Page 25 of Be a Good Girl

“You’re right,” I tell her. “I’m notreallyjust a bike messenger. Well, technically I am, but that’s because I choose to be. I thought it would be fun.”

“Fun?” Alice nearly laughs. “Damien, you’re not making any sense. Where did all your money come from?”

She’s so beautiful. I feel bad for putting her through this, but it’s something I have to do.

Why? Because I love her.

It’s an absolute certainty now. I’m madly in love with Alice Dupont, and all I want for the rest of my life is her. And whether or not that happens may hinge on how the rest of this conversation goes.

I sit down on the bed in front of her and take her hands in mine. So soft. So small.

“Alice,” I ask her. “You said before you were considering leaving your job for me.”

“Yes…”

“Would you do that if you I remained a bike messenger? If I signed a pre-nup saying I wasn’t after your money?”

There’s a long pause. I brush a strand of her hair away from her face and run my thumb across her tender cheek.

“I–I think yes, but Damien, you’re hiding something from me! The money, the suits, how you know how to act in a restaurant like that–”

I smile and press my lips against hers.

Alice. My love. My future.

I kiss her long and deep before I let her go, then pull back and stare deeply into her eyes. A man could get lost in them…and a man has.

“I love you, Alice.” Her eyes go wide, and her hands twist in mine and grip me tightly.

“I–I love you too, Damien.” My heart expands so much it feels like my ribcage is about to explode. It’s painful just how much emotion is running through me now.

“Iamhiding something from you,” I say, kissing her again. “But I promise you it’s not bad.”

I can see she’s right on the edge. I can feel the tenseness in her fingers, and I feel bad it had to happen this way, but I wasn’t prepared for her unexpected visit tonight.

“Damien…”

“When I was in college, I had an idea for a software application that would help data storage centers sort and back up their data more efficiently. I taught myself to code, built the software myself, and then, my junior year, I dropped out after selling the software for six billion dollars.”

Alice’s jaw drops, and an involuntary gasp escapes her lips.

“I remained CEO of the company for a few years, but I got burnt out. I hated it. So I decided to leave.” I motion around the room with one hand. “I became a bike messenger and linked up with Charlie, an old friend, and have been living how I chose to ever since.”

I thread my fingers through her hair as she stares back at me in absolute shock. And I don’t blame her. I did kind of just drop a bombshell on her.

“You–you’re abillionaire?”

“No, I blew it all on sports cars and cigars. But I have about five million left.” I laugh when she quickly frowns at me. “Yes, Alice, I am a billionaire. I just don’t live like one. Unless you count taking out the most amazing woman in the world to La Bernadin, or wearing some suits around her when I’m off work.”

“Wait a second. Morrow. You’re DamienMorrow?I read all about the sale of your company!”

I simply nod and smile.

Alice looks like she’s been stunned with an information overload. This definitely was not what she was expecting when she confronted me this evening.

“I don’t even know what to say...” Her voice is tender and slow, a stark contrast to how it was when she came bursting in here moments earlier.

“What were you expecting?” I laugh.

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