The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 184

"How long have you been awake?" Rayna asked, her eyes narrowed suspiciously after the door clicked shut behind the others who had conveniently come up with various excuses to leave them alone. "I, uh... woke up when everyone came in," Ethan lied, unable to meet her gaze. There was no way he was admitting he'd been awake long enough to witness her... less-than-graceful moment earlier.

He didn't think there was any reason to embarrass her or himself by telling her he had woken up long enough to hear her fart or perceive it.

"Really?" She folded her arms, unconvinced but hoping that was the truth since she didn't want to imagine he had been awake before she went to the restroom. He nodded slowly. "Really."

She stared I at him for a

"I was...

a beat, clearly weighing his honesty. Finally, she exhaled. "Why did you pretend to be still unconscious?" embarrassed, he he admitted, his voice softer. "I didn't exactly plan to end up here. It's not the most heroic look."

Rayna's lips parted in disbelief. "Heroic?" Rayna dropped her hands and glared at him. "It was stupid. What were you even thinking?"

"Maybe I wasn't thinking much. What was I supposed to do?" he shot back, his frustration surfacing. "I saw the car coming straight for you. I couldn't just-stand there." "You could've done anything but throw yourself into harm's way like that. You could've shouted at me to move!" She exclaimed.

"You

"You saw the car and didn't move, Rayna"" he countered, his voice firm but not angry. "At that moment, all I could think about was saving you. That's it. Nothing else mattered." could have died," she pointed out with a frown.

You could

"That would be much better than watching you die," he said with a shrug, trying not to wince as he adjusted his broken arm.

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, but she refused to let it show. "You'd rather die than watch someone you despise die?"

"I don't despise you, Rayna" he said softly, causing butterflies to flutter in her belly at his use of her name, and before he could say more, she shook her head.

She didn't want to feel this way about him again. "Well, thanks for saving me even though you didn't have to. Since you are awake now, I will head out," she said, and Ethan frowned. "Wait. Don't I go."

Rayna's brow furrowed. "Why not?"

"We should talk, he said, and she shook her head.

"There's nothing left to say. And if you're awake and feeling chatty,

you clearly don't need me hovering over you. I'll be going home to freshen up and get some rest."

There's plenty

to say," he argued, sitting up a little straighter despite the pain that shot through his body.

others came in, then I'm sure you heard everything I said to Melvin," she said,

"Yeah. I

"Good. And that's

And now I don't want

insist that there is nothing else

wanted to

sorry for everything. I know I took things a bit too far,"

of those women you went on dates with had been what you wanted, you'd be saying this now? I don't think so."

it's the truth." Her

don't even remember a word that any of

"No, it's not.

I am. So, just... focus on getting better. I'm done," she said as she moved closer to the bed to grab her phone, but Ethan

you want to hurt yourself more?" She carefully

dryly. "What's a little

she hissed, pulling her

us to

to

stubbornly. "And the least you can do is stick around and

"I'm j

saying, I got t hurt because of you," Ethan pressed, his

ask you to help me," she

of you. I can't bother Melvin and Sarah- not with

until my arm is

hire a nurse to assist you," "she

don't want a nurse. I want you," he said stubbornly.

take me to yours. Whichever is easier,"

you there last night in the first place when you were supposed to

supposed to be our first date,"

"I don't have the time for this. And I'm

know that cereal was

messed up; I messed up. Let's forgive each other and start afresh," he suggested, his eyes

crumbling slightly. "I'm going home to freshen up and rest," she said, heading for the door. Before she could leave, Ethan called out, "Can you

doing fine

than it looks," he

her admitted, giving her a pitiful look. "I just didn't want Melvin feeding

curling into

smiled. "I've

of responsibility. He did get hurt saving her, she reminded herself grudgingly. Finally, she sighed