The Daring Billionaire’s Wife

My family will be thrilled to learn of the decision I've come to just after talking to Aileen. She's quite the beauty from a distance. I could see it before I even approached her at the counter.

Who would've thought that coming to Jasmine Junction, one of the smallest and simplest bars in town, would result in something like this?

Looking at her this close after telling her I now know who I'm going to make my wife, she pulls her facial muscles in confusion and her hazel eyes go round. Others would look ridiculous, but in her case, it's the complete opposite. "Uh...why are you telling me this?" she asks, looking away.

"It's important that you're the first to know." I lean back, realizing I've been too close for too long.

"I'm not sure how this is any of my business."

She still doesn't get it and I understand. Eventually, she will.

My family has been on my neck for as long as I can remember in the hopes that I settle down. This is it. I finally found someone who won't drop down to her knees and be willing to do whatever I want just because of who I am. Thinking back to Aileen's reaction when I introduced myself, it still hurts my ego. Not once have I ever felt this way. Meeting someone who knows nothing about my family is quite strange but at the same time, I'm glad it's happened this way.

The quality of the jean jacket and white loose dress she has on, told me what I needed to know about her social status before I even uttered my first word to her and even with that, I just had to talk to her.

I glance at Josh and Stephanie, both of them gesturing to me to return to them, but I'm not yet done with Aileen. In fact, I'm just getting started.

"Do you live far from here?" I ask, wishing I could trace her curves with my eyes. At least I can see her long legs. Her feet could use a pedicure, but that's not the most important thing right now.

"I'm staying at a motel," she says, not sounding too proud of it.

"And where are you from?"

"Oakbrook Village."

It's no surprise to me that she's a small town girl.

"That's quite far from here. Do those from Oakbrook Village not know who I am?" I ask.

She chuckles in disbelief. "Are you still stuck on that?"

It's only after I've said it out loud that I realize how obvious I'm making it that it still bothers me.

"For how long are you in town?" I change the subject.

She huffs, gulping down the whiskey in her glass. "Honestly, I don't know. It feels like I came to New York for nothing."

There she goes again, making it clear to me that there's something deeper going on. I tried to get her to open up before, but it didn't work quite as well. Having been with all types of women, I've come to learn what works and what doesn't when it comes to those who have something personal to share. I guess it just didn't work on her.

She hunches over, tracing her thumb along the edges of her glass with her lips pressed together. Part of me wishes I met her at a time when she wasn't going through whatever this is about. What could be so frustrating that she can't hide it? With that in mind, I don't even bother to ask any further questions.

I signal to the bartender to come over and he hurries, speaking with the utmost respect to me.

"Pour her another drink."

"Of course, Mr Richards."

away, she raises her eyebrows

The bill is on me. Besides, I don't have to pay if

"What do you mean?"

fact that she

"I own this place."

"You really own Jasmine

I'm about to respond, a message notification catches my attention and I take

MUCH LONGER WILL YOU WASTE TIME OVER THERE WITH

always been this way with Stephanie, ever since we were kids. Having grown up with her, I would've thought I'd be used to her impatience by

I say, "I'm still around and so are you. Just in case

"Are you

that which not

"Yeah, what about it?"

"I'll see you around."

turn around, making my way back to my table with Josh almost getting out of

gently slams the palms of her hands on the table. "You're finally back. What were you thinking by going over

to respond as Josh hits my shoulder

you wanted to go

counter, biting my bottom lip

name is Aileen." My lips curve into a

raises

as

she abruptly rises to her feet. "I need to go to the ladies' room. Liam, we came here to

l.ne

success of Project

this was a

time to get laid?"

an upset Stephanie as I say, "While those

sneers, taking a sip from her glass while still standing

going to

on the table, dropping back

did you just

me." I glance at the

you crazy?" He

have I wondered

a lady in this world

finally found her and to be honest, it hurt