30 Nights With The Billionaire

Chapter 2

“Where are you going?” Ben asked, as he watched Jean begin to gather her stuff.

“I need to get some things from the store. I’m cooking dinner tonight.”

“Is that right?”

She watched as he sat his papers down and moved to his feet. A sexy half smile reached his lips as Jean’s heart began to beat faster. What the hell was wrong with her? She watched as he slid his shoes on and grabbed his phone.

“Where are you going?” she asked. A chuckle rumbled through his chest.

“With you, isn’t it obvious?” He flashed her a million-dollar smile as he moved to the door. “I’ll carry the groceries for you. Unless you don’t want the company?”

Jean shook her head swiftly. “No, that isn’t it at all. I’d love the company. It’s just… I’m sure you’re really busy.”

“Even businessmen have to eat.” He winked at her and opened the door to the hall, letting her go through first.

As she moved past him, she brushed against his chest, making impure thoughts immediately invade her mind. Why was she suddenly this s*x-starved woman who couldn’t control herself? Yes, this man was attractive, but she worked with attractive men all the time. What was so different about him? Was it pure chemistry? Or was it because they were sleeping in the same hotel suite together? That had to be it. Okay, Jean, knock it off and quit dragging him into your sick thoughts.

Ben followed her closely in the supermarket. He looked around the store with almost child-like wonder. He even seemed interested in the whole process as she paid for the groceries, and as they were placed in bags. He immediately took them, not allowing Jean to carry even one.

As they walked back to the hotel, she gave him a quick side-glance. “Do you get your groceries from a high-class grocery store? You seemed a bit lost.”

“I’ve never gone grocery shopping.” His voice was quiet. Suddenly, he reached out and pulled her to his side, the bag in his hand swinging violently with his movements. Just as he did, a kid on a bike rushed past her. “What are they doing riding their bike on the sidewalk?” he growled, keeping her firmly locked to his side. “You need to be more aware.” He shook his head.

“Sorry. Thank you.” She went to step away, but he kept his arm around her. “I’m okay now.”

“It’s safer next to me. I’ll pay attention for you,” he snorted, almost seeming angry. She had inconvenienced him, and he must have been annoyed with her. He kept his firm grip around her even in the hotel. It wasn’t until they reached the elevator that Jean finally was able to step away from him.

“I’m sorry for all the trouble.”

He looked at her blankly before directing his attention back to the opening elevator doors. “It wasn’t your fault. That kid had no business riding that fast or on the sidewalk. Someone could have been seriously injured.”

Jean followed behind him quietly back to their room. She could understand his concern. Had the kid hit him, it would have slowed down his work. Time is money… or so she had heard.

She began setting all the items she needed on the counter. Ben was watching her thoughtfully and she smiled up at him. “Plan to watch the whole process?”

“So, these are all the ingredients for chimichangas.” He smiled at her before walking away. “Thanks for cooking dinner. I’ll try to get a few things done while I wait.”

She wasn’t sure why, but she wanted to impress him with her cooking. She had always been a decent cook, and this was one of the dishes she was always complimented on. She went to work dicing up the food and carefully wrapping the ingredients up. She eased the tortillas into the oil and then glanced up at Ben. He had unbuttoned the first several buttons of his shirt, revealing his sexy chest hair. It made her want to run her fingers through it and entangle it between her fingers. She wondered how he would feel underneath her, with her hands sprawled over his chest…

“Is something burning?” He glanced up as she looked away, embarrassed. Did he catch her ogling him? Uh oh. s**t! She forgot about the cooking chimichangas and scorched one side of them.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.” She moved them to another plate as her shoulders sank. So much for showing off her cooking. “We can order out.”

Ben walked over and put two of the chimichangas on a plate. “I like my food well cooked.” He winked at her before moving to the table.

“Seriously, it’s okay. You don’t have to eat that. I’m usually a decent cook. I was just… daydreaming. Thinking of things I need to do when I get home.” She lied. But she could hardly tell him the truth. Without a word, he continued to eat her food. He ate it so enthusiastically that he convinced her that it wasn’t that bad. That was, until she took a bite herself. How was he eating that? It was horrible.

“You cooked, so I’ll do the dishes.”

“Do you want me to explain to you how the dishwasher works?” she teased as he shot her a wide grin. He walked up to her, making her breathing stop as he leaned forward. His lips brushed against her ear as his hot breath pelted against her skin.

“You smell good,” he whispered sensually. “You should probably wash this smell off or I’m liable to have more to eat… later tonight. Men can do crazy things while they sleep.” He chuckled, moving back to the sink, leaving her confused and excited at the same time. “Seriously, I have this. You can go ahead and get a shower. Remember, you are sleeping with me tonight.”

“I still think it’s silly. The idea that you can fall asleep just because I’m next to you. I mean, you know that’s ridiculous.” She listened as he let out a little hum, turning on the sink.

“I guess we’ll find out, right?”

She smiled, shaking her head as she walked to her room to get a shower. It was just a coincidence that he was able to fall asleep. It didn’t mean he was able to sleep because she was next to him. He would see after tonight that it was just a fluke.

She turned on the shower as she remembered the slight touch of his lips on her ear. Was he flirting? She shook her head. No, he was just teasing her. It was his way of getting back at her for her little joke. It was just her wanting it to mean something. She suddenly paused. Did she want it to mean something? No… no, she just watched too many romance movies. Her mind was tricking her. After tonight, she would probably never see this man again.

