Page 5 of The Broke Billionaires Club
4
Ellie couldn’t keepthe panicked barrage of thoughts at bay. How long would he be in the hospital? This morning’s stay had probably already burned through her meager savings. Would he sue her for damages? Was she going to lose her business overthis?
His demeanor had lulled her into believing he wasn’t planning to press criminal charges against her, but she wasn’t positive about that. Would she end up in jail to pay for her careless mistake? It wasprobably what she deserved for not being cautious enough behind the wheel, but that didn’t mean it was what shewantedto happen. She would look horrendous in an orangejumpsuit.
She knew it was selfish to worry about her own well-being when he was the one who was battered and bruised in a hospital bed, but she had worked so hard for everything she had, the thought of losing it all paralyzed her with fear. The worry must have been obvious on her face because he squeezed her hand in his own much larger one as if to reassure her. She couldn’t help but notice how soft his skin was, which then caused her to wonder what kind of moisturizer heused.
Marveling that her mind could get so sidetracked at a critical moment like this, she focused her attention back to the injured man in front of her. Clearing her throat, she said, “About that, don’t worry about a thing. I’ll take care of everything.” Deciding her words sounded pathetically lacking, she added, “of course.” She had no idea how she would make it work, but she knew she couldn’t expect the pedestrian she hit to pay for his own medicalbills.
His face softened as he looked up at her. “That is exactly what I was going to say toyou.”
Stunned by his chivalry, she openly gaped at him. “No!” She said the word adamantly. “It was my fault. I’ll pay yourexpenses.”
“It wasn’t completely your fault,” he said, kindly attempting to let her off the hook. “I should have been wearing reflective clothing and paying more attention. It was just so early, that I wasn’t expecting any cars. Where were you headed at that early hour?” He seemed genuinely interested in heranswer.
His chocolate eyes sparkled as he listened to her talk about Snickerdoodle. She couldn’t help but notice how handsome he would be, were it not for the cuts and already-coloring bruises spread across his scruffy face. The fact that she had been the cause of those injuries made the guilt bubble up in her belly oncemore.
“What happened just then?” he asked her. “Your face was glowing with excitement as you talked about your bakery, which sounds marvelous by the way, then your face fell like you lost your bestfriend.”
“I just feel so bad about what happened.” Her face crumpled at the words and a sob escaped her throat as the reality of the morning finally began to set in onher.
Like most men when faced with a crying woman, a panicked expression crossed his face. The uncertainty was short-lived. He scooted over to the far side of the bed and held his arms out toher.
“What?” she asked him, trying to swipe the streaming tears from her face with the back of herhand.
“Come here,” hesuggested.
“No, I can’t. I don’t even know you,” she stammered before adding, “I’m sorry forcrying.”
“You had an incredibly stressful day, as did I.” He lifted one raven eyebrow in her direction. “Now, comehere.”
This time it was more of a demand than a suggestion. Ellie wasn’t sure what came over her, but for some reason, she complied with his request. Careful not to jostle him too much, she sat down stiffly on the edge of his hospitalbed.
Quick as a wink, his naturally dark-skinned arm reached around her middle and yanked her back against him. As much as she knew this was completely inappropriate, it felt so marvelous to be held by him. She allowed her weight to sag back against him. One of his arms was wrapped around her, while his other hand caressed her long blonde hair, soothing her as shecried.
The nurse, who had helped Ellie earlier, sauntered into the room. Her mouth formed an ‘O’ of surprise when she discovered Ellie in bed with her patient. If she had been planning to chastise them, Trey’s firm instructions changed hermind.
“Could you hand me that box of tissues, please?” He indicated the box that was just out of reach. When the nurse complied, he added, “We would appreciate not being disturbed for a while. Thanks,Trina.”
The nurse nodded and shuffled out of the room as if his polite, yet terse instructions made him the one in charge. Ellie tried to not bristle at the fact that he already knew the nurse’s name. Once Trina’s white shoes had squeaked out of the room, Trey pulled a few tissues from the box and gently dried Ellie’s tears, which had stoppedflowing.
“Now then,” Trey started, “I think since we are sharing a bed that it is high time we learned each other’snames.”
She started to balk at the insinuation he had made about them sharing a bed, but her mouth opened and immediately closed again because he was right. “I’m Trey,” he informedher.
Not wanting to admit that Trina had already told her his name, she responded, “It’s nice to meet you, Trey. I’mEllie.”
“Ellie.” He let the name roll off his tongue, and she liked the way it sounded coming from his mouth. “It’s perfect,” he decided, and the compliment made her feel like she was glowing with warmth, even though she had nothing to do with the choice of her ownname.
“That expression…the one on your face right now is the one that should always grace your beautiful face.” He grinned down at her. She could feel her cheeks flaming hot when he continued. “I don’t ever want to see that worried look in your eyes again. The concerned look that showed up when we were talking about my medical bills. So, don’t ever give those silly bills another thought. Gotit?”
His tone was light, but she sensed this was important to him. Well, it was important to her too. “No, I insist,” she told him firmly. “You shouldn’t have to pay a dime for becoming my car’s hoodornament.”
“Hood ornament?!?” he yelled, but tickled her side to let her know he wasn’t angry at thedig.
She laughed as his fingers jiggled into her ribs. “Stop!” she yelled, stilllaughing.
He stopped immediately and their eyes locked onto each other. They were both breathing heavily, and when he leaned in, she sensed that he was going to kiss her. Not ready for that, she practically leaped out of thebed.
