Page 41 of The CEO

“If it makes you feel better the nurse said I wasn’t raped.” Her bottom lip started to tremble on the last word, and I wanted to kick my own ass. I needed to be here for Pria and keep my guilt to myself.

Nodding my head, I rubbed my thumb over the back of her arm. “I’m glad you don’t have to go through that as well, but it wouldn’t have changed the way I see you.”

“And how do you see me?” she asked on a shaky breath.

I held nothing back telling her the absolute truth of my feelings for her. “Strong, resilient, feisty, smart, kind and caring, beyond gorgeous, and my perfect match. You were made for me. No one else besides my family has ever made me want to show them who I really am.” I hung my head, unable to look her in the eye.

“I like what you show me, King,” She spoke softly but with conviction in her voice. With those simple but profound words, I knew she was being honest with me. “When we met in your office all I could think was you were a cocky suit, well, besides the obvious.” I tilted my head looking at her through the hair that hung over my eyes. Lightheartedness filled her voice. “Don’t make me feed your ego. You know you’re gorgeous. Your only flaw is being an asshole.”

“I have a few more, but yeah, being a cocky asshole is a good way to keep people away. Most don’t want to put up with me, but you… you’ve got me by the balls.”

Pria closed her eyes for a long moment. I thought she’d fallen asleep from the drugs until she blew out a long breath. With her eyes still closed, she asked, “Want to tell me what earlier was all about?”

“None of that matters now. Only that you’re going to be okay and you don’t hate me.” I paused thinking that Pria had never said she wasn’t still mad at me. “Do you hate me?”

Her good eye slit open. “If I hated you, I wouldn’t have had the nurse bring you back.” She closed her eyes again. “Now, tell me what happened. Did I do something? Is it because we didn’t have lunchtime sex?”

It hurt that she would even think that about me, but I knew I hadn’t given her any clues as to why I’d been furious with her.

“I saw you on my way to lunch with…” I gritted my teeth because it still stung to know she’d lied to me. “I saw you with your dad and when I did it all clicked. Well, not all, but I knew who you were then. Why didn’t you say we knew each other? You had ample opportunity to tell me you knew me and my sister.”

Pria let out a puff of air. “At first, it was because you didn’t recognize me. I know I’m not memorable, but still, I thought you’d know who I was. After that, I didn’t think it would matter since I didn’t think we’d have much contact. What did it matter if my dad was your family physician and I used to hang out with your sister? I even babysat you a couple of times.”

It made sense as to why she hadn’t mentioned it then especially if we were only going to be acquaintances.

“The next time I had the opportunity was when you said Murphy had named your dogs. I was going to say something then, but you stormed off. After that, it never seemed like the right moment. I wanted to tell you, but you’re one hell of a distraction. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you and you had to find out the way you did.”

Lacing our fingers together, I brought her hand up and placed a soft kiss to the back of it. “I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you. If I had, then maybe none of this would have happened.”

“When you saw us, you should have come up to us and said something.” A small smile pulled at the corner of her lips.

“What’s that look for?” I asked with my own smile. Even after all the shit of the day, she could still manage to make me smile and that was everything.

“I was imagining you telling my dad we’re fucking and the look on his face. He probably would have imploded on the spot.”

“Why?” My brows creased. “I’m a perfectly acceptable male specimen.”

She giggled and then clutched at her side. “Please don’t make me laugh. It hurts too much. But really is that how you see yourself as an acceptable male specimen?” She shook her head at me. “You’re anything but acceptable.”

“Then what am I?” I was starting to get worried she thought even less of me.

“You are prime grade A beef. A father should strive for their daughters to meet a man like you.”

“So your dad would be happy?” It didn’t make sense.

“Just the opposite. He’s old school and thinks I should only be with a good Chinese man. He thinks Haider cheating on me was all my doing. He’d be absolutely appalled I’m with a white man.”

It was shocking to know he thought that way. What I wanted to know was did Pria feel the same way. Was she only with me to defy her father?

“What are your thoughts on being with an insanely wealthy white man with blond hair and green eyes who’s devilishly handsome and hung like a horse?”

“There he is. My cocky asshole.” Her words may have been harsh, but she looked at me with love in her eyes, or at least I thought it looked something like love.

“Right here. Now, what are your thoughts? I want to know,” I demanded but kept my tone light.

She tightened her grip on my hand and motioned for me to come closer. I didn’t stop until there was only an inch betweenour noses. “If it was anyone but you, I wouldn’t want him. I like you foryou, King. I don’t care what you look like or the size of your dick. That may have been what attracted me to you in the beginning, but it was you, the man buried deep inside that only me and your trio of dogs get to see that kept me by your side.”

And at that moment, I knew I was in love with Pria Wang. If she hadn’t been in a hospital bed. If we had been anywhere else, I would have dropped down on one knee and proposed to her after hearing those words.

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