Page 28 of The Billionaire and the Runaway

“I’m sure. I’ll see you later,” Kristen adds as she turns to me “I’ll see myself out. Take care of our newest resident, OK?”

I chuckle. “Will do.”

The door closes and I turn back to Ariana. “Let’s get you upstairs. I’ll make some soup and bring it up for you.”

Her eyes widen. “I’m sorry. What?”

“You can’t sleep at your place. I have to watch you for symptoms,” I explain as I walk over to her. I remove the ice packs as I lean down and slide my hands under her back and knees, lifting her easily into my arms.

“Eric!” she screeches but quickly wraps her arms around my neck. God, I like that. I shouldn’t like it, but I do. She smells so good and she feels warm against me.

“No protesting. I have like five guest rooms upstairs,” I explain as I carry her to the one I think she’ll like best.

I kick the door open and she looks around as I use my elbow to turn on a light.

“It’s a nice room,” she states as I place her on the giant four-poster bed.

“It was my sister’s room,” I say as I motion to a small painting with the name Alicia above it that hangs over a desk in the corner.

“Do you miss her?” she asks as I pull covers up over her.

“I do. England is far away,” I state. “I’ll be back up in a minute. I’m going to warm up the soup I made last night.”

“Eric, this really isn’t necessary,” she protests.

“It is. Stop arguing,” I growl.

She rolls her eyes. “Fine,” she pouts.

I grin as I walk back downstairs and microwave a bowl of soup. I bring it back up on a tray and set it on Ariana’s lap. She’s found the television remote and has an old romantic comedy movie playing.

“Aren’t you hungry?” she asks.

I shake my head. “No. I ate a lot at lunch.”

I settle myself in the old, oversized chair in the corner, propping my feet on the ottoman. Ariana finishes her soup and sets the tray to the side while continuing to watch the film. I watch her eyelids grow heavy until she finally falls asleep. I don’t know how long I sit there watching her, wondering what it would be like to be on that bed with her, pressing her little body against mine as we both fall asleep.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Ariana

I look around and see nothing. Every direction I step in, I hit a dead end. I pound on the walls.

“Help!” I scream. “Help!”

I feel myself sobbing in fear. I need out; I need to be free.

I pound against the walls again, screaming for help.

“Ariana! Ariana! Wake up!” Eric’s voice cuts through the darkness of my nightmare.

I wake on a gasp, sitting straight up with Eric’s hands wrapped around my upper arms. A look of panic is on his face as his eyes wildly search mine.

My mind slowly realizes it was a dream. I’m still processing it as Eric wraps his arms around me and pulls me against his chest.

“It’s OK. You’re safe,” he murmurs with his lips pressed against the top of my head.

It takes a long minute or two for my breathing to slow and the tears to stop. I hate that dream. I’ve had it for years. This is the first time I’ve had it since arriving in Storyview Falls. Normally, I wake up in my bed alone. No one ever comforts me. I’m all alone. I bury myself deeper into Eric’s embrace. His arms tighten around me. He doesn’t push me away or speak. He just holds me as if he knows that’s what I need. I need someone to protect me, to comfort me. How have I never realized this before now? I suppose I’ve been too busy pleasing my parents to consider my own needs. I release a long shaky breath.

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