Taming The Wild CEO novel Chapter 39

C H A P T E R 3 7 : P I E R S J O S E P H S U M M E R S

J A V I E R S U M M E R S

Later, she lay in his arms, in the warmth of his embrace and soft glow of good sex and soothing heat from the fireplace. If someone had told her a month ago whether she would end up in a stranded cabin in a wood somewhere in Sicily, naked with her boss's body — also naked— pressed against hers as if they were lovers, she would have laughed out loud. Yet here she was. Would she regret it? In all honesty, she did not know. She was probably going to regret it in the morning, when this dreamy reality would lose the word dream and became nothing more than just a reality — something she had to face head on. What if he was going to leave her in the morning? What if when the sun rose up, he would tell her that this had been a mistake? What would she do then? Her brain wanted her to rethink about all of this but her heart was tired of being pushed aside for so long. Her being her, she would worry but not now. Not when his body was close to hers, not when he snuggled up and asked her if she was feeling cold. Not when he was being this caring —and loving?

With her back pressed into his chest, he ran his hand down her smooth arm to her wrist. Then he linked his fingers with hers as he said softly to her ear, “Something happened yesterday.”

“When?” She was not sure what he was referring to and asked again, “Do you mean when you were going to your brother’s house?”

“Yeah. Similar thing as what had happened earlier today.”

Ella’s body froze. “You had an accident yesterday?!” Her voice filled with worried, it felt as if an electric shock had run through her whole body and not in a kind way.

“Nearly,” he answered quietly.

“Why did you not tell me?” She moved so that she could face him while their hands still entwined. “Is that why you did not want to drive to Roberto’s place?”

“One of the reasons.” He shook his head then focused his baby blues on her. “Look, that is not important. What is important is that at that split second, as silly as this may sound, all I could think about is how I would not never see you again.”

Confused, she stared at him dumfoundedly. “What are you saying?”

“Ella, I do not think I will ever love anyone so do not get your hopes up but," he let out a deep sigh, as if saying all of this took a lot of his energy, before continuing, "all I know is that you are so damn important and I do not ever want to lose you.”

Her eyes met his and she smiled. It was not exactly an 'I love you' but for now, for her, it was enough.

* * *

Ella searched the cupboard, trying to decide which of the tins to use. Javier went darting out into the rain, a newspaper he had found carried over his head. She decided to start with one of the tins of soup followed by a tin of ham and asparagus. She was about to open them, sighing over the lack of choice, when Javier came back, carrying a bundle of wood under one arm, a garden trug under the other. He grinned at her, his face triumphant. “Look what I found. Eggs.” he announced, depositing the basket on the range.

She peered incredulously at the heaped eggs. “Wow, where did you find them?”

“You know how my brother loves the nature, right? Well, he also happens to have chickens,” he explained cheerfully. “They have a run up at the end of the garden under some trees. I took a look in their nesting boxes and found some of them were sitting on them, and I suspect no one has been near them for several days. We can have them for dinner, right?”

“Yes!” she said delightedly. “I am thinking perhaps lobster bisque followed by asparagus omelette?'

“Ella, did you find any clothes?” His voice made her jump guiltily, catching her staring at his picture with her feelings in her eyes.

She turned and gave him a small smile. "I did. I will come and meet you in a bit!"

Javier saw what she had been looking at, and came slowly into the room, staring at it

too. "I have never seen that before," he said in surprise. He lifted it and stood it perched on top of the stack of others, inspecting it with a frown. "Piers does not usually paint people, he loves the nature too much," he said, dismissively.

Ella said nothing, wondering if he resented that betraying look about the eyes and mouth which had struck her so much in the picture.

He glanced at her, his eyes defensive. "It is not very good, is it?"

"I think it is beautiful," she said gently.

His cheeks flushed and he turned away. "I know you want me to chase down the chicken and get some eggs but you need not lie," he said.

She let out a small giggle then rose to the balls of her feet and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I was not lying."