After she finished drying her hair, she headed back out to the main area. Ben was already sitting on the couch and had the news on the television. She suddenly felt a bit anxious as she shuffled her way toward him.

“So, uhm, should I just sit here?” she asked, pointing at the far end of the couch. He raised his brow at her and tilted his head.

“I got a quick shower too, so I don’t stink. Unless—you’re really afraid I might eat you.” The way his lips curled up had her body tensing in response.

“Quit teasing me. I’ve never done this before and wasn’t sure what I should do.”

“And I have done this before?” He chuckled, watching her face turn red.

“That’s not what I meant,” she answered nervously as he laughed.

“I think, in order to really test this out, we should recreate what we did last night.” He patted the seat next to him. “I’ll only bite if you want me to.”

Her heart hummed like a hummingbird’s wings as she took her seat next to him. She glanced up at the screen, watching the stock numbers roll across the bottom. Knowing she was supposed to fall asleep next to him somehow felt exciting. Sure, it didn’t mean anything, but there was something intriguing about all of it. Not to mention the fact that the man was gorgeous.

“Do you want me to put cartoons on?” he asked quietly.

“No, this is fine.” She grabbed a blanket, pulling it up to her neck. She didn’t think she would ever fall asleep, but watching the scrolling numbers had a hypnotic effect. And before she knew it, her eyelids had closed.

Ben felt her body begin to slide in his direction and he moved his arm around her. He stared at her blonde head resting on his side. The woman was a stranger, but oddly he felt very comfortable with her. She intrigued him, and not many people did. She was beautiful and incredibly kind. And she blushed easily, which he thought was adorable. Was she really the reason he was able to fall asleep last night? Was it because of her calm aura?

He sighed and then moved slowly, gently lifting her in his arms. One thing was for certain. They would both get a better night’s sleep if they were laying on a mattress. He gingerly laid her in bed and slid next to her, pulling the covers up over both of them. She immediately rolled, resting her head on him. A small smile reached his lips as he embraced her in his arms. If she really could help him fall asleep, then he had to keep her. If he was able to fall asleep again tonight, then he would need to think of a way to keep her by his side. At least enough that he could get a good night’s sleep every once in a while. An irrational idea crept into his mind, imagining a life where she stayed by his side forever. It would be nice to have a woman like her to live his life with. Though that was something he still wasn’t sure he was ready for. Not after what he had been through.

He nuzzled his nose into her hair, inhaling the scent of her freshly shampooed locks. Even if he couldn’t fall asleep, he was content just being close to her. In that moment, he cherished her presence and closed his eyes, eventually drifting off to sleep without even intending to do so.

The next morning, she found herself waking up next to his sleeping body. Her head was resting on his shoulder, and she gazed at his sleeping face, which was dangerously close to hers. She was cradled in his arms again and could smell his heady scent. That was when she realized they were lying down, and not on the couch, but in bed.

“How did I get in here?” She sat up, breaking herself free as Ben groaned, slightly annoyed.

“I moved us in here after you fell asleep. I figured this would be more comfortable for both of us.” He opened his eyes lazily, moving his gaze to the clock. “Ten hours of sleep this time. No meds. Just you next to me.” He leaned up on his elbow and stared at her with intrigue. His lips tugged up in a crooked smile.

She wet her lips nervously and shrugged. “Maybe it’s the room?” He raised his brows at her as he shook his head.

“I don’t know why, but it is you. Something about you relaxes me and helps me sleep. I have been thinking—I’m going to propose something crazy, but please consider it. Would you be my sleeping companion? There are times I really need to sleep. I can only go so long on an hour here and there before I collapse. It wouldn’t be all the time. Just every few days.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “You want me to be your human pillow?” She let out a nervous laugh, unsure how to answer. “This is like a Pretty Woman offer, only I am your sleep prostitute without the benefits.”

“Do you want the benefits?” His lips twitched up as he chuckled seeing her shocked expression. “I’m teasing. I need a non-complicated relationship. A human pillow. Just when I need to get some sleep, badly. I’ll pay you.”

“Eeewww, that really does make me sound like a sleep hooker.” She shook her head. “I don’t want your money.”

“Then consider it paying me back for half your share of the room.” A devilish grin spread over his lips. Damn, he had her there. She already felt guilty about him paying for the room. Now this would be her way of paying him back.

“For how long?” She chewed on her inner lip as she watched him look up at the ceiling.

“At least thirty nights of sleep would be fair. And we can go from there if it works out well.”

“I think this was just a fluke, so I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”

“I guess we’ll see about that.”

“Of course, if either of us start dating, this situation will be problematic.” She watched as something dark and unreadable flashed in his eyes.

“You agree to at least thirty nights, regardless.”

There was something almost possessive in his tone. However, it might have just been his desperation to sleep. “Yes, I do.”

“Okay, good. We can figure it out after that,” he said, as he reached for her phone. “Call me anytime you want. Let me know if you ever need anything from me.” He sat her phone down and then promptly rolled out of bed. “We better gather our things and get ready. We have a plane to catch.”

Jean stood there in disbelief as she realized what she had just agreed to. She had just agreed to sleep next to a man she found incredibly attractive. Though, it seemed it was a bit one-sided. He never once made a move on her. To him, she was just a pillow, a living, breathing pillow. She inwardly winced, What have I gotten myself into?