Nobody's Girl: A Billionaire Romance Novel

by Michelle Love

  My bedroom serves as my new prison, albeit a nice one. But still I’m held against my will. Mom helped me bathe, which was embarrassing. I couldn’t do it myself, though. And I overheard her tell Eden the strangest thing. She asked him if she should help me, as if it was up to him.

  What they have going on is mind numbing, and my mind is already a bit on the bad side anyway. Thanks to the magic pills they sent home with me, I have no pain, but man, am I out of it.

  Eden either carries me or holds me so tight to his side that I’m almost a part of him. Which ain’t so bad. Except I’m not proud of myself for liking it.

  I hear footsteps in the hallway. “Hey!” I shout, wanting some company.

  Scotty pops open my door, sticking his head in. “Hey, sis, what’s up?”

  “I’m bored and lonely.”

  “Cool. I’ll get my Xbox and you can play games with me. That ought to un-bore you,” he says, taking off before I can tell him I’d rather be covered in chocolate and left on an ant hill.

  Mom must have seen him coming back up the stairs with his idiot box. “Where are you going with that? You know you’re not allowed to have that thing in your room. You’ll never sleep if we allow it.”

  “Mom, chill, I’m taking to Al’s. She’s bored and lonely. She told me to.”

  “Take that thing right back downstairs. She can’t have that kind of noise in her condition. It was nice of you to offer. I’ll tell her I sent you away.”

  I mouth a silent thank you to God for the intervention. My door opens and Mom comes in with a smile on her face. “Well, don’t you look lovely, all propped up in bed with your precious unicorn PJs on.”

  Yes, she’s dressed me in pajamas from seventh grade. She must’ve found them in the back of my drawer. The fact that they fit isn’t even plausible. I think she picked them for me just to make me look twelve in front of Eden.

  Plus, she put my hair in a braid after she washed it. Some braces and I’d look like a nerdy sixth grader at a sleepover. “Yeah Mom, I look like a million bucks. Can I please call Kyle and let him know I won’t be there tonight?”

  Her hands go to her hips and her head lolls to one side. “Now, dear, he knows you have a concussion. I’m sure he doesn’t expect you to be there.”

  “Probably not, but I’d like to talk to him anyway. He and Eden had a little thing at the hospital and I want him to know it’s all cool.”

  “Do you realize what time it is, sweetie?”

  It’s dark, but I’ve no idea of the time. “Why?”

  Crossing the room, she grabs the remote to my television. “Because it’s nearly nine. I’m sure he’s already playing,” she says as she hands it to me.

  She’s right, damn it!

  “I’m still bored and lonely, Mom. Come watch a movie with me,” I plead.

  “No can do, sweetie. Your father and I have a hot date in the backyard. There’s a meteor shower tonight. I’ll send Eden up, He’ll be happy to watch a movie with you,” she says, then flounces out the door.

  She’s sending Eden into my bedroom now? What in the hell is going on?

  Flipping on the TV, I search the guide for a movie. I’ve woken up in the twilight zone, or perhaps aliens have invaded and my parents are now pod people. Not sure which, but something isn’t right.

  A slight rap on the frame of my bedroom door brings my attention to it. There he stands, waiting for me to allow him in. He’s showered and changed into loose-fitting, black pajama bottoms, a white T-shirt, and bare feet. My gaze rests on them.

  Yep, just like I thought. His feet are perfect, just like everything else on him.

  Eden’s velvet voice draws my attention back to his gorgeous face. “So are you going to invite me in, Alyssa? Your mother has informed me of your boredom. I’m here for your amusement, princess.”

  With open arms, I say, “Please enter my prison, Eden.”

  His chuckle is cute as he moves fluidly across the room, taking a seat on the bed, facing me. In an instant, his knuckles drag across my cheek, making my breath catch in my throat.

  Why does his touch do this to me?

  “How do you feel, baby?”

  Princess and baby in a matter of seconds. He knows how to say the sweet words. My smile is a product of them. “The same. Light headed and groggy.”

