Free The CEO Buys in (Wager of Hearts #1) by Nancy Herkness Page B

decision.” She hesitated before saying, “I walked into the closet when I was looking for the bathroom. I just wondered . . . who do all those clothes belong to?”
    “They’re for Mr. Trainor’s guests. Please feel free to borrow anything you’d like.”
    Chloe thought of strolling into Trainor’s bedroom in the evening sandals and had to suppress a giggle. “Thanks, but I was just curious.”
    Ed nodded and withdrew, closing the door gently behind him. She sat down on the chaise longue, pulled out her cell phone, and checked for missed calls. There were none, so either Grandmillie was fine, or she’d fallen and couldn’t get up. Chloe grimaced at her gallows humor. Grandmillie was undoubtedly sound asleep in her own bed and wouldn’t appreciate all of Chloe’s worrying.
    She could hear muffled voices from the next room, their tones testy. Trainor wasn’t giving in to the doctor’s orders without a fight. She stretched out on the chaise and closed her eyes, listening to the rise and fall of the argument next door.
    “Ms. Russell.”
    Chloe sat up abruptly. Cavill stood at the foot of the chaise, looking down at her. She’d nodded off while she waited. “Sorry,” she said, swinging her legs over so she could stand up. “It’s late.”
    Cavill nodded. “I’m not going to mislead you. Nathan doesn’t want you in his bedroom, but I’ve insisted.”
    She had to swallow a nervous giggle at his phrasing.
    The doctor looked away and then back at her. “I’m sorry if he’s not as appreciative as he should be.”
    Once again, she read the strain on Cavill’s face. “Is he still very sick?”
    The doctor made a gesture of uncertainty. “Fevers often go back up.” He wasn’t indulging the whim of a rich and important man; he was worried about his friend.
    “I’ll do whatever I can.”
    Cavill gave her a tired smile and walked beside her into the master suite.
    Trainor was sitting up in the bed, his broad shoulders and chest covered by a dry dark-green T-shirt. His damp hair was neatly combed, and his eyes were unclouded by fever. When his gaze fell on Chloe, his mouth tightened. “Your presence is entirely unnecessary. Please allow Ed to send you home in a car.”
    “Your doctor believes I should stay,” Chloe said.
    “My doctor is an infuriating ass.” Trainor turned his glare on Cavill.
    “You’re too weak to throw her out bodily,” Cavill said, “so you might as well be gracious.”
    “I can fire her,” Trainor said, although Chloe detected a lack of conviction in his voice.
    “Then I’ll hire her,” the doctor replied.
    She felt caught in the clash of the titans as the two men squared off.
    Trainor sagged back on the pillow. “You win this round, Ben. Just leave me the hell alone.”
    “Gladly,” Cavill said, picking up his bag. “I don’t envy Ms. Russell having to spend the next few hours in your unpleasant company.” He turned to Chloe. “Arvind knows what to do medically. Your job is to calm the savage beast.”
    Trainor muttered something unflattering under his breath, and Cavill chuckled as he walked out the door.
    Chloe stood beside the cot, wondering if she was supposed to talk to her boss or encourage him to sleep. Trainor lifted his head and locked his gaze on her. “You can sleep in the guest room. If I become uncontrollable, Arvind can call you in to the rescue.” His tone became heavily ironic.
    Now what was she supposed to do? “Dr. Cavill told me to stay in here.” She cast a glance of appeal at Arvind. He nodded.
    “Oh, for God’s sake, sleep wherever you want.” Trainor closed his eyes. Now Chloe could see the dark circles under his eyes and the way the skin stretched too tightly over his cheekbones.
    She felt awkward lying down on the cot even though Trainor wasn’t watching. Her gaze landed on the paperback on the bedside table. “Would you like me to read to you?”
    His eyelids snapped open and he skewered her with a look of utter disbelief. “In