My Billionaire Stranger (16 page)

Chapter 20

I gather up our clothes so we can make our way back to the bedroom. “What about the fire?”

“It’ll go out,” he assures me. “You don’t worry about sparks singeing the carpet or setting us all on fire? That thing is a monster.”

“Nope, never gave it a thought actually.”

“What about your staff? You didn’t seem too worried about anyone interrupting us this time.”

“I didn’t see any concern on your face either.”

“It crossed my mind.” Yea like for one second.

“You don’t have to worry about us being interrupted ever again, it’s been taken care of,” he says, with a coolness that makes me cringe inside for Mr. Black. I snuggle down under the comforter next to Marcus after I’ve helped arrange him in a nest of pillows his leg elevated with his body propped to the side so that he’s facing me. My content mood pops like a soap bubble, every muscle in my body stiffening when I realize that we didn’t use a condom.  “Oh my God …I’m not on the pill and we didn’t use protection!”

“I was wondering when you were going to realize that.”

“How can you be so calm, shit, I’ve never had to worry about birth control.”

“And you still don't; I can not have children Imani. I have used condoms with all of the other women I have been with; it just didn’t seem necessary with you. Given your history I knew you were clean.”

“You…. can’t have kids?”

“No.” I don’t know why this is such a shock, it’s not like we were getting married or anything, and I never planned on having children anyway…but I never planned on meeting someone who made me feel like Marcus either. Relaxing with the knowledge that there is no pregnancy scare, I squirm closer to Marcus’s warm, naked body, but my mind wanders to his comment
all the other women.
A Russian proverb I learned about in high school comes to mind- love and jealousy are sisters. Do I love Marcus, because I am absolutely jealous? I wonder how many there have been- were they like me, has he ever been in a serious relationship? And why can’t he have children? I need to quit torturing myself with questions like this. Of course he’s been with a lot of women, he’s gorgeous and rich, I don’t have to like it though.

“You ok?” He asks.

“Yea…yea, just a lot to take in I guess,” I answer quietly; a long silence follows and I almost think he’s gone to sleep when he speaks again.

“Do you? Want kids I mean?” he asks

“I never planned on having children no…. I’ve never been able to allow a man close enough to even consider it really. If you were able to have them would you?” I ask.

“No, I would undoubtedly fuck them up.” I prop myself up on my elbow to see him better and sigh. “I cant’ argue with you on that because I haven’t know you long. But from my limited experience I think you would make a great father Marcus, you’re disciplined, driven, loving and generous.”

“Well thank you for the vote of confidence Imani but as you said you don’t know me well.” I sag with the realization of his statement and he senses it. “You do however know me better than any other woman has. I have never brought a women into my house or my bed, you are the first, the only and the last.”  The importance of his words stuns me and I try to cover my shock with a bit of playful teasing.

“But I don’t count, you employ me; I’m just a lowly servant here to please you Mr. Castillo,” I say batting my eyelashes.

He takes my chin tilting my face up to his. “Don’t. Ever. Say. That. Y
ou count
; you have no idea how much you count,” he says looking away into the dark of the room. I blink several times in surprise and burrow back into his side.

“Why haven’t you brought anyone here?” I ask.

“I have never wanted anyone to have that kind of access to me, I can fuck anywhere.” “Oh.” I have nothing to say about that…but I do wonder if I’m only here in his bed because of my employment? It doesn’t feel that way, he’s told me he feels a connection between us, and he’s shared details of his past with me, but no one else…. ever? I guess it’s not that strange. I’ve never taken a man to my apartment or my bed either; we certainly have some fucked up shit in common.

“I’ve never had a man to my place either, or in my bed,” I admit.

“I figured as much,” he says, stroking my hair and kissing me on the top of the head. “Pass me a sleeping pill will you?” I ask.

“I thought
you
were
my
nurse,” he teases.

“Well I can get up and walk around to your side of the bed, open the bottle and hand you one if you like,” I say, as I play to move away from him he tightens his grip on me.

“You will not go anywhere,” he says, passing me the pills and a bottle of water from the night table.

“Thank you.” We medicate ourselves to fight off our respective demons and lay waiting for the effects of the drugs in the soft light of his night table. “Do you ever shut that light off?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I think I like to know where I am if I wake up. “You think?” “Amnesia lady, remember?” He says tapping his temple. “Just how much of your past do you remember?” I ask “Bits and pieces and all of my childhood unfortunately. The biggest problem I am having seems to be with the past ten years or so.” “That has to be so disconcerting.” “Mmhm.” He agrees. “All the ghosts of the past…” I murmur, stroking his chest absentmindedly.

“Ghosts?”

“I have ghosts that haunt me from my past that I would like to forget, it just seems like you do too.”

