Billionaire Book Boyfriend

Chapter 4

Emily

The First Date

T hursday evening arrives faster than I anticipated, and I find myself standing in front of the mirror, smoothing down the elegant dress I’ve chosen. It’s simple yet stylish—a deep blue wrap that complements my figure without being too over-the-top. I want to look confident, but not like I’m trying too hard.

The drive to Le Jardin feels surreal. As I approach the upscale restaurant, my pulse quickens. I’ve done my research, and Drake King isn’t just some random guy. He’s a successful tech investor and mentor, a man whose name is synonymous with power and control in Atlanta’s finance circles. He has a popular YouTube channel with millions of followers, and he’s fine. Fine might not be a good enough description for him. He’s fine as hell! What have I gotten myself into?

When I arrive, I take a deep breath before walking inside, the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses surrounding me as I step through the restaurant’s entrance. My eyes scan the room until they land on him.

Drake King.

He’s sitting at a corner table, his gaze focused on the entrance like he’s been waiting for me to show up. He’s every bit as striking as I’d imagined—tall, broad-shouldered, with a sharp, clean-cut jawline. His bald head only adds to his smooth, polished look, and he exudes an air of casual dominance that sends a shiver down my spine. As our eyes meet, I get the distinct feeling that I’m walking into something far more intense than I anticipated.

Drake stands as I approach, offering a smile that’s both disarming and confident. Emily,” he greets, his voice smooth. “I’m glad you made it.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady as I take the seat across from him. My heart races. He’s not what I expected. Not at all.

I expected someone more... ordinary. I had pictured Drake as a typical businessman—clean-cut, polished, maybe even a little stiff in his demeanor. The kind of guy who wears tailored suits but lacks the warmth that seeps through the pages of my favorite books. I thought he’d be distant, perhaps even transactional in the way he approached this date.

But as I sit across from him, I realize how wrong I’ve been. Drake has an edge to him. His strong jawline and intense gaze hold more mystery than I anticipated. His dark eyes, filled with curiosity and something else I can’t quite place, are far from the corporate stiffness I had braced myself for. Instead, he carries a quiet confidence, one that makes my pulse quicken and my carefully built walls tremble.

This man isn’t just handsome; he’s magnetic in a way that makes me feel comfortable and exposed.

We exchange pleasantries for the first few minutes, talking about the restaurant and our day-to-day lives, but there’s this underlying vibe I can’t ignore. Drake is cool, calm, and collected, but there’s something in the way he looks at me, like he’s trying to figure me out. It’s almost as if he knows something’s beneath the surface, and honestly, it makes me wonder if he knows about Eva Steele. I’m not ready to reveal I’m an erotic author of some of the most popular books in America, so the way he studies me has me on edge. It’s the kind of tension you feel when one of you has secrets, and you’re not sure how much the other person is catching on.

As we move from appetizers to the main course, I find myself feeling oddly at ease with Drake. The tension between us ebbs and flows into a nice push and pull of charm and wit. His charm isn’t the overbearing kind I feared. He’s attentive, asking me about my interests, listening intently, and making me laugh with his dry humor.

But then he looks at me like he’s trying to piece together a puzzle.

“So,” Drake says, leaning back in his chair with a faint smile, “you’re a fan of romance novels?”

I freeze, my fork hovering over my plate. Is he fishing for information, or is it just an innocent question? I can’t tell.

“I, uh, read them sometimes,” I reply cautiously. “Why do you ask?”

Drake’s eyes glint with amusement. “Well, we found each other through a Book Boyfriend Dating Agency, so that’s the first clue.”

I snap my fingers, forcing a laugh. “Right. Got me there.”

Drake chuckles. “I’ve been reading a surprisingly good one myself recently. Flirty Dirty Secrets. Heard of it?”

I nearly choke on my wine. The moment I knew would come has finally arrived. My heart races, and a mix of panic and disbelief washes over me. Here I am, a world-famous author hiding behind a pen name that no one knows is mine, and now, I’m face-to-face with someone who’s praising my work without even realizing it’s mine. There’s a thrill in it, too. It’s a strange excitement from the fact that I’ve managed to keep my identity a secret, even as my words reach millions.

I set my glass down and force a casual smile. “Yeah, I’ve heard of it. It’s pretty popular, right?”

Drake’s smile deepens. “Yeah, seems like everyone’s reading it. Including me.” He leans back in his chair, arms crossing over his chest. “I’ll admit, I didn’t expect it to be so interesting. I thought it’d be another cliché romance, but it actually pulled me in. The characters felt real, and the plot twists? Though I figured most of them out ahead of time were impressive.” He tilts his head slightly, studying my reaction. “Who knew a book with a title like Flirty Dirty Secrets could stir up so many emotions?”

My heart pounds in my chest, but I have to keep my cool.

His casual mention of the book sends a wave of warmth through me, but I quickly mask my surprise. “I’m glad you found it interesting. It’s always great to hear that a story resonates with someone, especially when it’s not your typical romance.” I force a smile while running my finger around the rim of my glass.