  His hand creeps up my arm, settling at the back of my neck. He pulls me forward, touching his lips to my forehead.

  God, his lips are soft!

  Moving his hands to my shoulders, with gentle pressure he eases me back to lay my head on the pile of pillows my mother has placed on my bed.

  “If your head is light you shouldn’t be sitting up,” he tells me.

  The emerald color of his eyes is the most beautiful color I’ve ever seen. Or is it my drug induced state which makes me see them this way?

  “Your eyes are gorgeous.”

  OMG! Did I just say that out loud?

  His velvet voice is but a whisper. “They are nothing compared to yours, precious.”

  Now I can add precious to the list of endearments this guy has in his vocabulary of loving words. Perhaps he’s a ladies’ man.

  His charm may have worked magic on my parents, but I’m savvier than they are. It will not work on me.

  “Stop messing with me, Eden.” I bat at his arms, which I find have been placed on either side of me, his face too close to mine.

  A sigh from him gives me enough information to know he wants to kiss me. I can’t let that happen. In slow motion, he pulls himself out of my personal space.

  “Do you have to accuse me of messing with you? I’m merely stating a fact. Your beauty is beyond compare. You should know that.”

  “Ha! What a line, Eden. Tell me do all the girls fall into your bed with that one?”

  The pained expression on his face makes me regret my words. “No one has ever fallen into my bed, Alyssa. I am made for one person and one person only.”

  No way! I’m not buying that. “Please lover-boy! Tell me more of your lines. They are priceless. And just who is this one person you’re made for? Do tell.”

  In haste, he moves off my bed. The bottle of pain pills sits on my nightstand. He opens it taking out one of them.

  Holding out the pill and a bottle of water, he looks at me with what appears like hurt in his eyes and says, “Your mother told me to make sure you take this. So please do that for her.”

  His face is blank, making me feel like an ass. I take what he’s offered and swallow the pill down. I’ve never talked to someone so meanly.

  Why did I just do that?

  “Eden, I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me. I never talk to people like that. You get so close to me sometimes that I think you’re about to kiss me. Some things I can’t allow. I am taken. You need to remember that,” I say and find he’s placed his hand over his stomach.

  He seems as if he’s in physical pain. Why would that be?

  His expression softens as he takes a seat in a chair which has been placed next to my bed. A chair which has never been there before.

  “I remember, Alyssa. You belong to that boy. The one who plays with his band tonight instead of sitting with you and making sure you have everything you want. The one who is probably singing to some other girl while you lay in this bed with an aching head and body, because he left town with no mention of it to you.”

  Taking the remote to the television from the side of my bed, he presses a button on it, choosing a movie. The Notebook springs up on the screen.

  Incensed, I sit up and say, “How dare you, Eden! You don’t know him at all! He’s the best guy in this whole world. He has waited for me since we were ten years old. No one else has turned his head, not once in almost eight years. How it hasn’t happened, since I’ve been kept under lock and key with a plethora of over-the-top rules and regulations is a mystery to me. But he hasn’t, and he’s had every opportunity to find someone else. I will not let you or anyone else speak negatively about him.”
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  Rising, he places his hands on my shoulders easing me back again. “Sorry, I upset you. That was not my intention. I shall keep my thoughts to myself. If it helps you to know, I was not trying to kiss you. I would never do that to you. Just rest, Let the pill do its job and watch this movie with me. It’s one of my favorites.”

  Tucking me in tightly before he takes a seat in the chair again, his eyes fall on the television screen. I feel shut out. My rant has made him tire of me.

  We’ll never be friends if I keep jumping to conclusions. For some reason, I would hate it if we couldn’t become friends.

  It’s a mystery to me why that is, but I want him in my life. Even though we’ve just met, I would miss him.

  The silence surrounds us for an hour as we watch the movie. It comes to my attention most men don’t care for romantic tear jerkers, like the movie we’re watching.

  As a matter of fact, most men wouldn’t be so attentive to a girl they’ve just met. He dresses like a fashion model and his hair is always immaculate.

