Page 44 of A Billionaire for Christmas
‘Christ. I feel amazing.’ He yawned, stretching his arms out. ‘Eleven and a half hours.’
And the incredible remorse? Tell me more about that.
‘I think I could even have slept for a bit longer.’ Levi ran his hands through his hair and took the mug of coffee from the bedside table.
Molly got the immediate hump but hid it very well. ‘Give me a call next time you’re suffering from insomnia.’ She tried to stop her voice from rising as she slid away from him. ‘I’ll come right round.’
She heard Levi chuckle. ‘If you knew me, you’d know that’s quite the compliment. I’m a notoriously bad sleeper. Usually worse if I have to share a bed.’
The last thing she wanted to hear about was Levi sharing a bed with other women.
‘I can’t believe that happened. I’ve never slept like that. Ever.’ He rubbed the side of his face.
‘Are you always this obsessed with sleep? You know there’s an app you can get to monitor it, if you’re so concerned.’
Molly climbed back on the bed begrudgingly. Last night was the worst experience of her entire life. She knelt facing him.
‘How doyoufeel?’ he asked.
She could not hide the disappointment she felt. ‘Okay. I guess.’
Levi regarded her intensely. ‘How come you’re working for me? Here in a ski resort? What about the company you said you ran? Or was that a lie?’
Molly swallowed, unsure of how much to disclose. She swept her hair behind her ear. ‘I’m on a break from it. I’m here to seek inspiration. New experiences.’
‘And you’ve got someone managing the company for you while you’re away? Where are you based? What’s it called? How many staff do you employ?’ Levi managed between mouthfuls of coffee, sounding as though he’d come directly from the Inland Revenue to dot some i’s and cross some t’s. ‘Isn’t Christmas a busy period for you? I expect you’re quite relieved to be going back to it.’
And I bet he’s relieved I’ll not be chasing him round the lodge like an excitable puppy, she thought miserably.
Molly was desperate not to pursue this conversation and was saved by yet another ping from Levi’s phone. He glanced at it. ‘It’s Toby.’
‘Oh.’ She knew what was coming next.
‘The path back to the lodge is clear. We’re good to go.’
Good to go.
As in, good to go home.
As in, it’s time to leave.
Game over.
She took a moment to process what he was saying and drew in a deep breath. It was almost as though they were being forced to evaluate their entire days-long relationship in just a few seconds.
‘I guess this is goodbye then. You’ll go back to the lodge for Christmas, and I’ll get myself back to… England.’ She didn’t want to tell him about Le Petit Ange; he might be tempted to look for her. Ask questions she’d rather not answer. If only she’d been honest with him from the start.
Much to Molly’s relief, a sadness swept over his face. ‘I’ll never forget you, Molly Johnson.’
So much had happened in such a short time and in other ways, so little.
‘And I’ll never forget you, Levi LeRoux. Wait. Why do some people call you Angelo? You never did say.’
Levi chuckled. ‘I guess you’ll never find out. I’ll miss you,’ he murmured against her hair as he leaned over to hug her.
Molly had never felt so heartbroken and joyful at the same time. She’d never, ever forget him. ‘I wish things could have been different,’ she gushed.
‘Me too.’ Levi brushed her cheek with his lips, holding her tight one final time. ‘I’d stay in this moment forever if I could.’
