Page 60 of Enchanted Hero

“I’m fine.” Except for the knife stabbing her brain. “A little hung over.”

“I’m sorry.” His voice was genuine. “Have you tried acupressure?” Before she could answer, he reached out, smoothing away her hair and brushing his fingers across the back of her neck. Any inclination to retreat departed the second his hands started to work their magic. Heady warmth spread through her neck and head, and then… the pain vanished.

For seconds, he didn’t move away. For seconds, she didn’t either.

Then he did, and though coldness came where his hand had been, the pain didn’t return. The other symptoms of the hangover – the nausea, sensitivity, muscle aches – also disappeared. “What did you do?”

He shrugged. “Like I said, acupressure.”

“I can’t imagine why the whole world doesn’t do this.” Yet as she rubbed her neck, something still seemed strange. If it was that effective, whydidn’tthe world do it?

“Are you hungry?”

She started at the sudden question, but swiftly shook her head. She was ravenous, yet food would wait until she returned home. She needed to get away from Alexander Stone and his dangerous effect on her.

Yet her stomach growled, and the corners of his mouth quirked up. “Are you sure? Breakfast should be ready by now.”

“I’m sure,” she forced out. “I have to shower and change.”

“I have showers here. Thirteen of them.”

His tone said he wasn’t joking. “I couldn’t impose.” If she showered in his house, she’d imagine him showering, and then she’d imagine showering with him, and then she’d imagine all the things they could do while showering, and then–

“Everleigh?” He most impolitely interrupted her showering fantasies. “Are you all right? If you’re worried about clothing, I have some you can wear.”

“Why do you have women’s clothing?” she blurted out, then blushed. “I’m sorry.”

His bemusement deepened. “Do you think I’d offer you clothing from a woman I’ve dated? Or that women regularly leave here without their clothing?”

“It’s really none of my business how many women you date or if they forget their clothing on the way out.” Her face flamed. “Forgive me,” she mumbled. “That wasn’t polite. I usually don’t get so worked up.”

“There’s no need for jealousy.” His eyes twinkled. “The clothing is brand new. Family and friends often stay, so I keep a few items in case anyone needs something.”

“That’s nice… wait, you think I’m jealous?”

His smile widened.

“Now hold on a second. I’m not jealous. Why would I be jealous? You’re my business partner. You’re welcome to all the women you want. You could have a thousand girlfriends for all I care.”

His lips twitched. “That sounds exhausting.”

No doubt he could manage it. Yet despite what he believed, he had no right to manage her. “Do you purposely dominate everyone around you?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Do I?”

“You locked me in your bedroom.”

“That was for your safety.”

“You kept me overnight without my permission.”

“You were in no position to go anywhere.”

“The first night we met, you forbade me from leaving your home.”

“So you wouldn’t get caught by the storm, which youwere.”

“Don’t you see a pattern? You take charge – even when you have no right.”