Page 108 of The Sexy Billionaire

“That’s the spirit. Now what we need to do is find Gio a good woman because he deserves it,” Zoe says, raising her glass.

“I know so many women that would love to date you, Gio. Let me know when you’re ready and I’ll hook you up,” Tomas suggests.

“Don’t think he’s interested in actresses anymore,” Matteo jokes which makes me laugh.

I look over at Paige to reassure her, but she’s not there anymore.

“Can you excuse me for a moment? I need the bathroom,” I say, excusing myself from the conversation to work out where Paige is. Walking out of the private room, I scan the restaurant and find the bathrooms; she must be there. As I head in that direction, I see her step out of the bathroom and take a deep breath. When she looks up, her eyes widen as she sees me. I storm toward her and when I meet her, I grab her face and kiss the ever-loving hell out of her.

“Gio,” she gasps as our lips duel.

I press our foreheads together. “Please don’t ever leave like that again.”

“I couldn’t listen to your friends trying to set you up,” she confesses.

“I know, I’m sorry about that. I will walk right back into that room and declare that I’m in love with you if you want me to,” I tell her.

She takes a step back from me. “What did you say?”

Fuck.

This wasn’t how I wanted to tell her. “I’m in love with you,” I say quietly.

Her eyes widen as they glisten with emotion. “You are?”

I nod. “I am.”

“Why?” she questions me.

“Why?” I repeat. She nods her head. “Because when I’m with you, the world ceases to exist. Because I look forward to being with you. You make me smile every day and make my heart beat uncontrollably in my chest. I wake up looking forward to the day, knowing I’ll get to see you. I’m a better man with you.”

Paige’s bottom lip quivers. “Gio.”

I shake my head. “You don’t have to say a thing. I’ve tried to hide how I feel about you, Paige.But I can’t.I need you to knowI’m all in. Whenever you feel the time is right. I want a second chance with you. I want to give you the future you deserved, that we always planned on having.”

She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me. “I think I want all of that, too,” she declares.

Yes! “Do we walk back into that room and tell everyone?” I ask her.

She bites her bottom lip. “Do you think it will stay a secret if we do?”

“I trust all those people in there.”

“What if your family doesn’t like me? Or thinks I’m a gold digger or something?

Her concern makes me chuckle. “Paige, you’re rich in your own right.”

“Oh, yeah,” she says as her cheeks turn pink with embarrassment.

“My family already adores you,” I reassure her.

“Oh.”

“You ready for this?” I ask her.

She links her hand with mine. “Are you?” she says, raising a brow.

“If it means I can sit at that dinner table and touch you, then fuck yes.”