Page 35 of The Billionaire's Ride

“Still, the Kate I know doesn’t have sex in public places. I told you it was fun.”

“You did, and it was.”

Beau crashes back onto the bed, gazing at the ceiling. “You two must have some serious chemistry. When do I get to meet him?”

I scoff at the idea. “Meet him? He’s not my boyfriend.”

She rolls over, laying her chest on the pillow, and bats her lashes at me. “But he could be.”

I resist the urge to remind her of how many failed relationships she’s had with European flings, and instead say, “Long distance doesn’t really work.”

“But people move.” I have to give it to her. Even after her recent breakup, she’s still a cheerleader for love. I, on the other hand, am a realist.

“Are you suggesting I move to London to be with a guy whose longest relationship is with a vintage motorcycle?” If that doesn’t shut this idea down, I don’t know what will.

“No! Of course not. I can’t have you moving across the world from me. That’s ridiculous. He’ll just have to come to L.A., where he’ll have you and eternal sunshine.”

“Maybe he likes the rain.” I know I’m a bigger fan of it after last night.

She lets out a sigh. “You’re probably right. I’m thirty-two now, you’d think I’d know the difference between real life and some romantic fantasy.”

And with her long face, the subject shifts from Drew to Martino. I reach out and rub her shoulder. “I know you miss him.”

A tear puddles in her eyes. “I do. I’m just sick of this mating game.”

Sick of the mating game? That’s Beau’s favorite. “What do you mean?”

Beau shrugs, lowering her gaze, almost like she wants to hide what’s truly on her heart. “I’m ready for a real partner. Someone who loves me for me. Someone I can be barefaced with. Someone I can build a life with. Someone I can grow a family with.”

I’ve always known this is Beau’s deepest desire, though I can’t understand why she wants to give up her freedom. Her autonomy. I never want to take a risk like that. I still don’t. But seeing Beau like this, I sense she’s ready for a more mature life. And she should have everything she wants. “He’s out there. He’s probably looking for you too.”

Beau smiles softly. “You think so?”

“Of course.”

“You think he’d pound me up against a tree in the rain?”

We both bust out laughing. “I’m not sure that qualifies as husband material.”

“Only if you’re lucky. Only if you’rereallylucky,” she says, and my attention flicks back to Drew. I can’t ever imagine him marrying someone willingly.

The clock reminds me that it’s getting late, and I need to get my ass in gear if I’m going to have any chance of bringing my new sketches to life. I show Beau the pieces on paper, and she gasps. When I tell her the crazy idea of manufacturing these in record time, she lets out a bigger gasp.

“Kate, you’re back to your boss-bitch self. Except better!”

“And this boss-bitch needs to do some business.” My stomach tightens at the ginormous task I’m about to undergo.

“Don’t worry, you got this. I’ll go get you some breakfast, and you start making calls.”

I wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tight. “Thank you for being here.”

“Always.” She smiles, then looks back at the sketches and closes the book, running her hand against the burgundy leather cover. “He likes you, you know.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Drew. This is a real gift. In my experience, a man only goes out of his way like this if he really likes you.”

I consider this for a second. A split second. But I can’t think about whether or not Drew likes me right now. I have to make lingerie he’ll like instead. “It’s not like that.”

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