“Mmmm, more than you could ever know.” Quiet follows his comment and I really want to ask him about his ghosts, but I don’t want to pry; he’ll tell me when he’s ready…. If he ever remembers or if he’s ever ready.

I wake for the second day in a row tangled in Marcus’s arms and his one good leg. Somehow when we sleep he always ends up with my hair wrapped in his fingers. I begin working myself free when he startles me. “What’s on the agenda for today Nurse Imani?” he asks me in a deep scratchy and extremely sexy morning voice.

“Well I need to go home and get some things. I also promised my sister I’d visit her and my niece and nephew  not to mention I totally owe my friends a night out…. I can’t stay holed up in your mansion twenty four seven you know?” Yes I could, very easily, but I do need my things if I’m staying here for a week, and I’d really love to stop by my sister’s house- maybe Marcus would come with me? Is it too early to introduce him to my family? What are they going to think of me dating the man I’m supposed to be working for? Am I dating him? Sleeping with yea, but technically I have no idea what to call what we’re doing. I wonder how he’s going to take this news after manipulating me to stay by his side every single second since waking up from his coma. I have to go, this compulsion to be near him is overwhelming, but I need to put my foot down…if only for a little while.

“Ok, how long will you be gone?” he says, just as I’ve freed myself from him. Sitting up, I stare in surprise, eyes wide and searching his for an explanation of this three hundred and sixty degree change.

“You’ll let me go, just like that?”

Little frown lines form between his eyes. “Of course, you are not a prisoner here, I would never hold you against your will Imani. You seem surprised; I am not the big bad wolf, you can go whenever you please,” he says, cocking his head to the side.

“Well…it’s just…. big bad wolf?” I wonder if he knows about his nickname? “Oh… ah…never mind.” He bites his lip and I swear he’s suppressing a laugh.

“Ok. When are you heading out, do you have time for breakfast with me?” This is bizarre, he’s been having panic attacks trying to keep me from leaving him and now he’s just letting me go…. and offering me breakfast? I’m not complaining. Well maybe I am just a little…I have to admit it’s been flattering having such a successful, beautiful man so infatuated with me. But I have a life outside these mansion walls that can’t be put on hold any longer.

“Yea sure, I can eat with you and I’ll help get you cleaned up and dressed of course.”

“I don’t need you to do that, I’ve got the bag over my leg in the shower thing down and using these crutches isn’t as hard as I thought.” His reply is very businesslike, different somehow, or is it just me not handling this semi rejection well?

“Sounds like you don’t need me here after all.” I can’t believe I just said that, he could send me packing back to my ICU job according to the contract he had drawn up, and now that it’s a possibility I’m feeling a strong trepidation about leaving Marcus. I’ve started feeling comfortable here in his home, and last night… last night my sexuality was awakened. I know deep down that I’ll never be the same, no man can ever compare to Marcus. God what if he’s gotten what he wanted and he’s dismissing me now? 

“I never said you were not needed, but I can certainly wipe my own ass and dress myself.” This is so confusing; he sounds kind of pissed.  If he can do
those
things for himself and he continues to refuse medication and further testing at the hospital, professionally I am really not needed.

Is that what he’s saying, he only wants me here as a plaything? Shit, that would feel just like prostitution.

“Marcus, are you upset with me about something?” I don’t want to ask but I’m trying hard to sort all of this out when realization hits me like a ton of bricks. This feels a lot like a personality change. Is it happening, is the
beast
returning? God I hope not, please, please, this can’t be happening. Sitting on my knees with the sheet pulled tightly around me I silently pray for my Marcus to come back.

“No, I just want to do some things for myself, I do not enjoy feeling like an invalid, but I do need you to keep an eye on me.” There is still coldness in his eyes, and I suddenly feel very uncomfortable being naked in his bed. I gather the sheet around me and crawl off the bed to make my way to my room without a word, locking the door when I’m safely inside.

A while later when I’ve showered and dressed I find him in the dining room with his laptop on his right and his breakfast on his left. Maria serves me breakfast and neither Marcus or I say much. “I had your car brought around.” he says, taking the last bite of his egg white omelet. “Oh. Thanks.” I’m still wary of the motives behind this newfound flippant attitude. “Will you be ok for a while, I just have to check on things at home and stop in to see my sister.”

“Yes, I have work to do, I can keep busy.” I feel awkward now that I’m actually leaving, should I kiss him goodbye in front of Maria? She’s bustling around removing our dishes as soon as the last bite has been taken. This thing between us is so strange I don’t know how to act, so I simply turn and say goodbye.

“Ok…so I’ll see you tonight?”

