Page 103 of The Billionaire's Wife

“Good. Thank you.” He swallowed and lowered his head to our clasped hands. “I was so scared.”

“I’m sorry.”

He looked up. “Don’t be. This isn’t on you. Remember that.”

“I didn’t mean—” Anything I would have added was cut off by Tristan’s kiss. Though it was gentle, he was able to convey his worry and relief more clearly than I’d imagined possible. It left me feeling relieved.

And cherished.

But then, Tristan had always made me feel cherished.

Maybe that was why I had such a hard time believing in us. I’d never had someone care for me like that.

“I love you.” I cleared my throat as my eyes filled.

His lips curved. “I love you, too.”

It’s impossible to truly rest in a hospital, so I was glad when, finally, the nurses came the next day to let me know my discharge was in process. Even so, it was another two hours before Tristan was gently loading me into his car and heading us back toward home.

“I think maybe you’re right.”

He glanced over, his eyes dancing. “I like how this is going.”

I slapped his arm lightly, then winced. Maybe I wasn’t quite up to quick movements like that. For all I hadn’t broken anything, I was sore in places I didn’t know I had.

“What am I right about?”

I sighed. “I should drive to the bookstore. And my car is probably not reliable enough. So will you help me buy a new car? But nothing flashy, okay? Just reliable. Maybe electric? Or hybrid? I’m not driving far, so there’s no real need to break the bank on gas.”

“Wes had a Tesla for a while. He liked it. Maybe we should do that.”

“Why’d he get rid of it?” If he liked it, why would he not still have it? It didn’t inspire confidence.

Tristan laughed. “Because Wes changes cars almost as often as he changes socks. He donated it to a struggling single mom—because he also does stuff like that—and then got something else. But I can’t remember what it was that time.”

I tried again to wrap my head around being that free with money. “Billionaires are weird.”

“Hey.” Tristan shot me a mock scowl, then shrugged. “Wes was like that before. At least now he’s not having to worry about lease terms. Anyway, if you like the Tesla idea, there’s a showroom in Arlington. It’s sort of on the way home. Or we can go another time.”

I thought for a moment. “Can we just go home?”

“Of course. There’s no hurry. And if you want to wait and look around at other options, I can drive you to and from work. My work is flexible.”

I glanced at him and smiled as my heart filled with love. “I’d like that.”

I let my eyes drift closed and woke again when Tristan took my hand. “We’re home. Can you make it inside? I could probably carry you.”

“I’m fine. Just tired. And achy. But the car cat nap was exactly what I needed.” To prove it, I pushed open my car door and stepped out. Maybe my muscles complained some, but moving felt more good than bad.

Tristan took my hand when I reached him and we walked slowly to the elevators. He leaned forward and pushed the call button.

“Mr. Lee? Ms. Clarke?”

We turned.

Special Agent Orbison stood by an open car door. He raised his hands. “Could we speak?”

Tristan let go of my hand, shifted until he was partially in front of me, and crossed his arms. “If you have something to say, you should be speaking to our attorney.”

---