Page 8 of Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire

She smiled. “You’re a funny man. Some people would say you have it all, and would trade places in a heartbeat, but I see someone who is just like everyone else, with problems and fears and hurts.”

He blotted his mouth with a napkin. “I didn’t think I was so transparent. I’m not sure I want you to see so far inside me so soon.”

Jessica swallowed her food and took a drink from her margarita. “You’re not transparent. I like to see below the surface, and the man I’m seeing there is much more interesting than the man the world sees.”

Hearing her words made him lean back into the booth. “How can you know that? I don’t usually let anyone see below the surface, so to speak. Even now.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” She looked around them and waved a hand above her head in a circle. “You brought me to your favorite restaurant to see if I’d turn my nose up. You didn’t know Mexican food is my favorite, but you were pleased you’d made an excellent decision,andmy reaction surprised you.”

He rested against the back of the booth and placed an arm along the top. “That’s true. I was, I am. You’re not at all what I expected. That’s the reason I asked you to the gala tomorrow.”

“And you’re not what I expected oftheRoark Sullivan, which is why I agreed to go with you.” She took another bite of her burrito. “Oh, my God, this is so good.”

Roark liked seeing a woman enjoy her food. He was tired of the stick-thin models he’d been dating—and even engaged to. They ordered lobster, ate two bites, andsimply couldn’t eat another bitebut took the leftovers home, supposedly for the dog. Meredith hadn’t even owned a dog.

What was the matter with him? Why had he even considered those women? He didn’t like them and certainly didn’t love them.

His great aunt and his mother badgered him about leaving an heir, so he was intent on marrying to have a child. But most of the women he’d chosen hadn’t wanted a child. They didn’t want to ruin their figures with pregnancy. “How do you feel about kids?”

She lifted her brows and leaned forward. “You get right to it, don’t you?” Moving back, she picked up her fork and cut a bite of burrito. “That’s all right. Usually, if I remember correctly, that’s a fourth or fifth date question, but it doesn’t matter. I’m in favor of children. I want four.” She put the burrito in her mouth.

He widened his eyes and, interest piqued, he listened. “Four! Why four? I had thought about two.”

She shrugged and swallowed. “Well, I’m an only child and didn’t like it. I always wished I had siblings.”

Roark leaned forward and put his forearms on either side of his plate.I’m being too forward. I’m assuming we will be a couple. I shouldn’t assume anything, not with Jessica. She’s too important. “I have two brothers and we were always fighting as kids. Are you sure you want to deal with that?”

She nodded. “And what about now? How do you get along?”

“We’re best friends.”

Another server, a young woman with her long, black hair tied back in a low ponytail, came by the table. “Are you folks finished?”

“Yes, thank you,” said Roark.

“Yes. Tell the chef it was the best food I’ve had in a very long time,” said Jessica.

“I’ll do that. She will be pleased.” She picked up the empty dishes and left.

“Now, how about you?” Jessica leaned forward again and crossed her arms in front of her on the table. “Just two kids? I still vote for lots of kids.”

He shook his head and laughed. “Look at us. Talking like we’re getting married tomorrow. How about we leave this conversation for another date? Maybe the fourth or fifth?”

She took a sip of her margarita. “You’ve got a deal…if we have a fourth or fifth date.”

He narrowed his eyes a little and then opened them again. “Oh, we will, I guarantee it.” He smiled and winked.

She held firm. “We’ll see if we can get through the gala and then go from there.”

“Very well. Shall we go? I could stay and talk to you all night, but I think they need the table.”

“Of course.” She slid from the booth.

He was out before her and held his hand out to her.

She stood, looked down at his hand, and took it.

He was afraid she wouldn’t, but was glad she proved him wrong.