Page 51 of Taming the Elusive Billionaire

“You really should get plenty of rest. Most of my friends are dying to have you do a portrait for them as you did mine, and they are willing to pay top dollar for it,” Eve said, rubbing her hands gently on her leg.

“Thank you for recommending my services, ma’am. I appreciate it.”

“Oh please, you are my daughter’s best friend, and like a daughter to me now. How about you start calling me Mom.”

“I don’t think that’s . . .”

She patted me on the legs and winked at me. “Long overdue, if that’s what you wanted to say.”

Ella snuggled close to me and sighed. “Can today just be over already? You must be exhausted, as I know I am, and I am not even the one who is ill.” She reached for my hand and held it, and for a few moments, the three of us sat there in silence.

I turned to Eve and found her looking at me with keen interest, and I quickly looked away from her.

After a moment, Eve walked toward me, patted me on the shoulder, and sighed. “Don’t worry, Lucy, everything will be all right, okay?”

“Thank you. I sure hope so.”

“You made the right choice staying here and getting to feeling better. Soon, you will return to health and be as good as new.”

“Thanks,” I replied again, this time a little weaker.

“I will leave you to it then. Since you are in safe and capable hands.” With that, she turned and walked away from the room.

Immediately the door closed. Ella sat up and looked at me closely. “What the fuck is going on?”

I sighed as I took the pillow and laid my head on it, “I am sick and tired, maybe.”

“You are never both, hell, I have seen you work for four days and went on like nothing happened.” She stated, moving closer to me. “God, you even allowed Mason to carry you,” Ella laid on the bed and covered her hands with her eyes, “Oh God, I will never get that sight out of my head again. You were snuggled so closely in his arms I thought you were surely going to die.”

“I might if you hadn’t come when you did.”

“You could have just called me, screamed maybe.” She continued, holding my hands.

“I was so exhausted, that I could barely make it to the washroom and back.”

She chuckled and brought her face closer. “So, how was it?”

I looked at her and frowned, “How was what?”

“Getting carried by your worst enemy, I mean?”

“Mason is not my enemy.” I corrected, looking away from her.

“Almost enemy then.”

“Ella!!!!!”

“He’s nothing but a cranky asshole. There’s got to be some malice you have for him.”

“Keeping malice is tiring. Mason is just him, and I can’t fault him for that.”

“Now I believe the world is really coming to an end.” Ella countered as she knelt and folded her hands in mock prayer. “God, please forgive me for my sins.”

“Just stop, okay? You look ridiculous.” I laughed as she closed her eyes and bent her head as if she was praying.

A few moments later, she raised her head and turned toward me. “Am I in heaven?”

“With all the men whose hearts you broke, heaven is so far from you, my dear,” I whispered, still laughing.

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