Page 45 of Tempting My Billionaire Master

“Once the doctor gets here,” I told her, “I’ll have him contact my private physician, and we’ll organize our transfer to one of my homes.”

“Listen, Ethan. It’s not a good idea right now,” she said firmly, her eyes holding mine with an intensity that made my chest tighten. “Firstly, in this hospital, you’re under the protection of the Pinegrove Police Department who are honest folk. And since you have no personal security right now, you should rely on local police protection. It’s not safe yet.”

Her hand moved to my cheek, her thumb gently brushing against my skin as if trying to soothe the worry she saw there. “Also, when you were unconscious, Gordon found us and agreed to trick his employers into believing you were dead to free his daughter. You need to stay low until tomorrow for the plan to work.”

She was right. I didn’t know what happened while I was unconscious, I didn’t know about local police and the deal with Gordon, but I knew that she was brilliant and that she was right.

I sighed, pulling her close and kissing her forehead. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

The words seemed to catch her off guard, and she jerked back, tears filling her eyes. “No, I’m not amazing, Ethan. I’m the reason you almost got killed.”

“Chloe, I don’t want to argue with you about this,” I told her softly, my heart aching at the pain in her voice. “I put you in danger when I invited you to my home, so let’s consider us even and move past that.”

“Move where?” she asked, her voice breaking. “Do you realize that we have no future together? We were living in a fantasy world in your bunker and I am grateful, but now we’re back to reality.”

She looked down at her hands, twisting together nervously in her lap. “I’m just an average girl with average problems, and you’re… well, you’re you. A superman billionaire who cooks and plays the piano and is incredible in bed. And you need a superwoman actress who knows how to bake and composes her own music.”

Her words sliced through me sharper than any bullet. She thought I only wanted her for the thrill of the chase, a distraction from my “superhuman” life.

I reached for her hand, squeezing it tight. “It doesn’t matter who you are or aren’t. All that matters is how I feel about you. That’s the whole point.”

Her eyes searched mine, tears flickering on their surface. I gave her a slow, tender smile.

“Besides,” I continued, “you shouldn’t sell yourself short. You make a kickass bacon and eggs. What more could a man want?” The corners of her lips twitched upwards, and despite the tears in her eyes, she laughed softly.

“See? You can even make me laugh when laughing is the last thing I want to do.”

“Well, then I hope you don’t feel like kissing me right now, because I’d like to test my ‘superpowers’ on that front too.” I tried to pull Chloe closer but she playfully swatted me on the shoulder, right where it hurt.

I sucked in a sharp breath, the pain momentarily blinding me.

“Oh God, I’m so sorry!” Chloe gasped, her eyes wide with panic. She reached out to touch me again but seemed to think better of it, her hand hovering in the air between us.

I gritted my teeth against the ache, forcing a smile. “Don’t worry about it,” I said. “You pack quite the punch for such a little thing.”

Chloe bit her lip, fresh tears welling in her eyes. “I always ruin everything,” she whispered. “I’m so clumsy and stupid and—”

“Hey now,” I interrupted, grasping her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “None of that. You’re one of the brightest, kindest, most caring people I’ve ever known. A little bump won’t change that.”

Chloe stared at me, seeming torn between believing my words and the harsh voice in her head. I cupped her cheek, brushing away a stray tear with my thumb.

“All that matters is how I feel about you,” I said softly. “And I happen to feel you’re pretty damn special.”

A gentle chuckle escaped Chloe’s lips. “Even when I’m accidentally assaulting you in hospital beds?”

“Especially then,” I said with a grin. “Though next time, try to aim for the other shoulder. I’d like to keep what mobility I have left.”

Chloe laughed, the sound music to my ears. I started to pull her closer, eager to kiss that smile, when the door burst open.

“Mr. Hamilton, how are you feeling?” The doctor strode in, all business, and Chloe jumped back from the bed.

My fingers curled into fists, already missing the warmth of her touch. But I plastered on a polite smile for the doctor. “Much better now that you’re here.”

“I should let you two talk,” Chloe mumbled, casting a long, sad look back at me before disappearing into the hallway.

The doctor placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and assured me, “You should be just fine; the physician back in Pinegrove did an exemplary job removing the bullet. If it was up to me, you would be released in a few days time. However, there is the matter of Pinegrove police department and someone will come over to speak with you shortly.” Before I could reply, the nurse breezed into the room and handed me a folded piece of paper.

“Your friend asked me to give you this,” she said simply. As I unfolded the crinkled sheet, my heart sank. The note read: ‘I am sorry, but I’d rather end things now and save myself the heartbreak later. Thank you for the fairytale. I know that you will find your superwoman soon. Please don’t look for me.’

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