Ellinor picked up on the fact that it was the same woman who had answered Theoâs phone when Veronica called. It felt like a punch to the gut. She didnât ask and just waited in silence, hoping heâd explain who the woman was on his own.
But he didnât.
In a rush, Theo told her, âBabe, you should get some sleep. I need to step out for a bit.â
Ellinor didnât get a chance to ask more before he hung up. He ended the call in a flash, not even sticking around to hear her say another word.
She stared into space as the busy tone echoed in her ear. She wondered who the woman calling him was.
And why didnât he explain anything to her?
She tossed her phone aside and curled up under the blanket, hugging her pillow tight like a little ball.
It was a reaction of extreme insecurity and a desire to protect herself.
She spent many nights like this as a child, only changing her ways when she learned to defend herself as she grew up.
But now, that old feeling of insecurity seemed to be creeping back and gnawing at her again.
She didnât know how she managed to fall asleep.
When she woke up, it was bright out, and the warm sunlight streamed through the white curtains.
She slowly opened her eyes as she rubbed her temples, only to wake up to a broad, masculine chest.
Ellinor froze. At first, she thought she was dreaming, then instinctively touched the chest in front of her.
It felt so real that it gave her chills!
She had just woken up, and her head was still foggy, but she knew that she wasnât home and that her man was out of the country.
So who was this man holding her?
Ellinorâs mind raced through all the possibilities until she thought about that boundaryless bloke, Bartlett.
Oh no! He didnât sneak in during the night, did he?
Ellinor was startled by her own thought, then moved to check if her nightgown was still intact under the blanket. But then she realized that she had nothing on. Her nightgown was nowhere to be found!
Things were really messed up!
She sat up abruptly and yelled out in frustration, âAh!â
âWhatâs wrong?â
The familiar voice and tone made Ellinor pause, then she turned and saw Theoâs handsome face in her line of sight. Theo was lying on his side. His handsome face looked a bit tired as he sat up and moved closer to her, âWhatâs wrong? Who did you think it was?â Ellinor was still in a state of panic, but she breathed a sigh of relief, âI didnât expect it to be anyone. Waking up with a man next to me is going to startle anyone, right?â
She almost thought that she had betrayed him. Thank goodness she didnât!