“Yes.” And that’s it,  I leave the dining room and walk right out the front door. That was too easy for him, and too hard for me. I feel the disconnect as soon as I’m in the front drive. I am leaving an important part of me behind when I leave this man. Marcus has become my home, not his house but him. His presence is as vital to my survival as oxygen or water.

Chapter 21

It feels like a lifetime since I’ve been home…or to
my
home rather. I crank the radio; I miss the constant presence of music in my life. Imagine Dragon’s Radioactive fills the car, and I sing along until I’m home. The moment I turn the key in the lock of my apartment and step inside it’s different. I don’t feel like I belong here anymore, even surrounded by pictures of my family, my furniture, the throw on the back of the couch, none of it feels like home. How can one man encompass my whole life in a few short weeks? Surely this isn’t how love is supposed to be, unbalanced, desperate, and tenacious. Tutting to myself, I shuffle back to the closet and grab an overnight bag stuffing it with clothes, shoes and toiletries for my week at Marcus’s. The light fixture I made for him is safely wrapped in a cocoon of bubble wrap on my bed, along with the Vase Dax gave to me. Using some of the clothes I’m packing, I wrap the vase in the soft material and place it safely inside my duffle bag. I dial my sister’s number, and she answers on the first ring. “Imani!” She hollers with excitement damn it’s so good to be loved and missed.

“Hey sis, you home? I thought I’d stop by- I’m missing my niece and nephew.” “Oh yea? How bout your ol sister, no love for me?” “Oh yea I miss my sister too, whoops sorry.” I tease.

“Yea yea I see how ya are. Come on over they’re messin round in the play room an girl they always wanna see their aunty Imani!” “Ok, be there in a bit.”

“Imani?”

“Yea?”

“You alright…with the job and stuff?”

“Yea, I’ll tell you about it when I get there.”

“Ok, see ya,” she says. I know she’s worried about the unexpected change in my career; if she only knew. When I have the car packed up  I set out to spend time with my family.

Pulling up in front of Latoya’s house my two favorite angels come barreling out the front door with no shoes or coats on. “Imani, Imani, Imani!!” Kimmie squeals as they both attack me and almost knock me to the ground. “We missed you so much, why didn’t you come last week?” Dante whines.

“Sorry babe, I have a new job and it took up a lot of time.”

Latoya appears at the door as the three of us approach, both kids hanging on my sides. “Kimmie, Carl let her go! It’s cold out here, get inside, hurry up now!” Just inside the front door she hugs me, and I hold on a little longer than usual. I bite my lip hard to suppress the tears that have sprung to my eyes. When we part I realize how bad I need to talk to someone about this whole situation. Latoya takes my hand, leading me to the kitchen not noticing my struggle…. thank God.

The kids shadow me, chatting endlessly about school, dance lessons, sports, all the things little kids are involved in, and I listen intently with genuine interest, I love these two so much. “Hey, why aren’t you in school today?” I ask.

“No school today we got conferences.” Dante replies with an ear-to-ear smile.

“Ahh, well I’m glad your home so I get to see you. Hey guys can you go set up a game while your mommy and I talk for a few minutes?”

“Ooooo yea, can we play Chutes and Ladders?!” Kimmie asks.

“That’s a baby game, I ain’t playing that!” Dante protests.

“How about one game of Chutes and Ladders and one of whatever you want Carl, sound good?”

“Yea, come on Kimmie.” I watch their little heads bob up and down as they retreat to the playroom to find their games. 

“Want some coffee?” Latoya asks.

“Sure.”

“Spill,” she says sharply.

“What?”

“Girl you’re a hot mess, I see it, what’s up with you?” Ok, so maybe she did notice me fighting the tears.

“Ok, I’ll start, how’d this shit start? I know you love workin that ICU, and now you’re doin
home care?!
” she says ‘home care’ like they’re dirty words.

“What’s wrong with home care? It’s not exactly home care anyway…more like private care.” Ha that’s funny. No way am I telling her exactly how private!

“So…private care ok, ok, whatever. Why does this guy need
private
care?”

“I can’t give specifics, you know HIPPA and all that, but it was a serious accident and he needs help at home.”

“So …why’s it gotta be you? You drop everything in your life and go out in left field doing private care, somethin’s not right about that.” she says with lifted eyebrows.

“I can still go back to the hospital. It’s in my contract. The reason I left… it’s complicated. I’ve been going out of my mind trying to figure him out, he’s different….” I trail off, unsure of the boundaries I’m able to cross without violating Marcus’s confidentiality.

“You like him! Oh good God in heaven you do, look at you! You never blush, ha!” And I can feel the heat creeping up my neck to my face- shit, why does my body betray me so easily? I nod my head, confirming her accusation. “Imani…you never wanted a man, I can’t believe this!”

