Page 5 of Kinks of a Billionaire

As she closed the distance between us, I shot to my feet and slid my hand around her waist.

“Did you dress like this for me?”

She looked into my eyes, her cheeks flushing red. “Who else?”

I held back a laugh. We both knew she didn’t. Willow had come straight from the set of her latest movie, and she always dressed to the nines when working.

“How was work today?” I gently grabbed her wrist and guided her into the chair across from me, then retook my seat. She waved her hand as if she were chasing the topic away and instead snatched the paper that lay in front of me.

“Stop reading that garbage, Royce,” she scolded, folding it and dropping it onto the adjacent table. Willow was my sounding board, and things between us had blossomed into a true friendship. Sometimes I wondered what would have happened if I hadn’t stopped our kiss that night ten years ago, but then I reminded myself that I’d done the right thing. She was too young; I was too wild. She didn’t need to get pulled into my fucked-up shit.

“It’s not all bad.”

She scoffed. “Such as?”

“For starters, what movies you’re producing and what you’ve been up to.”

She scoffed. “More than likely, they don’t know. I don’t read that crap, and neither should you.”

“You know, you grew up,” I remarked. “People’s opinions used to worry you.”

She shrugged. “I did grow up,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You should too. Besides, you know they’re full of shit.”

“For the record, I haven’t had sex with anyone in six months.”

“Riiiight,” she said, looking unconvinced.

“And I get tested frequently, thank you very much.AndI always use protection.”

“I didn’t really need to know that.”

“In fact, I got my test results yesterday, and I’m clean as a whistle. I’m telling you the truth, Willow.”

She laughed softly. “Royce, you’re the most dependable man I know. You might be reckless, but you do it responsibly.” She smirked. “Ignore those idiots. They’re just jealous.”

The door to the restaurant opened again, and I let out a frustrated breath. “This waitress will probably take forever to bring us drinks. I’m shuddering to think how long dinner will take.”

Willow’s eyebrow arched. “Is she an ex-girlfriend?”

“Redheads are not my type.” I gave her a pointed look. “Pretty brunettes are more my thing.”

She scoffed. “Then why are you always papped with blondes?”

“Because brunette status is reserved only for my best friend,” I said.

She tapped her chin, batting her eyes at me innocently, but a mischievous smile played around her lips. “Why does it feel like this is leading to you asking for a favor?”

“You know me well.”

Her cheeks reddened. “So what is it, Mr. Ashford?”

I smiled at her. “An ex from years ago appeared,” I started. “She’s mistaken my single status for an invitation.”

Willow let out that melodious laugh I loved so much. “Okay, use me as your defense.”

I grinned. “I love you.”

“Yeah, yeah.” A small smile played around her lips as she tapped her fingers nervously against the table. Almost as if she wanted to say something but was holding back.