Page 133 of The Protégé

Things were happening too fast. I felt like I was missing something important.

“Maybe we could start over when you recover.” I didn’t know if that was possible, but I was trying my best to sound positive. Mom used to say kindness cost you nothing.

When Elena returned, I flew a small plane to Quintile Island.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

ELENA

It wasfive in the morning, and I couldn’t sleep. I turned to my side, staring at Orion. Stress had creased between his brows, and I used my finger to soften it.

Stress radiated from Orion, and I wanted to erase it from him. Last night, I got to experience the most wonderful shower with him. The high-tech showerheads and wall sprays with their own heat and pressure adjustments were heavenly.

I’d never made love in a shower that high-tech or that spacious. Orion said he could replicate the shower in his suite or in the house he’d just bought in Providence. It was currently undergoing renovations. I’d leaped with joy to hear about the purchase because it meant he wanted to stay longer in Providence.

We loved each other, but I also knew his empire demanded him to be in different parts of the world at various times. I’d wondered if he ever wanted to move back to Sweden or to any of the other homes he had around the world. I couldn’t live like that, ping-ponging all over the place.

Though he told me he had an estranged relationship with his father, I saw the love underneath layers of anger and resentment. Sometimes it took a catastrophe like this to make everyone realize what was important.

I stared at him, brushing away a few strands of hair that had fallen over his forehead. This beautiful, brilliant, and complex man was mine.

Danger lurked around him, but I wanted to protect him just as much as he wanted to protect me.

He shifted and a new crease formed on his forehead, making him look stressed. What was he dreaming about?

Kate.

Kate.

Kate.

My heart cracked. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me to hear him calling out his ex-fiancée’s name again. How many more times could I stand this? Would I appear selfish if I told him about it?

But I had to tell him. It bothered me. What was the dream about? Did he miss her?

People said dreams were often the result of the person thinking too much about someone or something. Was this the case?

Then his features softened, and his breathing leveled.

He was probably just stressed. I didn’t want to think about anything that would make me unhappy, so I got out of bed, brushed up, and walked out to the front porch that gave me a view of the bright blue sea.

My mood immediately changed. How could anyone feel bad staring at something as beautiful as this?This was like a secret cocoon where Orion and I could enjoy our time together, despite what else happened in the world.

Closing my eyes, I inhaled the fresh clean air of the sea and understood how nature could truly heal the body, heart, and soul. Just being here made me feel more relaxed. The temperature was cooler in Sweden, but a long-sleeve knit top with cotton pants suited me fine.

Two arms slipped around my waist and his lips nibbled the crook of my shoulder. “Good morning, Sunshine.”

“Morning.” I lifted my face for a kiss. He looked handsome and perfectly disheveled. “How did you sleep?”

“I had a nightmare.”

Intrigued, I turned around. “What was it about?”

“I think the stress from the past few months took its toll last night. I dreamed of Kate.” He paused and gray eyes bore into mine. “In the dream she just smiled at me, then waved and walked off. I wanted to call her back. To say that I was sorry that I wasn’t able to help her. But she didn’t turn around. She kept going and eventually faded away.”

He called after her because he wanted to say he was sorry. And here I was, being a jealous girlfriend. I felt so ashamed.

“You called her name when you were asleep.”

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