Who Wants to Marry A Billionaire?(35)

Unconsciously, Daniel stroked the back of Nina’s head with his hand. “You know, it doesn’t all have to be a con job. There are some very real things going on.”

Nina’s phone rang. She smiled at Daniel, and grabbed it from the edge of the hot tub. “I better get this just in case something crazy is going on with my crazy family.”

“Sure, of course.” He stood up, “You know, I need to make a call too. Enjoy the hot tub, I’ll be back in a bit.”

Daniel paced as he listened to the phone ring, “Come on…pick up.” Then there was a click as the connection went through.

“Elsa! You are there. Do you have a few minutes?”

A half hour later, Daniel found Nina perched on the edge of the hot tub, with her feet dangling in the water. She was still on the phone, and held up a finger to Daniel to signal that she’d only be another moment.

“I know it feels terrible now, but you’ll bounce back. Better to find out sooner rather than later, right? Go get a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey and call me tomorrow…bye sweetie, feel better.” Nina clicked the phone off and sighed.

“Can’t be good if Dr. Alves is prescribing ice cream, what’s going on?”

“Kennedy has already caught her cellist in a compromising position with an oboe player.”

“I’m sorry. Guys can be dogs, what can I say?”

Nina splashed her feet in the water, “He really seemed like a good person. I guess you can never know the truth about someone.”

“You ready to head back to the caba?a?”

“Yeah, I guess. It’s getting late.”

“And tomorrow I’m taking you to see some waterfalls, so you better get rested up.” Daniel smiled, but Kennedy’s call had caused a shift in Nina’s mood. She seemed distant, and Daniel began to worry a bit. They had to keep things together for the next couple of days.

Back at the caba?a, Nina dug through her bag, trying to figure out what to wear to bed with a gorgeous man who happened to be her fake fiancé. Finally she settled on a t-shirt and some cotton pajama pants. After changing in the bathroom and brushing her teeth, Nina ran to the bed as fast as she could, pulling the covers over her and up to her chin. She was as far to one side as she could be without falling out of the bed. A few minutes later, she could hear Daniel gargling, then the lights in the other room shut off, and Daniel wandered nonchalantly into the bedroom. He was shirtless, but to Nina’s relief, he was wearing some loose fitting, lightweight knit sweat pants. They had no fly, which was fine with Nina, because that would prevent any untoward surprises. She rolled on her side, hugging the edge, and pulled the covers over her face to keep from staring at Daniel’s bare torso.

“There’s plenty of room, you know. I’ll keep my hands to myself, I promise.” Daniel slid into bed and turned off the lamp on the nightstand. “Nina—are you okay?”

“Yes I’m fine.” The covers muffled Nina’s voice, “Goodnight.” She wasn’t close to fine—she wanted to jump Daniel DeVere’s bones.

After an hour of Nina tossing and turning, Daniel clicked the light back on. “Nina…” She suddenly got still and tried to play ‘possum.’ He poked her shoulder with a finger, “I’m not stupid. I know you’re awake. Talk to me.”

Two eyes appeared over the top of the sheets. She looked dolefully at Daniel, “I’m sorry I’m keeping you awake, I can’t seem to sleep. Maybe I should go to the other room and read or something.”

“Put your feet in my lap,” Daniel commanded.

“What?”

“Do you have to question everything?” he said with a sigh.

Dutifully, Nina extricated herself from the covers and put her feet in Daniel’s lap as she leaned against the headboard of the bed. He began to massage them slowly and carefully. In imperceptible increments, Nina began to relax. “Wow. Where did you learn to do that?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“I don’t?”

“No, you don’t. Shut up, close your eyes, and concentrate on your feet.”

“Ohhhh. That’s…”

Daniel clamped a hand over her mouth. “You’re not concentrating.”

It didn’t take long for Nina to feel boneless. The sensations in her feet seemed to travel through her entire body. She breathed deeply and regularly.

“Nina, sometimes you need to let other people do things for you for no other reason than they want to do it. You don’t have to always be the one taking care of everyone else—and that includes me.”

She nodded, but didn’t say anything.

“You’re absolutely speechless. That’s got to be a first. My work here is done.” Daniel gently picked Nina’s feet up out of his lap, and then reached over and pulled her head to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, and she snuggled against him, and in moments she was fast asleep.





Chapter Twenty Five



When Nina woke up, she felt something heavy resting on her side and realized that Daniel’s arm was slung over her. He was spooned against her back, and the smell of frangipani filled the air. Part of her wanted to freak out, but more of her wanted to enjoy the feel of Daniel nuzzled against her back. She pushed the questions out of her mind and lay there listening to Daniel breathing slowly by her ear. It was, she thought, a magical sound.