The Billionaire and the Bartender (The Billionaires 2)

et you. You’ll have to come to dinner one night.” She said. “Would be nice to have some female company for a change.”

“Sounds great,” Amelia said. “I’ll let Aidan make the arrangements.”

Whoa. We hadn’t even discussed this whole girlfriend thing and now we were going for a meal with another couple. I needed a chance for my mind to catch up here.

“Well, we’d better get back.” I said, and we headed back to the car where my driver waited.

“Right, give the driver your address.” I told Lori. She hesitated. “There a problem?” I asked.

“I had trouble with an ex, I kinda don’t like giving my address out. It’s my safe place.”

“Take us to Kave, on Knickerbocker Avenue.” I told the driver.

“It’s closed.” Lori said.

“I know, but you said it was close to where you live, so I will have us dropped off there and then I’m going to walk you home. That will be right to the door so don’t protest, and then I’ll walk back to Kave and my driver can take me home. That sound okay?”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“And while we’re walking, you can fill me in about what happened just before we left.”

She nodded. She knew exactly what I was talking about, but also seemed to realize that I wanted to talk of it out of earshot of the driver.

We departed the car and started walking. Lori said her apartment was around six minutes walk away. It was a pleasant enough temperature out and after being in the club for hours I was actually pleased to get a bit of fresh air.

“I’m sorry about the whole girlfriend thing. I should have run it by you as an idea before I waded in.”

“So, why didn’t you?” I asked. “Not that I’m objecting, but you kinda took me by surprise.”

“I was leaving, and I heard your friends giving you grief and some kind of instinct just kicked in. I must have been protecting my bbbf. Before I knew it, the words were out of my mouth.”

“Well, you know we will have to fake date now don’t you? You already scored us a double date with Amelia and H. I’ll need to learn everything about you. My friends are astute businessmen. They aren’t dumb. They’ll work it out.”

“Well, getting together as friends and fake dating can’t be that different.”

“Oh it is. It’s going to be a little like your movie acting now, because you will have to pretend to lust after me, and you’re gonna have to kiss me and make out with me in front of my friends.” God, this was bad. The thought was making me hard. She was into women. I tried to drill it into my brain. My mind wandered. It imagined Lori and another woman. Thanks brain, you’re not helping in the slightest. I then realized I was jealous of the male actors. She might fake it with them, but they got to bury their cock deep inside her warmth. I wanted to do the same. Even if I got nothing back in return. I was a lost cause. An idiot.

“Well, you’ll see first hand how good an actress I am,” she said. “So where will you be taking me on our first date?”

“I think we’ll go back to the restaurant where I had my date from hell with your friend, if that’s okay with you. I’d quite like to try to order the steak and actually get to eat it. As a fake date if you ask me to swap for your salad the answer will be a resounding no.”

“Meanie.” She giggled. “Well, I’m free tomorrow night if you are? Though second night of business, I guess you’ll still be needed around the club?”

“I can go in later. I’ll come pick you up at eight-thirty.” She looked at me. “I’ll drive. I can do without alcohol. No need to worry about your secret location being given up. So what’s all this about an ex anyway, that makes it that you have to be so secretive about where you live?”

“It’s a long story for another time, but basically I had an abusive ex. A lot of shit went down and I don’t want them ever to discover where I live. I’m settled now and haven’t had to look over my shoulder for a long time. That’s how I need it to stay.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” I told her. “If you ever want them taking care of, let me know. I know they say not to hit women but I could have some warnings whispered in her ear.”

“Oh my God. Calm down Mr. Testosterone.” Lori shook her head. “I don’t need anyone going into battle for me. I can take care of myself.”

“When this fake dating shit is over, we will have to get you set up with a beautiful girlfriend.” I told her. “You deserve to be happy.”

“As do you.” She said. “You best hope we don’t start competing for the same one.”

We reached the steps of an apartment block and Lori stopped and turned to me. “I’m number six.” She pointed and I could see the number outside the entrance. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.” She reached over and kissed my cheek.

I grabbed her chin, tilted her face towards me and kissed her directly on the mouth. “Just in case anyone’s watching.” I whispered.