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 I said to Melvin," she said,

"Yeah. I

"Good. And that's

you didn't. And now I don't

insist that there is

I wanted to

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

what you wanted, you'd be saying this now? I don't think so."

not, but we both know it's the truth."

remember a word

"No, it's not.

about you the whole time I was with them," he said, and Rayna shook her head. "You told me to move on, and 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 reached out with his uninjured hand, his fingers brushing hers. "Rayna,

eyes widened in alarm as she stopped him. "Are you crazy? Do you want to hurt yourself more?" She carefully pushed his hand

hurt," he said dryly. "What's a

ridiculous," she hissed,

us to talk," "

don't want to talk to

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

"I'm j

got t hurt because of you,"

didn't ask you to help me," she

that I'm here because of you. I can't bother Melvin and Sarah-

until

hire a nurse to assist you," "she

I want you," he said stubbornly. You

place or take me to yours. Whichever is easier,"

clenching her fists. "Why are you doing this? Why were you

supposed to be our

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

know, I know that cereal was yours and not

we start over? You messed up; I messed up. Let's forgive each other and start

her resolve 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 at

doing fine before

harder than it

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

into

smiled. "I've been

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