Page 48 of The Billionaire's Heart

Ian comes over and sits on the bed next to me and I’m suddenly very well aware that not only do I not have a bra on, but I’m wearing his T-shirt stolen from his room last night and nothing else. I try to use what little give I have in the covers to cover up, but it’s no use now that he’s sitting next to me.

“How are you feeling this morning?” he asks hesitantly.

“Honestly?”

“Always. Please.” He looks concerned.

“Embarrassed. Tired. Puffy.” I tap the bags under my eyes. Yep, swollen. “Exposed.” I try to pull the shirt down past my knees, but it won’t stretch that far.

Ian stands up and grabs one of the many blankets I had just wrestled out from under, and he places it over my lap. “Better?”

I nod, “Yes. Thank you.”

“Please don’t feel embarrassed, Mia. The last few days have got to be overwhelming for you and then I laid my heart at your feet and you’re not…we’renot ready for any of that. It’s my fault and I’m sorry. I never want to be the reason for your tears.”

“It has been a lot. I thought I could handle it all, but I guess I’m not as strong as I think I am.”

“Oh, you’re stronger than you think, Mia. I’m in awe of your strength.” He stands up. “Now, I’m going to go make my coffee over there while you go get changed. I’d like to talk to you when you’re done, if you’re okay with that.”

Really? He thinks I’m strong?

“There are a few outfits in the bathroom from the personal shopper. I left them in the bags for you. How do you take your coffee?”

I stand up and make my way to the bathroom. “Sweet.”

“Sweet it is.” He smiles at me as I disappear into the bathroom.

After a quick shower, I grabbed underwear and a sundress and got dressed. I had applied a bit of makeup to cover up the last of the puffy eye look. ‘Okay, you can do this, girl. Just go out there and show no fear. If he decides to kick you to the curb and renege on our deal, then so be it. You’re strong. Just like he told you.’ I psych myself up as I turn the doorknob from the bathroom and back into the bedroom.

Ian’s got the French doors opened, and he’s sitting at the table staring out over the ocean when he hears me approachand turns to look at me. He stands and kisses me on the cheek. “Good morning, beautiful.” He motions to the other chair, and I find my coffee and a chocolate chip muffin waiting for me. “Complements of Paula. She said your eyes lit up when she mentioned chocolate chip muffins yesterday.”

I smile as I sit down. “I didn’t realize I had, but they are my favorite type of muffin.”

“Mine, too. She’s an amazing baker, but don’t tell her I said that, or she’ll want a bigger raise.” He jokes as he takes another sip of his coffee.

I break off the top of the muffin and pop a part of it in my mouth and realize Ian isnotwrong. Paula is a great baker. I stir my coffee and take a small sip. Most people hate sweet coffee, so I’m sure I’m going to have to doctor it up some more, but to my surprise, Ian made it perfect. “Delicious.”

He only smiles at me and then looks back out at the ocean.

We sit in silence, only listening to the ocean waves and the lawn mowers below for a while before I can’t take it anymore and I break down and ask my burning question. “So, is our deal canceled?”

Ian’s head turns to me as if I slapped him. “You want to cancel our deal? Why?”

“No, I don’t want to, but I just thought after last night… you know.” I shrug my shoulders.

“No, I don’t know. And no, I don’t want to cancel our deal, Mia. Not unless you do.”

The worry in his eyes has me confused. Last night, I kicked him out of my room after he told me how he felt. Granted, it was just words from alcohol, but still.

“Do you, Mia? Do you want to cancel our deal?” he asks, since I seem to be lost in my head.

“No.”

“No?”

“No.”

The relief on his face is immediate. “Good.” He pauses and then completely turns towards me. “Can we talk about last night?”

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