“Yea me either, I’d pretty much sworn off them for eternity, but, he
needs
me, and for some reason I need him too.”

Latoya takes a big breath and holds it for a few seconds, before blowing it out dramatically. “Wow. This is it huh? You found your guy, he was out there just waitin for ya after all. Prince charming, oh naw wait, sleeping beauty.” She laughs. “You did say he was in a coma didn’t you?” She’s such a romantic; leave it to Latoya to make a fairy tale out of this potential nightmare.

“I wouldn’t go that far, he’s got issues, and some I’m not sure I can handle.”

“
You
have issues Imani, big ones. You can’t live your life like you think it’s supposed to be, people are fucking messy and confusin but they’re also beautiful and strong. Take the good with the bad girl.” When the hell did she switch to team Marcus? “Man Latoya, what’s your deal? I’ve never heard you talk so passionately about someone you’ve never met.” She scoots my coffee across the island, and when I reach for it she covers my hand with hers. “I want you to have somebody, I hate you being alone. You got dealt a shitty hand sis; I know what you went through was really bad; well not really I guess. But if there is something with this guy I say choose love.” Love? I have no idea if that’s what I feel for him- electricity, undeniable physical attraction yes, but love?

“Thanks, for caring about me I mean, I never knew you worried about that so much, I figured you were comfortable with my choices.”

“Aw Imani, it’s not just me, the whole family worries bout you. Nobody wants to bring up the past though so they don’t say anything. We love you girl we want you to be happy.

“Don’t get your hopes up too high sis, I’m not supposed to talk about his medical condition, but we’re personally involved as well and I
need
to talk to somebody about it…he has a head injury from a car accident. I’m worried about the effects.”

“What kinda effects?”

“Well…I’ve met a few of his employees, his right hand man in business, and his sister.” “Yea…. and?”

“And, they all seem really, really, afraid of him- not the normal respect-for-your-boss type of thing, but
fear.
And then there’s his sister, something is weird there- she came to sit with him every day before he woke up from a coma but she hasn’t been seen since, no call to check up on him or anything.”

“Yea that’s weird. What about
you?
What kinda vibe you gettin from him?”

“From what I know, and how he treats me he’s cocky, bossy but vulnerable, gentle and sexy as hell!”

“Well I don’t see a problem then. Go fur it, if he treats you good nothin else matters right?” “Well yea but he has blackouts that worry me, and mood swings. I’m so afraid I’ll wake up someday and he won’t be… him. What if the Marcus I know isn’t the real Marcus Castillo? What if he’s an evil sadistic bastard?”

Latoya shakes her head. “Lemme break it down here real simple for ya, that shit can happen with any man not just your coma boyfriend, there’s no guarantees in life sis, it might happen, but it might not. But thing is ya can’t give up before ya even start.”

“Yea I know it’s just insane; I have all these new feelings, they scare the shit out of me. He could wake up one day and be a horrible person.”

“Or he may stay like he is right now, life’s all about risks. It’s a huge one I know, but ya gotta get out there an live, we’re here if you need us you know that.”

I smile at her and drink my coffee. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For loving me, and for the advice, I was going bonkers with all this, it feels good to get someone else’s prospective.”

“That’s what family’s for honey, so tell me more bout this hot man!” We talk and laugh, then I Google Marcus so she can see what he looks like, and as I predicted she freaks. I play board games with the kids and after a while I feel myself coming back. The me I’m familiar with, not the crazy me I’ve become since Marcus  arrived in my life.

My phone beeps in my pocket alerting me of an incoming text and I slide it out to check them.  Along with several from Laney I have a few from my other friends but the one I just received is from Marcus. I didn’t put his number in my phone, but his beautiful brooding face shows up on the screen with the unfamiliar number.
Are you almost done? I’m missing you; I think I need some medical attention, M.
My tummy flutters at the thought of him sitting around texting that he’s missing me. The nagging feeling of rejection I had this morning dissipates instantly. So stupid, I’m going to drive myself nuts trying to figure him out.
At my sisters, finishing up- will be there soon, and what kind of medical attention are you in need of? T ;)
His response is immediate.
It’s an urgent issue that needs immediate attention.
Smiling, I shoot a return message.
Be there STAT!

My sister is eyeing me…”That him?” she asks.

“Yep.”

“Your face lit up like a Christmas tree, better get your ass back to
work,”
she teases.

“Yea, he’s asking when I’ll be back. See you soon?”

“Course, I’m always here, just call.” I hug them all good-bye and head out; amazed at what a difference a few hours with your family can make. I purposely crank the music in the car to distract myself from the building anticipation of seeing him again. I’m 99% sure his medical attention request will be much to my advantage, so peddle to the floor, I speed to close the gap between us.