Page 67 of Filthy Hot Billionaire
“You can come back now,” Emily shouted, her voice echoing off the stone and glass.
I tucked my phone away and returned to stand in front of her. I could tell by the tense line of her shoulders that she was going to bark an order, likely one I would ignore, but I figured I’d give her the chance first.
“Would you mind having a car take me back to my dorm?” she asked, her eyes hooded from exhaustion.
“I would, yes,” I said firmly. “You’ll stay here tonight.”
Her gaze narrowed. “I’m not sleeping with you.”
“Well, suit yourself,” I teased, retrieving one of the glass bottles of water from the tray Stewart had set out, along with the small bucket of ice.
“Knox?”
I glanced her way, quirked an eyebrow.
“What is this place really?”
I skimmed the room, taking it in as she would’ve seen it for the first time. “I bought it for you.”
“Why?”
I took a step closer, met her gaze. “Are you sure you want to ask the difficult questions tonight?”
Her eyebrows lowered slowly. “What does that mean?”
“I can give you a dozen reasons why I do what I do, but the one consistent reason is you, Em. As for why you’re the key to my decisions … well, that’s a much more complex story. I don’t think you’re up for it right now.”
Her mouth opened, closed and I could sense she wanted to say something, but she stopped herself, yawned instead.
“All right, come on.” I strolled over to her, held out the water bottle and the ice bucket. “You hold this.”
“What is this for?” she snapped, staring at the bucket like it was a snake poised to strike.
“The water’s to drink, the ice is for your ankle.”
When she snatched them from my hands, I took a moment to adjust her so I could lift her into my arms.
“Knox, seriously,” she griped when she wreathed one arm around my neck, the other clutching the bucket and the bottle. “I can walk.”
“For now you don’t have to.”
“Are we leaving?”
“We’re going to bed,” I told her, felt her stiffen, and chuckled. “First you, in your own bed,” I clarified. “Then me, when I return to my place.”
“You’re not staying here?”
“Did you want me to?” I wound my way to the staircase leading up to the third floor of the apartment.
“I … uh … I’ll be here by myself?”
“You will. I assure you, you’re safe here. Guillermo and Stewart are close if you need them.”
“Does anyone else work here?”
“Only under Stewart’s watchful eye,” I assured her. “And he won’t allow anyone in if you’re here unless you request it.”
“Okay,” she said softly and I got the feeling she didn’t want to be here alone.
