Page 106 of The Forbidden Billionaire
“Wow, you must be an amazing reader!”
“I’ve read all the books in the series,” she announces proudly.
“Millie loves reading,” Vix says. “And anyone who loves books.” She gives a wistful smile.
I push up to my feet as Aurelia comes back over with a book tucked under her arm. “Did you find something?”
Aurelia turns it around to show Millie and Vix. “Fairy tales for grown ups,” she says with a laugh. It’s another dragon romantasy.
“Oh, I ordered that,” Vix announces as she rings it up on the register. “We have a book club here in town, and romance is our favorite genre.”
“Can I read it, Mummy?” Millie asks.
“No…” Vix and Aurelia both say with feeling, and they both laugh.
“Like that, is it?” I say, amused.
“Let’s just say it’s not suitable for young eyes,” Vix states.
“Lots of kissing,” Aurelia says to Millie with a wink. She giggles, and I grin.
She pays for the book. “Fancy a coffee in the café?”
“Definitely. Those cinnamon scrolls smell amazing.”
We say goodbye to Vix and Millie, head into The Lantern Café, and order ourselves a scroll and a latte each. We sit by the window, looking out over the busy street. In the distance, the ocean glitters a bright blue in the sunshine.
I look back at Aurelia, thinking about last night, and how she comforted me with both her body and her words. I’m more than a little in love with her. In fact, now I understand what the phrase ‘head over heels in love’ means. I’m crazy about her.
I’ve never been one to think much about the future, but for the first time maybe in my life, I wonder what it holds for me. If it works out between us, we could end up owning a home. Having a family. Growing old together. I’ve not really considered it before, and I’m surprised how it makes me feel. That’s not to say she wants the same though, I caution myself. I mustn’t get carried away.
The waiter brings over our coffees and scrolls, and we bite into the soft dough covered with icing, sighing at the sweet taste. I sip my coffee, watching Aurelia, and she smiles and says, “What are you thinking about?”
“I was wondering whether you want children?” She’s only twenty-six, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she said ‘not yet’ or ‘maybe in a few years.’
“I don’t want to frighten you off,” she teases, although her eyes are cautious.
I grin. “I want six kids, so it won’t scare me.”
“Six?” She laughs, but I can see the answer has delighted her. “I’d love children,” she admits. “Maybe not six… although I’m open to discussion!”
“Why did you think it would scare me?”
“Dom was anti-kids. He made that very clear from the beginning.” It’s obvious that he didn’t take her wishes into consideration. She reaches out squeezes my fingers. “You really want them?”
“Definitely. Having a little girl like Millie or a boy to take fishing would be great.” I hesitate then. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“It’s a bit of an awkward subject, but obviously, your family is extremely wealthy, and I’m… not. I mean, I do okay, and I don’t have any debt, but… do you think your father would be against us dating?” I’m aware that Dominic works in finance, and no accountant I know is poor.
“We weren’t always wealthy,” she says quietly. “And my father isn’t a snob. All he wants for me is someone who’s kind and considerate. So no, I don’t think he’d be against us dating.”
“What about Marcus?”
She blows a raspberry. “It’s none of his business.”
“Well, I’m a little concerned about telling him I’m dating his sister, especially when he’s the one who hired me as your CPO.”
