Page 42 of Never Fake Date the Financier
“Not really.”
I glance at the cot and frown. “Where’s your blanket? And pillow?”
“I’ve got a towel. It’s fine.”
“No. It’s not.” I can’t even imagine a man of this size curling up beneath a towel. “Are you using a rolled-up newspaper for—no.” I shake my head.“No.You’re sleeping in the bed, and that’s final.”
His eyes darken. A shiver races down my spine. Tingles and heat spread across my body. “Ella.”
“I don’t want to hear it. Besides, the bed is huge. It’s a day’s journey from one side to the other.”
He takes a step forward, repeating my name in that gruff voice. I remember the photo. The way he was stroking it as I watched.
“I’ll call off this fake relationship if you don’t.”
And for the first time, I see a pained expression on his face. It was meant as a joke. Thankfully, it lasts for only a short time.
“We couldn’t have that.”
I shake my head.
“Fine,” he says, dragging it out. “I’ll sleep with you, Ella.”
“Next to me,” I correct, although the flutter in my stomach would like the former much more than the latter.
“I hope you don’t mind…” He gestures at his still very attractive musculature. “But I tend to run hot. I’m usually in nothing but underwear, but I figured I’d cover up a little.”
No need for that. Just take it all—whew.“Not at all.”
He takes another step, and now I’mreallyfeeling the heat. “If you’re comfortable with it.”
“I’m fine.”
His jaw ticks. “Okay.”
One last semi-surreptitious glance at his abs, and I’m off, acutely aware of Adrian following closely behind me. I slip under the covers, and he does the same, maintaining a respectable distance. A little too respectable, but I can’t complain. I shouldn’t either. I’m sending this man so many mixed signals, I’m surprised he’s still able to function around me.
“Goodnight, Ella,” Adrian rasps.
The hairs on my neck stand. My body feels electrified.
“Goodnight, Adrian,” I mutter as I lie rigid on my side of the bed, hyper aware of his presence. I feel every single movement, no matter how small. I can hear each breath. But as the minutes tick by, the tension in my body begins to ease. There’s something oddly comforting about having him here, like his very presence makes me feel safe and protected. My eyelids grow heavy, and the last thing I remember before drifting off is the steady sound of his breathing beside me.
12
ADRIAN
I wake up slowly,which is unusual for me. I can’t remember the last time I was up after the sun, but apparently, I slept hard.Extremelyhard. My muscles are so relaxed that it feels like they’re still asleep, sinking into the bed and refusing to move.
If I were at home, I’d have already eaten, worked out, and had a meeting or two. Emails checked and sent. To-do list and schedule finalized. But this is different. I’m rested, comfortable, and content in a way I haven’t felt in years.
When my muscles finally accept my orders, I reach for Ella, but all I feel are cold sheets. My eyes snap open. She’s gone.
I jolt up, throwing off the covers as I scan the room. The bathroom door’s open. The suite is completely silent, but my thoughts are rampaging.
Did I do something in my sleep? Say something? My mind spins with worst-case scenarios. Maybe she left. Had second thoughts. Maybe…
I need to calm down. From my experience, the worst-case scenario rarely happens, and there’s no reason for me to spin myself out of control over something that will fix itself in a few minutes.
