Page 8 of The Broke Billionaires Club
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Sittingin her canary yellow car in the parking lot of the hospital, Ellie gave herself a pep talk.In and out…check how he’s doing, give him the cupcake, make a graceful exit…easypeasy.
Something told her it wouldn’t be quite as easy as she hoped, but she silently vowed to have the strength not to fall for him any more than she already had. He was bad news, and she needed to steer clear in order to avoid taking the very real chance that he would break her heart. Would a billionaire break her heart into a BILLION pieces? She didnotintend to findout.
When she entered his room, her heart raced when she discovered his bed empty. Had he already checked out and gone back to his high-profile, wealthy lifestyle? A billionaire surely wouldn’t stay in a lowly, small-town hospital very long, would he? He would probably prefer to have a private nurse––a cuteone.
Not wanting to think about that anymore, or the possibility that he had internal injuries that required him to move to a higher care-level room, she scurried back out to the nurses’ station. Trina was not around, but the attractive woman behind the desk visibly perked up when Ellie mentioned Trey’s name. The dreamy look that crossed the lady’s face when Ellie inquired about Trey’s whereabouts reconfirmed Ellie’s decision to steer clear of theheartthrob.
Walk in…give a polite inquiry about his health…deliver the cupcake…walk back out.Ellie repeated the mantra quietly to herself as she took the elevator to the floor the nurse had indicated Trey had been movedto.
After awkwardly knocking on his door, Ellie tentatively peeked her head into his room. She didn’t want to see anything she shouldn’t and it felt invasive to barge into a virtual stranger’s hospital room. What she discovered inside the room shocked her. She hadn’t realized the hospital even had rooms like this. It was like the penthouse suite of hospitalrooms.
Ellie gulped as she looked around at the big screen TV, the oversized bed, and…was that a balcony?? She tried not to worry about how much all of this was undoubtedly costing. She would have to figure out a way to pay for it. She just wished he wasn’t living the high life in the hospital. Could the man not live like a regular person just for a couple ofdays?
Her eyes paused on the ginormous bouquet of peach roses at his bedside table. There must have been at least fifty blooms carefully arranged, but nearly bursting out of the large crystal vase. The card proudly proclaimed, “Wishing you only the best. XOXO,Selena.”
Ellie was dying to know who Selena was, but knew she didn’t have any right to ask. Instead, swallowing her annoyance, she tried to give him a bright smile. He returned her grin before asking, “Are you mynurse?”
“No, we met when my car…well, I’m the reason…” she stammered as she searched for a way to describe running him over that wouldn’t sound quite that horrible. Did he really not remember? Perhaps he had suffered a braininjury.
It was then that she noticed the ornery gleam in his teddy bear eyes. Picking up one of the numerous pillows on his huge bed, she tossed it lightly at him. “You scared me!” she reprimandedhim.
His eyes twinkled even more when he told her, “I could really use a sponge bath and would be much obliged if you were the one to give it to me.” He moved aside the soft, blue, non-standard hospital issue blanket in silent invitation toher.
She took quick note of his sleek, black, luxurious pajamas. Apparently, billionaire skin is too sensitive to touch the green gowns that comprise regular hospital garb. “I’m sure there are plenty of qualified nurses here who would be happy to clean you,” she finally responded to hissuggestion.
“But I want you to do it.” He waggled his jet-black eyebrows before sticking his lower lip out in a full pout. She rolled her eyes, wondering if he was a bit of a spoiled diva. Like a dog spotting a squirrel, Trey’s eyes darted to the bakery box she was still holding. “Is that for me?” His voice sounded as excited as a child on Christmasmorning.
She couldn’t help but giggle at his enthusiasm as he actually clapped his hands in excitement over the sweet treat. Helping him get some of his many silk-covered pillows arranged behind his back so he could sit up, she followed his gaze to her light pink V-neck tee-shirt, which was revealing some cleavage as she leaned overhim.
Straightening quickly, she fidgeted with her shirt as he continued to stare in the general direction of her breasts. Feeling awkward she crossed her arms over her chest, the cupcake box still clutched in onehand.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed before his dark eyes finally travelled up to meet hers. Clearing his throat, he said, “I’m sorry. I’m worse than a horny teenager.” She wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so she remained quiet. Not seeming to notice how incredibly awkward she felt, he went on, “You’re just sobeautiful.”
She tried her best to see through his façade, but he seemed so sincere. Refusing to fall for his slick talk, she said, “Oh, you’regood.”
“Why, thank you,” he responded cockily before adding, “but I haven’t done anything to you…yet.”
The ‘yet’ had her licking her lips involuntarily. She didn’t want her body to react to him this way. He watched her like she was the only woman he had ever seen. It was embarrassing and thrilling and more exciting than any look she had ever beengiven.
Not wanting to let him get to her, she decided to shut things down quickly. “I know your type,” she informed him before adding, “and I’m not falling for your charm.” She wasn’t willing to become one in a string of many women that he charmed out of her pants before quickly movingon.
“Is that so?” He quirked a brow at her, obviously amused. At her brisk nod, he asked, “And what exactly do you think my typeis?”
“The rich playboy, who is used to getting everything he wants and having everyone fawn all over him,” she retorted, feeling pretty good about herself until she saw him visibly slump in thebed.
“You know who I am,” heguessed.
“I do, and I want no part of it,” she responded. “I know what you powerful guys like, and that lifestyle is not forme.”
“Are you going to fill me in on what it is you think I enjoy?” He seemed bemused by her brashness, but she felt in too deep to stopnow.
“You know, the bossy, I’m-in-charge stuff.” She knew she should quit before she got herself in any deeper, but her mouth wouldn’t cooperate. “You super-wealthy men want to be with obedient women, who will do whatever you say and likeit.”
“Is that right?” He grinned up at her, like she was the most amusing person he had ever encountered. “What else am I looking for in awoman?”
“You probably always want to be dominant. You’re used to controlling everything and having everything go your way in business dealings, so that probably carries over into your romantic life,” sheguessed.
