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Kade moved closer, reaching out a large hand to gently tip her chin up. “Then let me explain the protocol. You thank me sweetly and accept what I give you so you don’t hurt my tender feelings.” Giving her a lopsided grin, he added, “A thank-you kiss or hug would be appropriate.”
Asha impatiently brushed away a tear that escaped from her eyes, staring at him in indecision. He’d helped her so much, possibly saved her life by getting her medical treatment. How could she take anything more from him? Conversely, she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Although he’d mentioned it in a joking kind of way, rejecting gifts that he’d bought for her specificallymighthurt him. He’d looked so excited when he’d given her these gifts. “I’ll pay you back,” she told him, deciding it was a good compromise. She did need the items, but he’d spent way more than she’d ever be able to afford. Obviously, he liked top-of-the-line products.
“Asha…you are not paying me back. A gift doesn’t require repayment. I wanted to pick these up for you. It’s no big deal to me. Understand?” he answered in a low, warning voice.
“It’s a lot of money. Can you afford it?” She blurted out her anxious thoughts aloud before she could censor them.
His gaze went from intense to amused. “I think I can swing it comfortably,” he answered, unable to keep the laughter out of his voice.
“Be serious,” she said anxiously. “I don’t want to hurt you financially. You’ve already done so much for me, paid my hospital bills—”
“I’m a billionaire. I’m half owner of Harrison Corporation. Plus, I was a professional football player for eight years and made millions from my contracts, which I invested well.”
Asha had already assumed that Kade wasn’t hurting for money…but his words shocked her. “Then why are you here? Why are you helping me?” Why would someone with that much money waste any time on her?
Kade lifted a brow, a gesture that looked both questioning and admonishing at the same time. “What? Just because I have money should mean I don’t do favors for friends or family? It means I should be a prick to a woman who’s sick?”
Well…she hadn’t meantthat...not exactly. She let out a soft sigh and gave him an apologetic look. She was being judgmental because he was wealthy, and there was nothing she disliked more than making untrue assumptions. “I’m sorry. This whole thing just seems so unusual. I don’t know any rich people, but I’d think that they wouldn’t spend their time tracking down unimportant people they didn’t know.”
“You aren’t unimportant, and I was available since I’m not able to play football anymore. Max needed to spend time with my sister or he would have come himself. It’s personal to him. He wouldn’t have sent an employee to talk to you.”
Asha ran a hand over the laptop, admiring the shiny, new surface. How long had it been since she’d had anything brand new? She bought everything secondhand at bargain shops or thrift stores, conserving every penny. But his gifts touched her, and meant so much more than the money he’d spent. It was almost as if he was encouraging her art career by giving her the laptop, the phone, and drawing supplies. “Thank you,” she finally murmured. “This means more to me than you’ll ever know. But I am paying you back for my hospital bills and the medicine. I don’t care how rich you are,” she finished stubbornly.
“I won’t take it.” Kade crossed his arms and gave her an intimidating stare, a look that she was actually getting used to seeing. “You thanked me sweetly enough. I’m waiting for my kiss.” He turned his head, giving her his cheek playfully.
“I don’t want to infect you,” she answered hesitantly.
“You won’t. You’ve been on antibiotics long enough, and it isn’t as if we haven’t breathed the same air. We’ve slept in the same bed for days.” He leaned even closer, tapping his cheek with his finger expectantly.
Asha’s memory of the first several days of her illness was spotty, but relief flooded through her that she could finally touch him, and she sprang at him, throwing her arms around his neck and landing a loud, smacking kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Kade. I’m not sure how to repay you for helping me, but I’d like to try.” Where would she have been had it not been for Kade? He’d taken care of her when she was sick, sheltered her while she was recovering, and now he’d given her things that would help her get more business.
Kade wrapped his arms around her, surrounding her with his warmth. He smelled so good that Asha lingered longer than she really thought was needed for a thank-you hug. But she couldn’t help herself.
Kade drew her closer and pulled her effortlessly onto his lap, resting her head against his broad shoulder and answering huskily, “That was the best thank-you I’ve ever received. It’s all I need.”
Asha sighed happily and snuggled into his muscular body, so warm and comfortable that she never wanted to move. Eventually, she’d have to give up the sense of security she felt when she was close to him. She was alone, had always been alone. But for just a little while, she let herself relax and be comforted by a man she was slowly learning to trust.
Kade had had a reputation for being one of the calmest and most focused quarterbacks to play football. He’d rarely gotten rattled on the field. Winning had been his objective, and he’d never let his emotions get in the way of that goal.
But he wasn’t on a football field, and he was far from tranquil at that particular moment.
What woman Asha’s age had never received a gift?
Hell, he’d been a stupid jock, but evenhehad given his girlfriend great presents and remembered her birthday. He remembered special occasions for all of his friends and relatives.
She really has been alone. Really alone.
Kade held Asha even tighter, realizing she was falling asleep against his shoulder. She was still pretty sick, but she was improving. He hadn’t had any business to do in Nashville. He’d dashed out strictly to get her a few things she needed. Now, he was glad he had. Like it or not, Asha was going to learn to accept that she wasn’t alone anymore. She’d have Max and Maddie.
And she’ll have me.
The proprietary beast that kept rearing its head when it came to Asha was back. Admittedly, Kade wasn’t sure it ever really went away. It seemed to always be there hiding just beneath the surface, and it was clawing its way out easier and easier every day if there was any threat or slight to Asha.
Kade shifted her slender weight, tucking her sleeping form back into the bed, questions forming one right after the other in his mind.
Why had she always been alone?
What kind of a life had she lived?