Page 34 of Big Deal Sweetheart

“It was wonderful. Your parents are so awesome. Did you know your mother was once a ballerina and almost went to Julliard?”

Nova had heard the story many times but didn’t mind hearing it again. It was how her parents had met, with her mom coming to New York to tour the big city only to run into the enigmatic billionaire who was now her husband. Love at first sight, she and he both claimed, had them both throwing caution to the wind.

“Did they really elope to Vegas and marry?” Delilah asked.

Nova looked over at her parents who were sitting closely with grins on their faces. “Yes, and before you ask, I wouldn’t suggest you following in their footsteps. I promise you; your father would probably have a fit, unlike my Nana who forgave them pretty easily.”

“Oh, I’d have more than a fit. I have friends in low places. Really low places who know how to get rid of the body without a trace,” Keifer said with a wink.

A little while later, she was left sitting with only her and Keifer. “I should probably go home.”

Keifer stood up, sliding an arm under legs and one behind her back. “Hmm, you are getting sleepy. Sssh, I’ll take care of you. Tomorrow we’ll talk about where we go from here. I want to go to sleep with you next to me and wake up with you next to me.”

She melted into him, his words giving her hope and joy.

The next morning, she woke a little disoriented with the feel of a hard male presence behind her. In the dark room, she lay there soaking in the scent and comfort of Keifer.

“I can hear you thinking,” he rumbled behind her.

Nova laughed, sleepily. “Sorry, I’ll think quieter.”

He shifted until he was leaning over her. “I like waking with you next to me. Tell me how you’re feeling?”

She moved so that she was on her back, the slight movement sent her stomach dipping. “Oh no,” she whispered.

Keifer narrowed his eyes, a slight alarmed expression hitting me. “No?”

Nova didn’t have time to explain, her nausea making it impossible to do anything but jump up and over him. She was glad she’d insisted on one of his shirts to sleep in, or she’d have been buck-assed naked while throwing up everything in her stomach, which wasn’t much. God, she really hated throwing up, but she hated dry heaving even more.

“Nova, are you alright?” Keifer asked, worry lacing his voice.

She raised her hand, waving him away. Much to her dismay, he didn’t leave.

“I’ll be out in a minute or ten,” she moaned.

The sound of water running filtered through her foggy mind as she flushed the toilet several times.

“Here.”

A cold washcloth appeared front of her face she accepted it without looking at the man handing it to her. “Thank you,” she mumbled, wishing he’d leave her be.

“Are you done?”

“Keifer, please.” She just needed a few minutes to get herself together. Heck, if he was smart, he’d run to the far end of his condo, and she could sneak out to her own without him noticing.

She slowly began to ease backward as her stomach no longer rolled. Strong arms lifted her, carried her away from the porcelain goddess, and stopped by the massive double sink. “Here, want to brush your teeth?”

“Yes,” she said. Even if it was someone else’s toothbrush.

He sat her on the counter, then handed her what was clearly a brand-new pink brush with a small dab of mint toothpaste. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

Keifer stopped with his own toothbrush in his mouth. “We’ll talk in bed.”

Her energy was sapped, or she’d have argued, maybe. Going back to the big bed and letting him take care of her felt like the best idea she’d heard all day. Of course, the day had just begun, and she’d already thrown up in front of Keifer so really, it couldn’t get much worse.

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