Page 18 of Valentine's Day Daddy

“And what makes you so certain, Ezra Mullen?”

“For one thing, you can’t deny the chemistry between us,” he says. “You can’t deny we have a heat more intense than a forest fire.”

A rueful smile touches my lips but refuses to confirm or deny the veracity of his second statement. He chuckles.

“And for another thing?” I ask instead.

“Because you want to see where this goes,” he says. “More than that, you want to pick this up where we’re leaving off… when you’re ready, of course.”

“And are you willing to wait?”

“I am,” I say. “I’m in no rush.”

Smiling, I lean my head on his shoulder and nuzzle up next to him. Ezra puts his arm around me and pulls me to him, making my smile grow even wider, and enjoy the rest of the ride home.

8

“Seven nights in a row,” Ashton says. “I don’t even see my roommate this much.”

“And yet, you haven’t said no when I’ve called to ask you out.”

“You’ve just caught me in an agreeable mood,” she says.

“For a week straight?”

“Yes. For a week straight,” she says with an adorable giggle.

We’re sitting at a table in a Japanese restaurant I’m fond of. After learning that Ashton enjoys sushi and tempura, picking the place was a no-brainer. It’s a mid-level restaurant you’ll never see Hollywood’s A-listers in—which is a selling point in my opinion—but it has terrific food. It’s a family-run joint and has been for a generation. At least. The wait staff is always friendly, and helpful, and the place has a cozy, almost homey appeal to it.

Over the past week, I’ve taken her on a tour of some of the finest restaurants in LA. She’s been surprised that some of the places I’ve taken her to aren’t the fancier, black-tie, rich people restaurants. Unlike some people, I judge a place by the quality of the food, not the prices they charge. More expensive doesn’t equal better. I think it's surprised her that we've gone to some real hole-in-the-wall kind of restaurants. But some of these spots make the absolute best food in the entire city.

I shrug. “Is seeing me this often a bad thing?”

Her face turns red and that shy smile I’ve grown to adore flickers across her lips. “No. Not at all. Surprising, but not a bad thing.”

I think I know what it’s like to be a crack fiend now. Ever since our first date, I haven’t been able to get enough of Ashton. I’ve seen her every day since then and feel like I still can’t get enough. She’s intoxicating to be around. And when I’m not with her, I can’t stop thinking about her. No woman has ever had this sort of effect on me before and though it’s disconcerting, I find that I don’t entirely hate it either.

She’s just so different than anybody I’ve ever been out with. Most of the women I’ve dated have been with me not for who I am but for what I can do for them. My family name, my money, and my influence are a heady mix for some. That’s all some women see. That’s all some women want. I figured that out a long time ago and it’s one of the things that put me off dating altogether. I’m more than my last name and my bank account.

And that’s exactly why, I think, I’ve taken to Ashton as quickly as I have. She’s not like anybody else I’ve been with. She’s not impressed by my wealth or status. If anything, she seems repulsed by my money and relative fame. She has no use for either. Add to that, the fact that she’s not intimidated by me and doesn’t simply acquiesce to my every request just because she’s afraid of me. I love that she isn’t afraid to speak her mind and isn’t constrained by some sense of intimidation. By some fear of upsetting me. Ashton just blurts out whatever she’s thinking, regardless of whether it’s impolite or not. And I like that.

“Why is it surprising?” I ask. “I’m sure you’ve got lots of guys into you.”

She shrugs. "I don't date much."

“Then I’m honored that you agree to go out with me.”

“What about you, Mr. Most Eligible Bachelor in Los Angeles? I’m sure you have women lining up to throw their panties at you.”

“That’s not really my scene,” I tell her. “I honestly don’t date much either.”

“You?”

“Me.”

“I’ve seen pictures of you at various events. You’ve always got some gorgeous woman on your arm,” she says, her tone skeptical.

“Most of them are models I hire for the night. A few have been dates—dates that never led to anything long-term.”

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