Page 215 of The Rebel Billionaire

“It’s going to be strange seeing people after eight months,” I say.

“You’re going to have a lot to talk about,” he says, his hands resting on my waist.

“Hmm,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck, my nails grazing the short hair at his nape. “I’m going to miss you.”

Pulling me against him, he smiles. “You’ll be too caught up in the moment to miss me.”

I grunt.

“And you’ll be too busy trying to catch a thief to miss me.”

For the past three weeks, since news of the stolen designs broke, Alex has been firefighting.

Lawsuits, cease-and-desist orders, major buyers threatening to pull out. It’s been one thing after another, as he and the legal team have worked to recover some of the financial losses and protect the brand’s reputation.

He groans. “I’m sorry, these past few weeks…”

I cup his cheek. “Hey, relationships aren’t only about the good times, and remember I’m only a phone call away.”

He rests his forehead against mine.

“What time is your flight?”

“Tomorrow morning at ten.”

“I have plenty of time to show you how much I’m going to miss you,” he says, his mouth descending on mine.

* * *

I awaken with a start.

“Oh, shit.”

Flying out of bed, I barely make it to the bathroom before the contents of my stomach come back up.

I retch and retch until it feels impossible to retch anymore.

Fuck.

Dropping back onto the tiled floor, I lean against the wall.

The light comes on, and Alex appears, squatting down in front of me.

“Brooke?”

I groan, shrinking away from him.

A cool hand rests against my forehead.

“You’re burning up.”

“I ache all over,” I moan.

My stomach cramps, and I quickly realise it’s not only sickness I’m suffering from.

“Out, please,” I groan, dragging myself up off the floor and onto the toilet.

The last thing I want is Alex seeing…