  My parents trust him to spend time alone with me. Hell, he even told me he would never kiss me. That’s it! He’s gay!

  The click of the television breaks my train of thought. Eden rises, coming to my side, making sure I’m comfortable.

  “What a sweet way to pass on to the next world. Don’t you think?”

  Oh, the movie. He wants to talk about the movie. Yeah, straight guys never want to talk about a sappy love story.

  “I suppose it would be the best way to go,” I say. “If you were all in love like they were.”

  Turning off the lamp next to my bed, Eden kisses his fingers, then places them on my cheek. I find it a sweet thing to do.

  “One day, may that kind of love find you, princess.” He retreats to the bedroom door.

  “Goodnight, Eden,” I say as he closes the door behind him.

  I can’t see his face in the dark, but I bet he’s smiling. “See you in the morning, baby.”

  Too bad he’s not into girls. He’s a rare find. Laura might’ve liked him. If I wasn’t already spoken for, I’m sure I’d like him.

  He’d be hard to say no to, though. Crap, he’s hot. Such a shame for all the eligible girls in the world.

  CHAPTER 14

  EDEN

  Alone in the kitchen, I make a plate of scrambled eggs and toast for my mate. I’ve sent Toni and David out to buy some things for her. I’m making dinner for her this evening.

  Our chef taught me how to prepare a lobster dinner for her. It’s her favorite and should help me win her over. After all, what female doesn’t like a man who can cook, and her favorite meal, no less?

  Last night she gave me such a tongue lashing over how I spoke of that boy. I have to be careful what I say about him. She’s fiercely protective of him.

  Her love for him must be strong and it makes me incredibly imbalanced. I struggle between sorrow for her soon to be broken heart and anger at myself for letting this happen to her.

  Scotty is off at school and we’re alone this morning. As alone as we can be with the invisible boyfriend ever hovering at her side.

  How long will it take her not to hear from him before she gets mad about it?

  Taking the tray of food up the stairs, I tap at her bedroom door. “Come in,” her sweet voice answers.

  She sits up as I enter her bedroom. She looks radiant and seems to be making a swift recovery, as her color is much better. She couldn’t get any more beautiful, and yet she does.

  “I made you breakfast, princess. Your parents took Scotty to school, then they had to run some errands. You look as if you’re feeling better.”

  Placing the tray over her lap, I catch the smell of lavender as she shakes out her hair. “I must look a mess, but I do feel much better. Please excuse my appearance, Eden.”

  If this is a mess, I’m one lucky man.

  “You look as beautiful as you always do, baby. You eat while I run you a warm bath. You can bathe after breakfast. Should I find you something to wear?”

  Her eyes dance as she looks at me. “Why not? I should think you could pick me out a much better outfit than I could ever hope to come up with.”

  My taste in clothes has not been lost on her. How fun it’s going to be to introduce her to all the latest designers.

  Linda already has her closet at home and on the jet, filled with beautiful things. She’s going to be so surprised.

  “Good. I’ll make you look great.”

  Shaking a fork full of eggs my way, she says, “I’m sure you will. I trust your judgment, Eden. Thank you for doing all this. These eggs are cooked just right. As a good cook and fashion coordinator, plus easy on the eyes, you’ll make someone a very happy man.”

  What did she just say? I’ll make someone a happy ‘MAN?’

  No way, not her too. “Oh yeah, princess? Do you really think so?”

  Stuffing eggs into one of the pieces of toast, she looks at me. “Of course, I do. And I want you to know I’m cool with your lifestyle choice. No judgments here, guy.”

  My lifestyle choice! How could she think such a thing?

  I feel the need to get away from her and regroup. “Let me get the bath water going,” I say. “You’re nearly done with your breakfast.”

  Making her bath, I find her shampoo and take a quick whiff of it. How badly I want to bury my face in her lovely locks.

  Shit! She’s come in and caught me smelling her shampoo.

  “You can use it too if you like it, Eden.”

  She goes to brush her teeth, her pajama bottoms hanging askew on her narrow hips. The back of her hair is a bit messy, yet still gorgeous.

