Daddy’s Billionaire Chef

My eyes ran over her figure, forcing me to swallow hard. “It’s a casual place, so whatever makes you comfortable. Shall I pick you up here at six?”

“Sure.”

After glancing to make sure Connor wasn’t anywhere within view, I leaned closer. Placing my hand on her waist in a half hug, I whispered in her ear, “You mentioned being nervous on dates, Julia. I don’t want you to ever be nervous with me. Okay?”

Turning my head, I skimmed my lips across her cheekbone, and forced myself to back up before I actually kissed her.

“Casual. Not nervous. Okay,” she muttered, clearly flustered.

“See you Tuesday at six, gorgeous.”

As I drove away, she stood watching on the front step, giving me a little wave.

That, more than anything else, told me that she was interested. After several years of doing nothing but work, planning, traveling for work, and planning to travel for work, I’d been thinking of taking a bit of a break.

Getting to know Julia would be absolutely perfect to reset myself and my priorities as I tried to find more balance in my life.

Chapter 3

_____

Julia

“Okay, tell me what you mean by an almost kiss,” Olive said patiently. “Did his lips touch you?”

I sighed, sprawled across the bed, phone in hand. “He whispered in my ear, then his mouth sort of grazed my cheekbone. I completely thought he was going to kiss me, then he didn’t.”

“And now you can’t think of anything else?” Olive laughed.

“Exactly.”

My best friend laughed so loud I had to hold the phone away for a second. “What a tease. This Matt guy is clever.”

“Yeah, well I’m still not sure if this is an actual date, or if he’s just being sweet.”

“Julia,” she began, and I could almost hear her eyes rolling, “He wouldn’t be taking you out if he didn’t really like you.”

“You don’t think there’s any chance he’s just interested in a woman’s opinion of the food?”

“No. He’d take a coworker for that. He likes you. Just relax and see what happens.”

Every time I closed my eyes, I dreamed of what might happen. Matt’s arms around me, his lips on mine, that low, commanding voice, telling me to…

“But is it a date if it’s on a Tuesday?” I asked.

“Wow,” Olive snickered. “I’ve never heard you sound this nervous. You seriously like him.”

Just picturing Matt’s face made my heart speed up. “Yeah. I really do.”

“Then you’re going to have to stay as calm as possible, and just enjoy the night. Try to forget he’s a celebrity.” She paused. “Wear something flirty.”

Laughing, I stood up and shook out my skirt. “I’m wearing the blue and gray swirl dress you said was perfect for a romantic date.”

“Good. Then you’ll be fine. I can’t wait to hear all about it!”

As soon as we hung up, I fixed my hair again, then went downstairs. I wasn’t sure what time Dad would be home, but hoped it was after I was gone. There was no easy way to explain that I was going on a date with his friend who was sixteen years older.

At two minutes to six, I fluffed my hair in the big mirror of the front foyer, as a shadow in the driveway caught my eye. Grabbing my purse, I dashed out to see a gorgeous black town car.