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.

up when Derek and the others came in, then I'm sure you heard everything

"Yeah. I

"Good. And that's

mu, you didn't. And now I

there is nothing

wanted

for everything. I know I took things a

any of those women you went on dates with had been what you wanted, you'd be saying this now? I don't think so." Her Her words stung more than he'd expected.

it's the truth."

remember a word that any of them

"No, it's not.

and Rayna shook her head. "You told me to move on, and I am. So, just... focus on getting better. I'm done,"

"Are you crazy? Do you want to hurt yourself more?"

said dryly. "What's a

ridiculous," she hissed, pulling

to talk,"

talk to you," she snapped, stepping

his expression resolute. "Well, I do," he said stubbornly. "And the least you can do is stick around and

"I'm j

I got t hurt because

didn't ask you to help me," she

that I'm here because of you. I can't bother Melvin and Sarah- not with her condition. That leaves

me until

a nurse to assist you,"

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

or take me to yours. Whichever is easier," he said, and she

you doing this? Why were you there last night in the first place when you were supposed to return

to be our first

glare that could have melted steel. "I don't have the time for this. And I'm not staying under the same roof with someone as insufferable as you," she said, and Ethan nodded. "I deserve

that cereal was yours and not for Sarah," she said, and

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

home to freshen up and rest," she said, heading for the door. Before she could leave, Ethan called out, "Can you at least feed me first?"

"You were doing fine before I got

it

pitiful look. "I just didn't want Melvin feeding me, but everything

into fists.

smiled. "I've

warring with her sense of responsibility. He did get hurt saving her, she reminded herself