Page 159 of The Rebel Billionaire

“Dad!” she yells, sitting bolt upright, her eyes wide, full of terror.

“Hey,” I say, perching on the edge of the bed but leaving some distance between us.

I know I shouldn’t be here, but after her brother called to say her sister was out of surgery and that her condition was serious, I saw the look in Brooke’s eyes and I couldn’t leave her.

Her lost, unfocused eyes lock on mine.

“Alex?” she says, confused. “What are you still doing here?”

“I was sleeping on the couch,” I say. “I didn’t want to leave you alone.”

She groans and drops her head to her knees. “I’m sorry I woke you,” she says.

Before I can think better of it, I cup her cheek.

“Are you sure you’re okay? That seemed like an intense dream.”

She doesn’t move away. Her eyes meet mine.

“I… I was dreaming about the night my dad died. It doesn’t happen often. He died in a car accident.”

My heart stalls. “I’m sorry.”

“It was seven years ago, but… I miss him, especially at times like these.”

I pull her forward and into my arms. After holding her in my office, it feels natural. I’d do the same if this were Gabbi, although Brooke’s definitely not my sister.

She comes willingly, her arms sliding around my waist, holding on like I’m her only lifeline.

I shift us around until my back rests against her headboard, pulling the covers back up and over her.

“I’m sorry, I’m never usually this needy,” she mumbles against my T-shirt.

“We can’t be strong all the time,” I tell her, stopping myself from resting my cheek against her hair.

I’m already crossing more boundaries than I’m comfortable with, but I can’t seem to help myself.

Brooke sighs, her body starting to relax against me as she falls asleep.

I start to move away, but her hold tightens.

I drop my head back and close my eyes…I’ll wait until she’s asleep and then…

* * *

I awaken to warmth, more specifically, human warmth.

I’m lying flat on my back, a body pressed tightly against mine, a familiar scent filling my head and awakening my senses.

Stop!

I force my body to relax.

Mentally exhausted and fresh from her nightmare, Brooke had fallen asleep on me. I must have fallen asleep too, which surprises me. I’ve never been someone who cuddles. My parents never showed much affection toward anyone but each other. They were both too busy with their jobs. Not that it mattered. I was shipped off to boarding school in a different country, only returning during school breaks. Even the nannies they employed to look after Gabbi and Enzo when they were younger were functional and professional, not loving or nurturing. It’s no wonder my siblings and I have relationship issues, something Loretta made abundantly clear when she left me.

I don’t know what it is about Brooke, but she’s ignited every protective bone in my body.

I inhale sharply as she wiggles, snuggling herself deeper into my side, her knee grazing my now rock-hard cock. I clench my jaw and begin reciting the alphabet backwards before shifting to multiples of 27.