The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

The morning air was still crisp when Ethan stepped out of the hospital's automatic doors with his injured arm tucked in its sling and Rayna by his side.

Melvin had offered to pick him up and drive him to his place, but Ethan had declined his help, saying they had everything under control and Melvin would only get in the way since he would prefer to be alone with Rayna. Ethan's steps were slow and springy as they approached Rayna's car, and the grin on his face was bright enough to rival the sun.

Rayna adjusted the strap of his overnight bag slung over her shoulder and gave him a side glance. "You're walking like you just got out of prison."

Ethan smirked. "Feels like it. Fresh air, freedom, and you. What more could a man ask for?"

Rayna giggled, "You never stop, do you?"

He nudged her gently with his good arm. "Do you want me to?"

"No, I don't," Rayna shook her head, unable to hide her smile.

She walked ahead of him to the car, opening the passenger door and gesturing dramatically. "Your chariot awaits, my lord."

Ethan chuckled. "I should be the one doing this for you," he said with a sigh as he got into the car.

"You will. I assure you that this is temporary. I have no intention of playing the man," she said, and Ethan chuckled as she helped him settle into his seat and fasten his seatbelt.

He let her fuss, his eyes never leaving her face. When she finally finished and pulled back to leave, he stopped her.

"You missed a spot."

She paused, confused. "What spot?"

"My lips""" he replied with a mischievous grin.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Rayna rolled her eyes but leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against his lips before pulling back. "All set?"

"Perfect," Ethan murmured, his voice low and tender.

Rayna giggled as she closed the door and moved around to the driver's side to get into the car.

"So, do you have your stuff in the car?" Ethan asked Rayna since she was moving into his place.

Rayna sighed inwardly, unable to shake off the wistful feeling she was having. As much as she had been looking forward to meeting a man and getting married, she had not really thought about moving out of her house.

And even now, she felt like it was all happening too quickly. She knew that moving in with Ethan now meant that she might never really go back to her place after he recovered because he would want to get married quickly. "Are you okay?" Ethan asked when she didn't respond to his question, and she turned to look at him.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Some of my things are in the trunk," she said, and Ethan watched her, trying to figure out what the problem was.

"Is something bothering you?" He asked, and she shrugged.

"Not really," she said, not wanting to talk about it.

She was sure she would figure it out soon enough. And maybe when he recovered and went back to work, she could go to her place.

Ethan watched her, wondering what she was thinking, but seeing as she didn't want to talk about it, he decided not to press, and just wait until she was ready to share.

When they reached Ethan's home, Rayna parked the car in the driveway and got out quickly, moving to his side to help him out.

"I'm not an invalid""" Ethan protested as she opened his door.

"Maybe not, but your argument is invalid. See what I did there?" She asked with a wink, and Ethan chuckled at her quick wit.

"Now listen," Rayna said, looking at him with a serious expression,

"if you keep claiming you can do everything yourself, that means I'm not needed, so I might just as well leave you here and go home. If you want this arrangement to work, you must allow me to nurse you," she said, fixing her gaze on him. "Alright. I'm going to let you nurse me. You can bathe me and even

take me to the restroom," he said, and Rayna laughed.

"Good. Now hush and let me help you," she said as she took hold of his bag with one hand and supported him out of the car with the other.

Ethan sighed dramatically but allowed her to guide him to the door. Inside, the familiar warmth of his home greeted them, and Ethan visibly relaxed. Rayna set his bag down and turned to face him.

"You're welcome to my abode"" Ethan said, and Rayna smiled.

"It's not my first time here," she reminded him since she had dropped by two days ago to take a look around his place and at his kitchen so she would know how much space he had and what work tools to bring with her.

"I wasn't here when you came," he reminded her.

"Couch or bed?" she asked, hands on her hips.

"Neither. Kitchen," Ethan replied without missing a beat. "I need coffee. And I need to get my guest some refreshments."

"Sit down. I'll get the coffee. And I don't need refreshments"" she said and turned to leave.

Just as she turned, Ethan tapped her ass, and Rayna gaped at him in surprise when she turned.

Ethan grinned, "I figured since you accused me of that at the club and it caused all the problems between us, I should get a feel of it,"

he explained with a wink.

