Page 5 of Billionaire Book Boyfriend

But now, for some reason, the idea of opening up to someone, even just a little, is pulling at me. Maybe it’s the excitement of being matched through the dating agency, or maybe it’s just wanting to feel the kind of love I write about. Either way, I can’t pass up this chance. Meeting someone like Drake King definitely has me curious.

“Yes, that works,” I finally reply, my voice steadier than I feel. “I’ll be there.”

After hanging up, I stare at the phone for a moment, my thoughts swirling in a chaotic mess. Was it a good idea to sign up on the Book Boyfriend dating site? What if this Drake guy is just like one of the characters in my books—smooth, confident, and hiding a darker side beneath the surface? The kind of man who can charm you with a smile and shatter your heart with the same ease. Or worse, what if he’s nothing like that, and the date is a total flop, leaving me with an awkward evening I’d rather forget?

I groan, pressing my palms to my cheeks. This is exactly why I can never find love. I’m always overthinking, always talking myself out of being with someone before things even start. I can already picture myself canceling at the last minute, retreating back to my comfort zone of cozy blankets and half-written chapters.

“Get it together, Emily,” I mutter under my breath. “It’s just one date. A chance to meet someone new. And, if nothing else, it would make for great story material. Right?”

I force myself to take a deep breath. This is my chance to step out of the world I’ve created that only includes me and my pen, to live a little outside the confines of my imagination. Who knows? Maybe Drake King will surprise me. Maybe he’s the kind of man who can rewrite the utterly predictable plot I’ve been living in for far too long.

As the week creeps toward Thursday, my nerves only grow. What if, in the middle of our conversation, Drake somehow finds out that I’m the author ofFlirty Dirty Secrets? What if he’s read the book and starts piecing it all together, connecting the dotsbetween my characters and my life? What if I have to tell him who I really am and explain why I wrote the book? That thought alone keeps me up at night.

Chapter 4

Emily

The First Date

Thursday evening arrives faster than I anticipated, and I find myself standing in front of the mirror, smoothing down the elegant dress I’ve chosen. It’s simple yet stylish—a deep blue wrap that complements my figure without being too over-the-top. I want to look confident, but not like I’m trying too hard.

The drive to Le Jardin feels surreal. As I approach the upscale restaurant, my pulse quickens. I’ve done my research, and Drake King isn’t just some random guy. He’s a successful tech investor and mentor, a man whose name is synonymous with power and control in Atlanta’s finance circles. He has a popular YouTube channel with millions of followers, and he’s fine. Fine might notbe a good enough description for him. He’s fine as hell! What have I gotten myself into?

When I arrive, I take a deep breath before walking inside, the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses surrounding me as I step through the restaurant’s entrance. My eyes scan the room until they land on him.

Drake King.

He’s sitting at a corner table, his gaze focused on the entrance like he’s been waiting for me to show up. He’s every bit as striking as I’d imagined—tall, broad-shouldered, with a sharp, clean-cut jawline. His bald head only adds to his smooth, polished look, and he exudes an air of casual dominance that sends a shiver down my spine. As our eyes meet, I get the distinct feeling that I’m walking into something far more intense than I anticipated.

Drake stands as I approach, offering a smile that’s both disarming and confident. Emily,” he greets, his voice smooth. “I’m glad you made it.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady as I take the seat across from him. My heart races. He’s not what I expected. Not at all.

I expected someone more... ordinary. I had pictured Drake as a typical businessman—clean-cut, polished, maybe even a little stiff in his demeanor. The kind of guy who wears tailored suits but lacks the warmth that seeps through the pages of my favorite books. I thought he’d be distant, perhaps even transactional in the way he approached this date.

But as I sit across from him, I realize how wrong I’ve been. Drake has an edge to him. His strong jawline and intense gaze hold more mystery than I anticipated. His dark eyes, filled with curiosity and something else I can’t quite place, are far from the corporate stiffness I had braced myself for. Instead, he carries a quiet confidence, one that makes my pulse quicken and my carefully built walls tremble.

This man isn’t just handsome; he’s magnetic in a way that makes me feel comfortable and exposed.

We exchange pleasantries for the first few minutes, talking about the restaurant and our day-to-day lives, but there’s this underlying vibe I can’t ignore. Drake is cool, calm, and collected, but there’s something in the way he looks at me, like he’s trying to figure me out. It’s almost as if he knows something’s beneath the surface, and honestly, it makes me wonder if he knows about Eva Steele. I’m not ready to reveal I’m an erotic author of some of the most popular books in America, so the way he studies me has me on edge. It’s the kind of tension you feel when one of you has secrets, and you’re not sure how much the other person is catching on.

As we move from appetizers to the main course, I find myself feeling oddly at ease with Drake. The tension between us ebbs and flows into a nice push and pull of charm and wit. His charm isn’t the overbearing kind I feared. He’s attentive, asking me about my interests, listening intently, and making me laugh with his dry humor.

But then he looks at me like he’s trying to piece together a puzzle.

“So,” Drake says, leaning back in his chair with a faint smile, “you’re a fan of romance novels?”

I freeze, my fork hovering over my plate. Is he fishing for information, or is it just an innocent question? I can’t tell.

“I, uh, read them sometimes,” I reply cautiously. “Why do you ask?”

Drake’s eyes glint with amusement. “Well, we found each other through a Book Boyfriend Dating Agency, so that’s the first clue.”

I snap my fingers, forcing a laugh. “Right. Got me there.”

Drake chuckles. “I’ve been reading a surprisingly good one myself recently.Flirty Dirty Secrets.Heard of it?”

I nearly choke on my wine. The moment I knew would come has finally arrived. My heart races, and a mix of panic and disbelief washes over me. Here I am, a world-famous author hiding behind a pen name that no one knows is mine, and now, I’m face-to-face with someone who’s praising my work without even realizing it’s mine. There’s a thrill in it, too. It’s a strange excitement from the fact that I’ve managed to keep my identity a secret, even as my words reach millions.

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