Page 160 of The Rebel Billionaire

Down, boy!

I inhale deeply, which doesn’t help. I need to extract myself from Brooke’s arms before she wakes up and realises what’s happening.

“Alex,” she mumbles, half asleep.

“It’s okay. I’m going to put the kettle on and grab a shower. Go back to sleep,” I say, looking over my shoulder, not wanting to show how out of control my body is simply from holding her in my arms.

I enter the bathroom. It’s small, like everything in the apartment, but it’s clean, with her personal items neatly lined up on the shelf.

I strip off the T-shirt and boxers I wore beneath my suit, turning the water to cold. I step under, gasping as the icy spray hits my skin. I let the water cascade over my head and down my back as I try to make sense of the past twenty-four hours.

My friends have always complimented me on my loyalty, but I’ve known them for years. I’ll even put myself at risk to protect those I care about, and I understand why I feel protective of my friends and family. Yet somehow, my scrap of a PA seems to have wormed her way onto that short list. Never have I taken responsibility for someone else’s fuck-up like I did last week. Then yesterday, when I saw her tears, something in my chest snapped. She was mine to protect.

That thought alone should scare me to death, and in part, it does, but seeing her last night…

Fuck! She needs my support, not my desire.

I tip my head back, allowing the icy water to freeze my libido. When I’ve finally cooled off, I get out and dry myself with one of the clean towels Brooke has stacked neatly on the shelf.

I dress in my suit, leaving off the T-shirt I slept in.

* * *

The bedroom door opens as I step out of the bathroom.

“Shit, Alex, you scared the crap out of me,” she says, her hand resting against her breastbone, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “I thought you’d left.”

“I thought I’d grab a quick shower first. I hope you don’t mind?”

I could have showered at home, but… My cock twitches, and I steer my thoughts elsewhere.

“How are you feeling this morning?” I ask.

“Like I’ve done a triple HIIT workout without a single break,” she says.

“Can I make you a coffee before I go?” I ask.

She shakes her head, her smile less bright than usual. “Shouldn’t that be my line, especially after you spent the night and looked after me?”

“Isn’t that what bosses are for?” I say, suddenly wanting to lighten the mood.

“Not the ones I know, but I appreciate it. Thank you. I didn’t realise how much I needed company.”

We stare at each other for a moment.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help, and I still can’t believe you beat me at poker.”

She smiles, and I’m glad the dark circles under her eyes have lessened.

“I did, didn’t I? And I really appreciate you being here. It helped to take my mind off Kat.”

“Any news?”

“My brother sent me a message to say she’s out of danger, but they’re keeping her sedated to help her body recover.”

“That’s great news.”

We stand staring at one another. An awkward morning after, without the sex.