What would he think if he knew I’m the one who crafted those hotter-than-hot scenes and those sexy characters in Flirty Dirty Secrets ? These aren’t your run-of-the-mill romance characters. They’re the type who know exactly how to get what they want, both in and out of bed. I shift in my seat, that thought lingering in the back of my mind, and try to steer the conversation in a safer direction before things get too close for comfort.

“Seems like it’s made quite the impact,” I say, praying my voice doesn’t betray me.

“You could say that,” Drake muses with a bright smile, his fingers drumming lightly against the table as he thoughtfully looks like he’s revisiting the story, traveling back to his favorite moments. “There’s something about the way the story pulls you in. Makes you feel things you didn’t expect to feel.”

I swallow hard. My mind is screaming: He’s talking about my book, and he has no idea I’m the author. The feeling is unreal.

As the conversation continues, Drake leans back in his chair, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. “You know, the character development really caught me off guard. The way the author crafted the tension between the two leads is something else. It felt so real.”

I swallow again, my mind racing. “It’s important for characters to be relatable, so it’s awesome when authors give them flaws and strengths. It keeps readers invested.”

“Definitely. It’s like I knew who they were and could feel their connection, their struggles. It made me reflect on my own life a bit.” He chuckles, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “Who knew a romance novel could get a guy thinking like that?”

I offer a nervous laugh, desperate to steer the conversation away from my book. “As much as guys try not to show it, they are a bundle of complex emotions looking for an outlet. Sometimes we all just need a little escape, right?”

Drake nods, his gaze piercing. “True, but I feel like there’s more to the story than just fantasy. It almost seems like the author is writing from experience or some experiences that she truly desires to have.”

I don’t know why it feels like he’s getting close to cracking a code that will tell him Eva Steele is me and my cover will be blown, but my palms get sweaty, causing me to rub them together. “Either that, or she has one heck of an imagination, based on all the fanfare she’s been getting for the book,” I offer.

Drake nods, a knowing glint in his eyes as he finishes off his glass of wine. “Yeah, I’d say she’s got something special,” he agrees, his voice smooth and steady. Then, he stands up and offers me his hand. “Ready to head out?”

I take it, feeling the warmth of his touch and wishing I could shake off the tightness in my chest. “Yeah, let’s go,” I reply, even though I don’t want the date to end.

We step outside, the cool night air refreshing against my skin. We hand our tickets to the valet to bring our cars around. When Drake’s car arrives, my eyes zone in on a copy of Flirty Dirty Secrets sitting on the back seat.

Drake leans into the car and picks up the book. He steps closer to me, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “This is the book. I had to buy my own copy because I wanted to re-read it this week; the original one I had was my maids’. Would you like to borrow it and see how you like it?”

My sweaty palms return instantly. “Uh, aren’t you re-reading it?”

“Yeah, I had to dive back in. It’s kind of addictive. But I’m willing to part with it for a while. I signed up to notifications on the author’s blog, so I read her updates and that gives me my fix.”

My heart races as I process the irony of the situation. Here I am, standing next to the very man who holds a piece of my heart between his fingers, and he’s following my daily posts on my blog. The reality of it feels both exhilarating and terrifying.

Drake holds the book up between us, the cover catching the light. “You know,” he says, his voice low and teasing, “you should really check this out. The author nailed the perfect mix of erotica and real-life dating issues. "It’s like she was in my head, knowing exactly what I’ve been through and just what makes the blood run hot in my veins."

I swallow hard, feeling my cheeks heat up under his intense gaze. “I’ll definitely have to read it, then. I’m sure there’s a benefit of having hot blood running through your veins.”

Ignoring my veiled attempt at humor, he steps closer, closing the gap between us until I can feel the warmth radiating from him. His voice drops even lower, his eyes locking with mine. “Trust me, it’ll make you think about a lot of things—especially what it means to really connect with someone on a deeper level.”

My breath catches as our eyes lock, and in the deep pools of his dark brown eyes, I see something simmering. Maybe it’s desire, maybe curiosity, or maybe even a challenge. It’s like he’s daring me to let my guard down and give in to whatever is happening between us. The hum of the city, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze all vanishes, leaving just the two of us suspended in this moment.

“What if…” Drake starts, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze flickering down to my lips. “What if you read it, and we discuss it on our next date?”

“I’ll get my own copy of the book,” I reply softly, my pulse quickening as I lean in slightly, caught in the electricity of the moment.

“Take mine,” Drake insists, his breath mingling with mine.

“Okay,” I say, accepting the book. We’re just a breath apart now, and I can feel the tension building, a magnetic pull drawing us closer. I'm acutely aware of the way he studies me, his expression filled with a mix of desire and uncertainty.

Before I can overthink it, Drake closes the distance, our lips almost brushing. The world around us blurs as we teeter on the edge of something new and thrilling. I feel the warmth of his breath. The anticipation of his lips touching mine hangs heavy in the air, promising everything and offering nothing all at once.

Then, just as quickly as it began, he pulls back slightly, his eyes searching mine. “I’ll call you to set up our next date. It’ll be soon,” he murmurs as he places the book in my hand. The tension between us still hums, unresolved and electric.

I nod, my heart racing, both exhilarated and frustrated. “Okay.”

We stand there lingering in the moment, filled with possibilities neither of us is quite ready to face.