Taming The Wild CEO novel Chapter 90

C H A P T E R 1 9 : H O M E I S W H E R E Y O U R H E A R T I S

Carefully swinging her legs around to the side, Ella started to get out of the car when Javier suddenly scooped her up into his arms. “What are you doing?” she demanded, her body stiff even as her arms circled his neck.

“You just recovered. Let me carry you,” he informed her as he strode toward the building, ignoring the look given by the passerby.

“Do not be ridiculous.” She could feel her cheeks heated and tried her best to conceal her face. “I am perfectly able to walk.”

“Humor me,” he teased as he climbed the stairs of the porch. “It makes me feel useful.”

“But it is ridiculous. I really do not need—”

Javier cut off her protests with his mouth. The kiss had simply been a reflex, a means of preventing her from telling him what he already knew, that she did not need him. She had never needed him, not the way he had needed her. But he had not counted on that kiss being so sweet or on lingering a moment longer to sip, to taste, to explore. He certainly had not counted on her lips softening beneath his own and tempting him until all he could think about was losing himself in her, with her. Nor had he counted on lifting his head and seeing dark brown eyes filled with desire or on her lips parting invitingly until he could not resist one more taste. And Javier positively had not counted on having the door he was leaning against suddenly opening and nearly sending him sprawling on the floor with Ella in his arms.

Then he heard a small cough. It was Pedro clearing his throat while carrying one suitcase in each hand. “I am sorry, Sir, where do you need me to bring these to?”

Javier tore his lips from Ella, feeling annoyed that he had been interrupted and by Pedro of all people. “Bring it into the flat. Thank you,” he muttered his order under his breath and watched Pedro rushed into the building. He looked down and caught the sight of the color flooding Ella’s cheeks. He kissed the tip of her nose. “Sorry.”

“You can put me down now,” she told him, still blushing and her lips were slightly swollen.

“Nah, I should at least get you to the door.” As if she weighed nothing, he continued to carry her all the way to the door where Pedro had safely placed the two suitcases. Slowly and carefully, he put her down until she was able to stand on her own two feet. “This is it.” He shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out a key.

To Ella’s relief, her home felt somewhat familiar. There was nothing ordinary. It was just a regular flat, nothing too fancy or too modernized. A contrast compared to the interior of Javier’s car and the luxury it seemed to offer.

“I remember this flat.” Her hand reached out and she grabbed the key from his palm then unlocked the door. She let him swung the door open and brought the suitcases inside. “That desk.” She pointed at the small desk in the middle of the small living room. “I remember getting that from the thrift store.” Her face brightened as she recognized some more items inside her flat in which she had bought previously. She recalled each dime she had saved in order to buy these items and the fact that she had remembered this brought happiness to her face.

Then his phone was ringing. “I should get this one,” he said, excusing himself as he walked towards the balcony. A few minutes later, he returned and informed her, “That was my sister Clarabelle. She was checking to see if you needed anything.”

Ella shook her head and lifted her gaze to his. “I can not believe I do not remember Clarabelle.”

Javier grinned. “She is a hard one to forget.”

“You said she both loves and annoys you.” Ella smiled as she vaguely recalled hearing Clarabelle’s voice when she had not been fully conscious. Javier had also been filling her in with some information regarding his family, hoping that she would somehow remember them although thus far, it had been nothing but wishful thinking.

“She loves you too,” Javier amended. Giving in to the need, he reached for her hand. “All of my family does and me most of all.”

“I do not know what to say,” she told him, averting her eyes.

Sighing, he released her hand. “There I go pushing it again. I am sorry.”

“Do not be,” she said, touching his arm when he started to rise. “I am the one who is sorry. You have been wonderful. You, your family, everyone. I just—I just wish I could remember.”

The disappointment etched across her face ripped at him. “Do not be so tough on yourself. You heard what the doctor said. You just need to give yourself time.”

The smile she gave him was soft. Slow. Warm. “You are a nice man, Javier Summers.”

He winced as if she had just pinched him. “Nice? Whatever you do, please do not say that I am sweet. If you do, you are liable to find out that I am not nice at all.”

“But you are sweet and kind and patient. I have been yelling at you, screaming and accusing you of lying, and many other things that you did not do yet you are still being so patient with me. Trust me, there are so many nice things about you.”

Javier groaned. “Please stop.”