Before Rayna could stop herself, she burst into peals of laughter,

"Are you out of your mind?" She asked, and he nodded.

"I must be tam"" he said, "and when my hand gets all better, we are going back to the club, and I'm going to beat the crap out of the guy that touched my girl's ass," he promised, and Rayna laughed.

"You will do no such thing. Besides, you don't even know the person," she said, and Ethan shrugged.

"That's easy enough. I know the group of guys. All I need to do is make them tell me which one did it, he said, and Rayna shook her head.

"That might have been their first or last time at the club. And even if it weren't, I'd rather forget it."

He opened his mouth to argue but stopped when she leveled him with a stern glare. "Fine," he muttered.

"Good boy. Now wait here while I get your coffee, and then I'll go get my things out of the car," Rayna said, heading to the kitchen.

Ethan sank into the couch with exaggerated care. "I take my coffee black," he called out.

"I'm aware""" she called back.

Ethan leaned back, listening to the comforting sounds of Rayna moving around his kitchen. The clink of mugs, the hiss of the

coffee machine-it all felt so domestic, so right. He closed his eyes, letting the moment sink in.

When Rayna returned with two mugs, she found him with a soft smile playing on his lips. "What's that look for?" she asked, handing him his coffee.

"Just thinking about how perfect this is. You. Here. Us," he said, placing his mug on the table near him and pulling her down so that she was seated beside him. Rayna's cheeks warmed as she sank down beside him. "Easy, so you don't hurt yourself."

"I won't hurt myself. I just need a little sugar for my coffee," he said, kissing her, and she giggled

"Why are you so naughty?" She asked when he pulled away, and he took a careful sip before answering.

"Hm. The coffee does taste a lot better. I need more," he said, and she pulled back.

"I need to go get my bags""" she said, and Ethan gave her a puppy look.

"The bags are not running, but my coffee will get cold," he said, and she rolled her eyes as she kissed him, and then he sipped his coffee again making her grin.

"You have the most kissable lips I've kissed," he said, and she raised a brow.

"And how many lips have you kissed?" Rayna asked, and Ethan groaned.

"Forget I said that," he said, but she scowled at him.

"How many?" She repeated.

"Not many. I can't even remember the names or faces," he said, and she eyed him with disbelief.

"How many ladies have you dated?"

"Didn't you want to go get the bags?" Ethan asked, and Rayna smiled sweetly.

"I can't leave now. You want some sugar for your coffee, remember?" She asked, and Ethan chuckled.

"I love you, Ray. I think I might just quit my job and join Melvin in running the family business so I don't stay away from you," he said, and her breath hitched.

"I didn't put any alcohol in your coffee, so I know you're not drunk.

Why are you saying what you don't mean?" she asked, raising her brow.

"Do I look like the kind of guy who says things he doesn't mean?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Rayna smiled, her fingers brushing over his good hand. "No. You're too blunt for that." "Exactly." Ethan leaned closer, his eyes locking with hers. "I'm

serious, Ray. This... being with you, it's everything I didn't know I needed."

She felt her throat tighten, emotions bubbling to the surface. "But you love your job."

"Yeah. But I love you more than my job. I don't find the thought of being away from you for months so appealing It might have worked if t didn't love you, but I'm really into you. And I've realized I'm so damned clingy with you. I get sick when you're far away from me for so long. If get sick on the ship, I can't do my work," he said. Rayna laughed as tears gathered in her eyes at his confession.

"Ethan... you're going to make me cry."

"Good tears, I hope," he whispered, his forehead resting against hers.

"The best tears," she replied, her voice shaky but full of warmth.

"I also realized I want to be with my family. I want to stay with you when you get pregnant and be with you through every phase. I think you're going to be very sexy when you're pregnant," he said, and Rayna felt the butterflies in her belly flutter.

"When you talk about pregnancy, you make me think about the act that leads to it," she said, and Ethan chuckled.

"I want you to think about it," he said, kissing her then, soft and slow, as if the world outside didn't exist.

When they pulled apart, Rayna rested her head on his shoulder, careful of his injured arm.

"Let's just stay like this," Ethan mulmured.

"For as long as you want," Rayna replied, thinking about how he was willing to give up his job for her sake, yet she was hesitating over leaving her house.