her shoulder as she brushed past the bodyguards. “I really am.”

“I’m not!” he called after her, even as the bathroom door swung shut behind her.

As Casey was enveloped in the sound of the club, a smile plastered onto her face. Even if nothing else came of trying out for the show, that kiss was worth it all.

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