Stranded with the Billionaire

S A G E

An hour had passed, but Sage  couldn’t calm down. Irena  seems fine. Her eyes were closed, her lashes fluttering over her cheeks. He moved and pulled her closer. He wanted to feel his breath. He couldn’t get the image of her limp body out of his mind.

His stomach twisted as he loosened his grip on her. Part of him wanted to run away – to protect himself. The other side never wanted to let go. I want to be here forever wrapped in my arms. He couldn’t deny how wonderful her soft skin felt to his touch. He had to do his best not to pull her against him and kiss her.

She survived. She’s fine. His chest swelled as the fear  rooted in him broke free from its icy grip. Even if she were to lie there and spew ridiculous  reports in the media, he wouldn’t want it any other way.

She sighed as she walked. Her eyes opened and her gaze turned to his.

“Did I oversleep?”

He nodded.

“Are you there?” she asked.

“I can’t sleep.”

She stepped back a little and coughed. He frowned. ” How are you?

“Yes,” she said, covering her mouth.

He nodded, reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair from his cheek. “The glacier water is pretty clean, but there’s still  a risk of pneumonia. If it gets worse, let me know, okay?”

Her eyes widened and she nodded. Sage  propped himself up on his elbows. Their previous conversation kept spinning in his mind. He wondered how many more lies she had bought about him. “Are there any other stories about me that I need to unravel?” He asks.

Irena  sighed and shook her head. “No. I’ve decided to ignore it all. I want to know more about the real Sage . Not who the media portrays.”

Her throat tightened as he turned to look at her. She hesitated. but looked up to meet his gaze.

“Really?” He asks. He couldn’t believe it. The journalist herself is willing to do some research.”

She glared at him. “Don’t be so surprised.”

He purposely opened his mouth. “I was just… shocked.”

She patted him on the shoulder as she pulled away from him. Before he could let go, he reached out and pulled her back. “Where are you going? It’s freezing cold over there. Besides, our clothes haven’t dried yet.

She struggled for a while, before resting. “Good. I will stay  here. But you are on your side, and I will be on my side. ”

“Only you, Miss . Derrick , can make sides in a sleeping bag.” He smiled at her. “As much as I want to respect your decree, it’s best we stick together.” Heat is a rare commodity in the desert. He approached her.

She parted her lips, then pursued them again. Her rough posture relaxed as she nodded. “Good. But keep calm.”

“Honor of Scout.” He smiled as if he had lifted a burden from his chest. He was grateful to see her normal mood returned. It meant she was. it was fine, and the thought made him happier than he had been. Lam looked at her. “Hungry?”

Her cheeks flushed red as she nodded. “Correct.”

He smiles as he gets out of his sleeping bag. “I’ll defy the cold to bring you some food, ma’am,” he said,  then paused. “Close your eyes.”

Irena  glanced at him. “For what?”

“I’m only wearing underwear,” he whispered, amused as her face flushed red in response. “And I’m sure if you see my muscles when you’re not fighting for your life, you’ll never look at a man again.” He lowered his voice with a serious expression.

Irena ‘s eyes widened. “Are you that confident?”

Sage  turned and reached out of his  sleeping bag. “Did you see those weapons? They are just a sample of what’s below.

Her gaze fell on his chest, and for a moment he could hear his heart pounding in his ear. What could she think about for so long? Does he really want to know?

Before they entered uncharted territory, Sage  cleared his throat. “So for  your sanity, cover your eyes.” Or the one that was good for his stomach,  now full of butterflies.

She looked up at him and then closed her eyes. Sage  moved and moved and finally got out of the bag. He stuffed his body in while hastily getting dressed. Thank goodness they’re dry.

He shook them. After getting dressed, he stood by the fire, stretching his fingers. It helped warm up his aching body. The sun had disappeared behind the mountain, and  cool temperatures were enveloping him. He shivered as he walked on the shore. Where did his backpack go? She is the one who brings the food.

“Irena ?” he cried, ducking into the lump under his sleeping bag.

She moves and sticks her head out. “What?”

“Where’s the backpack?” He stopped and rubbed his face. He didn’t remember seeing her with it when he pulled her out of the lake. Titan  finished warming up by the fire and followed in his footsteps.

Sage  looked down at him. “Where did  he go?” He asks.

Titan  just tilted his head to the side.

There’s a groan from Irena ‘s manager. “I took it off when it fell into the water. My wallet. My book. Mine . . .”

Sage  looked at her. She is studying the lake. Awareness comes to mind. Her boyfriend’s photo. “Your picture?”

She looked at him. “Yes,” she whispered. “But it’s probably for the best.”

“What does that mean?”

She closed her eyes. “Never mind.”

Sage  won’t let  go. But he also didn’t want to convince her that he had to go into the water to get it. The thought of stepping into the glacial lake sent shivers down his back. Her skin tingles at the memory of the cold water. He couldn’t go back, no matter what was lost in its depths. “Do you mind if I don’t jump in there?”

She shook her head. “No. That’s ridiculous.

He nodded. Well,  standing out among the elements doesn’t help without food. He hissed as Titan  followed him and returned to the fire where he was. She stood in front of her, clasping her hands.

“I’m sorry I let the package go,” she whispered.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

He turned around and shook his head. “Don’t worry. You better  live than let this flock engulf you.

She looked at the fire. “But if you don’t have me with you, you’ll have a much better chance of survival.”

Sage ‘s stomach boiled. There is truth in his words. There was an inexperienced person standing in the way. But he would never admit that he enjoyed her company. That he was beginning to wonder if it was better to be alone.

She scoffed and he turned to her. What does it mean?

She buried her face in her sleeping bag. “I’m just a joke.” His voice was muffled by the material.

Sage ‘s heart is out. Getting lost in the desert is his element. She must have felt out of control here. He walked over to where she was lying.

“Here I am, writing about people’s lives when I’m barely being myself.” She pulled the blanket away from her face and jumped when his eyes fixed on hers. “I mean, I can’t even go down a glacier that doesn’t make room for me.”

Sage  leans down,  elbows on  his knees. “You’re not kidding,” he said.

She nodded. “Yes. I’m a joke and a traitor. I’m no better than the reporters the Magazine hired to write ‘How to seduce your man in ten steps or less’. ” She covered her face with her hand. like a dagger had pierced her stomach. Does she think her life story equates to a lousy article? Writing the story about Davenport Outdoors, even if it was to cover up something his father did, it was also to save jobs. . . to save him.

He shook his head as he stood up. He knew he shouldn’t have gotten involved with Irena . His presumptuous ideas and know-how will eventually hurt him. Better to stay away from her. Distant.