“Sure thing, baby. Let’s get you set up and then I’m going to sleep on the sofa downstairs.”
“What? Why?”
“Hales, I’m not trying to pressure you. This isn’t an exchange of favors at all. What I want from you can wait until you’re ready and if you decide you don’t want me then that’s going to have to be fine too.”
“Really? You’d be fine with that?”
“Look. No pressure. Goodnight, my sleeping beauty.” I kiss her lips and walk out of the room before I lose my damn mind. There’s no way I can sleep next to her and not lose control before the sun comes up.
****
Twenty-four hours since I’ve tasted her lips and I’m going insane. We’re on the flight to Greece and she’s sitting nervously across from me with a tablet with my updated calendar and emails, looking stunning in the cute suit that she and my mother picked out. Thank goodness my mother offered to take her because she knew I’d snap if she came in anything too damn revealing. I’m trying to win her over and not have other men eye fuck her. I’ll have to gouge them out myself.
“Are you okay, Elijah?”
“Yes, Hales. I’m just thinking about my plans for this trip.”
“Anything I need to be made aware of? Your first meeting is with Mr. Kostas at nine in Villa Apollo.”
“Thank you. No, there’s nothing.” Except Kostas is a womanizer and Haley is perfect. He’s going to want her and I’m going to lose my head. I’m already regretting bringing her on this trip. “Just so you know, you’re doing a good job.”
“Thank you. I know I’m not going to be as useful as a normal assistant, but I will give it my best.”
“That’s all I ask, Haley. Now rest because we have a long flight.” She tucks away the tablet and relaxes. For the rest of the flight, we make small talk and I ask about the friend who my mother and Troy mentioned.
“Oh, that’s Lila. We were neighbors before everything. I messaged her this morning after I quit my job. She was a bit shocked, but she’s a sweetheart.”
“Why didn’t you stay with her?”
“Because when I say we were neighbors, I mean neighbors. Our houses were next door to each other and in our subdivision, that’s less than a hundred feet.”
“That’s smart. Sometimes neighbors mean miles apart.”
“No, I get it.” I’m still going to deal with that asshole. He’s a lawyer working for the county, and that’s why she’s afraid of him, but I’ve got proof that he had her vehicle illegally towed. He thought he could bully her into submission but what he didn’t count on was someone in her corner.
By the time we land in Greece, I have to carry my sleeping beauty off the plane. Technically I could easily wake her up, but let’s just say I enjoy having her in my arms. “Eli, why are you carrying me?”
“Because you were sleeping.”
“Was I unconscious again?”
“Well, I didn’t want to wake you. Now relax.” She does, behaving nicely as I escort her to our waiting limo. Sliding inside with her still in my arms, I cradle her to my chest because although she’s a grown woman, she’s nearly half my size.
“Damn, my boss is so bossy.” She snuggles closer. I wonder what’s wrong with her because she’s been sleeping a lot since we met and I wonder if it has to do with constant fatigue from living a month on the streets. Fuck, it breaks my heart to even think about it. I should have taken her to the doctor. I slide my phone out of my pocket while she sleeps and send a message to the concierge to have a doctor meet us in our room in an hour.
“We’re here, baby.” I kiss her forehead.
She wakes up and finally gets her bearings before we exit the limo. We’re directed to our room after a very welcoming greeting.
We’re just getting settled when there’s a knock at the door. “Hello, I’m Dr. Annabeth Adamos. I was requested.”
“Yes, thank you for coming so quickly. My assistant has been a bit lethargic for the past two days and I want to make sure she’s well. Is there a way to run some tests?”
“Yes. I can have some bloodwork done and reported within a few hours that could give us a general idea, but may I look at you?” she asks Haley.
“Yes, although I had no idea he called you. Goodness, you’re beautiful.” It’s cute that she’s jealous, but she’s got no reason for it.
“Thank you, but I must ask; are you getting enough nutrients?”
“I haven’t been, no.”
“Could you be pregnant?” I flex and grunt, hoping the fuck not.
“No. I can’t be.” She leans in and whispers something to the doctor.
“Okay. So we’ll rule that test out. I’m going to take some blood work. It looks like you have some signs of anemia, but we won’t know until we have you tested.”