Page 32 of The Runaway Billionaire's Inconvenient Baby
“Me neither,” I confess before pulling my marshmallow out of the fire and hissing as it burns my fingertips. Billie laughs and shoves a paper plate in front of me.
“You came prepared,” I say as I smush the marshmallow between the crackers and chocolate.
“I always come prepared.”
“I think I’m falling in love,” I let out, thoughtless. When she balks in surprise, I quickly add, “With the island. I think I’m in love with this island.”
“That’s why you have to make it yours.” Her voice is so soft I can barely hear it over the crackle of the flames.
I hum almost to myself. “That was what I thought,” I say.
“Was? Not still is?”
“I’m not sure what I think anymore,” I say, and for once, it’s the truth.
CHAPTER 17
BILLIE
Inlove. The words hit me out of nowhere, sending me reeling. Of course, he meant the island. What else would he be talking about? There is no reason on earth why he would like me.
Sure, he’s grateful for me being his tour guide, but I’ve made it perfectly clear how I feel about him. Even if that changed, why would he waste his time on someone who has so openly hated him? And anyway, how can I have feelings for someone who wants to take my world away from me?
But that’s not it. I can see that now as we sit together and eat s’mores by the fire and giggle. I can see it as clearly as if the sun were still out. He’s not a billionaire jerk. He’s lonely. Like me. He has everything he wants, but he doesn’t have anyone to see him for who he really is or really wants to be.
You’d think that billionaires like him would be surrounded by people, but I guess that’s part of his problem. Heissurrounded by people, and he doesn’t want to be. He wears all these masks to succeed, but he just wants his peace. And I think here on this island, he’s finding it.
I think about the way he played with the kids again, how he looked so happy. Maybe this is what he needs. A little humanity. Something to love.
“Let’s go for a walk,” I say, shattering the tension brewing between us as I stand up.
“A walk? But … my s’more.”
“Can’t you eat and walk at the same time?” I say, raising an eyebrow.
“I can. I can do anything.”
“Then pick up your plate, and let’s go. If you litter, I’m going to have to kill you.”
“I thought you wanted to do that anyway,” he says, and though he’s teasing, there’s more than an element of truth to his words.
“I did,” I say, then hesitate.
“And now?” he asks, not backing down, his eyes wide in the firelight.
“And now I think you’re just a man, and I’m not scared of you.”
“I wouldn’t want you to be,” he says softly, and my heart leaps into my mouth.
What is wrong with me that I’m starting to enjoy spending time with him?
He gets up, and we wander away to the west. “Where are we going?” he asks. “Please tell me we’re not doing more climbing.”
“Hey, you’re wearing the right clothes for it today, at least.”
“I still don’t want to.”
“Well, lucky for you, we’re just going to the caves.”
