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“Paige.” Someone touched her and a bolt of electricity shot through her. Firm, strong fingers wrapped around her shoulder and gave her a little shake. “Open your eyes. Are you okay?”
She cracked open her lids to find him standing before her, gorgeous in a long black wool coat, still wearing a suit though it was rumpled, and he looked a bit of a mess. And the usual impeccable tie was long gone. The haggard expression on Matteo’s face should’ve made her feel better since she was wearing a matching one, but instead she felt incredibly guilty. She was the one who put that look on his face. His worry for her was obvious.
But he drove you away. Never forget that.
Paige shoved the nagging little voice inside her head firmly away.
“What are you doing here?” she croaked, moistening her lips with her tongue. Her mouth felt dry, her head foggy, and her lids were so heavy she was almost afraid she might pass out.
“Looking for you. Ready to beg you for forgiveness.” Reaching out, he settled his hands on her knees and knelt before her. “I can’t believe I found you.”
“I—I can’t believe you found me either.” She shook her head, trying to clear the fuzziness from her brain. Blinking, she brought Matteo into somewhat clear focus, her entire body swaying toward his. “Why did you come looking for me? I thought you hated me.”
“I can’t hate you.” He squeezed her knees. “I’m in love with you. You’re the one who ran away.”
“Because you’re the one who didn’t believe me.” An announcement came over the loudspeaker, drawing her attention, and she frowned. “Was that my bus? No, I don’t leave for a few hours.”
“You’re not leaving, period. I won’t let you.” His voice was firm, his gaze dark and directed solely on her.
“You can’t boss me around anymore, Matteo. I don’t work for you any longer.” She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. Her head felt like it was spinning. “Go away. I don’t want you here. Leave me alone.”
“Paige. Paige?” He shook her legs. “Are you all right?”
His voice grew distant, almost muffled and she preferred it. At least it wasn’t so loud anymore, or so insistent. She almost felt like she floated on a cloud, light and fluffy, drifting in the air. As if she weighed nothing at all…
Paige slumped into Matteo’s arms, her entire body falling forward, her head bobbling back in such a sudden, horrible jerk he leapt up, cradling her neck in his hand. Tension radiated through him as he studied her face. Her skin was pale, her breathing shallow, and her eyes were closed.
She’d fainted.
Gathering her into his arms, he stood, snatching her bag with his fingers so he could carry it beneath her. He strode through the terminal, ignoring the odd looks people cast in his direction as he passed, determined to get her the hell out of there and quick.
“Sir, sir, does the lady need medical attention?” A young man in a plain blue uniform approached him, and Matteo shook his head, not bothering to answer. They needed to leave this wretched place so he could take her home where she belonged.
But what if she really was sick? Or something serious was wrong with her? God, what if she was…?
He gave her a little shake in his arms, squeezing her, whispering her name before he raised his voice. “Wake up.”
A sound escaped her, faint but there, and he squeezed her again, spoke a little louder. “Paige. Can you hear me?”
“Stop,” she whispered. “Your voice is too loud.”
Relief flooding him, he hustled out of the terminal and headed for the parking structure where his car waited. She would be fine. She had to be. He’d already lost one woman in his life, he wasn’t about to lose another.
Juggling a slender woman, the purse that still hung off her shoulder, her duffle bag and his keys wasn’t an easy feat, but he somehow managed to do it. After opening the passenger side door, he slid her inside, settling her in the seat, thankful to see she was somewhat lucid and able to sit on her own. He leaned over her, buckling the seatbelt, and he could feel her gaze on him the entire time.
“I’m going to miss my bus,” she said when he was finished.
“You’re not going on the bus,” he answered before he slammed the door.
What the hell was wrong with her? Her behavior was odd and her reluctance over seeing him was, he had to confess, disheartening.
But damn it, he had to try and make it up to her. Beg her forgiveness. Whatever he could do to rectify this wrong he’d done to her, he would. No way could he let her run out of his life ever again.
He drove them home in record time, thankful she could at least walk when he opened the door for her. He escorted her the entire way, completely silent, his hand at her lower back as he guided her through the building, into the elevator. She remained quiet as well, the color back in her cheeks, though the look of exhaustion around her eyes told the truth.
