Page 18 of Crushing On My Ex's Billionaire

"I don't know how," I continued, trying to distract myself from pondering over the emotion. "I literally just got it back from the shop. And this is the third time that I've had to drop it off just this month." I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes with a sigh. "This car is hopeless."

"Maybe you should get a new one."

"I can't afford a new one. I didn't even get this piece of crap new." I glanced at my watch. It was almost six-thirty. I let out another sigh. The bus was the next best thing. I grabbed my purse from the passenger seat. "There's still time. If I hurry, I can catch the seven o'clock bus."

My mind was already beginning to map out shortcuts to the bus stop when Alexander stopped me.

"Don't worry about the seven o'clock bus. I'll drive you home."

"I can't ask that of you. It's already late. I'm sure you're tired from the meeting. I can take the bus, it's not a problem."

He didn't move from the door, preventing me from stepping out.

"I don't mind." I stared at him questioningly. He rolled his eyes good-naturedly, then opened the car door. He held a hand out to me. "It's fine. Now, come on."

Knowing there was nothing I could do to change his mind and craving to be with him just a little longer, I let him help me out of the car.

The warmth of his palm, ironically, made me shiver. I smiled at him gratefully as he led me to the other side of the parking lot where his car was.

I looked down at the hand he still held, a deep flush on my face. For some reason, even though I'd almost slept with him and we'd kissed countless times, doing the most mundanely intimate things always made me blush.

I suppose it felt different when we did things like holding hands or when he kissed my cheek. He gave me butterflies like a high school crush.

Alexander opened the door for me, and I climbed in. He got into the car as well and began pulling out of the company's parking lot.

We drove in silence for a while. I spent the time staring at him, while he kept his gaze fixed on the road.

"I'm curious," I started to say. "How does it feel being the CEO of a multibillion-dollar company?"

He shrugged without taking his eyes off the road. "It has its ups and downs."

I scrunched my nose. "There are downsides to being rich?"

"You don't think so?" He sounded somewhat amused.

"What could possibly be wrong about having a ton of money?" I closed my eyes and breathed deeply.

"You can't just consider the money. There are other things too."

"Such as?"

"Well, it can be hard to know if someone likes you for who you are. Sometimes people only want to use you. See? Downside."

I held up my index finger. "One downside."

"There's also not having any time for yourself. I can never get a breather. I barely have time to get breakfast most days."

"You took a breather," I air quoted, "with me in the elevator yesterday."

"Well, you're the exception. I'll always have time for you."

The statement, simple and short and said somewhat offhandedly, still made my face heat up. I resisted the urge to groan. What was wrong with me?

"Ok. So, two downsides. Anything else?"

"I can't just start listing out the bad things about my life. Everything has ups and downs. That's life. Your car refusing to work, that's a down." He glanced at me from the corner of his eye. "Me driving you home, that's something good."

He reached his hand over the console and took mine in his. "It means I get to spend more time with you."

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