Page 38 of Seduced By a Billionaire

Kyle noticing Ella’s furrowed forehead said, “Everything all right?”

“Yes, of course, why do you ask?”

“You looked deep in thought.”

“Finn just showed me up in a race. I’ll have to get back out on the trails.”

“Did he now? That’s my boy.” Finn beamed at his dad’s compliment.

“Listen, I was thinking about getting out of the house for a little while. Since Faye and Finn are here it’s probably a good time to do that.”

“Of course,” Kyle said his expression at odds with his endorsement.

“I won’t be gone long. Two hours at the most.”

“Don’t let my brother bully you. He’s used to getting his way. I’ll stay until you get back. I don’t have anything else to do.”

“Thanks Faye, see you.”

As Ella walked out, she smiled as she heard Finn say demandingly, “Why can’t I have a puppy? Please!” She didn’t hear Kyle’s response. Looks like his child was growing up to be as equally determined as he.Ha!

13

The days turned into weeks. The three settled into a very comfortable routine. They breakfasted together, then while Kyle worked with his physical therapist, Ella dropped Finn off at his private school; she had a couple of hours to herself before returning to pick him up. Kyle was growing stronger every day and the physical therapist was impressed with his progress. Stubbornness had its advantages.

Ella realized she was as attached to Finn as he was to her. Last night he had had another nightmare, his screams waking her out of a sound sleep. She had run to his bedroom and crawled into the bed, holding him tightly against her while his little body quaked with tremors and he wailed, “Mama, mama.”

Kyle had shown up several minutes later and before joining them had stood for a long beat watching Ella rocking Finn in her arms. Sandwiching Finn between them, the three had ridden it out together, letting the healing tears flow, both offering soothing words of comfort until he cried himself back to sleep.

As they lay quietly listening to his steady breath, the air suddenly became charged. Kyle had reached over the sleeping child and tucked Ella’s hair behind her ear, then ran his thumb over her lips. He had continued his exquisite torture by brushing the backs of his fingers over her breasts, nipples visibly erect through the skimpy fabric of the aqua nightie he had bought her. She had felt an almost unbearable longing.

Ella whispered that she was going to sleep there the rest of the night and Kyle nodded. Silently getting off the bed, he leaned down and gently brushed his lips across hers before heading to his own room.

This morning at breakfast there had been an obvious warmth and greater intimacy between them. She knew they had both felt it. Throughout breakfast even with Finn’s steady chatter, she could feel Kyle’s gaze. Each time their eyes met the atmosphere practically crackled.

Kyle had decided that he felt strong enough to ease back into working a few hours a day from home. Ella had tried talking him out of it, but she knew it would sort itself out. He would find out what his body was up for. Pete Sullivan, his college friend and business partner, was coming over this afternoon to bring him up to date on their current caseload and give him the lowdown on what he had missed.

Having volunteered to take Finn for the afternoon she dressed for their outing while Richard helped Finn get ready. She slung her bag over one shoulder and went in search of them. She found Finn in Kyle’s office petting Daisy, who now had the run of the house. He loved animals and was borderline obsessing about a dog. His grandpa had sure put gasoline to that fire. Personally, Ella thought it was a great idea, but so far had kept that opinion to herself.

“Ready Freddy?”

“Yep. Bye Daisy.” He dashed to the door only to remember he had forgotten something and raced back to his father. Giving him a hug, he said, “Bye Dad.”

Kyle’s eyes crinkled as he laughed and said, “So now I’m just an afterthought. I get it.”

He was so dang beautiful when he smiled that Ella’s breath caught in her throat. His color was returning, and he no longer wore that pained expression. It was miraculous just how far he’d come.

“I’m just the flavor of the day because I’m getting him out,” Ella said reassuringly.

He winked and said, “I don’t blame him a damned bit. Have fun and thanks for getting him out of my hair for a few hours. You’re sure you don’t want to use my driver?”

“No! I want to ride in Ella’s jeep. She’s going to take the top off.”

“I’m good. We’ll take the jeep. Finn and I could use the open air. Thanks though.”

He looked as if he wanted to say more but changed his mind, “Hurry back, Ella.” His eyes conveyed a depth of meaning to that simple statement.

Tamping down the butterflies in her stomach, she said, “Yes, we’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

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