Page 24 of Billionaire Bachelor
“Well…as ecstatic as I would’ve been if we’d been together in high school—or hell, even college—the timing would’ve been awful. I may be a so-called genius, but I was an absolute dumb fuck when it came to interpersonal relations back then. And honestly? My self-confidence was shit, which only made it worse. I needed the time to mature into the man I am today.”
“Why was your self-confidence shit?” Rosie waves a hand toward me. “Have you seen you?”
I laugh, planting a kiss on the top of her head. “My self-confidence isjust fine, now.”
“I’ll say,” she snorts.
I clear my throat. “But back then, not so much.”
“Why not? You were adorable back in high school.”
I groan. “Adorable? Just what every teenage boy wants to hear from the girl he’s been crushing on for years.”
She blushes, a small, self-conscious smile playing on her lips. “But youwereadorable. And smart. And funny. And sweet.”
“And scrawny. And awkward,” I add. “You were so out of my fucking league, Pip. Youstillare, but I’m cocky enough now to go for it, anyway.”
“Well…I disagree. If you would’ve made a move on me back in high school, Idefinitelywould’ve been into it.” She stretches her neck to kiss me. “You were, hands down, my favorite person.”
“Were?”I smile against her lips. “How high do I rank on your list of favorites now?”
“You’re pretty high up there, Logan. That’s never changed.” The warmth in her voice, the sincerity in her dark chocolate eyes—hits me like a punch to the gut.
I look at her, really look at her, and I see the same girl I used to sit with in that tree house, but I also see the woman she’s become. One who’s had her heart broken, who’s carved her own path in the world, who’s still a big part of my life after all these years. Without thinking, I lean in, my lips finding hers. Rosie responds immediately, her hand grasping the back of my neck, pulling me closer. The fire pops in thehearth, its warmth wrapping around us as we kiss, a quiet exchange of unspoken promises.
“What happens when we get back to LA?” she asks softly, pulling back slightly to look at me. “Does what happens in Tahoe stay in Tahoe?”
“That’s up to you,” I reply, searching her eyes, trying to read her emotions. “But just so you’re clear on whereIstand, I don’t want to give this up when we get home. The location doesn’t matter, Rosie. Tahoe, LA, Abu Dhabi—wherever we are, it doesn’t change the fact that I want this. I wantyou. But I understand if you’re not ready. If you’re not looking for anything serious being so fresh out of a relationship. Whatever you’re comfortable with, I’m good.”
Unless she tells me she wants to call it quits. That would really fucking suck. I can’t predict the future, but one thing I’m certain of is that I don’t want to go back to a life without this woman in my arms. Now that I know what being with Rosie feels like, no other woman willevercompare. I know that in my gut. She filled a void I didn’t even know existed before this weekend. But if she needs time, I’ll give her time. I’ve already waited half a lifetime for this opportunity. A little while longer is nothing in the grand scheme of things.
Rosie glances at our intertwined hands, her thumb gently tracing circles on my skin. “Being here with you…it’s made me realize how much Idon’tmiss Julian. If anything, it’s made me reflect on everything that was wrong with our relationship. I’mgladwe’re not together anymore, Logan. Relieved.”
Her words calm the worries that have been gnawing at my insides. “You’re sure about that?”
“I’m positive. Julian and I…we were comfortable, but that was it. There was no fire, no genuine passion. Being here with you…it’s shown me what I was missing all along. And I don’t want to give that up either.”
Halle-fucking-lujah.
“How are we going to break it to Ryan?”
Rosie lets out a small laugh, shaking her head. “We’re both grown adults, Logan. We don’t need my brother’s permission to date.”
“I know,” I agree. “But you know how Ry can be. He’s going to have a lot of questions and even more opinions about why he thinks us being together is a bad idea.”
“I think Ryan is more bluster than bite.” She pauses to take a deep breath. “But maybe we keep it a secret for now, just until we know for sure where this is heading. I kinda like the idea of not having to worry about outside influences while we’re figuring this out.”
I admire how practical she’s being, even though the thought of keeping this hidden doesn’t sit well with me. I want to shout it from the rooftops that I’ve finally got the girl I’ve been wanting for years. But I know that’s a dangerous thought to vocalize, especially so soon.
“You’re probably right. But for the record, I don’t like the idea of hiding.”
Rosie gives me a small, understanding smile. “Me neither. But I think it’s the best way to avoid any awkwardness, at least for now.” She adjusts herself until she’s straddling my lap. “Plus, I like the idea of keeping you all to myself for a while. The forbidden thing is kinda hot. We should milk that for all it’s worth.”
I groan as she presses down, gliding over my dick through my sweats. “How hot are we talking?”
She nips my jaw before pressing her lips against my ear. “Scorching.”
My fingers curl into her shapely hips. “I’m a little unclear on how the scale works. Maybe you should give me a demonstration.”