  She wipes her mouth after she rinses out the toothpaste and peers at her reflection in the mirror. I think it’s time to let her know without a doubt that I am not gay.

  Moving in behind her I put my hands at her waist and straighten her PJ bottoms. Her eyes catch mine in the mirror.

  She smiles at me. “Thanks, Eden.”

  A platonic gesture, she considers it. I need to step it up. I wrap my arms around her, laying my chin on her shoulder as I look at her in the mirror.

  “Beautiful, even in the morning after a tragic accident. Do you ever look bad?” I ask.

  Her hand strokes my cheek. “I do right now, you tease. You, on the other hand, look devastating, you handsome devil.”

  She still thinks I’m gay. I turn her in my arms, holding her tightly against me as I look down at her. She smiles innocently up at me, placing her hands on my shoulders. Well, at least she feels free to touch me and let me hold her since she thinks I’m not into her.

  “Your bath is ready, cupcake.”

  “Thank you. That’s so sweet of you.” Her sentence is punctuated by a sweet kiss on my cheek.

  Okay, I can’t take any more of this. Not releasing my hold on her, I steadily walk back towards the bath.

  She giggles as I move her with me, making me crazy for her. A quick turn and I have the wall behind her. Before she can figure out what I’m doing, I press her body against the wall and run one of my hands to grab a section of her hair. Pulling it back, I press my lips to hers.

  The angle of her head makes her lips part and I thrust my tongue into her mouth. Her breath sucks in as she gasps at my sudden intrusion.

  I’ve waited forever to feel her like this. Heat radiates all over my body and already I grow hard with a need for her.

  Though I don’t want this kiss to end, it has to. I soften my kiss, then pull my lips off hers. Her cheeks are pink, eyes wide, and mouth slightly open.

  “Did that feel gay, Alyssa?”

  “No, no it did not,” she says, nearly breathless.

  I let her go and walk out of the bathroom, closing the door behind me. The wall holds me up as I fall back on it.

  My knees went weak when our lips touched, but I managed to hold it together. How fortunate for me she’s mine and I can kiss her for the rest of my life.

  Now that I’ve tasted her, I
will have to fight myself even harder to give her the time to come to me.

  Maybe I shouldn’t have done that after all. Shit! I hope I didn’t push her away.

  She’s probably in there right now thinking of herself as a cheater. I’ve probably made her hate herself.

  This was a mistake. I’m not even supposed to touch her like that. It’s exactly what Linda told me not to do, but I did it anyway.

  Damn, do I ever do what people tell me to?

  I think too highly of myself. The tutoring was to temper my lusty ways. I’ve frightened her. I know I have. Her eyes were wide and full of fear.

  Or was that something else I saw?

  Hell, I didn’t even wait to see what she thought about it. I took off like I’m some cocky male on the prowl.

  How could I do that to her?

  She’s too special to be treated like that. I had wanted her to ask me to kiss her, not take it as if I’m a thief.

  Thumbing through her closet, I find very little which is appropriate for such a special creature. Plain, plain, plain.

  How could I have let her live like this?

  Like she’s a normal, middle-class girl, when she’s so far from that. My hand lands on a royal blue sundress. It’s inexpensive, but still pretty. She can wear this if she’ll still wear what I pick out.

  She may send me away, or try to anyway. She can’t really do that, but she can say it and I’ll have to give her some time.

  Damn it, I’m a fool!

  Dropping the dress on the bed along with the silver sandals I found, I give a longing look at the closed bathroom door. How I wish I could take back what I’ve done.

  A note!

  I’ll leave her a note to help her not be furious with me. Then I’ll wait for her to come to me.

  Damn, I pray this works.

  CHAPTER 15

  ALYSSA

  What the hell was that?

  Soaking in the bath Eden made for me, I’m still tingling from his kiss.

  How could I have ever thought he was gay?

  He surprised me by holding me against the wall and kissing me. I’d never have allowed that if I hadn’t been so free with him, physically. I thought he was gay. Why wouldn’t it be okay for him to touch me?