Chained to the Billionaire

Mia

I snuggled myself into a comfortable position, intending to take another nap.

Suddenly, I felt this sense of happiness, and I honestly didn't know why. I mean, considering what I had recently been through with the kidnapping, beating, and near rape, I shouldn't feel bright and cheerful like this. Perhaps it was the thought of James and that I instinctively knew he'd come to be by my side tonight. I started giggling.

Yes, I giggled like a schoolgirl.

"Sounds like you're having a good time being cooped up in the hospital," came a manly voice.

The moment I heard that deep timbre, my heart raced and I felt overjoyed. So much so that I wanted to burst out crying.

I turned my head, and the sight of James standing not too far away nearly broke me down. I somehow managed to hold in my emotions and greeted him with a, "Hi."

He came over to sit on the side of the bed. "Hi there, sweetheart. I came as soon as Nancy contacted me."

So Nancy the nurse had phoned him when I woke, and he must have dropped whatever he was doing to come to be with me right away.

Because I couldn't help myself, I rose up and buried my face against his chest. I felt his strong arms wrap around me, and I sighed pleasantly. I felt warm, comforted, and safe in his arms. Yes, especially after what had happened.

God, I wanted to say so many things to him. Thank you for coming to rescue me and I've missed you so much and I want you close to me, and all those sorts of things, but instead, I said, "I love you."

James flashed his gorgeous smile, his Prussian-blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "I love you, too," he said, which made my heart leap with joy. Then he lowered his head, and his lips touched mine.

He kissed me gently, and I knew he was being careful so the action wouldn't hurt my tender flesh. Even so, it felt wonderful. Even when it was just that light brush of lips, it was still intoxicating, and God, I wanted him to go wilder on me, more passionate. I even encouraged him by opening my mouth, but then he terminated the kiss and moved back.

He chuckled, and I was sure he was amused at my show of disappointment.

"You're not properly healed yet," he said. "We'll wait until you're better."

Of course I wasn't properly healed yet, but... God, I just wanted him to kiss me some more. Damn, I acted like a spoiled girlfriend, didn't I?

I rested my head against his chest as I asked, "So when I get better, you'll kiss me properly?"

I heard him chuckling, and his chest rumbled quite nicely against my ear. "Yes," he said. "When you're well again, I'll kiss you properly."

I didn't see what type of expression he made as he said those words, but the deep, seductive tone in his voice told me there was deeper meaning. That, unsurprisingly, made my insides squirm in both excitement and anticipation. Just because I didn't want him to think I was thinking about our future proper kiss, I changed the subject and asked him about my brother.

"He's fine," James replied.

"He's still here, right?"

"Mm-hmm."

"I want to see him and talk to him about..." I trailed off, staring out the window at the bright-blue sky in the distance.

What will we talk about? Obviously, many things, and none of them had anything to do with the subject of Herbert Weston and our dark, broken past. Yes, there was our bright future to talk about, plenty of it.

"I'll tell him you're well enough to receive visitors," James said.

"Thanks," I said, moving out of his arms. "When will the doctor discharge me? Do you know?"

"In a couple days," he said, caressing my bruised cheeks. "Once they're certain you'll be all right."

"I feel fine," I said, my head held high. "Well, maybe a little sore, but it's only inflammation after what happened." I stopped short because I didn't want to make any reference to the kidnapping or Herbert Weston and Sophie. I changed the subject again. "How's Aria? I mean, I haven't seen her and-Oh God, what did you tell her? About me being gone without telling her?"

Damn, and here I was trying to avoid the subject of me being kidnapped by Herbert Weston.

James was stroking my hair now and said, "I told her you're staying with your brother for a couple days. She and Savannah begged to visit you." When James mentioned Savannah's name, I smiled in delight. "Savannah is in L. A?"

James nodded. "She and William came as soon as they received the news."

"I see." I lowered my eyes, thinking how frightened Savannah must have been when she found out I had been kidnapped.

"I can't wait to see her," I said, smiling. "And Aria as well."

James nodded. "I'll bring them in tomorrow."

"And what will you tell Aria when she sees me in the hospital with bruises like this?" I chuckled in amusement.

James smiled, too, though I didn't miss a hint of something else in his eyes, an expression I couldn't quite put my finger on. Anger? Fear? Worry? God, I didn't know.

He said, "I'll think of something."

"Okay." I nodded. "I can't wait to see them tomorrow."

"Rest, and I'll see you tonight," he said.

As I nodded again, he kissed me on the forehead, and a moment later, he was gone.

Alone, I felt that something didn't sit right with me where James was concerned. Why? Was it because of what I had noticed in his eyes? I also didn't miss the fact that he didn't seem so self-assured and confident, his usual arrogant, on-top-of- the-world billionaire self.

Was it fear, worry, or anger I had seen? And did it have something to do with me? But why? Because, after all, I was fine now, wasn't I?